Duplicate Bridge Association of Atlanta

Board of Directors – Meeting Minutes

May 2, 2007

 

President Jack Feagin called the meeting to order.  Present:  Jack Feagin, Susan Wolfe, Patty Tucker, Kevin Collins, Judy Fendrick, Bob Heller, Richard Browne, Richard Holland and Nicolas Hammond

 

Items highlighted in blue require future discussion and/or follow-up action.

 

1.  Minutes:  April 4, 2007 minutes were approved.

 

2.  Financial:  No reports presented.  Donna Holland now has the signatory at the bank.

 

3.  Special Games:  The Change of Rank parties are scheduled in May for the Buckhead, Roswell, Ruff 'n Sluff and Atlanta Duplicate clubs.  Alpharetta Duplicate Bridge Club had their COR party on April 27.

 

4.  New Business:

Atlanta Junior Bridge:  Patty Collins presented the quarterly report on the AJB programs and accomplishments.  AJB now has 26 accredited teachers.  January enrollment was 86 students.  18-24 summer camps are expected.

 

AJB is working with the School Bridge League, a philanthropic group funded by the Gates-Buffet Fund.  The League developed a curriculum for teachers to be able to teach bridge in schools.  A teacher can now choose to teach bridge to fulfill the hours required by law.  AJB is working with the League to establish a monthly game that will be held nationwide for school children that is scored "across the field."  Patty is looking for opportunities for the kids to play in tournaments.  She arranged for a two-hour reception in Nashville to socialize Junior Bridge.  She is also devoting resources to develop Junior Bridge programs in other districts.  Bob suggested North Carolina.  Patty would appreciate that for any tournament in Atlanta, that the schedule reflect AJB on the calendar for a Saturday game.  Patty requested $250 in funding from DBAA.  Susan moved to continue funding.  Judy seconded the motion.  Motion approved.

 

DBAA Area Expansion:  Dick stated that there is interest in Cherokee and Forsyth Counties to become part of DBAA.  This could occur under the current By-Laws if the Unit expands.  Jack suggested we create a petition for people in these counties to vote on joining DBAA.  Rockdale County may also need to be contacted.  Bob's proposals for Area 4 re-districting will be presented at the Unit meeting at the tournament on July 7.  The Unit will determine the Areas, and then DBAA can decide.  Area 4 and DBAA have been one in the same, but this may change.  Dick moved to create a petition for Cherokee and Forsyth Counties to join DBAA.  If there is sufficient interest, we will go to the Unit to request they join DBAA.  Judy and Susan will update the information document on "What is DBAA" which will be sent out with the petitions.  Motion approved.

 

Bridgemate / Duplimate:  Bridgemate is a program for scoring used primarily by clubs.  Duplimate is a machine that duplicates the boards.  Duplimate takes a set of cards with bar codes and feeds into the machine for dealing the regular decks.  The machine cost is $4,200 to $5,000, depending on add-ins purchased.  It deals 36 boards an hour.  The benefits are that it would speed up sectional events, youth events at tournaments, reduce volunteers needed and facilitate Barometer Pair events.  More information is needed as to how often ACBL replaces the machines, possibility of purchasing a used machine and the cost for directors for extra sessions to feed the cards into the machines.  The concern is the cost-benefit ratio.  Physical possession of the boards is necessary in order to use the Duplimate machine. 

 

New Ideas to Promote Bridge:  For decades the Wednesday night game had a novice game that was very successful.  At some point, we stopped having the game and then we tried to re-start it.  It never got off the ground, despite many attempts.  We need more limited games during weeknights, which could also include free bridge lessons before the game to encourage more players.  Some community colleges offer continuing education classes.  We could look into providing free plays to teachers to generate interest.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.  Next meeting:  Wednesday, June 20, 2007 @ 6:15 pm

 

Respectfully submitted,