CLUB MANAGER’S NEWSLETTER

FALL EDITION

 

Message from Carol Robertson,

Director of Club and Member Services

 

“The new year brings many new programs described in this issue of the newsletter –so read it closely!  There are new Life Master categories, a new district-based charity program and, as you may have heard, a small increase in membership dues and fees.

 

The ACBLscore program is being updated and will reflect the changes made in the awarding of masterpoints.  This will be available for you to download from our website in December 2004.  You must update your program in order to award the correct masterpoints.

 

Information is also posted regularly on the ACBL web site.  We hope you will visit it often for the latest news.  If your club has a website, be sure to link it to the ACBL.  Just contact webmaster@acbl.org.

 

We are busily preparing for the Fall 2004 NABC in Orlando, and I hope to see many old and new friends there.  Our Club Manager and Teacher “Thank You” Reception will be held from 4:30 – 6:00p.m. Friday, Nov. 19th.

Check the Daily Bulletin for location.  This is a great opportunity to meet other club managers and ACBL representatives---and win prizes!  The full Orlando seminar schedule is posted on the Orlando NABC web site.

 

It’s time once again to apply for Star Club status.  Receiving a certificate stating you are an ACBL Star Club tells your players that you are offering top services to your players. 

 

Be sure to return your 2005 Club Game Sanction Renewal early so you will receive your supplies in time for the new year!

 

As always, pleae let me know if I can be of assistance to you.”

 

THE ACBL:  IT’S A GREAT DEAL!!

The ACBL has raised 2005 membership dues by a minimal $2 for new members and $3 for renewing members.  This is the first time dues have been raised since 2001 in order to keep up – as everyone has to do—with increased expenses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We still believe dues are a bargain and hope you will communicate that to your players.  You also may want to encourage new members to join before December 31st to receive the $2 savings.  Playing bring also will remain a bargain, as there are no proposed increases in club table sanction fees in 2005.

 

The new dues figures were published in the September Bridge Bulletin and are available online.

 

NEW LIFE MASTER RANKS:  EMERALD AND PLATINUM

Crossing the 7500 and 10,000 masterpoint lines are significant achievements deserving of recognition.  Two new Life Master rankins were approved at the ACBL Board of Directors meeting in July.

 

Players with 7500 – 9999 masterpoints will become Emerald Life Masters.  Players who have 10,000 points but have not me the criteria required for a Grand Life Master will become Platinum Life Masters.  Races for these categories will be in effect in 2005.  Certificates will be issued in 2005.

 

THE ACBL:  Your Best Partner in Bridge Brochure Now in Print

 

“Follow Our Lead.  Bridge is more than a pastime.  It is a passion.  Players return to the table time and time again for the mental challenge, the competition and the company of others who share their love of the world’s greatest card game.”

 

So begins a colorful, informative brochure for prospective members or sponsors now available from the ACBL Marketing Department.  The brochure includes player testimonials, an introduction to duplicate bridge, bridge education information, and a special section featuring The Bridge Bulletin magazine.

 

A copy of the brochure is included in the Club Game Renewal Packet.  To request additional brochures, contact the Marketing Department at marketing@acbl.org or 901-221-5586, ext. 1368.  They are free of charge.

 

CLUB DIRECTORS Update COURSE

 

More than 300 club directors have participated in the ACBL’s popular Club Director Update Course.  The course is a great way to hone your skills and learn the latest about rulings and ACBLscore.

 

Courses are scheduled at every NABC and a number of regional tournaments.  Is there an update in your area?  If not, you might want to talk to your district tournament managers.

 

Course author, Guillermo Poplawsky, regularly updates the update, meaning you’ll get just as much from it today as you did If you too the course before.

 

The ACBL provides the salary for the tournament director conducting the course at a Regional.  Tournament sponsors pay only additional per diem (if necessary) and for space and equipment as required.  Some tournaments sponsor the course free of charge; other charge minimal registration fees to recoup expenses.  We ask for six months’ notice to ensure that a presenter will be available and that the course have at least  10 participants. 

