Minutes

WBL Board Meeting

September 19, 2007

The meeting was held at Donna Rogall’s home.

In attendance: Carole Banks, Don Berman, Ellen Cherniavsky, Richard Ferrin, Jim Geist, Fred King, Clyde Kruskal, Linda Marshall, Steve Robinson, Ellen Rosenthal, and non-voting members Donna Rogall, Nadine Wood, and Ted Ying. Dave Hankins also attended a portion of the meeting.

President King called the meeting to order at 8:10 PM. He welcomed the Board’s newest member, Jim Geist.

Secretary’s Report

With one amendment, the Board approved the minutes from the September 2007 WBL Board meeting, without objection.

Treasurer’s Report

Steve Robinson reported a balance of $8,657.51 in the WBL’s checking account. The WBL has $36,833.30 in a money market account, as of June 30. Steve noted that he has obtained an ATM card from the Bank of America for the WBL’s checking account. Ted Ying noted that the WBL netted $2,200 in the August sectional. Nadine Wood noted that the WBL should get another $2,000 for its next regional; this and other details are set forth in her Regional Report, which she will distribute to the Board. The Board approved the Treasurer’s report, without objection.

October and January Sectionals

Nadine Wood reported that Dana is no longer helping her with shopping. She needs help Friday morning and Saturday morning loading, and Tuesday (Oct. 2) or Thursday (Oct. 4) shopping. Fred King said he would approach David Solomon regarding helping Nadine.

Nadine stated that Gary Grossman wants to run the Instant New Player Program. The Board should have the WBL underwrite the cost of renting the room. Ted Ying suggested asking the Gates Foundation for funding. They focus on high school and college, but we can ask them anyway. Ted also stated that the WBL should agree to cover expenses and a fee for Gary, and split anything over the breakeven point with Gary. In the alternative, we could negotiate a flat fee for him, and have the WBL pay for everything else. Fred King asked how many tables the Instant New Player Program attracted last time, and the fee charged. Ted replied that it drew 20-35 tables, and Steve’s and Sandy’s fee was about $150-$200. Ted also suggested that the Board appoint a liaison to Gary’s program. Clyde Kruskal volunteered as liaison.

Nadine stated that we have finished the ad for the January sectional. We will have a cake for the new Life Masters. We need to get the Lovenberg, Cohen, and Tubbs trophies back. Sunday will feature a new team event, a bracketed Swiss. The Board then discussed the events for Friday nights of Sectionals, and settled on alternating between Barometer Pairs and IMP Pairs.

Request for Waiver from North American Pairs Eligibility Requirements

Nadine Wood stated that Millard Nachtwey forwarded a request by Raghavendra Rajkumar, who plays regularly with Prahalad Rajkumar. Raghavendra was in India during the Summer and was unable to qualify for the District Finals. He asked for an exception to be granted to allow him and Prahalad (who traveled with Raghavendra to India but was able to qualify just before the trip in June) permission to compete in the NAP district finals. Nadine noted that as District 6 Director, this was her call, but she asked the Board’s advice.

Steve Robinson opposed the request. He noted that when Peter Boyd was in the hospital with cancer, he didn’t ask for an exception from the NAP qualifying requirements. Ted Ying agreed, noting that at a minimum, Raghavendra should have asked permission before he left for India.

Nadine stated that she would take these comments under advisement.

I-CARE

Dave Hankins spoke about an organization he chairs entitled the International Cancer Alliance for Research and Education (I-CARE). Its promotes a new approach to cancer treatment and research, with the goal to create an information flow to extend patients’ lives. It involves doctors, scientists, and patients. I-CARE organizes communities around high schools and other groups, including bridge groups.

Steve Robinson suggested supporting I-CARE by holding a unit game in memory of Rossi Lindstrom, with donations on the side. Ted Ying commented that the WBL could convert a local unit game to a charity game any time, because we have already held a sufficient number of charity games for the ACBL. Ted suggested that the best date for such a game would be November 15. Steve moved to hold a charity game on November 15, dedicated to the memory of Rossi Lindstrom, with a portion of proceeds from the game going to I-CARE, plus a table set up at the game to accept additional donations. Richard Ferrin seconded the motion. The motion passed 9-1 (Ellen Cherniavsky dissenting).

Steve also suggested combining I-CARE with a Bridge-at-Schools pitch. Dave should speak with Ellen Rosenthal about this idea. Ellen explained to Dave that the WBL’s Bridge-at-Schools program was an after-school program, where the WBL is working through school coordinators.

Novice Game Future

Ted Ying reported that we’ve had interim teachers teaching on Thursday night since the Forsythe’s move from Washington. We have gotten plenty of feedback. We need a coordinator to make sure teaching is consistent. Ted suggested that Shawn Stringer coordinate the Thursday night novice game and lesson. Shawn would coordinate the teachers, and structure a curriculum. This would be a paid position. Ted suggested a fee of $150 per month for the coordinator, and $50 per week for the teacher. Shawn has gotten very positive feedback. Mary Baxter is willing to be an assistant every night.

Carole Banks moved to offer Shawn Stringer the position of coordinator for a fee of $150 per month. The teacher would be paid $75 per week, and the assistant would be paid $50 per week. The motion passed 9-1 (Clyde Kruskal dissenting).

