Minutes

WBL Board Meeting

April 18, 2007

The meeting was held at Ted Ying’s house.

In attendance: Don Berman, Ellen Cherniavsky,  Fred King, Clyde Kruskal, Shlomit Rind, Steve Robinson, Barbara Summers, Dick Wegman, and non-voting members Donna Rogall, Ted Ying, and Nadine Wood.  

President King called the meeting to order at 8:02 PM.

Secretary’s Report

Minutes from the previous meeting were conditionally approved, provided they are corrected to reflect actual attendance.  

Treasurer’s Report

Steve Robinson reported a balance of $25,000 in the WBL’s checking account which includes $12,000 in money for the regional.  He also reported that the WBL had investments with a value of about $36,050 in a money market account with A. G. Edwards.  The Board approved the Treasurer’s report, without objection.

Dealing Machine

The money for the dealing machine was sent, but apparently not received.  Steve Robinson is working on this problem.

Bridge in Schools

Schools in Georgia are required to have a course in “values” as part of their curriculum.  A course has been developed that meets these requirements, and rudimentary instruction in bridge is part of it.  This course has succeeded in Atlanta.  Shlomit Rind will talk to Shawn Stringer about contacting the appropriate people in Atlanta to learn more about their program.

Barbara Summers reported that the Gates money for bridge is being provided to the League.org (alternate website Leagueworldwide.org).

Kensington Armory

Dick Wegman reported that the assistant to the new mayor of Kensington  was supposed get back to  him on the issue of whether we could have every Thursday (that is, whether the issue of possible conflicts with theatre groups could be resolved).  The assistant has not done so.  No further action is suggested at this time.  Kensington is slightly but not significantly larger than our current location at Christ the King church.

Unit Game

Dick Wegman passed along word from Bruce Reeves and Jim Kirkham that the ACBL may be placing a limit on the number of unit and club championship games that any unit can run.  This could affect the WBL.  Ted Ying will contact Bruce Reeves about masterpoint issues.

A cake was provided by Barbara Shaw in honor of Yi Zhong’s going away.  It was suggested that there should be a process to go through so that other WBL members are not slighted, and that such celebrations should be coordinated through the Unit Game Chair, Club Manager, and Hospitality Chair.  It was agreed a policy is needed.

Elections

Candidates for the Board have been identified.  Steve Robinson will make up the petitions and circulate them at the Unit Game.  Fred King will follow up with Bob Levey as to whether he will be able to serve on the Board next year.

Don Berman reported that certificates for winners at the last sectional will be presented at the annual meeting.

Calendar of Obligations

Don Berman reported that certificates for winners at the last sectional will be presented at the annual meeting.

Unit Directory

Don Berman working on a joint NVBA-WBL directory.  It seems best because of privacy issues to publish the directory as a hard copy, and there are many options that would be less expensive than our previous joint directory.  Don will get cost estimates for various options

Regional

Sample flyers for the regional were distributed.  It was suggested that brochures for tourism in the Washington area could be available at the information desk.  The need for volunteers was discussed, as people are needed at different times.  Barbara Summers will coordinate the volunteers, and Nadine will send an email of what she needs.  

The senior trials will be held at the regional, and will be on Bridge Base Online.

Don Berman has collected a list of over 100 restaurants convenient to the regional.

Bridge Fiesta

Leslie Shafter has proposed a Bridge Fiesta to introduce new players to the mechanics of duplicate, such as bidding boxes.  Shlomit will volunteer to help, and Steve and Sandy Forsythe will direct.

Upcoming Meetings

Donna Rogall will host the next WBL Board meeting on May 30th.  Barbara Summers will host the June meeting which will be held June 27.

The Board thanked Ted Ying for hosting the meeting.  Whereupon, the meeting adjourned at 10:02 PM. 

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen Cherniavsky, in place of Richard Ferrin, Secretary