The meeting was called to order at 3:55 PM by Brian Samuels, President.
Present were Board members Brian Samuels, Valerie Baldwin, Todd Makler, Margot Livenspargar, Susan Griswold, Steve Barasch, Kevin O’Leary, Robert Horowitz, and Lee Haze. Also attending: Elinor Tanck, Kibitzer; John Schwartz, Club Owner; and Jody Williams, Chairman of the By-Laws Committee.
Brian greeted the Board and other attendees and welcomed Lee to the Board.
Sue moved that the minutes of the January meeting be approved. Motion carried.
Brian announced the Committee Chairmen (list attached, page 3).
Brian asked for volunteers for the Financial Committee. Margot volunteered. Alan Templeton will be asked to join the committee. Financial Committee membership is now Todd, Margot, and Brian, with Alan as a possible addition. (Note: Alan did accept the appointment to the committee)
The current balance in the Unit fund is $70,463 and in the Education fund, $4806.
Elinor announced that the Kibitzer will be 6 or 8 pages for the next issue.
Val, who has taken the Education chairmanship which had been held by Lori Spaeth, thanked Lori, as did Brian, for her seventeen years of service in that capacity. Both the Unit sponsored Jerry Helms class and Frank Smoot’s intermediate class are ongoing.
A request from teacher-owned classes that the Unit waive half the rental fee for people under 30 was brought forward. Val moved that the rental fee for people taking these classes who are under 30 be reduced to $1.50. Motion passed.
A discussion concerning the fact that the audio/visual is acceptable but not operating at 100% was held. The provider of the AV equipment is still working on improving it, although it has been paid in full. A policy will be developed to withhold payment of a portion of a contract in the future until the Unit representative who contracted for it is satisfied.
Jody presented a document putting forth potential improvements for the ByLaws. A discussion was held later in the meeting concerning incorporating the Unit. If we do decide to incorporate, this will impact the form of the formal documents for the Unit.
Bob brought forward a recommendation from the Unit game committee that all Sunday Unit games be Swiss games. Elinor noted that the potluck in November and the holiday party in December should be pair games. The sense of the Board is that more Swiss games be encouraged for Unit games. Also at the request of the Unit Game committee, Bob motioned that the fee for the Sunday Unit games be increased to $10 except for the Charity game, which will be $11. Motion passed.
Kevin gave the facility report.
Sue, acting as Parking Control representative, moved that the Unit pass a resolution that the Bridge Center be closed on the 1st Tuesday night of each month to accommodate the function that is held by the IFES on that night. Motion passed.
Kevin will meet with the weekend club owners to see what the Board can do to help them increase attendance at these games.
John Schwartz asked that the Board consider some soundproofing for the Bridge Center. Kevin was going to follow up on this and report at the next meeting
The annual Membership Meeting will be held at 12:30 PM March 10, 2013 before the Unit game. This will be published in the next Kibitzer.
A discussion was started by Bob about incorporating the Unit. Bob recommends it and ACBL suggests that Units be incorporated. The financial impact will be minimal. Bob will do some additional work on the incorporation of the unit & will report at the next meeting. A discussion was held concerning the replacement of and display of award plaques. Steve will look into the cost of replacing these awards and report at the next meeting. Elinor has the relevant historical data.
A draft of the Minutes will be posted online within five days of the meeting.
The next regular meeting of the Board will be Thursday, March 7 at 4 PM at the Bridge Club.
Meeting adjourned at 5:55.
Respectfully submitted,
Margot Livenspargar, Secretary
Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 4 pm at the Bridge Center
Call Meeting To Order
Approval of Jan 3 Board Meeting Minutes
Any comments on increased discussion content?
Reports
President – Brian
Treasurer – Todd
Kibitzer – Elinor
Education – Val
By-Laws – Jody
Unit Games – Bob
Facility Update – Kevin
Trophies – Steve & Elinor
New Business
Update on Friday evening, Saturday & Sunday games – Kevin
Sound-Proofing – John Schwartz
Annual Membership Meeting (prior to March 10 Unit Game?) – Elinor
Should we incorporate Unit 503? – Bob
Bidding boxes & cards – Bob
Adjourn Meeting – Next Meeting Thursday, March 7 at 4 pm at the Bridge Center
Future Agenda Items
Beautification Of Our Entryway -Lori
Special Recognition – Kevin
2013 Financial Reserves (Operations, Capital, Maintenance) – Todd
Reimbursement Approval – Todd
Expense Authorization – Todd
2013 Budget Presentation & Training Session – Todd
New Sign – Sue
The Playing Experience At Our Club – Bob
Education Fund – Alan Cummings
Policy For Members Posting Letters To The Unit Or Board – Brian