As '02 draws to a close, it is time to reflect on the happenings in the bridge world.... at the World Level.... at the National Level and then at the District and Unit Level..
The World Championships held in Montreal this past August had some good news and some not so good news...The United States came home with Gold and Silver Medals in the Women's McConnell Cup Teams. Congratulations to Irina Levitina partnered with Kerri Sanborn for bringing home the Gold in this event as well as the Bronze Medal in the Women's Pairs. Well done! The sad story from these Championships is that a member of our USA Silver Medallist women's team came home stripped of her medal and title because of her refusal to take the Drug Test.... a known condition of contest. Indeed a dark cloud in a blue sky.
What's new at the ACBL?...... Jay Baum our relatively new CEO has been with us almost a year. We have a new Chief Tournament Director in Memphis, Rick Beye, a new Publicity Director, Bruce Keidan and a new Marketing Director, Linda Grannel. Jay has assumes a leadership role with the staff and feels strongly that we must promote bridge in the middle schools and high schools and that we must all be sales people for our game. While membership has not yet started to grow, we have stabilized. Our financial position is strong and I anticipate that there will be no raised entry fees at NABC's, no increased dues or sanction fees in 2003.
At the District level.... we had 4 successful Regionals in '02, and even our GNT Finals was up in attendance from last year. Only our NAOP's were a sorry sight! and this was true in many other districts as well. We are going to be discussing alternatives for this event at our National Board meetings and meanwhile the District is going to perhaps try running this event in a different month....
A word of thanks and appreciation to your unit members who serve tirelessly on the District Board.... Jerry Goodman, who has been president of this district for more years than any of us can remember does everything that he is supposed to do and everything that everyone else is supposed to do.... we could not survive without him; Harris Schenker is our Secretary as well as being in charge of all district supplies. He and Caryll are always there to serve at the Hospitality Desk or anywhere else that they are needed; and Glenda Calkins is our Advertising Chairman, who, effective the 1st of the year will take on the added responsibility of Tournament Manager. Our thanks to your unit for giving us such great people to make things work in District 3.
Ron and I would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year. I hope to see all of you at your January party and make sure to win your first gold points of the year with us at the Rye Town Hilton, January 13-20.
Joan Gerard, District Director