District 21
American Contract Bridge League 
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
September 6, 2009

    The Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of District 21 was called to order by President Stu Goodgold at 10:00 a.m.

1.       ROLL CALL:   The following Representatives, Alternates, and Unit Presidents were in attendance:  Unit #465 Gary Nitzberg; Unit #473 Gil Ramirez; Unit #497 James Scott; Unit #498 Kathleen Martin, Fred Chasalow; Unit #499 Iris Libby; Unit #500 Mary Ramos, Jan Hollowell; Unit #502 Joyce Hart; Unit #503 Grant Spaeth, Gabriella Bowling; Unit #505 Katherine Ewing, Kent White; Unit 506 Deborah Murphy, Jim Leuker; Unit #507 Jeff Hack, Will Watson; Unit #508 Ron Studen, Jim Cohen; Unit #509 Jackie Ortiz; Unit #512 Don Powell; Unit #522 Richard Meffley; Unit #524 Dick Tani, Ron Dragt; Unit #529 Sharon Fauss; and Unit #530 Pat Thomas.  Also in attendance were President Stu Goodgold, Vice-President Bill Corliss, Treasurer Harvey Brody, D21 National Director Bruce Blakely, Western Conference Chairman Marion Robertson, Goodwill Chairman Lo Pesavento, Tournament Coordinator Charles Smith, Tournament Manager Jackie Matthews, and guest Doug Hong. 

2.                 MINUTES OF THE 6/6/09 MEETING: 

On motion made and seconded, it was:

**MOVED:  That the minutes of the 6/6/09 meeting be approved.

MOTION CARRIED

3.                 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND PRESIDENT’S REPORT:  President Stu Goodgold announced that this tournament is the 75th Anniversary of the All Western Regional.  It has been in existence since 1935.  Stu also announced that Fresno President, Richard Meffley, has attained the status of Grand Life Master.  He noted that the District has received Group Exemption status from the State of California so that the District can file state taxes for the Units.  Stu submitted the paperwork for the IRS Group Exemption in July and although the $900 check has been cashed, the District has been notified that there is a backup in processing and they will be informing the District about their application at a later date.  Harvey has submitted the returns for 2008 and Units should not file separate returns for either 2008 or 2009, with the exception of Fresno, Santa Cruz, Reno and Carson City/Tahoe.   Harvey reminded Representatives that all Units report their Cash Balance to him each year as of December 31 and as non-profits, all Units are on a cash basis.  D21 has 501C.4 status.  This means that D21 is a non-profit, but not a charitable organization.  Contributions to D21 are not eligible for tax deductions. ACBL is responsible for the election of the 2nd Alternate to the ACBL Board of Directors.  D21 has three candidates in contention for that position.  Ballots have been mailed directly to the Units.  Stu encouraged members to vote as a majority of Unit Board members’ votes are needed to make that Unit’s vote count.  Ballots are secret and are sent back directly to ACBL who tallies them on a weighted basis.  Results will be announced in October. The Executive Committee has responded to requests for naming rights to games by establishing a policy of charging $125 per single event or $250 per two session event in honor of a member at a D21 Regional.  Interested parties are requested to submit all information at least eight months ahead so that the honoree’s name can be used in all advance publicity.  All D21 Representatives and Unit Presidents will be invited to an informal get-together at the Monterey Regional from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2010.  There will be a light brunch and a chance to discuss relevant issues concerning the Units.  Units are requested to poll their Boards for an opinion on moving the evening games back to 7:00 p.m.  Because of the bridge pads and pre-arranged hands, afternoon games are finishing 15 - 20 minutes earlier.  This leaves a three hours plus break between afternoon and evening sessions.  However, the speaker schedule would be affected, the Hospitality Suite might have to close earlier because hostesses are on call to fill in at games, and the Directors like the longer break.  Units are requested to email Cindy Kirk at cindykirk@sbcglobal.com when they have a general feeling about the wishes of their members about the 7:00 p.m. start time.  Pat Thomas requested that speaker programs for Units be put on the agenda for future discussion.

