Minutes
WBL Board Meeting
August 1, 2007
The meeting was held at Ellen Rosenthal’s home.
In attendance: Carole Banks, Don Berman, Ellen Cherniavsky, Richard Ferrin, Fred King, Clyde Kruskal, Linda Marshall, Steve Robinson, Ellen Rosenthal, and non-voting members Donna Rogall, Nadine Wood, and Ted Ying. Mike Cappelletti, Mike Henderson, Mark Lavine, and Barry Lieberman.
President King called the meeting to order at 7:52 PM.
Secretary’s Report
The Board approved the minutes from the June 2007 WBL Board meeting, without objection.
Treasurer’s Report
Steve Robinson reported a balance of $12,276.84 in the WBL’s checking account. The WBL has $36,833.30 in a money market account, as of June 30. The Board approved the Treasurer’s report, without objection.
Novice Game Future
Fred King explained that with Steve and Sandy Forsythe leaving, the WBL needs to consider the direction of the Thursday night and Sunday novice games. The Sunday game attendance was so high that the Methodist Home wanted to cut back to one Sunday per month. Ted Ying added that the Methodist Home residents complained about lack of parking, clean-up problems, etc. Mike Henderson added that there thus far appeared to be few recruits from the Sunday game at the Methodist Home that have started playing regularly at the Unit Game.
Fred noted that Mike Henderson and Barry Lieberman, and Mark Lavine expressed interest in assisting with the novice game in some capacity. Leslie and Charlie Shafer initially expressed interest in the Sunday game, but have not yet followed up. Mark Weiner and Herb Behre have also expressed interest. Mark Lavine will run the novice game tomorrow, Mark Weiner will run it the following Thursday, and Herb will run it the week after that.
Mike Henderson presented a handout summarizing the general approach that he and Barry suggest. We need to have a good venue, and prepared lesson materials (in case a substitute is needed). The loss of venue at the Methodist Home is the biggest risk to the Sunday game, so he suggested that finding a new location should be a priority. Mike and Barry again stated their willingness to assist with the novice program.
Ted Ying stated that the WBL has made available two sets of boards for the Sunday game, and the WBL is paying for the boards to be pre-duplicated. Regarding Thursday night, there is no lack of certified directors; the game is under Ted’s direction, even if he is not physically in the separate room with the novice game. However, Ted said that we do need a certified director for the Sunday game. Rotation of various directors might be feasible, but it would be important to have a single teacher for each game (as opposed to several teachers on a rotating basis) for purposes of teaching consistency.
The Board then discussed various ideas regarding possible new venues for the Sunday game.
Mark Lavine stated that he is available to fill in, as needed. He has taken a teaching course, and currently directs three games per week, although he has not actually taught classes to date. Regarding a venue, Mark suggested that the board consider renting a space that both could be used for the unit game, plus various club games. He and perhaps others who run games in the area might be willing to join in. The challenge is finding a place with sufficient parking. Mark estimated that it could cost $60-70,000 per year for about 6,000 square feet of warehouse space. Ted added that with the additional cost for renovations, the annual cost might run about $85,000 for suitable spaces.
The Board thanked Mike Henderson, Barry Lieberman, and Mark Lavine for their presentations and willingness to help with the novice program.
Later in the meeting, the Board continued discussion of the Thursday night and Sunday novice game. Fred stated that he was pleasantly surprised at the number of people volunteering to help with the Thursday night game. The board needs to consider the financial arrangements. We agreed to pay a total of $150 for Steve and Sandy, plus one half of the profits after we covered costs. They charged $5 per person, half price for anybody bringing in somebody new. The break-even point is about 8 tables. For Sunday, we paid Steve and Sandy $300, plus one half of the profits after covering costs. But costs for the Sunday game were higher, including lunch. Steve and Sandy charged $10 per person for lunch, a lesson, and play. The break-even point is about 11 tables.
