ACBL Unit 114

Minutes of Board Meeting

March 4, 2006

 

President Nancy Hetsko called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

 

In attendance were:  Tom Wight (VP), Mary Ann Bateman (Treas), Marty Nathan (Sec’y), Jerry Tift (as Proxy for Sandy Barrow), Kevin Collins (Area 4), Richard Burton as Proxy for Nicolas Hammond (4), Ann Hedden (NAP) and as proxy for Liz Swanson (5), Myrtis Howell (10), Beatrice Kemp (4), Martha Lucas (11), Josie Mitchell (4), Betty Myers (1), Dick Myers (6), Larry Rich (2), and Ruth Suggs as proxy for Harpe Suggs (9), Jan Word (4) and Len Perkins (7)

 

Also attending were:  Bob Heller (outgoing Tourn Chmn), Mike Kovacich (Past Pres), and Patty Tucker (Recorder)

 

Also attending as club representatives were:  Bob Briggs & Fred Kilkline (Conyers), John Hassett (ADBC), and James Dover (Lanierland)

 

President Hetsko asked for any proposed changes to the minutes of our November 2005 meeting.  The amount of money in the bank was changed to $5,772.09.  The dates of the Valdosta Tournament were changed to October 6-8.  After Ruth Suggs so moved and Beatrice Kemp seconded, the minutes were approved.

 

Committee Reports

 

Treasurer's - Mary Ann Bateman presented the Treasurer's Report (attached).  She pointed out that approximately $40,000 had been segregated for the next National Tournament.  Mary Ann also stated that we are due funds from the 2005 tournament, but she does not know how much.  She will follow up.  Upon Dick Myers’ motion and Betty Myers’ second, the report was approved.

 

Membership – Nancy Hetsko (for Barbara Turner) reviewed the information we are now sending out to new members, including those moving in from other units.  The results have been good.

 

Tournaments – This was Bob Heller’s farewell performance.  There will be a fall Atlanta tournament at the Magnolia Manor, LaVista exit on I-285, probably after Thanksgiving.  Dick Myers has now taken over for Bob and handed out the current 114 tournament schedule.

 

Trophy – Dick Myers pointed out the Trophy event schedule (attached) is now part of the tournament schedule.  The issue was raised as to whether someone from outside 114 can win a 114 trophy event.  It was agreed that this was acceptable.

 

NAP – Ann Hedden said a letter will be going out to the clubs soon for the 2007 competition.  Mike Kovacich mentioned that the district is reviewing the entire NAP/GNT operation.  Send him any suggestions.  He also noted problems with the dates chosen for the current GNT qualifying games in Alpharetta.  There is a conflict for one with the nationals, but there are other options available, including qualifying games elsewhere in the district or qualifying in a higher division.  A person\team is eligible to compete at the next level in the division they qualify in or any lower.

 

Old Business

Nancy Hetsko reviewed (especially for the representatives of clubs) the mentoring programs we have supported and generally the extent of support we give.  She asked all clubs to participate.

 

Ruth Suggs asked whether advance approval was necessary for reimbursement for books for lessons already given.  Nancy suggested that she send her request to Tom Wight and it would be considered.

 

Marty Nathan (for Sandy Barrow) stated the new officers in attendance today had been elected at the annual meeting at the recent Macon sectional

 

New Business

 

Patty Tucker described her new organization Atlanta Junior Bridge, which will recruit youth players to duplicate bridge.  AJB will be offering schools, camps, etc. bridge teachers for free to teach kids; it will also sponsor tournaments and is working on interschool competition and a possible new 114 trophy game, all for youth players.  There is interest in working with college students, but not in the near future.  In the ensuing discussion, she offered to help anyone outside the Atlanta area who wants to try a similar program in their area.  She asked for our support through youth games at 114 tournaments and with financial assistance.

 

Tom Wight moved that we provide a challenge grant, matching contributions to AJB on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to a maximum of $2,000.  Dick Myers seconded.  After discussion, the motion was unanimously approved.

 

Patty asked that the Unit include in its tournament schedule an annual youth team game and an annual youth pairs game, preferably with one in the spring and one in the fall.  It was moved, seconded and approved that we have an annual youth team game in the spring game and an annual fall pairs game.

 

John Hassett suggested that we might do something to help kids play free or at reduced cost at tournaments.  No motion was made.

 

Nancy initiated a discussion on Sportsperson of the Year.  The secretary is to send a letter to the clubs soliciting nominations which should be sent to the secretary.  We will vote on this at the July meet

 

Nancy then brought up the District 7 Goodwill Committee.  Units can nominate a number of candidates depending on their size; we are allotted three.  The secretary is to send a letter to the clubs soliciting nominations, which should be sent to the secretary.  Because we must have our nominations in to the District no later than June 30, and we have no meeting scheduled before then, we will vote on Goodwill nominations via email during June.

 

After some discussion about how often we should meet, a motion was made and seconded that we meet three times a year.  The general feeling in the ensuing discussion was that we should decide each meeting when our next meeting would be and that how often should be at the discretion of the president.  The motion was not approved.

 

Nancy announced that she had invited all clubs to send a representative (non-voting) to 114 meetings.  She wants the clubs to feel more involved with the unit and hopes this would spur more opportunities for the unit to help the clubs.  She then asked for suggestions as to what we could do to bring the clubs on board with unit activities.  A periodic club managers meeting was suggested, probably in conjunction with a sectional.  It was suggested that our web site page of officers and area reps include pictures so as to make it easier for club managers to know who the board is.

 

It was announced that there would be some function at the Atlanta Labor Day Regional for members of the Goodwill Committee of District 7.  Details are to be determined.

 

Bob Heller reminded us that we can include unit news in the District 7 newsletter on an “as available” basis.  There is generally a three-month lead time.

 

Nancy announced that the Unit Mini-McKenney and Ace of Clubs leaders would be announced the following day during the sectional Swiss Team event.

 

Our next meeting will be Saturday, July 1 between sessions at the Atlanta sectional.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 PM

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Martin J.  Nathan

Secretary