Unit 114 Board Meeting - Atlanta 12/2003 Sectional

The Unit 114 meeting held at the Atlanta sectional, March 13, 2004, was called to order by president Sandy Barrow. Members in attendance: Harpe Suggs, Ann Hedden, Gabriel Fadel, Josie Mitchell, Sandy Barrow, Barbara Heller, Bob Heller, Janet Sherwood, Joe Sherwood, Kevin Collins, Beatrice Kemp, Mary Ann Bateman, Betty Myers, Dick Myers, Nancy Hetsko, Larry Rich and Steve Meadows.

The first order of business was to thank Larry Rich for his past two years of service as president. Steve Meadows was introduced as the new Peachtree City area representative. Harpe Suggs was introduced as the new Warner Robins representative and Mary May was announced as the new Macon representative.

The minutes were approved and corrected to delete the sentence concerning the Hall of Fame guidelines. The guidelines were discussed but not accepted. This will be discussed for clarification at our next meeting.

Treasurer's report - Mary Ann was asked to send an electronic version of the treasurer's report each time to the secretary for distribution with the minutes of the meeting. The report was accepted.

Our tournament coordinator, Bob Heller, talked about the Atlanta sectional playing site. When hotel managers realized they had not negotiated favorable contracts, they tried to cancel all future contracts. Bob negotiated with them and managed to adjust the dates for the future. Future sectionals will be over the Fourth of July weekend and for five days over Memorial Day weekend next year. We are aware that this will be opposite the Richmond regional. He encouraged someone to pursue a contract for a sectional in the Atlanta area for late winter or early spring for the future. Tom Wight has moved the Macon sectional back a week, to Aug. 6-8, because of date changes for the Nashville regional.

Nancy Hetsko did not have any entitlement report. All clubs are invited to submit requests for entitlement funding. All types of projects to promote bridge may be eligible for matching or complete funding. You come up with the ideas.

North American Pairs -- Ann Hedden reported on the NAP unit final scheduled for Peachtree City on Saturday, Sept. 18. Barbara Heller, in her role as president of District 7, pointed out that the possibility of doing away with the unit finals is being considered at the Gatlinburg District 7 meeting. A straw vote was taken to get the sense of this board as to this elimination. It was decided that there were no strong feelings to continue holding them. (A footnote: The District 7 board has decided to eliminate the unit final stage AFTER this year. All units are required to run this year's games, and to send $1 per session per player to the district).

Grand National Teams -- Ann Hedden gave the report for Liz Swanson. She spoke about the four district semifinals and mentioned that our area's, at the Alpharetta club, is Saturday, April 3, opposite the Eatonton sectional. Eatonton was aware of this conflict as it prepared for its tournament.

Larry Rich is our electronic contact and made no report. If anyone sees anything that needs to be fixed on the Web site for our unit, please contact Larry.

Nancy Hetsko, our unit education liaison, gave a report on the Unit Growth Seminar. It is a practically no cost to the unit from the ACBL. It is a six-hour seminar open to all unit officers, teachers, club owners and interested persons in the unit. It is to help coordinate advertising, mentor programs, teaching programs and mini-bridge programs in an effort to stimulate unit growth.

We have to provide a place for the seminar and refreshments. Nancy is coordinating the dates and time with Macon. Harpe Suggs seconded. Motion was passed. (Attached is the Unit Growth Seminar flyer that was sent to all the clubs. Please make sure that your club has a representative Sunday, June 6, at the Macon club.

Old Business:

Trophy games -- Dick Myers reported on which tournaments will host the events.
We voted to have the following:
Non-Life Master in Marietta, Saturday afternoon, May 22.
The Mixed Pairs is to be held in Macon on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 7
The NAP is in Peachtree City, Saturday, Sept. 18.
The Open Swiss is in Peachtree City, Sunday, Sept. 19.
Open Pairs (2-session event) is 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Atlanta sectional.
Dick is working to find a spot to host the Knockout trophy championship.

New Business:

Pips 'no Tips -- Approval was given to buy five pages in the District 7 supplement. Randy Pettit's Hall of Fame induction will be written up, as well as other news, such as Sportsperson of the Year.

Sportsperson of the Year -- Macon submitted the name of Tom Wight and Warner Robins submitted the name of Ruth Suggs. Letters of recommendation were made available to each board member. Voting was held, and Ruth Suggs is the Unit's 2004 Sportsperson of the Year. She can play free at all unit tournaments for one year. Tom Wight is the runner-up and will get to choose one tournament to play free.

The unit board's next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 3, at the Atlanta Hilton Northeast, between sessions of the sectional. We are also planning to hold a meeting in Peachtree City on Sept. 18. Make your plans now to attend, and be sure to notify Barbara Heller at hellerb@mindspring.com to ensure a meal.