4.                 TREASURER’S REPORT:  Treasurer Harvey Brody reported that attendance at Regionals is the best in 15 years.  Attendance this year has broken all records.  Profit to the District is $43423.23 which is slightly ahead of last year which included the $25000 profit from the SF Fall 07 NABC.  There is no discussion of changing the $10 entrance fee which has been in effect since last year.  The Unit Retained Earnings listed on the Balance Sheet represent the combined total of all Units’ Cash Balances as reported as of December 31 of the previous year.  This number excludes Fresno, Santa Cruz, Reno and Carson City/Tahoe. 

On motion made and seconded, it was:

**MOVED:  That the Treasurer’s Report be accepted as presented.

MOTION CARRIED

5.                 TOURNAMENT MANAGER’S REPORT:  Tournament Manager Jackie Matthews reported that the All Western Regional was going well with attendance up over 5%.  75  years ago this tournament started out with a week at the Ambassador Hotel in Santa Clara and progressed by train to San Francisco for a week of bridge at the Sheraton Palace.  There have been many positive comments on the Hyatt Regency and Jackie has signed contracts with them through 2012.  Jackie is pleased with the Partnership Desk which has arranged many successful partnerships.  Jackie would like a WEB site where members could arrange partnerships in advance of tournaments.  Michael Nistler attempted this on the D21 WEB site a few years ago, but much SPAM was posted.  Members are still able to request a partner but must go through Michael first.  Jackie gets hundreds of emails in advance of a tournament requesting information and partnerships.  Part of this is due to the fact that ACBL has failed to get the flyers posted on time. 

6.                 REPORT OF THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR:  D21 National Director to the ACBL Board of Directors, Bruce Blakely, reported that by a vote of 13 – 12 Rick DeMartino has been elected President of ACBL for the year 2010.  CEO Jay Baum has signed a three year contract and will oversee the move of ACBL Headquarters from Memphis to Horn Lake, Mississippi.  Bruce explained that ACBL had decided to eliminate hand records for four special games each year to save $13,000.  Bruce pointed out that with a profit of over $1,000,000 last year ACBL should provide more services to members and that members really like hand records.  After Bruce’s comments to the ACBL Board, it was decided to make hand records available to members through the internet.  The D21 Board of Directors felt strongly that ACBL should continue to provide hand records to members and that the majority of ACBL members are Seniors and represent the majority who do not have access to email.  The Board also felt that it was not fair for ACBL to keep passing costs such as printing out emailed hands and other information on to the small Club Directors.  It was decided that each Unit will send a letter asking the ACBL Board of Directors to reconsider their decision with a copy of the letter going to Bruce.  (Bruce Blakely, 8 Portofino Road, San Rafael, 94901) Bruce will then reintroduce this issue to the National Board.  Bruce also announced that there is a policy of restoring all points to players who pay for a three year membership.  The issue of triple point club games was discussed.  Bruce does not feel that clubs, particularly in New York, who offer triple point games as a special incentive should have the privilege of awarding triple points at every game.  With the move to new Headquarters, the policy of Board approval for every contract over $25,000 has been relaxed.  D22 has requested a 5th Regional since they have scheduled the others in the southern part of their District.  ACBL granted them a one time exemption for 2010 with the fifth Regional to be held in the Ventura or Bakersfield area.  San Francisco has been placed on the most frequent NABC site list with upcoming NABC’s scheduled in 2012, 2018 and 2024. Bruce announced that the D21 Melzer team won the GNT Open.  Kyle Larsen, Rose Melzer, Jan and Chip Martel and Kit and Sally Woolsey represented this team.  There is a video on UTube of Bill Gates encouraging young players at the Summer Nationals.  Katherine Ewing reported that many Sacramento members are very pleased with Bruce’s detailed reports in the Forum,  a comment that was echoed by others.