Ted Ying noted that Steve and Sandy were drawing about 16-18 tables on Sunday at the point that they stopped. Ted emphasized that overall WBL membership numbers are good because of the large number of new players, approximately 60-70 per year.
Fred asked the Board whether it wants to continue the same financial arrangements with Steve and Sandy’s replacement. Ted commented that the Forsythes had a well-developed novice teaching program. The key is good instructors week after week. The Forsythes had an e-mail list, followed up on masterpoint and other novice liaison issues. Don Berman stated that the Forsythes were irreplaceable, but we do need an overall coordinator. Ted stated that we need to have a fee structure for the coordinator, director, and teacher. We should figure out the cost structure after settling on the right people.
Carole Banks raised the possibility of having rotating teachers. Ted Ying emphasized that the key to success of the program is having the right teacher. Fred noted that we have substitutes for the next three weeks, and we should ask the participants how they did.
Steve Robinson asked if anybody is willing to conduct the program every week. Fred replied that most of the people expressing interest cannot commit for every week. Richard Ferrin commented that one advantage of having two people teach/direct the novice group is that one can serve as a fill-in. Ted Ying replied that finding the right teacher is the highest priority, logistics second.
Steve Robinson stated that we need to compensate the substitutes scheduled for the next three weeks. The board agreed on a fee of $75 for the teacher, plus $50 for a second (if we can find one), with the understanding that this is just an interim arrangement.
Fred appointed himself, Richard, Carole, Ted, and Mike Henderson to a committee to follow up on the intermediate-novice program, including a site for the Sunday game. Ted agreed to pull together lists and proposals. Ted will e-mail results to the novices.
Election of District 6 Director
Mike Cappelletti and Nadine Wood, the two candidates for District 6 Director, spoke with the Board about their past activities and plans if elected.
Mike compared efforts at promotion of bridge to the highly successful promotion of poker tournaments. He discussed the possibility of cooperating with poker tournament promoters to present a package to ESPN, and then possibly to the International Olympic Committee. Mike thought that one possible approach to marketing bridge for television would be to take the five or six best hands from a tournament, and condense it to a watchable segment. Nadine Wood noted that ESPN did make inquiries some time in the past, but the then-CEO of the ACBL did not follow up. Mike also discussed promotion of bridge at the college level.
Nadine stated that she is currently working on the Bridge at Schools program. She favors targeting middle school students, planting the connection with bridge with children at an early age. Even if they do not continue with bridge through high school and college, their early exposure can give them a springboard to become more involved later in life. The ACBL also has revived the collegiate program, and is trying to build that program. Every year more colleges participate. The ACBL is planning a National Youth Bridge Tournament next year. Nadine complimented Mike’s good ideas for promotion and welcomed his involvement, but she cautioned that election to the Board of Directors will not accomplish those objectives. Currently, the board is focused on sale of the ACBL headquarters. ACBL will initially rent back the space while it looks for new headquarters space. She is urging ACBL to move to a different city than Memphis. She is also working on revising board regulations, and organizing the regulations logically, instead of by date. Nadine noted that she writes a report to District 6 after every NABC.
Fred King thanked the candidates for speaking, and stated that ACBL will send election materials in August. The WBL Board will vote in its September meeting.
Report for Regional
Nadine Wood reported that the WBL has 35 new members, most from the regional, and from Steve and Sandy’s game. Mike Cappelletti asked if we send them free plays. Nadine replied that we do, along with a welcome letter.
Nadine also reported that the hotel bill only listed the caddy’s room. Apparently the hotel provided the other rooms complimentary, leaving us with $2000 left over from the tournament budget. She said that the hotel room usage was good because of the Senior Trials, and because of the director’s course. In 2010 (the next year the regional will be in Bethesda), there will be no Senior Trials, because the world event that year is an open tournament.