 

See our web site for a schedule of courses.  WWW.ACBL.ORG

 

SPECIAL EVENTS SANCTION FORM

This form lists the dates of the upcoming 2005 Special Event games as well as the deadline to submit the form.  It is imperative that this form is completed and returned in a timely manner.  The mailing of your game supplies depends on it.

 

Also, if you do not hold a regularly schedule session for the time and/or date of an event scheduled, you will need Unit approval to hold the game.  We will be happy to contact the Unit on your behalf for an approval.  For more information the games contact us and we will fax, mail or e-mail you a fact sheet.

 

As you know, these special games entice more players into the club and offer enhanced masterpoints.  All of the events offer expert hand analyses.  So, please don’t delay in signing your club up to host one or all of the Special Event Games.

 

It is our aspiration to provide you with accurate and effective service.  Jo Anne Collins (ext. 1286 and Mable Wilkes (ext. 1333) are always happy to assist you with any questions or problems you might have.

 

PASSED BY THE ACBL BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN NEW YORK CITY

 

ACBL Convention Chart Amendments

The General convention Chart is amended to permit jump responses to an opening of one or a suit to show one known suit with a minimum of five cards and one other known suit with a minimum of four cards.

       There are some new requirements when using methods permitted by the Mid-chart, but not by the General Convention Chart.  All of the current Convention Charts can be found on the ACBL web site.

 

Special Events at Clubs

(The minutes summarize changes in special events.  Refer to the flyer or the website for more details.)

 

Effective January 1, 2005

  1. April is designated as Charity month.
  2. September is designated as International Fund month.
  3. Any and all ACBL sanctioned sessions may be held as a Junior Fund game, Charity game or International Fund game, except February is reserved for Junior Fund games, April is reserved for Charity games, and September is reserved for International Fund games.
  4. The masterpoint rating for Charity games, International Fund games and Club Appreciation Pair games (October) is increase to 100% sectional black points.
  5. The sanction fee for the ACBL-wide Senior Pairs is increased to $4 per table (from $2.25).
  6. The NABC Fund-Raiser is now the NABC Promotional Game.

 

RENEWAL FEES

When members pay their renewal fees within 90 days of their expiration date, the term for which they are paid up will begin from the date that their membership originally expired.

 

ACBL JUNIOR PLAYER ENTRY FEE

  1. At all NABCs, the entry fee for all players who have not yet reached their 16th birthday shall be $1 per session.  In NABC-surchared events the surcharge will be paid in addition to the $1.  Effective date:  Fall 2004 NABC.
  2. At all NABCs, the entry fee for paid up ACBL members in good standing who have not reached their 26th birthday shall be no more than 50% of the regional-rated event entry fee.  Effective date:  Fall 2004 NABC
  3. The ACBL encourages all districts, units and bridge clubs to consider similar policies for regional tournaments, sectional tournaments and club games.

 

SHORT GAMES

Clubs may hold sanctioned regular open games with a minimum of 12 boards being played.  These games may not include any special games awarding extra masterpoints but are for club games ONLY.  ACBLscore will score games with only 12 boards being played.  Masterpoints for these games will be awarded at 80% of the award for open games.  Sanction fees for these games are $0.40 per table when 12 – 17 boards are played.

 

 

 

You might like to hold this type of game when having a luncheon or potluck dinner at your club.  The minimum of 12 boards played would enable you to have one session before the meal and another session after the meal.  It may also be of interest for evening games, allowing players an early evening on work nights.

 

If using ACBLscore to set up a short game of less than 18 boars (minimum of 12 boars):  Set up the game as you normally would, paying special attention to number of rounds and number of boards per round to produce a short game.  When you get to the event rating box, select #1 Club Masterpoints.  No special games (club championship or higher) area allowed with short games.