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MANAGEMENT REPORT FOR MAY 2003 |
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To: ACBL Board of Directors From: Jay Baum, CEO ACBL Date: May 2, 2003
1. Internet Club Championship: ACBL has been administering Internet Club Championships since the first of this year. The last event had over 235 pairs. The last event had 23 clubs registered (a new record) and produced 474 pairs. The event just before had 235 pairs. ACBL’s administration of this event is providing to be a win-win-win. The players and clubs like it and ACBL gains a little additional revenue. 2. Insurance Brokers: As instructed during Philadelphia, Management approached four insurance brokers about bidding our insurance package. At the beginning of the process, one broker backed out thinking there were already too many in the mix. During the process, another broker backed out due to lack of markets. The third broker did not get his quote in on time. We renewed with Lipscomb and Pitts, who brought us a good quote from our returning carriers. The following carriers declined to quote Colony Insurance, Guilford Insurance, Scottsdale Insurance, RLI Insurance and Clarendon America Insurance. The following carriers declined to quote for Workers’ Compensation: American International Group, American Employers Insurance, Appalachian Insurance, Westport Insurance, Colonly Specialty, Rockwood Casualty Group, Berkshire Hathaway Homestates and Fairfield Insurance. 3. Senior Games: Marketing has completed a review of Senior Games activities in 2003 and is working with a number of local organizers to support these events. In addition, we have received approval from the AARP for an exhibit at its September convention in Chicago. We will be in touch with Chicago-area members and clubs for their support in staffing the exhibit. We also are researching other senior and leisure activity conventions for future placements. Two smaller displays are in production. This should ease shipping to volunteers for convention-related activities. (Exhibit A) 4. Club Directors Update Course: Club Membership and the Tournament Division worked together to produce a flier promoting the new Club Directors Update Course to distribute to regional tournament organizers. The flier is being posted on various bulletin boards and in the Club Manager Newsletter. The course continues to grow in popularity; 44 club directors attended in Gatlinburg. In the first week, we have already received a request for the course at a June regional. (Exhibit B) 5. United States Playing Cards: We have awarded a bid for playing card production to United States Playing Cards (USPC), which has offered a number of promotional benefits. An advertisement card for the ACBL is being produced for its Bicycle decks, a link to the ACBL will be placed on the USPC web site, and we are discussing various sponsorship options. 6. Programming efforts: We have made significant progress with a number of programming efforts. Now, for example, new members who join online automatically and instantly receive a player number. In addition, if they picked up an Instant Membership Application, the player number will be valid when they pay online. Data entered online no longer needs to be rekeyed into the system; Richard Oshlag has created a program that automates this function so the membership clerks need only verify the information. Our ability to accommodate our Internet users is becoming increasingly important -- more than 2,000 members joined or renewed online from January through March. Acting on a suggestion made recently by Barbara Seagram we will be supplying (via e-mail) membership recruiters with a list of players they recruited whose membership has become inactive. A message will be included encouraging the recruiter to make contact with the player whose membership lapsed. This is in addition to the monthly report sent to units regarding lapsed membership. 7.
2002 Unit Cooperative Marketing Program Rebates: Checks
were mailed in April to Unit Treasurers for units that fulfilled the
criteria for the 2002 Unit Cooperative Marketing program. Almost $25,000
was paid to Units for these incentives as shown in Exhibit C. Out of 308
Units, 100 received rebates for being in compliance (returning 10 of the
12 member status reports, having an Unit Electronic Contact on file with
us and providing us with their marketing survey.) However, 149 Units
received money for improvement in membership trend, which suggests the
Units are increasing their membership on their own. · Units with membership growth from .01% to 1% at the end of 2003 will receive $0.50 per member. · Units with growth of 1.01% to 5% will receive $0.75 per member. · Units with growth of more than 5% will receive $1.00 per member. $5000 will be the maximum yearly growth incentive payment to any one Unit. The payments for the 2003 incentive will be distributed in April 2004. 8. Jane Johnson Award: The Jane Johnson Award was given out to the Headquarters office winner at the company picnic on April 19. The winner this year was Rosie Fairchild. Rosie has worked for the ACBL since November 1979. A number of you may know her as the voice you hear when you call the ACBL. She is the receptionist/PBX Operator. As you know this award was established in recognition of Jane Johnson, the long-term and much respected manager of the ACBL Club Membership Department. The award is given to an employee who exceeds over and above his/her normal job duties and must exemplify extraordinary customer service. The field employee has not yet been selected for this award. A winner will be selected and presented with the award at the summer NABC. 9. ACBL Online: ACBL Online offers a complimentary account to members of the ACBL Board of Directors. We would like to encourage those of you who have not taken advantage of this offer to do so in order to experience the site first hand.
