ACBL Board of Directors' Meetings at Houston NABC
March 26, 2002

My first board meeting as your District 9 Director was exciting. Thank you for electing me to represent you in a game we all love. The main message from the National Board meeting and our new CEO, Jay Baum---is MEMBERSHIP. ACBL is the greatest bridge organization in the world and I ask you to join with me in recruiting new members.  Ask a friend to come play--bring a friend to your club--and most of all,
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CLUB. This is where we have the largest potential for new members.

The following is a list of "happenings" at the board meeting that affect us in District 9.

1. Management was given the authority to direct funding authorized in the 2002 budget under Marketing and Education areas from existing programs to new or other existing programs which can be considered more cost effective--as long as the total approved budget is not exceeded. This means that the Co-Op Advertising program that was under funded--will now be fully funded for the year 2002. Please remember to submit your advertising expenses at the club, unit and district level to Jean Patterson at ACBL in Memphis. The Co-Op Program pays up to one-half (1/2) or $250 maximum for EACH EVENT sponsored and advertised.

2. THE BULLETIN is getting a facelift--and about time. The Board will be presented at the Washington Nationals a prototype of a new modernized, 8 1/2 by 11 full color ACBL Bridge Bulletin. This new publication should produce increased advertising revenue, be more marketable and appealing to our members and will probably include ACBL's popular PLAY BRIDGE magazine as an insert.

3. The membership dues or service fees for multi-year memberships during an AMNESTY PROGRAM PERIOD BEGINNING June 1, 2002 and ending December 31, 2002 will be outlined in the April issue of the Bulletin. In all cases except new members, the program applies to anyone whose membership has lapsed or whose service fees haven't been paid for at least 12 months. In cases of NLMs and 75+ year-olds, the reinstatement fees are waived.  Please pass this information along to your clubs--this is a great way to get our former members back into the fold.

4. A new event has been approved for a two (2) year trial-- a Mini-LM NABC event--beginning the summer of 2003. I personally like this
concept--because is gives those of us without massive number of points a chance to compete in a National event. The strata will be LM-1500 and LM-5000. The summer 2003 NABC will be in Long Beach, California---come out west with me and lets demonstrate just how many of us fit this category.

5. Another new classification of event has been approved by the board:  Senior events may be held with minimum age restrictions of 55, 65, or 75.  Such events may be stratified by masterpoints. The masterpoint awards will be 80% for 55+, and 70% for both 65+ and 75+. Any two age limited events may be held simultaneously. I did not vote for this.  I have yet to talk with a single person in District 9 who thought this was a
good idea. The good news is---each club, unit and district has the option to have this event or pass on it.

6. Junior/Student Coupons for entry into events at NABCs are restricted to ACBL members residing in Zone Two who are either 21 years of age or younger or full-time students between 22 and 25 years of age. Full time students must offer proof of their eligibility prior to purchasing their entry. The majority of the ACBL Board of Directors believes Junior/Student coupons should be set at an affordable price to encourage junior player participation at NABCs. As a guideline, Management should set Junior/Student coupons at approximately 50% of the NABC regional entry fee. For 2002 the NABC entry fee using Junior/Student coupons will be $6.00 per session.

7. The last item of interest to us is--THE 2004 FALL NABC will be held in Orlando at the Marriott Orlando World Center. For those of you with bad knees (like mine) or other disabilities---the entire tournament will be held under one roof---no more walking to convention centers, other hotels or trying to find the shuttle bus.

Jayne Thomas is the Chairperson for this NABC and she needs YOU TO VOLUNTEER. Her telephone number is 1-800-741-1172
and e-address is jtacbl1289@aol.com This is a wonderful opportunity to (a) play at a National close to home (b) show off our beautiful state (c) and be a part of putting on this great tournament

Keep in mind our Regional Tournaments: We are so fortunate to be able to attend so many GREAT Regionals close to home.

Southeastern April 1 - 7
Safety Harbor May 27 - June 2
Coral Springs July 1 - 7
Marco Island September 30- October 6
Daytona November 4 - 10

AND, HOW MANY OF YOU ARE COMING TO WASHINGTON, D. C. FOR THE SUMMER NATIONALS?
IT IS A EXCITING CITY FOR A TOURNAMENT---PLEASE PLAN TO BE THERE.

Please contact me if you have any questions or opinions that you wish to share:

Shirley Seals
Shirley Seals