I was a member of the committee which was faced with a situation of....Clean up the Events or Eliminate them.  We chose to try to save the events.  GNTs and NAPs are the grassroots events in which players with all levels of bridge expertise can play and compete.

 

 

If you're planning on playing in the Grand National Teams or North American Pairs in 2006 and beyond, be aware that changes are coming.

 

In Denver, the ACBL Board of Directors will vote on changes that, according to GNT Committee Chair Harriette Buckman, are aimed at "restoring the integrity of the grassroots events."

 

Said Buckman, "The new guidelines will be in place by Denver".

 

Buckman's committee was charged with developing a firmer policy for determining residency, establishing and implementing a process for enforcement of residency requirements and communicating the changes to the membership.

 

In November, when the board meets in Denver, the body will consider the following legislation pertaining to GNT and NAP participants:

 

1.  A clear statement of ACBL definition of residency.

2.  Requirements for validation of residency.

3.  A credentials committee of the ACBL board to review residency challenges and approve request for residency verification.

4.  Mandatory penalties for violations.

 

"There have been abuses in the interpretation of residency," Buckman said, "and the committee did consider simply recommending getting rid of the events".

 

In the end, she said, the committee opted to recommend changes.  "It's coming," she said, "and we are not backing down."