Please go to www.acbl.com and sign up for the free trial. After you have registered for the free trial, send your username to Gary Blaiss so that your account can be updated to the complimentary one. Once you have used the site (and perused the help screens and tutorials), if you have suggestions for improvement, we encourage you to send us your suggestions. 10. Online Tables: For the first quarter, the total number of sanctioned tables in play (with two reports outstanding) is 35,712. The two missing reports are projected to add another 1,500 to 1,700 tables to the first quarter total. ACBL Online produced 32,269 of the sanctioned tables. 11. US Team Trials: The USWBC (Women) have 10 teams entered. The Round-Robin (RR) has six teams. Start of play is May 21, 2003 in Orlando. The USBC (Open) has 20 teams entered, the RR has 18 teams. Start of play is June 1, 2003 in Memphis. 12. Legal: Blubaugh: A brief in support of summary judgement was filed on April 14th. The earliest projected date by which the judge would render a decision is September of this year. Logan: Our insurance will cover attorney’s costs (after deductible). However, we are still negotiating in an attempt to stay out of court. 13. Per Item 031-48: Hard Copy Distribution of Materials for Volunteers: A mailing was completed to the designated Unit and District Officials informing them that changes were made and that a hard copy of the document(s) would be sent them upon request (one hard copy per year). The mailing included a reply postcard along with other contact information to request a hard copy. Samples were included in packet mail. To date we have had 104 requests for the CDR, 36 requests for Recorder regulations and 52 requests for the ACBL Handbook. As a side benefit, this process has enabled us to update Unit Officer information in 16 instances. 14. Minibridge Status update: ACBL’s School Bridge Lesson Program currently has 80 classes in elementary and middle schools which are being taught using minibridge or a form of minibridge. Most of the teachers use minibridge for at least the first ten lessons and then introduce bidding during the last 6 lessons. Minibridge has become the cornerstone for bridge lessons in schools at the elementary and middle school level. 15. Bridge Week in North America: Per the suggestion of Bruce Reeve, and concurrence by many of you, BWNA will be celebrated during the Spring NABC each year. We are trying to place more emphasis on obtaining media fanfare and less on games at clubs. We will attempt to make the week a special time for membership drives. More to follow. 16. Bulletin: Most of you have received your Bulletin by now. You may have noticed the wrap-around cover. A glitch in the address program (which has been corrected) gave us an opportunity to experiment with this wrapper. It allowed for additional advertising and helped keep the cover page in better condition. We will return to mailing in the original form in June but retain the option of a wrapper if advertising demands increase. 17. STaC: Many of you may not be aware of billing policies regarding STaCs, specifically when multiple STaCs are run by the same TD. There should always be a sharing of fees for playing sessions when this occurs. Fees are apportioned by a combination of playing sessions and table counts. There are also compilation sessions involved in multiple STaCs, as well as any special tasks and charges that may be requested by one or more of the sponsors. Typically two STaCs would each play 14 sessions each and result in 28 sessions being charged by the individual Tournament Director who runs each. When two STaCs are scheduled on the same dates, AND a Tournament Director is available to run both we see a net saving of about 10 – 12 sessions. In all cases some savings can accrue to the sponsor when this scheduling opportunity exists. This came up thanks to Harriette Buckman and Georgia Heth in conversation with your CTD, Rick Beye. If you are not certain as to fees or how it works, please drop Rick a note. 18. Larry Graft: Larry Graft, tournament director, passed away on Saturday, May 3. Larry had a long battle with diabetes. Larry actually died from complications from pneumonia. There will be no services per Larry's request. He would like all of his friends to have a drink for him. The company will be making a donation to the Diabetes Foundation in his name. 19. Membership Trend Report for April 30, 2003: See Exhibit E.
EXHIBIT AThe ACBL and Senior Olympics Senior Olympic Games provide a wonderful opportunity to promote bridge to the active, 50+ population. The ACBL has begun a number of collaborative efforts with several statewide and local games. The league’s commitment to the games includes the following: 1. Sectional sanction fees are waived to the event can offer silver points. The sponsoring unit in the area per regulations must submit the sanction application. Playing fees are set by the local Senior Olympics organization. These have ranged from $4 to $28 for a session. 2. The ACBL will ship promotional materials for potential new members, including Bridge Bulletins and Instant Membership Forms. 3. If the event includes an exhibit area, the ACBL will ship a display case to be used in the area. Local support for these activities may include some of the following: 1. Units become a co-sponsor of the event and provide financial resources for the director and supplies. 2. Local organizers recruit volunteers to staff booths in display areas. 3. Units and/or districts provide Bridge Bucks to non-members to redeem at a game in their home areas. 4. Area teachers volunteer for a lesson before or after a game. 5. Events are promoted in unit and district publications. The attached is a summary of 2003 Senior Olympics activities. To promote additional activities, we have initiated the following: 1. Coverage of activities in the Bridge Bulletin. 2. Information in the Club Manager Newsletter and Unit correspondence on how local organizers can get involved, including the web sites for Senior Olympics organizations. These sites are nationalseniorgames.org in the United States and after50.ca in Canada. 3. Information provided in Unit Growth Seminars.
