| Use Back Button to return to previous page |
Web Site: www.District9acbl.org/D9RepSeals
I am writing this column from New Orleans where the National board meetings
have just been concluded---and I am bursting with GOOD NEWS.
The main focus and thrust of the entire board is to increase membership and protect the local clubs. So I am happy to report that the Finance Committee that served on made a recommendation to the board that the proposed 8% increase in sanction fees for Club games, STAC games, Sectional and Regional Tournaments be voted down. AND IT WAS. Disregard any notification you received from ACBL in Memphis notifying you that this would be in the budget.
MORE GOOD NEWS. The current structure of the North American Pairs (NAP) will remain the same. (i.e. Flight A, B, and C winners will receive airfare and three nights of hotel lodging, the second place winners will receive airfare, and the third place winners will be allowed to participate in the NAP event at the NABCs each Spring.) The cost at the club level per player will be reduced from $1.75 to $1.00. ACBL Management is committed to advertise and promote this event more extensively at the club, Unit, District and National level. So you can expect to be receiving color brochures, pamphlets, and great coverage in “The Bulletin”. I feel that with the additional advertising and reduced cost---the NAP event will become the popular competition that it was in the past. I firmly believe in this event----it gives back to the players recognition, a free trip to the Nationals and perhaps introduces them to their first NABC competition.
The Co-Op Marketing program is going to change as of the first of the year. The rewards for advertising and teaching at all levels will increase dramatically. This is another of the new Marketing programs aimed specifically at increasing club participation and subsidizing efforts by club owners, managers and teachers. The particulars of this new program will be coming to clubs soon.
At the New York Nationals in the summer of 2004, the NABC scheduling committee will have for the first time, a 1:00 p.m. two session event on the beginning Thursday to benefit the Educational Foundation and the International Fund. (Previously, the NABCs started at 7:30 p.m.)
The Hospitality here in New Orleans has been fabulous and the attendance is up.
The local Tournament Committee has certainly set the “bar” on the top rung and we will all have to work as volunteers in Orlando a year from now to top this tournament. With our hard working Florida bridge players and the great Marriott World Center Hotel as our playing site---I know this will take place.
I check my e-mail daily---even when on the “road”—so keep in touch.
ShirleySealsFL@aol.com
| Use Back Button to return to previous page |