ACBL - UNIT 161
MINUTES of MEETING
March 18, 2006 at HSV Sectional
ATTENDANCE: Jane Cherry Jan Farnsworth Sharon Cissell Connie Fitch Mike Compton Barbara Hess Jane Dickey David Siebert
ABSENT: Lou Agnew, Bonnie Blankinship, Anne Martin, Warren Swift
GUESTS: Cindy Devis, Teri LaBove, Russ Jones
I ACCEPTANCE OF REVISED AGENDA
II CALL TO ORDER
President David Siebert called the meeting to order. The Secretary reported the attendance and the absence of Board members was duly noted. Lou Agnew has missed two consecutive meetings.
III MINUTES of PREVIOUS MEETING, Nov. 5, 2005
Following a motion, second, and unanimous vote, minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
IV TREASURER'S REPORT
A. Treasurer's reports, for year ending 12/31/'05 and for the period 1/01/06 through 2/28/06, were approved and filed for audit. The present cash balance is $12,447.22.
V OFFICER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. President David Siebert:
announced the Ace of Clubs certificates and Mini McKinney awards were in his possession and would be presented on this day, probably at the beginning of a session.
1. The President called on Teri LaBove to give her final report on the DeGray Tournament. Teri presented hand-outs showing comparative tables, revenues and expenses for the previous four (4) years. The 2005 DeGray netted $951.56 and David offered to calculate the percentage of profits to be returned to those clubs which closed for the Nov. 4-6 tournament. Teri laid out plans for the 2006 tournament, including $10.00 fee per session for participants. She has also negotiated with the DeGray Lodge for fewer comp rooms, ultimately leading to lower costs for participants' rooms.
David and other Board members congratulated Teri on improved service and better meals. Board members also agreed to watch for a pattern of fewer attendees and may at a later date recommend the tournament be held in H.S.
2. Cindy Devish was asked to report progress for the May, 2006 Regional in Hot Springs. She reported that the Arlington Hotel has reservations for 462 nights as of March 13. She reported two major speakers are confirmed for lecture dates: Betty Ann Kennedy and Gordon Campbell. Other speakers, i.e., David and Allen Siebert, will make their commitments shortly. Following the tournament, a zip code report will be provided by the Directors to enable a profit distribution.
Cindy requested Board authorization for sanction applications for 2008 and 2010. David will meet with Charlie McCracken to seek sanctions for the week following Memorial Day in 2008 and for the 3rd week of May for the 2010 tournament.
Cindy also requested the Board approve an allocation of additional seed money. Motion, second, and unanimous vote authorizing the Treasurer to write a check to Cindy in the amount of $3,000.
Board members complimented Cindy on her Regional planning.
3. President David Siebert:
led a lengthy discussion about the Little Rock Sectional, which will not be held in the Spring of 2006 due to hotels with increased room prices, and restrictions against bringing food(s) into the Hotel to serve the tournament participants. Several suggestions were presented and the L.R. club members will evaluate some of these newly suggested possibilities for a late summer tournament.
E. Education Liaison, Mike Compton:
will discuss reimbursement policies with several applicants. The Hot Springs Club was approved for reimbursement of $125 by the Unit and matching reimbursement from the District. The Treasurer was directed to write a check to Hot Springs Club. Mike also agreed to put the Unit policy for education reimbursement in writing to go to all clubs along with suggested step-by-step processes.
F. Tournament Chairman, Russ Jones:
informed the Board Members of the Unit Wide Team Championship, believing it to be a success and hoping for repeat challenges next year. The Finals will be held at DeGray again in 2006.
Russ also asked for input about the fee schedules for Unit-wide games. No action was taken to change the fee schedule for these games.
G. Audit Committee Chairman, Connie Fitch:
distributed copies of the audit/financial review conducted by Jim Awalt. David accepted on behalf of the Board.
H. President David Siebert:
introduced the subject of advertising knock-outs at sectional or regional tournaments only to have Directors cancel the upper bracket knock-outs because of small number of A Flight participants. Frequently out-of-state competitors drive long distances in anticipation of upper bracket knock-outs. Possible solutions to the problems will be discussed at the next Board meeting - handicapping? Can the Unit stipulate the Director must conduct the K-O's? Other issues will be considered.
I. Secretary Jan Farnsworth:
had Unit name tags for Board members and distributed them to those attending the meeting.
Time for meeting ran short. Meeting adjourned and Board members retired to playing areas. Next meeting of the Board will be held at the 2006 Regional at the Arlington Hotel, date to be announced later.