Minutes of a General Meeting of the Board of Directors

District 2 , ACBL

April 7, 2012

(Agenda C)

MINUTES of a general meeting of the Board of Directors of District 2 of the American Contract Bridge League held at the Doubletree by Hilton, 655 Dixon Road, Toronto, Ontario on April 7, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.

Directors present:

Ontario 166                                Carol Bongard, David Halasi, Lane Byl

Manitoba 181                             Shirley Galler, Doug Fisher

Sault International  212              David Chiasson, Gunnar Kristiansen

Northwestern Ontario 228         Larry Hansen, Francis Gaudino

Northeastern 238                       Shirley O’Neil, Brian Thomas

Trent Valley 246                         Nicholas Wong, Linda Lord

Southwestern Ontario 249        Tom Ramsay, George Hodgson, Jed Drew

Bermuda 198                             Greg Carey

Being a quorum of Directors of the Corporation.

Also present:

Robert Hartman, CEO ACBL

Paul Janicki, ACBL District 2 Director

Graham Warren, District 2 Tournament Coordinator

Gary Westfall,  District 2 Auditor

David Cohen

Flo Belford, District 2 Secretary

The President, Nicholas Wong took the Chair, and Flo Belford acted as Secretary of the meeting.

The Chair stated that as the meeting was being held immediately following the Annual Meeting of Members, no formal notice calling the meeting was required.  A quorum of Directors being present, the Chair declared the meeting to be regularly constituted. 

Nicholas Wong introduced and welcomed Robert Hartman, the CEO of the ACBL.  Robert spoke about his goals and a number of concerns and issues that the ACBL is looking at.

• His goals are to develop a strategic plan, improve marketing and update technology
• Marketing Department is looking at how to increase membership with new programs, membership 660,250 -  highest since 1995
• ACBL gathered data on the demographics of current bridge players and are doing a mailing to 15,000 people who look like prospective bridge players in 3 centres – Denver, Houston, and Charleston – they are offering bridge lessons for $49.00 and one year membership

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• average age of current members is 69
• there is a new score program
• masterpoint system is under revision, testing of new formula, review quality of game not size
• clubs are the most critical part of the organization
• need to look at how to reward full service clubs

l.  Minutes of 2011 Meeting

Moved by David Halasi, seconded by Tom Ramsay

That the minutes of the General Meeting of Directors held on April 23, 2011 be accepted.

Carried

2.  Business arising from the minutes

c)  Nicholas advised that he was trying to create a spreadsheet format for units to use for reporting their regional tournament information.  Nicholas will send out a sample to the Directors.

Action:  Nicholas Wong will send a sample spreadsheet to the Directors

d)  Conditions of Contest for Sheardown and number of boards in a three way KO – no report

Action:  Flo will request a report from Sally Rewbotham.

3.  Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer’s Report was included in the meeting package.  Shirley Galler, Treasurer and Gary Westfall, Auditor were available to answer any questions.

Moved  by Shirley Galler, seconded by David Halasi

That the Financial Reports be accepted.

Carried

a)   The proposed budget figures were given. 

Moved by Shirley Galler, seconded by David Halasi

That the 2013 budget as presented be approved.

Carried

Action:  Flo Belford will send out the 2013 budget.

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The current District mileage rate was discussed. 

Moved by David Halasi

That the mileage rate be set at $.54.5/k

A friendly amendment by Tom Ramsay was accepted.

Moved by David Halasi, seconded by Shirley Galler,

That the mileage rate be set at the current Government of Canada rate, which presently is $.54.5/k

Carried

David Halasi advised the Board that the balance of a non-profit organization cannot be higher than two years’ operating expenses.

The per diem rate was briefly discussed ($30.00 per day).  It will remain the same. 

b)  Honoraria

Moved by Tom Ramsay, seconded by David Halasi

That the Treasurer be awarded an honorarium of $500.00 plus $200.00 expenses for the preceding year.

Carried

Moved by Tom Ramsay, seconded by David Halasi

That the Secretary be compensated $1600.00 for meeting preparation services for the preceding year.

Carried

4.  Tournament Scheduling

Nicholas Wong thanked Graham Warren for his work in preparing a regional tournament schedule through to 2024.  Graham followed from the footprint

that Francis Gaudino layed down

Moved by Doug Fisher, seconded by George Hodgson

That the Regional Tournament Schedule for 2013, 2014, and 2015 as presented in the proposed schedule dated March 1, 2012 be accepted.

