Minutes of the Unit 194 Board Meeting

Truro Sectional

Apr. 28, 2018

Present: Lydia Prange, Linda Tuff, Bill Halliday, Mike Tanner, Brian DeLong, Jim Kirby, Marjorie Wandler, Boyd Wells, Bill Knoll, Maureen Donovan, Liz Legacy, Kathie Macnab

Regrets: Marilyn Bennett, Joan Gillam, Brenda Gouthro, Paulette Mitchell, Sandra MacPherson,

Call to Order 1:30.

Proposed agenda was approved

Minutes from the Halifax Executive meeting Nov 2017 were approved without changes (Boyd, Marjorie)

● Action: Bill to post minutes to web site.

Reports:

1. Lydia presented “Presidents’ Update”:

● November sectional chair – we still need one and time is short

o Liz suggested: Helen & Kate, or Stuart Eastwood

o Compensation? Current – free plays. Willing to extend this to two people this one time only.

o Discussion of how much time we have. Urgent. If nobody found before May meeting (Bridgewater) we will have to make decision.

● Discussion on new ACBL policy re temp memberships. Mike read policy and will provide text (below).

o For more details see FAQ: http://www.acbl.org/temporary-membership-faq/

o Extract: “Beginning March 1, 2018, all tournament players must have an ACBL member number to participate (even if their membership has expired). The temporary membership allows non-members to try the excitement of playing in a sanctioned tournament without committing to a full-year membership. Lapsed members do not have to rejoin. They can continue to pay the $4 surcharge as usual (this has not changed).”

● Lydia’s proxy for district 1 meeting, she plans to give to Sandra.

● Sectional schedule conflicts w Unit 230. Summerside is one week before Bridgewater this year. Last time – sanction will not be given next year if they are 1-week apart.

o Summerside already booked for 2019, two weeks prior to Bridgewater.

o Action: Bill to confirm sanction dates for 2019.

● District Director election coming end of 2018. Currently Leo has this role, Allan Graves is also running. Lydia proposes that we get written bios/plans from both candidates. This is the first time we’ve had an election in anyone’s memory. Process will be:

o After 31-May info will be sent to our board to confirm board members.

o Vote must be done by 15-Sep.

o Board members will get email. Voting done be email.

o Unit’s voting weight is proportional based on members. Each board member’s voting weight is proportional based on how many board members vote.

• E.g. if Unit 194 was 20% of district members then our collective vote counts for 20%. If 10 board members vote then each vote is 2%, if only 5 board members vote then each is 4%. The collective unit vote stays the same.

2. Bill H. presented Treasurer’s report: ● Some discussion of March sectional loss in Halifax. High hotel costs were the culprit, but it’s a good venue. Some discussion re can we afford for the Halifax sectionals to lose money.

o Motion: accept Treasurer’s report = Boyd, Bill K seconded. All approved.

3. Kathie presented a CBF update

● Kathie’s term ends this year as our Zone 1 rep. She wants to step aside after this year. She’s already asked 230 if they are interested in filling the role. It’s a 3-year commitment, board meetings are two days prior to CBF championships. Kathie is concerned about ensuring we have club/member interests represented.

Agenda Items:

1. Can-At update – Maureen

● Side issue: we have enough T-shirts for five years. Storage/transportation is a problem. Could the T-shirts travel with the tournament gear, like tables?

o Idea to hand-off T-Shirts at each tournament to the coordinator for the next tournament (e.g. Bridgewater handoff to Valley, Valley to Halifax, etc.). Will try this.

● Can-At is back at Lord Nelson. Highlights …

o Different financial model. Not feasible to have gala, though it was fun for all.

o Having kitchen party on Friday night, 10-12. Cash bar. Plan to attend PLEASE.

o Game time is now 7:00pm (was 7:30).

o Lots of volunteers helping.

o Game start delays was a BIG issue in March. Will be issue at Can-At.

• Gerry has sent a letter to Guy (DIC)

• Some discussion of hard cutoff times – some in favour, some concerned this will upset customers.

o “Dine around” Tuesday night – four local volunteers to host dinners for specific guests.

o Parking same format

o Jim – what about idea of a meet-and-greet for BBO members?

4. Bill H. retiring from three key roles: Treasurer, Tournament Coord, Webmaster

● Asked if there was one role he might consider keeping longer, Bill said possibly Web.

● Reaching out to Yves re webmaster; either he or Mike Ritcey did District 1 site?

● Action: Bill to send short summary of these roles and what exactly is involved (ie time, tasks) so we can start looking for candidates.

5. HST issue – some brief discussion. Carry-forward to Bridgewater since Sandra will be there.

6. Bridgewater meetings – we will have special general meeting first (immediately after game), then Exec meeting following that.

7. Carry forward discussion of section/club scheduling conflicts.

8. Allan Graves visit. Allan is running for District Director at end of year. He spoke to the board for 15-20 minutes about his background, ideas and plans. And answered any questions. He agreed to send something in writing to follow. Highlights:

● Bottom-up view – clubs and units should be driving growth

● Refocus on teaching new players, esp rubber bridge.

● How does/should ACBL help/support clubs? Sometimes they compete w clubs now.

● Current ACBL board structure is unwieldy

● He knows many of the current board members.

Meeting adjourned 2:50am.

Next meeting: Saturday May 26^th, 2018 at Bridgewater Sectional (between sessions)