DISTRICT 9 UPDATE  BY SHIRLEY SEALS   ShirleySealsFL@aol.com

 

NEWS FROM THE ATLANTA NATIONAL BOARD MEETING:

 

You either loved the 10 – 3 – 8 starting times of the NABC, or hated it.

As we always say, bridge players vote with their attendance and the table count was 13,463 which was exactly as predicted.  I have heard nothing but rave reviews from the Florida players about the starting times of the games, the fabulous hospitality and playing site.

 

*Congratulations to Harriette Buckman who was elected ACBL President for 2006.  Harriette resides in Chicago but spends some winter months in Sarasota…so we can claim her as a part-time resident of District 9.

 

*Congratulations to the District 9 GNT Championship Flight Team of Jim Mahaffey, Barnet Shenkin, Eric Rodwelll, Jeff Meckstroth, Michael Seamon and Gary Cohler who placed second.

 

*Appeals and Charges Committee Report:

In the matter of Carol Clifford, Miami, ACBL number L281671 v District 9:

After review of the evidence presented and the District 9 Bylaws, the committee decided:

1.        That by conducting the 2005 Southeastern Regional in other than Dade, Broward or Palm BeachCounty, the District did violate its bylaws.

2.        Since this was a one time violation, which has been corrected for 2006, 2007 and 2008, no sanction is imposed.

3.        If the district’s intent is to provide flexibility as to the location of the Southeastern Regional depending upon availability of space, the committee encourages the district to revise its bylaws to clearly reflect that intention.

 

*Conditions of Contest for GNT and NAP events:

Any player participating in either event must be a dues paying or service fee paid up ACBL member prior to playing in any level of this event except for club qualifying.

 

*NAP National Finals Funding is amended as follows:

Each District winner who plays in the National final will receive a lodging subsidy equal to three nights lodging at the ACBL host hotel.  This enables contestant to choose cheaper accommodations and use the funds to buy entry fees.

 

*A committee was formed to address the issue of GNT residency.  There have been abuses of “residency” in the past and a policy will be voted on at the Denver NABC which will legislate clear residency rules.  Penalties will be accessed for violations.  Click here for more details

 

*To be eligible for placement in the Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney masterpoint races at all levels (overall placements and Unit placements), a players eligibility shall be determined by his total masterpoint holding, not his designated rank.  This policy will be in place starting January 1, 2006.

 

*Penalties:  Fouling or Misduplicating a Board

In Individual, Pair and B-A-M Team events, penalties for fouling a board will automatically apply any time the offense causes the board to be scored as a fouled board. In Sectional and Regional rated events, a quarter board penalty for a foul during duplication will apply to all contestants assigned to the table at which the board was “made” unless the director determines that there are mitigating circumstances.  In all NABC+ events a full board penalty shall apply.  A full board penalty for a foul during play will be imposed on the pairs responsible.

 

*Insurance Committee

A review of the ACBL’s insurance coverage is being studied as pertains to General Liability and Directors & Officers coverage available to Districts and Units.  The target is to have a firm proposal of possible insurance coverage by the Denver National Board meeting this fall.

 

*Good News for Juniors:

Simpson Communications (www.simpson-communications.com) has been hired to help the ACBL promote interest in bridge to younger players from elementary school through age 26.   We are all excited about a new website created…. www.bridgeiscool.com which will be ready for viewing on August 16, 2005. 

 

ACBL has been very successful in their first year in promoting bridge in existing camp programs associated with churches and boys and girls clubs.  The major problem with ACBL sponsored camps is the cost of liability insurance.

 

The major focus of Junior Funds for 2005 has been to train and send two teams to Australia for the 10^th World Youth Team Championships.  These twelve (12) Juniors will represent the USA and we wish them well. 

 

The average age of an ACBL member has risen to 67.28 years of age. Please promote bridge to the juniors in your area…we need to grow younger…not older.  We need bridge in schools as well as camps. Bridge in Schools is also the focus of Simpson Communications and our advertising budget monies.

 
  

Check our District 9 website for all the current information on tournaments, location of club games in all parts of Florida and other events of interest.  www.District9acbl.org