Meeting at Washington - Summer 2002
September 12, 2002

Approval of Houston 021 Minutes

The Houston Minutes are approved.  Carried.

022-260:  Ratification of Executive Committee Minutes

The Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting are ratified.  Carried.
(Minutes of meeting follow)

Minutes
Executive Committee of the Board of Directors
May 7, 2002

The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the ACBL held a telephonic meeting at 1:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, May 7, 2002.  Present were President George Retek, Chairman Jim Kirkham, Dan Morse, Roger Smith and Nadine Wood.  Also present were CEO Jay Baum and Legal Counsel, Peter Rank.  Due to the mediation matter involving personnel, the Executive Committee called an executive session and requested that all staff be excused except for ACBL CEO Jay Baum and League Counsel Peter Rank.

Minutes
Executive Committee of the Board of Directors
June 18, 2002

The Executive Committee of the Board of Direcotrs of the ACBL held a telephonic meeting at 11:00 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, June 18, 2002.  Present were George Retek, Dan Morse, Roger Smith and Nadine Wood.  Also present were CEO Jay Baum and Galen Hardy.   Executive Committee Chairman, Jim Kirkham, was not present.

Approval of a new one committee nine-member Hall of Fame operation was requested.  The nine members of the new committee were proposed.  It was moved and seconded that the matter be deferred to Washington Board meeting.  Carried without dissent.

022-261:  Election of ACBL President

Wayne Hascall, Al Levy and Nadine Wood had previously declared their candidacy.  There were no other declarations of candidacy.  Nominations were closed.  By secret ballot, Al Levy was elected to the office of ACBL President for a one-year term beginning January 1, 2003.
I believe Al Levy will be an excellent President and look forward to working with him.

Non-Agenda Items

World Bridge Federation (WBF) Country Representation Regulations and Drug Use Policy is assigned to International Events Committee as Item 022-100.

Emergency Item

ACBL Board of Directors Fall 2002 Board meeting will be held in Phoenix, Arizona dates to be determined by the President. 
Note:  The meeting will be November 23 -2 6, 2002 finished by noon on the 26th of November. 
Carried:  Nay 3, 4, 11, 13, 14, 16, 19, 25.   Abstain:  5, 8
I voted for the National meeting to be held in Phoenix in conjunction with the Nationals rather than at the ACBL headquarters in Memphis.  It is important for National board members to attend National tournaments in order to interact with the people they represent. 

The complete report from the CEO, Jay Baum, CFO Jack Zdancewicz, and League Counsel, Peter Rank can be found in the minutes as reported on the ACBL website.

                                         **************************

The Meeting was called to order by President George Retek on Wednesday, July 17th at 9:00 a.m.
Present:             Same as Monday, July 15
Also Present:    Same as Monday, July 15 plus Julie Greenberg

Masterpoint Committee

The Masterpoint committe's report, given by Chairman, DeMartino,
is received.  Carried.
A very fine job was done by the Chairman in an effort to make the allocation of masterpoints more fair.  The final presentation of this report will occur in Phoenix and be voted on by the board at that time.

APPEALS AND CHARGES
COMMITTEE REPORT BY CHAIRMAN BRUCE REEVE
Item 022-01:  Disciplinary Cases

In the matter of the discipline of Jack Borrell, player #809077 of Somis, CA:  On June 14, 2002, Mr Borrell was suspended from participation in all ACBL sanctioned events by the Disciplinary Committee of Unit 547.  Mr Borrell did not appeal this matter.  It was reviewed by the Committee, because discipline was for one year or greater suspension.  After review of the matter, the Appeals and Charges Committee found the member was accorded due process and the decision of the Unit 547 Disciplinary Committee was reasonable for a member who was not a first time offender.  Carried without dissent.

Item 022-02:  Code of Disciplinary Regulations

The committee is in the process of reviewing an extensive revision of the Code of Disciplinary Regulations.  Bruce Reeve, Peter Rank, Brad Holtsberry and Gary Blaiss presented the rewrite to the committee and a page by page review was undertaken. 
Changes were made to the draft by the Committee.  The revised draft will be carefully reviewed by each Committee member, and a final draft will be submitted to the full board the first week in October.  It is anticipated that the final approval will occur at the Board's Fall meeting in Phoenix.  The Chair would like to thank staff for their participation in the improvement of this document.  Carried without dissent.

