MINUTES – BOARD OF DIRECTORS – DISTRICT 9

SEPTEMBER 29, 2007

NAPLES REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

NAPLES GRANDE HOTEL

 

DIRECTORS PRESENT WERE:

Muriel Altus (128), Bette Cohn (102), Gretchen Funk (128) Proxy for Harriet Eaton, Betty Grandoff (128), Carol Hamilton (102), Chris Kindt (240), Janet Laudenslager (128), Jeff Overby (128), Bob Parlin (128), Linda Perlman (128), Bill Rauld (243) Betty Sandifer (128), Judy Schorner (240), Shirley Seals (128), Jayne Thomas (128), Marianne Timmons (128), and Linda Lee (219) Proxy for Virginia Waterfield.

 

DIRECTORS ABSENT WERE:

Harriet Eaton (128), Marshall Hall (128), Philip Heasley (243) Phyllis Ranagan (128), Virginia Waterfield (219), and Larry Westholm (219).

 

ADVISORS PRESENT WERE:

Steve Warner, Recorder, Patty Johnson, Director in Charge, and Shirley Seals,

District 9 Director.

 

ADVISOR ABSENT:  Ellie Hanlon, Disciplinary Chair

 

The meeting of the Board of Directors of District 9 was called to order by President, Jeff Overby, at 10:00 a.m.

 

MINUTES FROM SARASOTA/MANATEE REGIONAL BOARD MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 17, 2007 WERE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Shirley Seals

 

District 9 Operating Account:  A balance sheet dated September 28, 2007 and a Profit and Loss Statement to date were distributed.  (Copy attached to Minutes.)  Income and Expenses as compared to previous year are down slightly.  Treasurer’s report was approved as presented.

 

Sunshine Bridge News:  A Fiscal Year 2007 report showing estimated Income and Expenses was distributed.  (Copy attached to Minutes.)  The SBN Expenses for 2007 will be $10,000 greater than Income.   An immediate Assessment from Each Unit will be discussed at the January 2008 Board meeting.  I propose an assessment same as made in October 2006…($1 per Unit)….using January 1, 2008 membership figures to calculate assessment.  Report accepted.

 

DIRECTOR IN CHARGE REPORT:   Patty Johnson

Tournament attendance is up 7 ½% over previous year.  Patty predicted that the tournament would have a total of 2050 tables.  (Actual count was 2068 tables.)

(Naples Regional 2006 had 1937.5 tables.)

 

Patty asked that clubs consider holding 299er sectionals. These sectionals must be sanctioned through Memphis and a sanction fee paid. The sanctions still must be requested through Patty. The only difference is that Patty has the authority to approve local directors to run the sectionals. Alternate days of the week will be allowed.

 

DISTRICT 9 DIRECTOR REPORT:   Shirley Seals

STaC games throughout all of ACBL will be held in a different way starting January 1, 2008.  There will be two or three STaC Directors appointed by ACBL Management and the STaCs will no longer be coordinated by local directors. The two or three appointed will not be from Florida….some will be from as far away as California.  I have objected very strongly to changing the way STaCs are to be run but ACBL Management is adamant that this will save ACBL $200,000 each year. 

 

I am concerned that communication between the clubs and quality of service to our players will be adversely affected.  The District Directors have not been advised as to how members who participate in Unit STaCs and District STaCs will be notified or what the charges will be. 

Many of the other National Directors are concerned about the changes to the way STaCs will be run.

 

District 9 held 13.5% of ACBL STaC games in 2006.  Same % in 2007.

 

We can expect increased cost to run our Sectional and Regional tournaments starting in 2008, as well.  A complaint has been lodged with the Department of Labor which concerns overtime pay for Part-Time Directors.  Beginning in June of this year, Part-Time Directors have been required to keep a detailed log of hours that they work.  The matter of overtime is being handled by a legal team hired by ACBL but the final decision may be months away.  However, in the interim, overtime will be paid to Part Time Directors as deemed necessary. 

 

Membership Figures for District 9 as of October 1, 2007

Unit 102                     988

Unit 128               12,191

Unit 219                     663

Unit 240                 1,907

Unit 243                 1,233

Total                      16,982

 

GOODWILL CHAIR REPORT:   Carol Hamilton

The Goodwill Party will be at the PGA Regional in 2008.  The two Goodwill nominees from each Unit should be sent to Carol no later than January 1, 2008 in order that their names can be included in the March/April issue of the Sunshine Bridge News.  Bette Cohn was recognized and complimented for providing the great food for the 2007 Goodwill Party.

 

SUNSHINE BRIDGE NEWS REPORT:  Muriel Altus

Muriel commented that the colors have been too severe or dark in past issues.

Muriel asked that all board members send her their ideas for a better publication.

 

DISCIPLINARY REPORT:  Jeff Overby

A Disciplinary Committee meeting was held on Friday, September 28, 2007 to address an appeal from a player who was ejected from a tournament game and given a three month probation.  Director’s actions were upheld by committee.

 

RECORDER:   Steve Warner

No Recorder reports have been received for this tournament.  Judy Schorner asked Steve how long Recorder Reports should be saved or what the Statute of limitations was.  Steve answered that he never destroys a report but a one year time might be sufficient.

 

GNT/NAP COORDINATOR CHAIR:   Jayne Thomas

Vero Beach Bridge Club will continue to be the site of the GNT and NAP Finals.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Judy Schorner, President Unit 240, made a motion to reduce the session fees at the Orlando 2008 Regional from $12 to $10.  She cited excess money in the Unit 240 Treasury, the need to give money back to the players, and a way to compete with the Myrtle Beach Regional.  Unit 240 will spend approximately $55,000 on Hospitality at the Orlando Regional.  After much discussion, the motion was withdrawn.

 

Motion made by Shirley Seals, seconded by Bette Cohn, to raise the amount per Regional payable to the District by $250 per category.  The current plan has been in effect for over 15 years. 

Example of increase:

Currently the District charges $1,250 for Regional tournaments with tables count

from 1001 to 1500.  The new charge will be $1,500 for same table count.

Effective date:  January 1, 2008 – Orlando Regional

Motion passed.

 

Motion made by Betty Grandoff, seconded by Linda Perlman to raise Muriel Altus’s compensation as Coordinator of the Sunshine Bridge News from 12 free room nights per year to 20 free room nights per year.

Effective date:  January 1, 2008

Motion carried.

 

Motion made by Shirley Seals, seconded by Muriel Altus, that we increase the compensation for the Online Service by Webmaster, Larry Rich as follows: 

*  SBN posted on line increased from $100 per issue to $120 per issue.

*  District 9 website care and maintenance increased from $110 per month to $120 per month.

Effective date:  July 1, 2007

Motions carried.

 

2010 NABC Discussion:

Jayne Thomas asked that board members start to think about chairpersons for the major responsibilities connected with the NABC, i.e. Partnership, Caddy, Registration, Hospitality, Prize, Tour Chairpersons and Treasurer.  Also suggestions are need for the prize to be given at NABC.

Volunteers thus far are:

Bette Cohn and Carol Hamilton – Hospitality

Peggy Higginbotham – Prize

Shirley Seals – Treasurer

 

This will be a major Agenda item for the Orlando District 9 board meeting.

 

The next District 9 Board meeting will be held at the 2008 Orlando Regional.

You will be notified at a later date of the exact time and date of meeting

and a request for items to be included in the Agenda.

 

Motion made to adjourn at 11:45 a.m.

 

Shirley Seals, Recording Secretary