Duplicate Bridge Association of Atlanta

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AUGUST 10th MEETING MINUTES                                                  August 10, 2005

President Jack Feagin called the meeting to order.  Present:  Jack Feagin, Susan Wolfe, Bill Burks, Beatrice Kemp, Josie Mitchell, Marty Nathan, Kevin Collins, Jan Word and Carolyn Eckert.

 

1. Minutes:  June 2005 minutes were approved with changes. 

 

2. Financial:   Treasury reports for March, April and May 2005 were submitted and approved.

 

3. Old Business:

 

Atlanta Sectional Future:  Hilton Hotel will be the host hotel for the next two Sectionals: Nov 2005 and July 2006 Sectional. Bob Heller and Jack are in discussion with the Hilton for 2 other Sectionals but nothing is yet confirmed.  The Hilton has discussed a Sectional in the fall, but they only want to commit to a 4 day rather than a 5 day, plus they want the same income as a 5 day Sectional.  This would indicate a loss of $3000-4,000.  Ways to offset this possible loss would include: 1. increased entry fees. 2. Take a one time loss. 3. Review options for other venues, such as south of Atlanta or Convention Center at I85. 4. Find a sponsor such as a financial company to off set costs and 5. Review options with the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

 

Marty Nathan suggested that we explore facilities other than hotels for future venues such as the Rotary clubs or other such clubs.  Cost of rent vs. cost of hosting at a hotel would need to be considered as well as the requirement of 7,000 sq ft.

 

Housing for Tables:  follow up will continue after Nationals. 

 

Lecture Series: We should renew our advance bridge lessons on Wed nights starting in September and have a monthly program perhaps on the 3^rd Wed of each month. 

Jack will line up speakers and arrange dates and times.

 

4. New Business:

 

Regional Tournament in December: With the Christmas holiday return rush happening at the same time as the Regional, traffic and parking problems could ensue.  With continued notice to our local participants, we can mitigate the traffic issue if people arrive early to the games

 

CollegeAgeGroupBridge Players:  ACBL has reported success with bridge programs that reach out to the college students.  DBAA should make the local colleges aware of what ACBL is doing and for us to assist ACBL in developing new bridge clubs in the area as well as promoting a college level team.  Marty Nathan will explore with ACBL what information is available to us, and find a means to bring this information to the colleges here in the Atlanta area.

 

Carolyn suggested that the younger age group (ages10-17) is also underserved and that more efforts should be made to bring bridge into the elementary schools.  Patty Tucker and Carolyn are moving ahead with that idea.  Carolyn reported that her experience with working with four 4^th graders this past year shows they love the game and they need to play with youngster their own age.  More volunteers are needed to work within the schools to teach bridge.  It was agreed that we could host another Junior Game at the Nov Atlanta Sectional much like the one that was held for juniors at the Nationals in July.

 

Meeting adjourned 7:30PM.  Nextmeeting:  Wednesday, September 7, 2005 @ 6:15pm