September 2022

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes ACBL Unit 503
Monday, September 12, 2022 via Zoom

Directors Present

David Merenbach, Marc Cervellino, Dianne Giancarlo, Gerry MacDonald, Jon Raden, Dan Thatte, Eli Wismer

Others Present During All or Portions of the Meeting

Alan Templeton, Max Schireson

M/S/P = Moved/Seconded/Passed

Call to Order

David Merenbach, President of the Board, served as Chair of the meeting, called the meeting to order at 4:00PM and announced that a quorum of the Board members was present and that the meeting, having duly convened, was ready to proceed with business.

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Eli W. announced that the minutes of the August 8, 2022 Board Meeting were approved via email.

Financial Update

Marc C. presented an update on our Finances.  There was zero Net Operating Income, and a negative Cashflow, for the month of August, due to table rent from club owners and a grant from PBEF.  There is still a deficit in both Net Income and Cashflow for the first 8 months of the year, but the results are better than the budgeted plan to date. 

October and November Sectionals

Marc C. led a discussion about upcoming Unit 503 Sectionals scheduled for October 14-16 and November 4-6.  Marc is chairing the October tournament, and Marc and Stephanie Y. are co-chairing the November event.  One email has been sent to targeted District 21 members, and another two will be sent to promote the events and encourage pre-registration. 

Holiday Party

Dan T. for Stephanie Y. led a discussion regarding an in-person Holiday Party at the end of the year.  It was proposed to hold the event on December 11.  M/S/P

Good Will Award

David M. led a discussion about a nominee for this District award.

499’er Single Event

David M. proposed holding special events to encourage players below LM level to participate in F2F games. He suggested a special price to match on-line BBO ACBL games, free lecture, and more points. We will continue discussions on how to improve F2F play for this group of our members.

New Dealing Machine

One of our dealing machines is broken and is being repaired. David M. and Marc C. will reach out to contacts in San Jose and other units that are not running games currently to see if we can borrow a machine.

Directors Room

We have received complaints about the state of the Directors Room.  David M. will work with the Directors to rearrange the room to provide better access and storage.

Replacement Volunteers

We still need a replacement for Kip Kado as District Rep, and for Jim Hulseman as Mentor Program leader.

Investment Plan

Marc C. proposed that we invest some of our unit cash into CD’s or other secure interest-bearing instruments now that interest rates have risen.  It was moved to empower the Treasurer to invest in laddered insured financial instruments, as long as 6 months of operating capital is kept in cash.  M/S/P.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:11PM.