Board of Directors Meeting Minutes ACBL Unit 503
Tuesday, September 8, 2026, via Zoom
Directors Present
Liz Koh, Marc Cervellino, Dan Thatte, John Schwartz, Geraldine MacDonald, H. Paul Davis, Allen Simon and Dianne Giancarlo.
Directors not Present
Dana Shelley, Alex Narasin, Stephanie Youngquist
Others Present
Alan Templeton, Sandy Lee Chen, Bill Chow, Debra Willrett, Bill Somers
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 July 14, 2026, Board Meeting were approved via email.
Mentor Program Re-Launch (Sandy Lee Chen & Bill Chow)
Sandy Lee Chen and Bill Chow, our Mentor Program Coordinators, reported on the launch of the new Mentor Program. They have instituted a program whereby mentors can earn badges using a rating system based on the amount of engagement they conduct as a mentor. They also launched their 4-over-1 program which is being offered during three games at the bridge center each month.
August Sectional Results
Marc C. reported that the August Sectional was enormously successful. There was much anticipation about holding our first sectional in August and it turned out to set a post-Covid non-Firecracker record for attendance. There were some issues about lunches and complaints about the quality of our playing cards, but generally feedback has been extremely positive, attendance was high and the financial results are very positive. Marc C. and the entire Board acknowledged Dana S. and Solveig Kjartansdottir for doing an outstanding job chairing the August Sectional.
Financials Update
Marc C. reported that weekly table count has remained very strong, having increased to an average of 78 tables per week. The EZ games offered on Monday mornings and the popularity of the limited games on Tuesdays, Fridays and Wednesday nights continue to contribute to this increase. As a result, revenue has grown from both the greater number of tables and due to the increase in the table rent fee. Our Unit membership is down about 5% for the year.
Bridge Center
Liz K and Marc C reported that they have completed measuring all utilities, electricity and water usage for the historic period from July 2021 over the past several months and have come to a final agreement with IFES as to how to determine our ongoing obligations with respect to each of these.
Next Sectional October 22-25
Marc C. reported that the Unit’s next sectional will be held at the bridge center October 22-25. Pre-registration will not be required.
Sectional playing cards
Liz K. reported that there were several complaints about the quality of our playing cards at prior sectionals. Liz K. and Marc C. are pursuing additional means for making boards for the Unit’s tournaments.
Celebrity Seminars
Liz K. reported on behalf of Dede Barsotti that there are two upcoming Celebrity Seminars: Saturdays, October 10 and 17, Michael Berkowitz will discuss counting as declarer and as defender.
Classes
Liz K. reported that Kathy Harper and Frank Smoot have started their fall classes. Chris Chung is considering offering classes as well.
Volunteers recruitment
Liz K. reported that: Allen Simon has agreed to help Alan Templeton with the Unit’s website; Debbie Carey and Debra Willrett are helping to organize the bridge center; and Steve Hubbell is helping with some handyman issues.
Status on new initiatives (to increase F2F play)
Special Unit game to celebrate Team Ge’s USBC win – Sat. 10/3 (Liz/Marc) This game has been set for October 3rd and is being widely marketed.
Next special event Halloween. Stephanie Y. is organizing our annual Halloween celebration on October 30th.
Status of new EZ game on Mondays. John S. reported that the Monday EZ games continue to be well attended.
Next Pro-Am game. H. Paul Davis reported that the next Pro-Am game will be on Thursday, October 15.
Next Free Lecture. H. Paul Davis reported that the next free lecture will be by Debbie Rosenberg on September 24.
The regular Board meeting adjourned at 5:35 pm.
An Executive Session of the Board took place immediately after the regular Board meeting. During this session the following three members of the Unit were nominated to be new Board members: Sandy Chow, Debra Willett, Bill Somers M/S/P.
In accordance with the Unit’s Bylaws, our new Board members will vote on officers at our December Board meeting and become official members of the Board in January. Prior to then, the new Board members will be invited to attend our meetings as non-voting Unit members.