GOVERNANCE
Richard Anderson, Chair
Item 022-40:  Board of Governors NABC Hotel Accomodations (013-48)

ACBL will notify by mail (at least one month prior) all Board of Governor members of their ability to make their NABC host hotel reservation in the week before the offical opening of the general reservation period.  Carried without dissent.
The Board of Governors are a vital link to the National Board and as such, should receive priority in making their hotel reservations.  Since I was on the Board of Governors for many years prior to being elected to the Board of Directors, I appreciate the work, effort and support the Board of Governors give to the National Board.

Item 022-42:  Membership Data Fee (021-45)

Management's report is accepted.  There will be a charge of $.02/name with a $12 minimum through the first 2,000 names and $.01 for any names over 2,000.  There will be an additional charge for any materials used (labels, envelopes, etc.)  Carried without dissent.
Jim Miller was assigned as an ACTION ITEM FROM WASHINGON BOARD MEETING TO:  Propose a more frequent distribution of a FREE LIST of names for units and other affiliated arms of ACBL to use for their bridge publications.

Item 022-43:  Bulleltin for International Members (021-45)

ACBL members residing outside of Zone 2 shall pay an additional amount per year for The BridgeBulletin postage if such member requests the publication to be sent to an address outside of Zone 2.  Item 842-64 is rescinded.  Carried.  Nay: 14
This is a very fair thing to do since postage outside Zone 2 is very cost prohibitive.

Item 022-44:  NABC  Tournament Non-Member Fees (021-47)

Effective January 1, 2003 at all NABCs, entry fees for non-members and unpaid Life Masters will be $2.00 per player per session higher than for ACBL members and Life Masters who had paid their service fee.  Charity events and events limited to players with fewer than 20 masterpoints are exempt from this requirement.  Note:  Signage will post this as a discount to Members.  When an NABC is held in Canada the additional fee will be $2.00 CDN.  Carried.  Nay: 3, 7, 11, 18, 20
I am a proponent of players participating at the National and Regional level tournaments be members of ACBL.  The additional fee of $2.00 per event may encourage players to join ACBL but I am not sure how many.  It is unfair for players who do not belong to ACBL to participate in the hospitality at tournaments which comes at  the expense of those that do belong.  Also, points are won by non-ACBL members--thereby depriving ACBL members of these masterpoints.  It is the ACBL members who pay their dues and make tournaments possible and the ACBL organization a reality.

Item 022-45:  Reconsideration

For purposes of reconsideration, the Board of Directors will follow the suggestions contained in Roberts Rules of Order.  In the future, reconsideration of any issue will occur if one-half of the Board Members voting approve the reconsideration.  The motion to reconsider must be made by a member of the prevailing side.  Deferred to Spring 2003.
I am very much in favor of this motion and hope that it will be passed in the Spring of 2003.  Our meetings are governed by Roberts Rules of Order and past practices of requiring 2/3s vote is not in keeping
with the way our meetings should be run.

Item 002-47:  NABC Survey

ACBL will survey its membership regarding the scheduled dates for the Fall NABC.  Note:  This is a year long process.  Carried without dissent.
It will be interesting to see what a survey tells us, but I cannot help but think that the Fall Nationals would have a far greater attendance if it did not always fall durinig the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Item 022-48:  Board of Governors Electronic Information

ACBL will send the Board of Governors information electronically when possible.  Carried without dissent. 

Item 022-49:  Sternberg Trophy

The Coffin Trophy for the Women's Board -a-Match Team game will be repolaced with the Marsha May Sternberg Memorial Trophy effective with the Fall of 2002.
This is contingent upon a contribution of $50,000 being made by Dr. Jim Sternberg prior to September 1, 2002.  Dr. Sternberg will also provide the trophy for this event.  Replicas of the trophy will be given to the winners and paid for out of ACBL funds for 20 years.  The trophy will be of Dr. Sternberg's choosing. 
This trophy will be retired in 20 years as provided in motion 911-93 unless renewed by the ACBL Board of Directors.  If the trophy is retired at that time all remai8ning funds will revert to the ACBL General fund. 
Carried:  Nay:  8, 10, 15, 18, 20, 21, 24.
I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Sternberg has made the contribution mentioned above and the Marsha May Memorial Trophy will be awarded at the Phoenix Nationals in the Fall of 2002.  Dr. Sternberg lives part of the year in Florida and I was happy to present this motion to the National Board.

