DISTRICT 9 UPDATE – SUNSHINE BRIDGE NEWS – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007

Shirley Seals – District 9 Director – ShirleySealsFl@aol.com

 

Good News from ACBL.

The Insurance policy that covers Directors and Officers of ACBL Districts and Units has been renewed for another year at a cost of approximately $120,000 to ACBL.  This is a saving of $15,000 each year to our District and a savings of $850 to each Unit.  This policy covers Units/District Directors and Officers, as well as committee/volunteer members for actions taken in that capacity.  The policy does not cover physical injury or damage; however, it does cover slander and libel. 

 

Notice to all Units.  Be sure your IRS form 990 is filed in a timely manner.

It is important to stay in strict compliance with all laws pertaining to not-for-profit (501(c)4) organizations.  While no taxes will be due, non-compliance will be dealt with in a very strict manner and can lead to organizations losing their non-profit status.

 

The building housing the ACBL headquarters on Airways Boulevard has been sold and ACBL has become a tenant on a temporary basis.  Preliminary work is in progress for possible relocation options.

 

Things have been rather slow this year in the Marketing Department and the search continues for a Director of Marketing.  ACBL promoted bridge and membership at the Annual AARP “Life at 50+” convention in Boston.  This year ACBL member Bob Levey, an award winning talk show host and former Washington Post columnist, was a featured speaker for ACBL.

 

There has been a Policy Change in Tournament Director Status.

(The entire change in policy can been read on the District 9 Website as part of Jay Baum’s CEO report dated May 2007.)

 

In brief, this may change the way Sectional and Regional tournaments are charged for the service of Tournament Directors.  Overtime may be due directors for hours worked beyond 40 hours per week.  This will not affect charges in 2007, but increased charges for Directors at our Sectional and Regional tournaments will most likely occur in 2008. 

 

Also, beginning in 2008, STaCs will be run by three DICs (yet to be named) located from coast to coast.  I have voiced my strong objection to this new policy…stating that the “DICs in Florida/District 9 provide an excellent level of service that cannot be matched by a DIC who does not know the clubs and their needs within our District”.  I have been told that this new STaC procedure will save ACBL $200,000 annually….but I feel that our STaC table count will suffer….thus costing ACBL money, rather than creating a savings. 

 

I have talked to many of you who will be attending the NABC in San Francisco in November.  District 9/Florida is always well represented at our National Tournaments.  See you there.

 

Shirley Seals