Senior Olympics Summary of 2003 ActivitiesStatewide Games Affiliated with National Senior Games Association
Huntsman World Senior Games, Utah Format: Duplicate Site: Bloomington Country Club Sanction: Sectional Contact: Teddy Scott 435-634-4925 ACBL provided free sanction. Scott is contacted regarding other services. Note that promotional materials include on-site sales of ACBL memberships. Florida Senior Games State ChampionshipsDecember 2003 Format: One duplicate session
Site: The Villages, Lakeland Sanction: Pending Contact: Wilma Hodge 863-638-2812, wcwhodge@aol.com The Empire State Senior Games, New York
June 12 and 13, 2003 Format: Two duplicate sessions followed by mini-lesson Site: New York State College, Cortland Sanction: Sectional Contact: Cameron Ross 315-635-8342, cross6@twcny.rr.com ACBL provided free sanction, display case and promotional materials. ACBL working with Ross to staff booth with local volunteers. Canada Senior Games
Sept. 1-5, 2004 Site: Yukon Contact: Joyce Young 867-633-3488, joyce.young@yt.sympatico.ca I have contacted Joyce Young for information on possible activities. Local Games
Tucson, Ariz. Jan. 26 and 30, 2003 Format: One session duplicate Jan. 26 / One session rubber Jan. 30 Site: Sun City Vistoso Sanction: None Contact: Bob Hinkle (duplicate) 520-320-0201 / Richard Redwood (rubber) 520-885-2557 Hickory, North Carolina
May 5, 2003 Format: One session of duplicate Site: Westmont Senior Center Sanction: Sectional Contact: Eldon Clayman 281-493-3578 ACBL provided free sanction and promotional materials. Memorial Hermann Senior Olympics, Houston, TexasMarch 22, 2003 Format: Two sessions of duplicate Site: Jewish Community Center Sanction: Sectional (free of charge) Coordinator: Barbara Shepard 281-493-3578 ACBL provided free sanction. The ACBL display case and promotional materials were shipped for a special Health Fair held in conjunction with the games. Local volunteers staffed the booth. The Unit was a co-sponsor for the event and provided $100 for the director fee and his supplies. San Antonio, TexasApril 10, 2003 Format: One session rubber bridge Site: Bailey’s Bridge Studio Sanction: None Contact: Marie Bailey 210-822-7988 Alberta Seniors Winter GamesFeb. 14 and 15, 2003 Format: Two sessions rubber bridge / Two sessions duplicate bridge Site: Edmonton Sanction: Checking with contact Contact: Harvey Ford 780-434-1063
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Game Paragraph American Contract Bridge League ACBL Club Directors Update Course Continuing Education for Bridge Club Directors
The ACBL Club Directors Update Course is becoming an increasingly popular feature at NABCs and Regional Tournaments. The course was developed by Associate National Tournament Director Guillermo Poplawsky. Guillermo has designed several informative PowerPoint presentations to bring experienced club directors up to date on recent changes. The content includes current ACBL procedures and policies, the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge, and the effective use of ACBLscore. Attendance at these courses has ranged from six to 44 participants per class. Outstanding evaluations by the attendees have been received. Those who complete the course receive a certificate and are profiled as having Club Director Update Continuing Education. As more Tournament Directors have become familiar with these presentations, the ACBL Club Department now is making them available to all Districts for their future Regional Tournaments. At NABCs the classes are held on three consecutive mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. At Regionals, the course has been completed in one all-day session or two four-hour morning sessions. With six months’ advance notice, the Tournament Department can guarantee that a TD with presenter training is assigned to your Regional. Your major expense will be for the sessions he/she devotes to administering the course and any additional accommodations required. The number of participants will determine the number of TDs needed to assist. Tournament chairs or committee members reserve meeting rooms for classes and may wish to order light refreshments for break times. They also need to arrange for a data projector to show the PowerPoint presentation. In addition, the tournament will want to assign someone to promote the course and take registrations. The sponsor’s costs will be the tournament director fees. Some of the sponsor’s costs may be recovered by charging the participants. At NABCs, participants pay $10 per day at the door or $25 for all three days. Pre-registration with advance payment is $20 for all three days. There was no charge to participants at the Tampa Regional in January 2003, with the District picking up the expenses. In Gatlinburg in April 2003, the course was free to members of Districts 6 and 7, and others paid $10 for each of two morning sessions. Tournament and district officials can determine how they wish to administer the registration. To reserve a Club Directors Update Course at your Regional Tournament, contact Joyce Stone at 901-332-5586, ext. 337, joyce.stone@acbl.org
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Course Paragraph MEMBERSHIP TREND REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 2003
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