Item 022-51:  Hall of Fame Procedures

The ACBL Board of Directors accepts the revised Hall of Fame procedures except the Board of Governors will be retained as voters.
Carried without dissent.
For full explanation of the procedures, go to the ACBL website for a full explanation of the HOF procedures.

Item 022-52:  ACBL Hall of Fame Members

Members of the ACBL Hall of Fame are dsignated as ACBL Life Members and are not required to pay a basic service fee or membership dues.  Carried without dissent.

Item 022-53:  Bridge Bulletin

The size of the Bridge Bulletin will be determined by Management.
Carried.  Nay 4, 5
A copy of the proposd BRIDGE BULLETIN was distributed to the board members--and in a word--FANTASTIC.  Beginning in January, The Bulletin will be a full page magazine--in color--and very appealing to the reader.  This "overhaul" was long in coming but worth the wait.

Item 022-54:  Computer Championship Regulations

The President will appoint a sub-comittee to write rules and regulations and define relationships for ACBL managed Computer Championships.  This will include but is not limited to disciplinary procedures for the Champtionships.  Carried without dissent.

Item 022-55:  Disbursement of Trophy Funds

Item 911-93 is amended as follows:  The amount of $50,000 for trophies will be accepted by the ACBL into general funds with the obligation that the ACBL shall provide replica trophies for the next 20 years.  Carried.  Nay:  12, 21, 24, 25   Abstain:  3, 8
The Marsha May Sternberg Trophy will be awarded beginning
with the Fall Nationals in Phoenix to the winners of the Women's Board-a-Match Team.  This trophy will remain in effect for the next 20 years.
Thank you again, Dr. Sternberg, from District 9.

FINANCE
Glenn Smith, Chair

Item 022-15:  2003 Preliminary Budge Tassumptions

Management's preliminary budge assumptions for 2003 are approved.  Carried without dissent.

Item 022-16:  Volunteer Dinner

The Board of Directors and spouses/significant others are welcome to attend the Volunteers Dinner at each NABC.  Attendance is not required.  One-half of the per diem for that day will be deducted from each Board member who attends the dinner.  The Balance will be paid for by the ACBL.  Seating assignments will be encouraged.
Carried.  Nay:  1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 17, 24.  Abstain 15

Item 002-17:  Family Membership

The ACBL resolves to reduce the family membership fee by $5.00 regardless of their point holding status.   Deferred to the Fall 2002 Board Meeting.  Carried without dissent.

Item 022-19:  Summer 2003 NABC Entry Fees

Entry fees at the 2003 Summer NABC in Long Beach will be adjusted to cover expenses associated with convention center rental. 
No Carried.  Unanimous.
This was a no-brainer.   ACBL should never charge the members who participate in a National Tournament extra monies to pay for convention space.  Simple...ACBL must cover this cost.

Item 022-20:  Sectional Surcharge

Item 003-21 is amended as follows:
Increase in sectional surcharge from $90 to $110 effective 1/1/01.
Management has the authority to negotiate the transportation cost when a Unit requests to have an employed tournament director assigned to a sectional that consistently averages fewer than 17 tables per session and the transportation is in excess of 1 1/2 times the amount of the sectional surcharge.  Not carried. Unanimous.

Item 022-21:  Competition & Conventions/Laws Comission Compensation

Effective immediately, members of the C & C Committee and members of the Laws Commission who are not otherwise compensated will receive a token of appreciateion from the Board of Directors at the conclusion of their meetings at each NABC.  Only those in attendance for all required meetins will be compensated.
(Otherwise compensated means Board of Directors, employees, and head of committees who might already be compensated.)
A.    For members of the Laws Commission, a two session entry to an  NABC+ event or lower.  Good for one year from date of receipt.
A.    For members of the C & C Committere, two (2) session entries to an NABC+ event or lower.   Good for one year from date of receipt.
Effective:  July 2002
Carried.  Nay:  1, 2, 4, 8, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22.  Abstain: 16

AUDIT
Charles Wilkinson, Chair
Item 022-310:  Competitive Bidding Policy Guidelines

The competitive bidding policy guidelines were received and approved. Carried:  Nay 17   Abstain:  12, 20

Item 022-311:  Audit Committee Charter

The Audit Committee Charter is adopted.  Carried without dissent

                                             ***********************

The meeting was called to order by George Retek on Thursday, July 18th at 9:00 a.m.
Present:          Same as Wednesday, July 17th
Also Present: Same as Wednesday, July 17th

BRIDGE
Joan Gerard, Chair
Bridge - Conditions of Contest
Alan LeBendig, Chair

Item 022-90:  Conditions of Contest

Please check the ACBL website for full disclosure of the conditions of contest.  These include reference to Adjusted Score, Fouled Board, STaC Conditions of Contest and Swiss Team conditions of contest.
Carried without dissent.

