NORTH JERSEY BRIDGE ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
October 29, 2000

The President, Glenda Calkins, called the Meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. at the Glen Rock Bridge Club. Board Members in attendance were:

Andy Muenz made a motion to approve the corrected Minutes from the September 9, 2000 Meeting, seconded by Betty Price. Minutes approved.

I. PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Glenda informed the board that since the secretary at Guardian Angel, who had the calendar, is no longer there the church can't find the calendar and we lost the April 2001 date. Therefore, the Spring Sectional will be the first weekend in June. Further, the church has informed her that there is going to be an increase of approximately 26 percent in the rent next year. Glenda has requested a meeting with Father Jerry to discuss this.

Glenda reported that she has received an e-mail from Ari Eisenberg referring to safety at the Guardian Angel Auditorium. Ari went to the Allendale Fire Department and asked them to go to the Auditorium. They decided the fire doors needed correcting and the church is having this done. Ari further said that he would call the fire department during the next Sectional if the tables are not set up according to fire code regulations. It was pointed out that when the Tournament Chair and his assistants set up the tables it was believed they were being set up properly and further that the building is not wood and fire hazards are extremely minimal.

Glenda also received an e-mail from a member of our Unit, Mike Smalline, asking that more of the special events be held on Sunday rather then Saturday. It was pointed out by a board member that special events used to be held more often on Sundays but because of complaints and dropping attendance it was decided to switch more events to Saturdays. Glenda recommended that everyone involved in scheduling special events try to schedule some of them on Sundays; she also asked Arnie to put a questions on our Web Page asking members of our Unit to indicate their preference for Saturday or Sunday. Arnie will report the feedback at the next board meeting. It also was arranged to schedule Unit NAOP finals on a Sunday if White Plains is having theirs on a Saturday or vice versa. This enables players to have choice of day.

Glenda announced that there is an opening on the Board, as Cornel Ferat has found it necessary to resign from his unexpired term. She recommended Rebecca Schwartz. Paul Nickerson moved to accept this nomination and Arnie Bergen seconded the motion; Motion was carried.

The job description revision recommendations are to be given to Glenda by the end of next week. It was decided that, after the job descriptions have been updated and revised, Arnie will put them into a booklet format and all board members will be given a booklet so that everyone on the board will be able to acquaint themselves with all the board position requirements.

Glenda read a thank-you letter from Sandy Weil, thanking the New Jersey Bridge Association; the money donated by the clubs in the Association to the Dystonia Foundation was matched by a donation from the Association.

II. TREASURER'S REPORT: Frank Grunebaum gave everyone a copy of the Treasurer's Report. He pointed out that the income from the first three Sectionals totaled $8,224 which is very good.

III. ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY'S REPORT: Jo Ann reported that she had received the District 3 year 2000 election results and pointed out that Gerry Goodman was again elected as a first alternate director.

IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

A. Tournaments

Harris reported that we were up four tables in attendance at the September Sectional. He also mentioned that the caddy problem is actually unresolved.

1. Caddies - No report; Roz Abel was absent.

2. Sectional at Clubs - Nothing is happening at the moment.

B. Special Events

1. NAOP/GNT

The finals are finished and the results are in.

2. Reitman Double Knockouts

Tod reported that the Reitman is in its final stage and should be completed before the Annual Dinner. He also mentioned that Harris has been given the Sanction for next year.

3. Unit Wides

The Unit Wide was held on Monday, September 11.

4. Bob Johnke Teams

Andy Muenz reported that the Baranoff team won the finals. He said for next year he is considering having the Johnke in April if a date is available.

5. Annual Dinner

Paul reported that he has begun receiving reservations for the Annual Dinner. Paul made a motion that the Board give a special lifetime achievement award to Lenny Karp at this year's Annual Dinner. Motion was seconded by Arnie. Discussion followed. The motion was passed and then it was decided that Glenda will make the presentation.

6. Pro-Am

Elaine reported that the Pro-Am held on October 28 went very well. However, it was suggested that next year Elaine should call each person responsible for the Pro-Am at each club to verify the number of tables a few days before the event.

7. Life Master Party

A Life Master Party will be held on Sunday, May 6, 2001, at Bergen.

C. Newsletter

Betty Price handed out an outline specifying deadlines for input for the January 2001 Newsletter to all board members. She also said that there should be no concern regarding the resignation of Cornel as Layout committee person because she prefers to do her own layout.

Club Coordinator - Elaine asked everyone to copy calendar information to Betty.

D. Web Page

Arnie asked that the Pro-Am results from each club be sent to him. He also asked for Unit Wide results which have been too slow to arrive; this matter will be discussed with Helen Wallach.

F. Charity - Geof Manis had nothing to report.

G. Novice Promotion

Jean was absent but Glenda said Jean is arranging a special Novice game at the November Sectional and is putting Advertisements in the Record and local papers about the Novice Game.

H. Player of the Year

Arnie is going to post the names of the top four leaders in the Player of the Year race at the November Sectional. Arnie reported that when he met with his committee, it was decided to keep the guidelines for determining Player of the Year within the current framework as is but to add a fifth category; namely, 300-1000. The committee discussed Awards for people who reach certain goals and recommended that recognition be given to players each year who attain the status of Silver, Gold, and so forth at the Annual Dinner. Tod moved that the Player of the Year categories be extended to five, seconded by Gerry, so moved.

Arnie made a motion to recognize Silver, Gold, and Diamond achievers at the Annual Dinner with a gift to be determined and to be given at the Annual Dinner beginning in 2000; motion was seconded by Andy Muenz, so moved.

I. Conduct And Ethics/Recorder

Paul said there were no issues to report.

J. Membership

Kay reported that she has been able to add another person to help with the phone calls welcoming new members into our Unit as well as tracking members. She gave several examples of erroneous information from the ACBL regarding a member's location; e.g., members supposedly in our Unit with phone numbers in other areas. Joan Gerard, attending the meeting today from District 3, said she would speak to Joan Johnson at ACBL headquarters, who is responsible for membership regarding, this problem.

Kay's status report shows an increase of about 30 members since the beginning of this year. The awards for the Mini-McKinney winners are being ordered.

V. OLD BUSINESS:

No one referred to a matter of old business.

VI. NEW BUSINESS:

Joan Gerard informed the Board the ACBL policy is going to require that all business with ACBL will have to be done electronically. She acquainted the Board with some of the topics ACBL is actively addressing, one of which is an objection by ACBL to the World Bridge Federation's fees considered by ACBL to be too high. Joan said the WBF has agreed to lower the fees for membership in WBF. She also mentioned that Sanction fees are going up next year as well as table fees at the clubs. On January 1, ACBL dues will increase by $2. Also, ACBL has determined a policy of prohibiting the use of electronic equipment, like cell phones or beepers, at National tournaments. A motion was then made by Tod, seconded by Frank, that this prohibition of electronic equipment become policy at our Sectional tournaments.

Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at noon.

Respectfully submitted,

Jo Ann Van Delft

Recording Secretary