Our thanks to Patti Huiras, Secretary for Unit 103, 103 Board of Directors
and District Director Deanna Liddy
We are grateful for your service and all you do to promote bridge in Minnesota!
Unapproved
American Contract Bridge League
Minnesota Gopher Unit 103
Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Via zoom
On-line were: Warren Nelson, Kathy Beckman, Larry Huiras, Matt Belau, Sue Greenberg, Keith Thompson, Amy Dutton, Connie Nelson, Raj Kapadia, Lance Chamberlain and Patti Huiras and special guest Deanna Liddy, District 14 Representative.
Meeting was called to order by President Warren Nelson at 4:00 pm
Warren introduced Deanna Liddy and asked that she speak first so that she could leave the meeting if she needed to.
Deanna’s comments to Warren’s questions asked in advance of the meeting was that there were no firm answers on resuming face to face games and what would be happening in the future. She did say there would probably be fewer regionals because many people did not want to drive to them and stay over. There would have to be social distancing and masks to resume face-to-face games. This brought about a discussion of the Rochester Regional (Matt was hopeful for 2023). The Gopher and Omaha were two regionals that District 14 definitely had, any others were up in the air.
Warren specifically asked the following questions.
- Financial Health of ACBL: Deanna said they were very well. Directors had been furloughed, and with BBO games the ACBL was o.k.
- Membership: Overall, dropping. Southern California was holding their own. The drop might be because of the aging membership. There was a discussion around “targeted marketing”. Larry talked about the teaching and club games and how many students went from a class to one of the club games. Patti will reach out to the ACBL to get a report with the names of people not playing on-line and then the units can follow-up with them.
- On-line: Here to stay. There are hybrid events, Deanna said she didn’t know what they will look like in the future, but they will be around.
Larry commented on the attendance of the evening games on-line vs. live evening games was much higher – people not wanting to go out at night for whatever reason.
Deanna told the Board about one of her work assignments: Charges & Appeals which deals with on-line cheating and ethics. She encouraged the Board to reach out to her if there were any questions or concerns.
Minutes of the December 17 meeting were presented and a motion to accept was made by Sue, second by Raj, unanimously approved.
Financial Report: Lance had previously sent out the Financial Report and reported that the Unit is doing well. Motion my Matt, second by Kathy to approve the report, unanimously approved.
Old Business:
- Membership: Warren reported that we are down to 860 from 925 – a loss of about 7%. Kathy asked about the monthly report Warren receives and asked that it be forwarded to the Board.
Raj said he sends out a notice every month and has only received 1 response in the last five months
- Education: Larry had sent a report to Warren, and asked that this be addressed at the next meeting. He did say that the ACBL will pay for advertising at the rate of 50% up to $500. He also talked about the unit paying clubs for people to take lessons. He also mentioned how WUMBA (Wisconsin Unit) pays the 2nd year of ACBL dues when new members join and pay their first year. More on this next meeting.
- Return to Face to Face: Sue said that Rochester is not even planning on anything before July.
Larry asked if the clubs had looked into insurance (St. Paul just had a Board meeting and that was discussed at that meeting). He also said that St. Paul was looking more to September. Connie raised the concern of a doctor. in their club. Connie would like to see a statement from the Unit about returning to face to face. She will draft something and pass it along to the Board for review.
- A discussion was around individuals playing in games outside of their club. Connie would like to offer St. Cloud members a free game to play in another unit game. Larry will put together a schedule of all the MN games and get this to Connie to pass along to her members. Rochester is adhering to the 15% guest rule. Sue and Matt said that they have talked to the Poach Master about this and it is an ACBL rule. There was much discussion around this with no resolve on that issue.
New Business:
- NAP and GNT: The District Board had voted to not pay travel expenses, but Warren to follow-up on this. NAP will be on-line and GNT will possibly happen on-line this fall. Jade Barrett is taking this over.
- Non-Voting Member Description:
Warren said that this needs to be changed either in the By-laws or Policy Document. It could be a Presidential Appointment. Sue liked the idea of making a Policy change. Kathy asked about the difference between the other 2 positions. Warren talked about the non-voting member having all the rights and privileges of a voting member, except for voting and would receive the same stipend of $35 as other Board members. Larry offered to prepare a Google document to send to the Board for their input into language changes in the Policy Manual.
- Awards Banquet: Warren will send Sue the list for the awards, Lance will get the medallions and then Sue will hold them to see if she can hand them out at a Sectional before the end of the year (if possible) -- if that does not work out, she will send out certificates and medallions.
- Next Meeting: April 22 at 4:00 pm via zoom
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 pm made by Sue, second by Amy. Unanimously approved.
Submitted by Patti Huiras, Secretary
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