Item 022-91:  Unseeded KO's

The General KO Conditions of Contest are amended as follows:
SEEDING
1.  There are no seeding rights.  Should a seating disagreement arise:
a.   At the start of a match:  There is a coin flip.  The winner of the coin flip selects either the first half or the second half to have seating rights (the team with seating rights sits down last).  The loser of the coin flip has seating rights in the other half.

b.  If there was no disagreement at the start of the match but there is one at the half; the team that is behind has the seating rights.  If the match is tied, there will be a coin flip with the winner of the coin flip getting the seating rights.   
Carried:  Nay: 14

Item 022-93:  Mid-Chart Addition

The Mid-Chart is amended to permit:
A transfer opening bid at the two-level or higher showing a weak bid in the suit being transferred to or a type of types of strong hand.
Carried without dissent.

Bridge - International Events
Dan Morse, Chair

Item 022-115:  Zone II Representations in International Competition

The ACBL will request that the WBF (World Bridge Federation) requirement that representatives of a particular country be a national of that country be interpreted to allow legitimate residents (as determined by Zone Two individual NBOs) as well as citizens to be eligible for participation in the 2003 Bermuda Bowl and Venice Cup.  The ACBL WBF Represnetatives will request this of the WBF on behalf of Zone Two.

Item 022-116:  Eligibility for WBF Championships

This item was deferred to the Fall 2002 meeting.  Carried.  Abstain: 7

Bridge Tournament Regulations
Nadine Wood, Chair

Item 022-145:  Convention Card Laws

Effective January 1, 2002, Clubs (for club games) are given the option of allowing players to refer to their own convention card in games under their jurisdiction.  Deferred to Club Committee at the Phoenix 2002 Fall meeting.  Carried:  Nay:  2, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 21, 22
When this comes before the board in Phoenix, I will vote to let club players, in club games, if approved by their club, to refer to their convention card.  This would apply to Club games only--where often you play with many different partners.

Item 022-146:   0 - 99 Sectionals

A Unit not running at least two 99ers Sectional tournaments per year is encouraged to grant approval to any club within its jurisdiction that applies for a sanction to run such a tournament.    Sanction notification/application per existing regulations will be forwarded to the District's tournament coordinator for his or her approval.
Note:  Current Sectional scheduleing and conflit regulations apply.
Carried:  Nay:  3. 25

Item 022-147:  TD Table Rulings

Management is instructed to develop and implement procedures which will give the Director-in-Charge of a tournament (or his or her designee) the responsibility for making a final adjudication of an appeal of a director's ruling at that tournament.   Such procedures will be consistent with the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge.  To be implemented January 1, 2004.   Carried:  Nay:  1, 3, 6, 10, 11, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25.  Abstain:  15

Item 022-148:  No Trump Announcements

No trump announcements will be required if the range is outside the 15 - 18 limit.  If there is no announcement, a player is to assume that the lack of an announcement WAS an announcement.  Therefore, the assumption should be that the NT was indeed a strong one.  Questions pertaining to the range in the immediate seat will be deemed disruptive and dealt with as such.  If the range turns out to be weaker than 15 - 18, the director should make every reasonable attempt to protect the opponents from possible damage. 
Not Carried:  Aye:  5, 9, 12, 14, 17, 18, 22, 23
This was a motion that I co-sponsored since the announcement of One No Trump has been ridiculed and ignored.  More than any other item coming before the board, I was most asked to have this recinded.  The board felt that the rule had not been in effect long enough and more time should be given for players to adhere to this verbal call.   One board member even commented that "the players don't laugh about it as much as they use to".   It was pointed out that Clubs have the option of not requiring their club members to make the No trump announcement.