7.         WESTERN CONFERENCE:          Western Conference Chairman Marion Robertson reported late STAC results from Betty Bratcher for the August STAC games.  7070 tables were in play which represents a 10% increase in the last year.  The three Districts of WC are included in STAC weeks but other Districts can participate with a surcharge of $1 per player.  Marion will discuss increasing reimbursements to Districts with the profits from the latest STAC.  The next Western Conference meeting will be held at the Monterey Regional in 2010.  Marion and Bruce represent D21 at WC.

8.       REGIONAL TOURNAMENT PLANNING:         RTP Chair Harvey Brody reported that there will be a change in future schedules with KO’s starting on Friday and a compact KO on Sunday.

9.       NOMINATING:  Reporting for Nominating, Jackie Ortiz announced that the slate for 2010 is as follows:  President Bill Corliss; Vice-President Lo Pesavento and Joe Freeman; Secretary Cindy Kirk and Treasurer Harvey Brody.  Further nominations can be made via email to Cindy Kirk at cindykirk@sbcglobal.net or from the floor at the time of the election at the next Board of Directors meeting on Sunday, February 14, 2010 at the Airport Marriott, Burlingame.

10.           TOURNAMENT COORDINATOR:  Tournament Coordinator Charles Smith noted that 5 Units have not yet finalized their Sectionals for 2010.  He is now scheduling out through 2012 and the new schedule reflects NABC’s and religious holidays as well as Regionals in nearby Districts.  Please contact Charles at smithec@pacbell.net with questions.

11.           CHARITY:  Charity Chairman Jeff Hack pointed out that there are many requests for funds with a more limited ability to give and a greater need in the community.  Three charities have received $1000 each for 2009 from D21:

Maryhouse (Loaves and Fishes) Sacramento

Hind’s Hospice from Fresno

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Jose

12.    GOODWILL: Goodwill Chairman Lo Pesavento presented each Unit with a letter explaining the Goodwill nominating process for 2010.  Each Unit may nominate one person to be considered for Goodwill Nominee supported by an up to 2 page letter explaining his/her contributions to bridge.  If a Unit’s nominee was not chosen last year, they may resubmit the same name with a new description.  Chosen recipients will be invited to the February District 21 Board Meeting.  Jerry Cupps and Betty Giblin will be assisting Lo in the selection process.

13.    OLD BUSINESS:     Bylaws Chairman Marion Robertson conducted a review of Proposed Substantive Changes to the District 21 Bylaws.  One major change was that a Unit may send “up to two” Representatives to the Board.  The following points were also noted:   if a Representative is absent, the single Representative may have both votes belonging to the Unit; a Unit President may appoint him or herself as an official Representative for that Unit; the D21 President shall appoint the District Tournament Coordinator and make interim appointments to offices and positions, and the Western Conference Representative and Past President of District 21 shall be appointed to the Executive Committee.  A copy of the revised Bylaws of District 21 can be requested by emailing Marion Robertson at mroberston@msn.com.  Marion was given an ovation by the Board for her superb job as Chairman of the Bylaws revision.

           On motion made and seconded, it was:

           **MOVED:  That the Substantive Proposed Changes to the District 21 Bylaws be accepted as presented.

           MOTION CARRIED

It was suggested that Modesto, Turlock/Merced and Stockton look into combining into one Unit in the interest of better representing members in the Stockton and Turlock/Merced areas.  Sharon Fauss will discuss this with her Unit President, Glenn Van Denburg, and move forward with discussions with the other two Units.  Although Stockton, in particular, has had no Board representation in over 4 years, the Sectional requirement is fulfilled by combined Sectionals including Stockton, Modesto and Turlock/Merced.

           In response to a question, Bruce Blakely responded that the 10- 3 start time for all games was not a success at the Atlanta NABC and has been dropped from consideration.  Gabriella Bowling reported that the Compact KO’s at the Palo Alto Sectional were very successful with 31 tables in play.  Gabriella thanked Bruce for helping to make Compact KO’s at Sectionals possible. 

14.             ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.  The next meeting of the Board of Directors of District 21 will be held at the Airport Marriott, Burlingame on Sunday, February 14, 2010.

Respectfully submitted,

Cindy Kirk, Secretary

District 21