Duplicate Bridge Association of Atlanta

Board of Directors – Meeting Minutes

August 1, 2007

 

 

Present:  Jack Feagin, Judy Fendrick, Donna Holland, Kevin Collins, Bob Heller, Nicolas Hammond, Richard Browne, Richard Holland and Patty Tucker

 

President Jack Feagin called the meeting to order. 

 

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

 

1.  Minutes:  The Board members reviewed and approved the minutes from the May 2 and July 6 meetings.

 

2.  Financial:  Treasurer Donna Holland reported that the DBAA bank balances for the last three years remained stable, with year-end balances of $37,900, $41,600 and $37,200 for 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

3.  Old Business:

 

Atlanta Junior Bridge (AJB) – Patty presented additional documentation to support the request for AJB funding.  ACBL approved the AJB request for a North American Youth Championship, which is scheduled for the Atlanta sectional in July 2008.  Funding for AJB is going well with private funds raised as expected.  Parents and schools are becoming more involved.  Patty is sending out grant and sponsorship requests to local businesses, individuals and corporations to help with expenses.  If the League fulfills its goal of introducing bridge in schools, then AJB will have an even greater role in exposing kids in Atlanta to bridge.  Projected AJB budget for 2008 is $43,510.  The 2008 funding requested from DBAA is $6,000.  Patty needs an answer in September.

 

The Board discussed the possibility that a charity game could be set up to raise money for AJB.

 

4.  New Business:

 

Sectional Entry Fees – The July Atlanta sectional tournament resulted in a net loss of $2,000.  Directors' costs have skyrocketed in the last few years.  Some locations in our district charge $8.00 per entry; Washington DC went up to $9.00.  Other major costs include caddies, free plays, Intermediate/Novice prizes and junior discounts.  Losses can be sustained in the short term, but raising the entry fee $1.00 may be the only solution at some point in the future.

 

Business Plan – Jack proposed that DBAA should have a long-term plan for raising money and promoting bridge, particularly for players in middle age groups.  Dick Browne indicated he could prepare a business plan with input from the DBAA Board members.  DBAA is currently in a neutral cash flow position.  Raising the entry fee for the DBAA game held on Wednesday nights was suggested; however, the Board would prefer to explore other options at this time.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm. 

 

Next meeting:  Wednesday, September 5, 2007 @ 6:15 pm

 

Respectfully submitted,