NJBA Board Meeting
Rockland Bridge Center
Saturday August 9,1997
Attendance:
Kathy Benjamin, President
Ruth Bernstein, Vice-President and Tournament Co-chairperson
Frank Grunebaum, Treasurer
Andy Lohan, Recorder
Harris Schenker, Auditor and Club Coordinator
Rachel Prior, Recording Secretary
Paul Nickerson, Annual Dinner Chairperson
Tod Thorgersen, Reitman KO Teams Chairperson
Joe Adamo, Prizes Chairperson
Laura Brown, Publicity Chairperson
Paul Silver, Bob Johnke Pairs Chairperson
Glenda Caulkins, Tournament Co-chairperson
Arnie Bergen, Webmaster and Player-of-the-Year Chairperson
Jesse Reisman, Charity Chairperson
Gerald Goodman, Ethics Chairperson
Jo Ann Van Delft, Novice Program Chairperson
Helen Wallach, Unit Wides Chairperson
The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by the President, Kathy Benjamin.
The minutes were approved as amended.
President's Message:
*A fifty dollar donation was gratefully given to the Allendale Ambulance Core for
their quick response to our recent emergencies.
*Total-Tel sent a check in the amount of $261.02 to the NJBA, which reflects the
Unit's percentage of sales profit.
*A reminder was sent to all club owners of the August STAC and Pro Am games in
October. The NJBA is subsidizing STAC at $.50 per player.
Committee Reports:
Treasurer's Report: Accepted (on file). Frank reported that as of 7/l/97 the budget is
in the black.
Jerry stated that the Bob Johnke Teams, which came in $900 under budget, enabled
us to provide the STAC subsidy.
Sectional Tournaments: According to Jesse, all clubs are participating in the August
11-17th STAC which has been announced in the newsletter. Joe Burns sent out the
hand records and we are awaiting the instructions, which are comparable to last
year. Arnie will post the results on the new web page. Paul Nickerson reiterated the
need to obtain the table count immediately after the tournament, to apprise club
owners of the amount they will be charged.
Grand National Teams and NAOP: Don, via Ruth, informed that the NAOP Unit
Final will be held at the Rockland Club on October 18. The District Finals will be on
November 2 in Mahwah. Harris volunteered Caryll for hospitality (happily, we
weren't present when he told her).
Reitman Double Knock-Out: Eleven teams had signed up originally. According to
Tod, there is currently one undefeated team, and 6 once defeated teams.
Bi-Unit Wide: Helen pointed out that the next Unit Wide will be held on August
27. Discussion ensued that several clubs were not highlighting the calendar and
cognizant of Bi-Unit Wides scheduled.
Kathy agreed to discuss Paul Nickerson's suggestion, that a liaison be appointed to
each club, in the next Executive Session.
Annual Dinner: Since an increase in attendance is expected as well as a hotel
increase of $3 per dinner, Paul Nickerson suggested several possibilities for his
dinner budget. These options were offered in order to avoid exceeding the $3000
limit, imposed by the Board in January:
,*a reduction of the grand prize from three to two free nights and game entries
*an increase in the cost of the dinner (thirty dollars for members and thirty-five
dollars for guests)
Andy made a motion, seconded by Frank, to approve the budget as presented by
Paul. It passed by 3/4 majority.
Pro-Am: Set and sanctioned for September 28, 1997, at the full-time clubs. There are
four clubs involved and novice packets have been prepared for the participants.
Charity: The Unit Wide Charity event will be held on Columbus Day. Fliers,
announcing The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence as the
recipient charity, will be distributed.
Jesse suggested selecting a local beneficiary as a secondary charity for next year. All
suggestions can be emailed to him including possible date changes.
Publicity: Laura submitted the web page committee report (on file). A motion to
have bridgenjba.org as the domain name was passed. A motion to have a separate
line item budget for the web page was also passed. Arnie, the new web master, will
be responsible for updating and accessing information on the web site. Laura's
group proposed a standing committee for the web site, with the webmaster serving
as chairperson. Jesse suggested combining Publicity, Newsletter and Web site as one
committee. The Executive Committee will consider Jesse's recommendation as a
future possibility. At this point, the web site will stand as a separate committee.
Novice Promotion:. Jo Ann related to the Board that a Paramus Middle School is
currently involved in the Unit's bridge educational program.
Player of the Year: Arnie is awaiting the exact results from the Bob Johnke Teams.
District 3: The District 3 Board sent Kathy the recommended Amendments to their
By-Laws. The NJBA Board approved the amendments by more than the 2/3
necessary majority.
Ruth gave Jerry a listing of our tournaments, which will be published in the District
pamphlet as well as on the District 3 web site.
This is the final year for the East Brunswick Regional. Somerset is the new summer
site for 1998.
Conduct and Ethics: Jerry advised that all complaints must be written in order to
obtain a hearing by the Unit's Ethics Committee.
Nominating Committee: Paul Nickerson and his committee will have a slate of 10
board candidates presented and published in the October newsletter.
Old Business:
The ACBL is encouraging units to donate the Audrey Grant series to local libraries.
The NJBA will take this donation request under consideration for next year.
New Business:
*Kathy regretfully is retiring as Board President and Ruth announced her candidacy.
*Membership in the Unit in 1997 increased by 23 members, the first increase in
several years.
*Paul Nickerson requested six dozen new replacement decks of cards for the Unit's
duplicate boards used at the Annual Dinner. Helen made a motion requesting the
purchase and it passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachel Prior, Recording Secretary