Duplicate Bridge Association of Atlanta

Board of Directors – Meeting Minutes

January 21, 2009

 

 

Present:  Jack Feagin, Judy Fendrick, Allison Milhem, Dick Browne, Ralph Folkerts, Bob Heller, Marty Nathan and Dan Papineau

Absent:  Kevin Collins, Susan Wolfe, Barbara Heller and Richard Holland

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m. by President Jack Feagin.

 

Prior Minutes

 

MOTION:  Allison moved to approve the December 3 meeting minutes.  Motion approved.

 

Treasurer’s Report

 

Allison presented the Treasurer’s Report reflecting a checking account balance at December 30, 2008 of $34,295.26, and two CDs with a total value of $22,494.58, for total assets of $56,789.84.  The checking account balance includes 2007 and 2008 deposits (carryovers) totaling $1,962.03 from MABC.  The net profit from the two DBAA games in December was $82.83.    

 

Our $15,000 CD matures on March 9, 2009, and has a current rate of 1.98%.  Allison provided an update of the rates she found through Bankrate.com.  Ironstone Bank:  2.22%; Bank of America:  1.74%, ING, Direct:  2.72%.  Advanta Bank, Nevada:  2.81% with a minimum deposit of $10,000.  Both of our CDs are currently at Bank of America.

 

Ralph suggested that due to potential change of officers every two years, it might be best to keep everything in one place.  Marty believes it is not a problem to have CDs in a different location from the checking account.  Marty suggested we take some additional money and put into CDs with staggered maturity dates.

 

MOTION:  Judy moved that DBAA take a total of $40,000 and authorize the Treasurer to move to one-year CDS with 3-month staggered maturity dates.  Motion approved. 

 

ACTION ITEM:  The new Treasurer will investigate the best rates available at the time the CD is moved. 

 

DBAA Sponsored Bridge Classes

 

River Club – We would like to be able to track the attendance at clubs from the participants at the River Club classes and other classes we sponsor.  However, even with providing free plays, it is difficult to gauge.

 

Sandy Springs  - The number of people wanting to sign up exceeded the limit of 64.  Marty will also be teaching.  The Dorothy Benson Center is willing to allow us to hold games after the six weeks of classes.

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase Bidding Boxes

 

Jack proposed that DBAA consider buying bidding boxes to have available for bridge classes.  In order to conduct classes, it is necessary for the coordinator to borrow the boxes and other items needed from one or more bridge clubs.  The boxes cost $40 for a set of 4, and we would need at least 10 sets.  After discussion, the board decided to postpone a decision on this purchase until it is determined if this will be needed in the future.

 

DBAA Directory

 

We believe the club owners can obtain the majority of the updates for the directory, and we will also have listings available at the Roswell Sectional for people to update their information.  The updated information will need to include identification of the individual’s home, work and cell phone. 

 

We’d like to have players’ e-mail addresses, and we may consider creating a secure website that would include e-mail and phone information.  Access to the site would be available only to those who register and have a password. 

 

MOTION:  Dick moved to start the process of getting clubs to have players update the directory information.  Motion approved.

 

ACTION ITEM:  Jack will contact Jan Word to request that she coordinate the project.

 

Website Update – Bridge Teachers

 

Allison volunteered to prepare a listing of bridge teachers and their information for the DBAA website. 

 

Change of Rank Parties

 

The board decided to continue to recognize the players who achieved a change of rank of Regional Master (100 points) and higher.  Judy also suggested that we need to ensure the directors recognize the names of the honorees. 

 

ACTION ITEM:  Judy will contact each club manager to request their preferred date for the their club’s party in the month of March, and will send out flyers (free plays) to the honorees by February 18.

 

December Sectional Update

 

The net loss from the December Sectional at the Doubletree Hotel was $2,659. 

 

The tournament had lower attendance compared to last December’s tournament, which appeared to be due to the economy, holiday activities, and the SEC championship held at the same time. The triple points now awarded at many local club games also seem to be adversely affecting Sectional tournament attendance.  In addition, expenses were higher because we were significantly overstaffed with directors. 

 

As an overall perspective, however, Atlanta still has some of the largest Sectional tournaments in the country.

 

We have a contract offer with the Holiday Inn on Buford Highway for the December 9-13, 2009 Sectional.  Another option may be the Roswell hotels, which has been a popular site with the players.

 

Marketing Bridge

 

The board discussed advertising ideas, including a full-page ad in the newspaper, free play coupons in the newspaper, coupons in the ValuePak mailer, and an advertisement on Kudzu. 

 

Bill Marks has been successful in bringing in people from his classes to games by having them attend as kibitzers. 

 

ACTION ITEM:  Provide free play coupons to teachers.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

 

Next meeting:  February 25, 2009, 5:45 pm at the Roswell Sectional (exact location TBD). 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Judy Fendrick

Judy Fendrick, DBAA Secretary

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