October '98 Minutes

                                  NJBA Board Meeting
                                 Rockland Bridge Center
                                Sunday, October 18, 1998


        Attendance:

        Ruth Bernstein, President
        Rachel Prior, Administrative/Recording Secretary
        Frank Grunebaum, Treasurer
        Joe Adamo, Prizes/Pairings Chairperson
        Arnie Bergen, Webmaster and Player of the Year Chairperson
        Glenda Caulkins, Tournament Chairperson
        Gerald Goodman, Budget/District III Representative
        Richard Lighton, Recorder/Publicity Chairperson
        Andy Muenz, Special Events Co-Chair
        Paul Nickerson, Annual Dinner Chairperson
        Harris Schenker, Auditor/Club Coordinator
        Tod Thorgersen, Reitman KO Teams
        Jo Ann Van Delft, Education and Novice Program Chairperson
        Helen Wallach, Unit Wide Chairperson
        Elaine Meyers, Guest

Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 9:40 a.m. by the President, Ruth Bernstein.

Minutes: Accepted as amended (on file).

Treasurer's Report: Frank presented this report reflecting expenses, as of Sept. 30, against budget projections. The most significant difference was in the $1000 below budget of the Early Fall Sectional. Accepted (on file).

President's Message: A welcome-back to Joe Adamo. All were happy to see him recovered and returned to the bridge world. The President welcomed Elaine Meyers, who was recently nominated to the board to fill the vacancy created by Paul Silver's retirement.

Ruth thanked Betty Ann Smith (who was not present) for her years of helping with coordination and mailing of the newsletter.

Ruth expressed concern regarding the poor attendance of certain members at board meetings. Glenda stated that there is a great deal of work involved in being a board member and that no one should be a token member.

The following motion, made by Glenda and seconded by Arnie, was passed - current board members who miss two excused consecutive board meetings will be contacted by the President and asked whether or not he/she wishes to continue as a board member.

Ruth announced that she would ask the Newsletter chairperson to select a committee to proofread.

Job descriptions were discussed. Ruth suggested that board members anticipate the jobs they would be willing to do during 1999. She also suggested the co-chairing challenging jobs, so experienced members can mentor recruits.

Administrative Secretary: The ballots and the Annual Dinner announcement will be sent out simultaneously at end of October.

Committee Reports:

Annual Dinner: Paul Nickerson informed the board that swordfish and chicken are the entre choices. Ruth suggested that those members who are unable to drive at night be offered a ride to the dinner.
Bob Johnke: Because the newsletter advertised free entries to the Annual Dinner for the Bob Johnke team winners, Helen made a motion seconded by Andy, that the board do so. The motion passed after discussion of whether that prize had been previously approved by the board. The handicap for this event will be carried over into the final event. The Rules of Contest were printed on the web page. Arnie emphasized that the rules must be adhered to and only unit members be permitted to compete.The new chairperson for '99 will be made aware of this.
Conduct and Ethics: The following motion made by Glenda and seconded by JoAnn, was passed- the Recorder will use the ACBL form or create a simple form to be sent to the clubs for availability to players. Both forms are subject to review. Arnie will receive a copy of these forms for the web page.
District III: Joan Gerard sent a letter stating:

there was a 20% decrease in tables for the '98 Sununer regional as compared to the '97 Summer regional

the Saratoga tournament is scheduled for March 8-14, 1999

Flight C GNT winners' trip to Vancouver will be subsidized

internet bridge is here to stay and although there may be some inhimic problems, we must support it

Education/Novice: Membership in the unit has increased.
Newsletter: Richard Lighton expressed concern that the sectional tournament site was not mentioned anywhere in the newsletter advertisement. Glenda mentioned that the newsletter was mailed two weeks behind schedule.
Nelson Reitman KO Teams: Tod reported that the final round of the event will be run as a round robin. The three competing teams are; Baranoff, Elk, and Friedman.
Prizes/Pairings: Names of all award recipients should be submitted to Joe by 11/15, as well as the name of anyone who becomes a life master after 11/15.
Pro-Am: Three clubs hosted this game on Oct. 10. Thanks to all life masters for their participation. Winners' names will be posted on the web page.
Publicity: Fliers will be distributed notifying players that the sectional Saturdav evening game will be held as a charity game.
STAC: Paul Nickerson, distributing the hand records for the Director-in-Charge, is sending out a letter with specific instructions stating the STAC procedure. This letter will include the date, hand records and reflect the action to be taken bv that club. We are sharing this event with 9 other units. Each unit will handle their overall awards individually. Unit 106 is being subsidized. District 3 dates are 11/9- 11/14 and in NY and Long Island the dates are 11/9-11/15. Arnie will post the results on the web page as soon as he receives them.
Tournament Committee Glenda reported that the September tournament had disappointing attendance. The upcoming sectional tournament will hold a charity game on Saturday night, November 7. Glenda thanked Joe Adamo and Andy Lohan for their help during the last sectional. Arnie volunteered to help set up on Thursday Nov 5, at 2 p.m. for the upcoming, sectional. Ruth will no longer be recruiting caddies. This responsibility will go to another board member.
Hospitality: Many thanks, once again, to Caryl and Harris, for the delicious brunch served at the NAOP Unit finals.
NAOP: Jerry reminded all that the next round is in Allendale on November 15.
Unit Wides: The stratifications have worked well recently. This event is concluded for 1998. Arnie will receive and post the results of recent achievements as soon as he receives them from Helen.
Web site: Arnie expressed a need for improved communication between tournament committee chairpersons and the webmaster. He thanked Paul Nickerson, Tod and Jerry for their learning quotient and credited it all to good Kosher cooking.
New Business:

Ruth announced that she would run for re-election as President with Glenda as her Vice-President and Tournament Chairwoman.

Glenda is seeking additional participants for the Tournament Committee.

Meeting adjourned at 12.40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Rachel Prior, Secretary

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