Ted Ying suggested that the pre-tournament advertising should mention that parking is free for persons staying through the evening session. Nadine replied that it would be unwise to include that in the advertising, because the hotel could always keep the parking attendants late and continue to charge people exiting after the evening session.
Fred King noted that the table county was 74 or 75 less than last year’s tournament in Alexandria. He noted, however, that tournament attendance tends to be at its lowest point in years where the 4th of July falls on a Wednesday.
August Sectional
Nadine Wood passed out flyers for the sectional. She has not yet settled on a menu for the between-session meals. She noted that there has been an accounting issue between the Senior Center and Montgomery County with regard to the tournament.
Ted Ying reported that Jim Geist will handle table setup, along with David Saloman. Fred King noted that the tables have to be broken down and loaded immediately after the end of the tournament for transportation to Hunt Valley.
Fred stated that the Friday night event is a bracketed pairs/BAM event. Saturday will feature two one-session games, and Sunday we will have a normal Swiss teams event.
Nadine stated that she needs helpers Friday and Saturday morning for bagels, etc. She also needs assistance with storage and transportation of breakfast food.
Bulletin
Donna Rogall reported that the next Bulletin will be the September-October issue. These should be delivered by about September 20. The deadline for the issue is this Monday. The Bulletin will advertise the holiday party.
Donna asked if there will be a 0-20 game. Fred King replied that a 0-20 game at Christ the King Church will continue. Plans for the WBL’s weekly Sunday novice game are unclear. Fred will write something about this for the Bulletin.
Unit Game
Ted Ying reported that attendance at the Unit Game is stable. The stop-clock needs to be replaced sometime in the next 9 months. He estimated the cost would be $300 to $400. Don Berman and Mike Cappelletti suggested that it might be cost-effective to coordinate with the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference on a purchase. Ellen Cherniavsky moved to authorize purchase of a clock as soon as possible. Clyde Kruskal seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Don Berman will research prices.
Calendar of Obligations
Don Berman reported that Margot Hennings will host a meeting on August 26 for joint scheduling with the WBL and NVBA, plus host a separate meeting later that day planning for the 2009 Summer NABC in Washington.
Don also noted that it is time for ACBL Goodwill Committee nominations. Nadine Wood stated that she is happy to consider nominations. Appropriate nominees should display goodwill at the table, and volunteer. The position is honorary. She noted that District 6 set up a district goodwill committee, with two people nominated from every unit.
Finally, Don Berman noted the October sectional is on the Calendar of Obligations.
Bridge at Schools
Fred King noted that the Thursday bulletin at the Nashville NABC had an article on youth bridge. Patty Tucker of the Atlanta area is promoting a youth NABC. The first one will be next year, and the second one will run concurrent with the DC NABC in 2009.
Ellen Rosenthal raised the idea of starting a youth-oriented online bridge room. Ellen also stated that the Bridge at Schools Committee is targeting middle schools. The Committee listened to taped sessions; we should try to get a copy of that tape and market it. Ellen has talked to six people, and made a presentation at Montgomery Village. Everybody is positive about the program. The Committee is working on lining up schools and volunteers. We need to find people who might be interested in volunteering. Clyde Kruskal stated that Mark Rosen is in charge of that, and the Committee should check with him.
Fred stated that we need more volunteers if we are now shifting toward targeting middle schools more than high schools.
Ellen stated that she contacted Julie Greenberg of ACBL, who sent us educational materials. The schools start programs in October. Fred suggested that Ellen confer with Ron Starr. Carole Banks suggested that we see if it is possible to hold a Saturday game at a school.
Other Business
The Board also discussed possible replacements for Shlomit Rind, who has moved away from the area.
Next Meeting
The next WBL Board meeting will be held September 19 at Donna Rogall’s residence. Fred King will host on October 17. The November meeting will be held on November 14, location TBD.
The Board thanked Ellen Rosenthal for her hospitality.
Whereupon, the meeting adjourned at 10:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Ferrin, Secretary
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