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DISTRICT 9 UPDATE
SHIRLEY SEALS, DISTRICT 9 DIRECTOR
May/June 2008 Sunshine Bridge News
Many Clubs and Teachers took advantage of the Cooperative Advertising Program in 2007. ACBL paid $36,196 in funds to District 9—which was 29% of the total sum paid to all Districts. So be sure to remember this program when promoting bridge in your area in 2008.
The board approved a policy change regarding charging for STaC games held after March 1, 2008. Future STaC fees will be assessed on a per-table basis as opposed to the per session fee formerly used. This will open STaCs to a small area that in the past could not afford the session rates charged by the ACBL.
The ACBL Headquarters building was sold in 2007. The search for a new location continues. Cities under consideration are Orlando, Dallas, Atlanta and Memphis. The target date for a relocation decision is the NABC board meeting July 2008 at the Las Vegas NABC.
The ACBL Bridge in Schools program will be expanded to include a new Mini-Bridge Program. The shortened program will be permitted thru the 6th grade level only. Please contact Julie Greenberg, Director of Education at ACBL Extension 1262 for more details.
The following motion was passed by the ACBL board:
The ACBL, acting as WBF Zone 2 Authority, expresses its disapproval of
all non-bridge related public statements and demonstrations by any Zone
2 federation representative participating in an international bridge competition. The ACBL requests that the federations in the jurisdiction of Zone 2 adopt
regulations disallowing such public statements and demonstration.
I voted against this motion since I felt the motion was a “watered-down”
reproach to the Six Women, representing the Zone 2 (United States), who
won the Venice Cup Medal in Shanghai and who chose to hold up a negative
political sign as the National Anthem was being played.
At the request of the Board of Governors, the board reconsidered a motion to limit special games that can be held at club games. Once again, the board approved the rights of clubs to hold special games at any sanctioned club game.
The following policy will apply to all NABC events, effective July 1, 2008.
Electronic devices, excluding health related equipment, capable of sending
or receiving communications
(1) shall not be allowed in the playing areas, adjacent hallways, rest rooms or accessible break areas; and
(2) shall not be used during a session.
These restrictions shall apply to all pairs, team members, captains, coaches, recorders and kibitzers and shall apply throughout any actual playing session or segment.
A violation of this policy shall result in a disciplinary penalty of one
full board (12 IMPS at that form of scoring) for first offense. A second offense shall result in disqualification from the event for the
pair/team.
Kibitzers violating this policy shall be removed from the playing area
for the remainder of the session.
Participants in nationally rated events (which include not only the top-level NABC+ games but also masterpoint-restricted contests such as the Mini-Spingolds, Mini-Blue Ribbon Pairs, National 199er and 99er Pairs and lower flights of the North American Pairs and Grand National Teams) are reminded not to approach the playing area with a personal electronic device in their possession, even if the device is turned off.
Make your plans NOW for the Las Vegas Nationals in July. Get busy with your hotel and airline reservations. This is one of the most popular NABCs.
See you there.
Shirley Seals