March 2025

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes ACBL Unit 503
Tuesday, March 11, 2025, via Zoom

Directors Present

Liz Koh, Marc Cervellino, Stephanie Youngquist, DanThatte, Dana Shelley, H. Paul Davis, John Schwartz, Geraldine MacDonald and Dianne Giancarlo.

Directors not Present

Alex Narasin and David Merenbach

Also Present

Alan Templeton

M/S/P  = Moved/Seconded/Passed

Call to Order

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

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Dianne G.. announced that the minutes of the February 11, 2025 Board Meeting were approved via email.

Unit 498 Sectional

Unit 498 held the San Mateo/Redwood City Unit Sectional at our Bridge Center on the weekend of March 8 and 9. The event drew a good crowd and appeared to be very successful. Members discussed that we should create a map of the Bridge Center showing how to space tables to conform to fire code standards and to provide this to the chairs of tournaments held in the Bridge Center. Members also discussed whether we would want to have and should encourage others to have a sign-up procedure so that players are not turned away at oversold tournaments without prior warning. Gerry M. and Alan T. agreed to discuss this further.

Recent Meetings with IFES

Liz K. and Marc C. reported that, together with John Schwartz, they met with our landlord, IFES, to discuss how to determine the Unit’s share of monthly utilities.

Our lease was amended in May 2020 pursuant to a Confirmation of Modification of Lease which provides that “No utilities will be due until the Unit starts using the Bridge Center again, and then the Unit will resume paying for utilities on some basis that reflects actual usage

While still working on a mutually agreeable calculation, Marc C. reported that he submitted a good faith payment of $12,000 to IFES towards the amount to be agreed upon. Marc C. also reported that he is discussing with IFES what the rent will be to use their space during the Firecracker Tournament in July.

Significant Bequests to PBEF

Members discussed how to recognize players who have passed and left a significant bequest to PBEF. Some of the ideas discussed include having a plaque similar to the annual service award, placing plaques on the corners of playing tables; naming the library or the newcomers alcove after a person; naming a lecture series after someone. Stephanie Y. agreed to discuss this further with PBEF member Paul Davis. 

Bylaws Amendment

John S. suggested that we amend the Unit’s Bylaws to extend the term of the President for up to 3 years (it is currently limited to 2 years) and to make some other minor amendments that had been under consideration pre-Covid. Both the Board and the Unit members will need to approve it.

Next Unit Sectionals

The Unit will hold its next Sectional on April 24-27.  Marc C. will chair it and has recruited a few volunteers After that the next Sectional is May 15-18 and will be chaired by Gerry M. Dana S. has volunteered to help. Marc C. would like to find someone to take over running the Sectionals. 

 St. Patrick’s Day club game

Stephanie Y. reported that she has organized a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the Unit game on March 17. 

Pro-Am Next Game

H. Paul Davis announced that the next Pro-Am Game will be held on Thursday, June 19^.

Financials Update

Marc C. reported that table counts at weekly F2F games continue to be strong. We are currently operating at a loss but on budget. Our loss for the year will be significantly higher to account for back payments for utilities.   

Annual Financial Review

Liz K. reported that Unit member Jon Rayden reviewed our financials from the past year as required under the terms of our bylaws. He made a few suggestions which Marc C. and Liz K. agreed with.

Celebrity Series

Liz K. reported on behalf of Dede Barsotti, the Celebrity Seminar Coordinator, that the Adam Parrish on-line seminar was very well received attracting about 150 sign-ups. Liz K. attributed the success of the seminar to the subject discussed, “Become a Master at Doubling” and thanked Dede for suggesting this topic. The next Celebrity Lecture Speaker will be Barbara Seagram who will discuss “Defensive Magic” on May 24^th.

Conversation with Unit 507  

Liz K reported that she continues to discuss with Unit 507 ideas on how we can collaborate to help increase F2F play at both Units. We have started distributing Unit 507 monthly newsletters to our members and they are distributing ours to theirs.  They are looking for more suggestions on how the two Units may collaborate in the future.

Volunteers Needed  

Liz K. reminded members that Gerry M. is still in need of volunteers. She asked that members refer any potential volunteers to Gerry.  

The Board meeting adjourned at 5:40 pm.