American Contract Bridge League
District 8 Board of Directors Meeting
Saturday May 25, 2013
Illini Regional, Hawthorn Inn
Champaign, IL

Members and Officers Present: Debbie Avery, Chuck Briggs, Michael Carmen, Jay Coleman, Marcia Darnell, Karl Dencker, Rajahneen Dencker, Richard Ellis, Margaret Hansell, Georgia Heth, Martha Leary, John Pree, Debbie Romero, Linda Seibert, Chris Shaw, Carole Sholes, Ron Sholes, Neil Whittle, Hugh Williams.

Members and Officers Absent: Ron Brotherson, Jim Davis, Scott Davis, John Knist, Tom Oppenheimer, Chris Patrias, Camilla Rabjohns, Karen Walker, Jay Winter, Milt Zlatic.

Ms. Romero called the May 25 meeting of the District 8 Board of Directors to order at 9:30 AM. Ms. Romero introduced ACBL President Don Mamula and welcomed him on behalf of the District 8 Board. 

Mr. Coleman moved to accept the minutes of the October 6 District Board of Directors meeting. Second, Mr. Dencker carried.

Treasurer’s report: Ms. Avery submitted the District 8 check register for the Board’s review. Mr. Coleman moved to accept the documents as presented. Second, Mr. Dencker. Carried.

President’s report: Ms. Romero asked Mr. Carmen to speak to the Board about the spring 2013 NABC held in St. Louis. Mr. Carmen noted that though the weather did not cooperate for the final weekend of the NABCs that everything went very well. Ms. Romero noted that Mr. Carmen’s leadership was the key to the success of the event. The District 8 Board formally recognized Mr. Carmen’s many years of service to the District. ACBL President, Mr. Mamula commended Mr. Carmen’s leadership. Mr. Carmen presented a check for $20,000 to the District which represents funding from District 8 that was not used to fund this NABC. The money will be held by the District for use at the next District 8 NABC.

ACBL Director’s report: Ms. Heth noted that her report was in the Advocate for all to read. She noted that the age requirement for the seniors was raised to 60. Upcoming issues would be the issuing of Platinum points in the 0-10000 and other limited events.

Finance Committee report: No report.

Charity report: Mr. Dencker noted that last year’s District Wide Charity receipts were used to support the youth bridge in District 8.He will announce the date for the 2013 game in St. Louis.

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Minutes of the May 25 2013 District 8 Board of Directors meeting

Goodwill Report: No report.

Discipline report: No report.

Appellate report: Mr. Williams reported that his committee heard an appeal and voted to uphold Unit decision to reverse a club ruling to suspend a player.

Education report: Mr. Shaw reported that that Mr. Winter is serving on the Board of Trustees of the ACBL Education Committee Foundation. He noted that the applications for Bridge Camp were down. He attributed the decline to the July 4 holiday occurring during camp. Mr. Dencker moved to allow Mr. Shaw to offer an adult education camp to see if they can increase attendance. Second, Mr. Coleman. Carried.

STaC report: No report.

Regional Tournament reports:

Ft. Wayne: Mr. Ellis reported that the Ft. Wayne tournament was up by 102 tables. Mr. Ellis presented the schedule for the upcoming tournament. Mr. Coleman moved to approve the schedule as presented. Second, Mr. Dencker carried.

Champaign: Ms. Sholes reported that the attendance was even with last year’s tournament. She noted that the change in venue was not affecting attendance.

Future Regional reports:

Crystal Lake/ Paducah: Unit 223 indicated that they were in line with Crystal Lake for this year. Unit 223 is willing to try to follow the Crystal Lake schedule and expressed their desire to continue the split with Crystal Lake. The scheduling issue will be revisited at the St. Louis meeting in August. 

St. Louis: Mr. Carmen reported that everything was on track for August.

NAP report: Ms. Leary submitted her report to the District Board for their review. Mr. Dencker moved that “If allowed by the ACBL, we wish to have it put into the COC that withdrawals are at the Directors discretion and he should maintain an even number of tables when possible.” Second, Mr. Coleman carried. Mr. Sholes moved that “The money from Grassroots Fund be distributed among the teams traveling to the NABCs this year.” Second, Mr. Coleman. Carried.

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Minutes of the May 25 2013 District 8 Board of Directors meeting

GNT report: Ms. Heth will have her report in St. Louis. Ms. Heth has a volunteer to do the publicity for the GNT for 2014.

Promotions: none.

Old Business: Ms. Romero revisited the issue of having a third Board meeting in Ft. Wayne. This year the Ft. Wayne regional will be held two weeks after the meeting in St. Louis. Ms. Romero noted that the bylaws require three Board meetings per year. Two of the must be in conjunction with a regional, the third is at the discretion of the President. She asked the Board for their input. A straw poll ended in a tie. Mr. Ellis will check and see if the arrangements to host the Board can be cancelled. He will know in a few weeks and let Ms. Romero know. The issue of a teleconference if there is no meeting in Ft. Wayne will be revisited at the St. Louis meeting.

New Business: Ms. Romero asked Ms. Heth and Mr. Carmen to serve on a Bylaw update committee which will present its recommendations in St. Louis. Mr. Ellis submitted a copy of the 2014 Ft. Wayne Regional for the Board’s Approval in case there is no meeting in ft. Wayne. Mr. Coleman moved to accept the schedule as presented. Second Mr. Dencker, carried.

Being no further business before the District 8 Board of Directors Mr. Carmen moved to adjourn the May 25 2013 District 8 Board of Directors meeting. Second, Mr. Coleman carried.

Respectfully Submitted
Deborah Avery
Minutes of the May 25 2013 District 8 Board of Directors meeting