Regarding the Sunday novice game, Ted stated that this should remain on hold until the Thursday night novice game is stabilized.

Bridge Brochure

Fred King noted that the Bridge brochure need to include the Tuesday night IMF game, and the Tuesday game at Guy Mason Center. The Guy Mason game is on the WBL’s web site, but not in the brochure. Don Berman will contact the Wegmans regarding a brochure update.

Cheer & Sympathy

Fred King stated that Frances Burke inquired about the WBL’s policy for sympathy when Rossi Lindstrom died. Fred appointed a committee consisting of Jim Geist and Linda Marshall to confer and make recommendations to the Board at the next meeting.

Bridge & Bowling

Fred King reported that Richard Veach volunteered to coordinate this event for 2008. This probably means that Laurel Lanes will be the bowling site again.

Bulletin

Donna Rogall stated that November 6 is the deadline for the November-December issue. That issue will advertise the January and March sectionals. Ted Ying noted that the B/C GNT district finals will be held on February 9-10.

Unit Game

Ted Ying explained that he had researched the cost of a new clock. A new clock would cost $395, with an additional $20 for a second hand. Ted reminded the Board that the old clock is starting to fail for some parts, and he wanted to have a new one ready to go when the old clock fails completely. Don Berman will order the clock.

Fred King stated that people are complaining about the condition of the cards. Ted stated that Allen Crank can replace the cards. Fred will confer with Allen Crank to replace the cards as necessary. Also, Fred noted that some of the boards are so worn that it is difficult to tell the dealer and vulnerability. Ellen Cherniavsky stated that Baron Barclay has sets of adhesive tabs to apply to boards. Ted Ying suggested coordinating with Allen Crank to work into his duplication schedule some fix for the boards (either tabs or hand painting). Fred suggested asking David Solomon to do it.

Next Year’s Unit Game Schedule

Fred stated that we are awaiting a final draft from Doug Grove.

Bridge in Schools

Ellen Rosenthal stated that she held a meeting of 14 volunteers. Mark Rosen did a seminar on the Kitty Cooper method. We thought we would start with this. In Montgomery County, we have 10 middle schools, plus Tilden High School (where Mark taught). Montgomery County requires fingerprinting of all teachers, at a fee of $36. Ellen Cherniavsky suggested that the WBL pick up that cost, as well as the cost of supplies. Ellen Rosenthal replied that the ACBL has already paid him, and he used the money for supplies.

Ted Ying suggested that if we are doing this as a unit, we should ask the Gates Foundation to cover the cost of fingerprints and supplies. Ellen Rosenthal agreed, and noted that ACBL is cutting back stipends for volunteers. Ted Ying noted, however, that we are not talking about individual stipends.

Ellen Rosenthal stated that the ACBL provides a book and teaching manual. We need cards, card holders (because children’s hands may be too small to hold 13 cards), plus the cost of fingerprint fees. Clyde Kruskal thought that card holders were an unnecessary expense. Ellen Rosenthal asked if we should have teachers pay for supplies out-of-pocket and have the WBL reimburse them. Ted Ying stated that he could purchase the cards.

Jim Geist asked if there were a specific number of students in each school. Ellen Rosenthal replied no, volunteers are assigned to schools, and will make their own assignments.

Ted Ying suggested that each volunteer be given advance authorization for out-of-pocket expenses up to $50 or some fixed number. Steve Robinson moved to reimburse reasonable fees of teachers in the program up to $75. Ellen Cherniavsky seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Fred King explained that to approach the Gates Foundation for funding, the WBL should approach Sharon Osberg through Dick Wegman.

Fred also suggested that Board members look at the Atlanta Regional notices on the Mid-Atlantic web site. The bulletins had lots of information regarding Bridge in Schools. Patty Tucker of Atlanta is willing to provide advice to us in our Bridge-At-Schools program. There will be a national school championship in 2008, with the second annual occurring in DC in conjunction with the Summer NABC. We should have a junior bridge championship in the March sectional.

Machlin Award

Fred King stated that 11 or 12 names have been mentioned for the Machlin award this year. The Committee consists of Fred King, Charlie Stenger, Millard Nachtwey, Carole Banks, and Ellen Cherniavsky. Fred asked the Board whether the Committee should consider posthumous nominations; Fred’s view was that it should not. Steve Robinson moved to allow the Committee to consider posthumous nominations for the Machlin award. Clyde Kruskal seconded. The motion failed 2-6-2 (Ellen Rosenthal and Steve Robinson voting in favor, and Don Berman and Carole Banks abstaining).

ABA/ACBL Event

Carole Banks passed out a handout regarding possible dates for a joint event between the local units of the American Bridge Association and the ACBL. Carole moved to set the date as January 5, the first session Saturday of the January WBL sectional. Jim Geist seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Fred King suggested inviting an ABA member to the panel show between sessions. We should ask the ABA for a suggested panelist.

District 6 Election

The Board proceeded with the secret-ballot vote for District 6 Director. Ballots are returned sealed directly to Memphis.

Next Meeting

The next WBL Board meeting will be held October 17 at Fred King’s house. The November meeting will be held on November 14, location TBD.

The Board thanked Donna Rogall for her hospitality.

Whereupon, the meeting adjourned at 10:55 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Ferrin, Secretary

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