Item 022-149:  District and Continent-Wide Charity Games

Item 021-131- is amended as follows:

A.            1.  Overall master points will be awarded in Continent-wide
                     Charity Games and in Continent-wide International Fund
                     games that use hand records and for which National and
                     District winners are determined and published in the
                     ACBL Bulletin.

               2.  Overall masterpoints will be awarded in District-Wide       
                     Charity games that use hand records and for which District
                     winners are determined.

B,           In addition to District overall awards, Continent-wide overall
               winners will be determined and overall masterpoints awarded.

C.          Overall point awards will be red points with amounts and depth 
               of awards as recommended by the Masterpoint Committee
                and approved by the ACBL Board of Directors.

Carried without dissent.

Item 022-150:  District 9 Regional Tournament

District 9 is allocated on additional permanent site Regional to be held in Orlando, Florida. 
Not Carried:  Aye:  2, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15, 22, 23, 24.  Abstain:  3, 4.
The denial of my motion was the biggest disappointment of the entire board meeting.  The bridge population of Florida is roughly 11% of all ACBL and even far greater percent of the nations total are hurt and sorely disappointed by this decision.  My thanks to the Board members who voted for this motion and clearly have the interest of bridge and membership at heart.  Your support of the effort to name Orlando a permanent site regional location is truly laudable.  To my disbelief, one board member stated Orlando needed to prove its worth as a permanent site.  Not only is this the site chosen by ACBL for a National tournament once every six years, but it is the chosen site of every major entertainment company in the world as worthy of a major investment.

I plan to again petition the board for this tournament.  Many Districts with less than 3900 ACBL members have four (4) regional tournaments each year--yet District 9 (Florida) with 16,000 ACBL members has only seven (7) regionals per year.  This is not a fair allocation.  The average age of an ACBL member in Florida is 70.0 years old.  Many do not want to travel great distances to tournaments and many do not have the resources to do so since they are retired. 
We are truly missing a great opportunity to increase the declining ACBL membership by having a permanent site regional in Orlando.

Item 022-151:  299er Sectional

Item 911-118 is amended as follows:
With Managment approval, a sponsoring organization may run a limited sectional with a maximum of 299 Masterpoints using local Directors.
Carried without dissent.

Item 022-152:  Tournament Events and Restrictions

Please refer to the ACBL website for the complete list of events and restrictions.  Carried:  Nay:  5, 7, 14.  Absent:  6

MASTERPOINT COMMITTEE
Rich DeMartino, Chair

Item 022-312:  ACBL Masterpoint Regulations

This report is also lengthy.  The recommendations by committee will be subject to a second reading at the Fall 2002 Board meeting.  See ACBL website for full details.
Carried without dissent.  Absent:  6

SPONSORSHIP
Al Levy, Chair

Item 022-300:  Sponsorship Committee Action Item

ACBL will develop an NABC sponsorship package to be used by local organizations.  Carried without dissent.  Absent:  6

CANADIAN AFFAIRS
Harriette Buckman, Chair
Item 022-305:  ACBL Bridge Bulletin Reduced Fee Policy

ACBL members who reside in Mexico or District 1 may opt out of receiving the Bridge Bulletin as part of their membership benefit with a corresponding decrease of US $5.o00 in their annual dues. 
Deferred to Phoenix Fall 2002 NABC.  Carried without dissent.

Note:  Management accepts as an action item to consider developing French/Spanish speaking material on the ACBL web-site including material from the Bridge Bulletin.
Carried.  Nay 10   Abstain:  8  Absent 6

Item 022-306:  ACBL/CBF Review

The Canadian Affairs Committee will review ACBL/CBF issues and consider recommendations.  Carried without dissent.

MARKETING
Harriette Buckman, Chair
Item 022-215:  Bridge Education Status Report

Management's Bridge Education Report is received.  Carried without dissent.

Item 022-216:  Intermediate/Novice Status Report

Management's Intermediate/novice status report is received.
Carried without dissent.

MARKETING - MEMBER SERVICES
Sharon Fairchild, Chair
Item 022-245:  Marketing & Publicity Report

Management's Marketing and Publicity Report is received. 
Carried without dissent.

Item 022-246:  Easybridge! Report

No report on Easybridge! was submitted at this meeting.  No report will be required at future board meetings.
Carried without dissent.

Meeting adjourned.

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

Shirley Seals
Shirley Seals