Author: debbie
Last saved by: karen walker
Company: Hewlett-Packard Company

American Contract Bridge League
District 8 Annual Board Meeting
Saturday August 20, 2016
Renaissance Hotel St. Louis Missouri

Board and Committee members present: Debbie Avery, Rick Beye, Michael Carmen, Gary Chaney, Karen Coe, Jay Coleman, Marilyn Croft, Ardythe Edwards, Terry Goodykoontz, Kimberly Grant, Paul Hartke, Georgia Heth, Martha Leary, John Pree, Debbie Romero, Linda Seibert, Carole Sholes, Ron Sholes, Chris Shaw, Mary Beth Shaw, Neil Whittle, Liz Zalar.

Board and Committee members absent: Marci Meyer, Karen Walker, Milt Zlatic.

Ms. Leary called the August 20, 2016 Annual District 8 Board of Directors meeting to order at 9:30 am. She introduced the new District Board members, Terry Goodykoontz President of Unit 208, Paul Hartke representing Unit 223, Liz Zalar Board of Governors. Mr. Pree moved to accept the minutes as corrected to include fast results discussion for the STaC event. Second, Ms. Grant carried.

Treasurer’s report: Ms. Avery submitted the proposed budget for the Board’s approval. A copy of the current check and money market registers, NABC account statement, the income and expense report, and a copy of the Federal and State tax returns were distributed for the Board’s review. Ms. Coe moved to accept the proposed budget as presented. Second, Mr. Chaney carried. Ms. Croft moved to accept the income and expense report and the other documents as presented. Second Ms. Grant carried.

Nominating committee: Mr. Sholes presented the slate of officers for calendar year 2017. President Michael Carmen, Vice President Jay Coleman. Ms. Leary called for nominations from the floor. Being no other nominations forthcoming Ms. Coe moved to close the nominations and accept the slate as presented. Second, Ms. Romero carried.

President’s report: Ms. Leary made her appointments, for Tournament Coordinator she appointed Rick Beye, Secretary Treasurer Debbie Avery. Ms. Leary presented a gift to the members of the District Board as a token of her appreciation for all of their work for the past two years.

ACBL Director’s report: Ms. Heth reported that BBO and the ACBL have made an agreement. This agreement between BBO and the ACBL states that the ACBL will grant no new licenses for the awarding online masterpoints for the next four years for which BBO will pay a total of two million dollars. Over four years. Ms. Heth noted that regarding the reorganization of the ACBL Board of Directors, there are a variety of options to reduce the size of the ACBL Board but none of these options include any reduction in the number of Districts. Ms. Heth also noted that there is a new League Counsel, Linda Dunn.

Financial Review committee: Ms. Sholes distributed a memo noting the review had been completed and everything was in order.

Charity committee: Ms. Croft reported that the District Wide Charity game will be held the entire month of October with the proceeds to go to the Youth Bridge Organization. She had concerns that the Mail Chimp data base has not been updated and that she might not be able to reach everyone, she hopes that someone can be found to keep it updated and accessible.

Goodwill committee: No report.
Page 2
Minutes of the August 20, 2016 Annual District 8 Board meeting

Judiciary committees:
	Discipline: No Report
	Appellate: No Report
Education committee: Ms. Shaw reported that the Adult Bridge Boot Camp number 6 is scheduled for October 24-27 and that there are 21 people registered to attend. Youth coordinator Mr. Shaw reported that the 2017 Youth Bridge Camp will be held June 25-July 1. He noted that they have received grants from the ACBL to offset costs for campers.

Tournament Coordinator: Mr. Beye reported that the St. Louis tournament is moving along well. He suggested that the stratification in the Gold Rush Pairs for this District be 200/400/750 to spread out the field. Handicapping KO events needs to be addressed due to smaller KO fields He suggested that the District have a policy that can be published for tournament publicity. He asked to be kept in the loop for the new STaC coordinator so he can get them up to speed. He also noted that pair games are on the rise.

 Board of Governors: Ms. Leary Introduced the Board of Governors Gary Chaney, Neil Whittle. Liz Zalar.

Regional Tournament reports:
Mr. Chaney introduced the subject of Regional Tournament funding to District 8. He feels that the Units with smaller table counts are paying a larger amount based on income received. He felt that there should be more balance in fees to the District. The input from other Unit representatives present indicated that the present structure of payment is equitable. 

Champaign: Mr. Goodykoontz distributed copies of the financial report that showed a net loss of six tables from the prior year.

Crystal Lake: Mr. Whittle distributed copies of their financial report that showed a net gain in tables of 57.5 from the prior year.

Effingham: Mr. Hartke distributed copies of their financial report that showed a net loss of 26.5 tables from the prior year.

St. Louis: Mr. Carmen noted that he felt that the table count was up from last year.

Future Regional reports:

Champaign: Mr. Goodykoontz noted that the schedule will remain basically the same as last year. They are thinking that they will introduce a qualifying two session Swiss team event where the non-qualifiers play in a pair/team event that would replace the Compact KO.

Crystal Lake/ Effingham: The dates for this tournament will be June 19-25, 2017 at the same sites. Ms. Croft noted that they will offer more pair events and the schedule may reflect a few minor tweaks. Mr. Hartke reported that while their revenues were down a grant from the City of Effingham offset any losses. For 2017 the site will move to the Holiday Inn to save on site costs. They will be reviewing their schedule to pare down the number of events offered. 
Page 3
Minutes of the August 20, 2016 Annual District Board meeting

Future Regional Reports cont.:

Ft. Wayne: Ms. Grant reported that she has flyers for Ft. Wayne. They are trying a new schedule for this year. Approval of the 2017 schedule will be done by email.

St. Louis: Mr. Carmen reported that they will be back here for 2017. He noted that the schedule will be similar but will be sent out for email approval.

STaC report: Ms. Leary is looking for a new STaC coordinator. She reported that not allowing fewer than five tables would decrease participation of many clubs in the District wide in the STaC event. She noted that in all of the tables in play that 35 percent of all games were less than five tables. She reported that rule changes prohibit limited games from holding STaC games.

NAP report: Ms. Leary reported that the NAP event will be held at the Fluid Event Center in Champaign Sunday November 13. She distributed flyers for everyone to take. The question of the remaining Grassroots funds was discussed. Mr. Chaney moved that the second and third place winners in each of the 3 flights receive 600 and 1200 respectively. Second, Debbie Romero carried.

GNT report: Ms. Heth will remain as coordinator as long as she has a group of volunteers to find the site, do publicity, and run the event. The final will be the first Sunday in May and the Saturday preceding that date.

Old Business: None

New Business: Mr. Chaney submitted proposed changes to the District 8 policy regarding participation in other District STaC events.
 Proposed changes in out-of-District STaCs  
1. The Sponsoring District must be adjacent to the Unit.
2. The Unit must have had at least 80% of its clubs participate in each of the last two consecutive District 8 sponsored STaCs.
3. The out of district sponsored STaC must not conflict with a District 8 sponsored STaC.
4. The out of District sponsored STaC must not conflict with any District 8 regional.
5. The out of District sponsored STaC must not conflict with a District 8 member Unit’s sectional whose site is within 150 miles of the Units closest boundary.
Mr. Pree moved to accept the proposal as presented. Second, Mr. Coleman carried.

Being no further business before the District 8 Board of Directors Mr. Coleman moved to adjourn the August 20, 2016 District 8 Board of Directors Annual meeting. Second, Ms. Croft carried.

Respectfully Submitted
Deborah Avery
Minutes of the August 20, 2016 District 8 Board of Directors Annual meeting