Carried

5.  North American Open Pairs

David Halasi outlined the proposed format for this year

Flight A           

• 2 winners – 1 from Winnipeg and 1 from the GTA
• 3^rd place would be next highest score from either location – this team qualifies, but no subsidy

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• $700.00 subsidy for each winning pair  (lst place = $700.00

from ACBL, 2^nd place = $300.00 from ACBL + $400.00 from

District 2)

Flight B and C

• multiple sites
• each strat must have minimum 5 tables, no combined strats
• top three pairs across field qualify
• first and second place receive $700.00 (same as Flight A)

Flights A and C could be one day

Flight B a separate day

Moved by David Halasi, seconded by Doug Fisher,

That the proposed format for this year’s NAP be accepted. 

Carried

Martin Hunter’s report was included in the meeting package.  He advised there was a drop off from the number of qualifiers to the number who played in the District final.  This year’s information is in the Kibitzer and was sent to the unit presidents and tournament coordinators. 

Nicholas Wong thanked Martin for taking over this event in mid year.

Moved by Tom Ramsay, seconded by Linda Lord,

That Martin Hunter be awarded an honorarium of $500.00 and $l00.00 for expenses for his work as North American Pairs Coordinator for 2011 - 2012. 

Carried

Martin Hunter agreed to coordinate the North American Pairs event for 2012-13. 

Action:  Martin Hunter will send information regarding dates for the NAP to Flo Belford and Brian Thomas. 

6.  Grand National Teams

David Cohen reported that 21 teams participated and we made a profit of $3l53.00.  The money goes towards the teams’ subsidies.  He felt the event was a reasonable success. 

Moved by Shirley Galler, seconded by Francis Gaudino,

That David Cohen be awarded an honorarium of $500.00 and $200.00 for expenses for his work as Grand National Teams Coordinator for 2011.

Carried

Martin Hunter advised that the GNT will be held on BBO on May 26-27, 2012.  Three units – 166, 228, and 181 will be participating.    Paul Janicki advised that this format

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was successful in District 18.  Martin asked for input re how much to charge.  Concerns were raised about security, and players preference to play face to face.   We are trying this for one year and will look at future years once we see if attendance increases significantly.  

A revised subsidy formula was proposed. 

Motion by David Halasi, seconded by Francis Gaudino,

That the District will pay the entry fees for teams when competing in the Grand National Pairs national final in excess of the subsidy the team received.

Carried

7.  Educational Coordinator Report

Flo Belford reported that the Annual School Bridge Tournament was held on Monday, April 2, 2012 at the Doubletree by Hilton.  There were 111 tables (444 students) participating from 20 schools.   Again this year, we had many volunteers help run the game.  Volunteers are essential to the success of this event.  Their parking was covered as a small thank you for their time and support.   The expenses included parking fees for the volunteers, directors, and trophies.   In response to Flo’s request, the District agreed to cover the cost of the trophies this year.

8.  Recorder – no report

9.  Toronto Nationals - report in meeting package

10. Webmaster Report

David Cohen reported that he has still been doing the website. Greg Coles had been appointed webmaster last year, but was unable to assume the duties.  David advised that our hosting registration is due in July.  David asked if we would like to move to a new hosting company for our website.  Cost is approximately $135.00 for 2 years, $10.00 yearly registration. 

Moved by David Halasi, seconded by Francis Gaudino,

That David Cohen investigate the possibility of moving our website to a new hosting company.

Carried

David Cohen was appointed Webmaster for 2012-2013.

Motion by Brian Thomas, seconded by Shirley Galler,

That David Cohen be awarded an honorarium of $250.00 for his work as Webmaster for 2011.

Carried

11.  CBF Report  - report in meeting package

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12.   ACBL Director Report – Paul Janicki

Paul Janicki reported on the following items:

• Toronto has been awarded the 2017 NABC.  It will be held at the Toronto Convention Centre on the north side at street level.  Toronto is now in the six year cycle for the Nationals.   

• Paul asked for suggestions for the charity for the District grant, and for nominations to the Goodwill Committee.

• Paul advised that the Board of Governor reps are not attending on a regular basis.

13.  Board of Governors Report

Flo Belford passed around the report from the Memphis meeting. 

14.  Other Business

• Meeting times for next year were discussed.  It was suggested that the Agenda Planning Committee meeting, Agenda A and Agenda B meetings be held on Friday evening.   Proxy forms will have to be completed.  These will be sent out to Units prior to the meetings

• Brian Thomas and Tom Ramsay will be looking at ways to streamline discussion and improve communication between meetings.

• Bylaws are out of date and need to be updated.  Brian Thomas and Tom Ramsay will be reviewing them. 

Action:  Brian Thomas and Tom Ramsay will review Bylaws.

15.  Election of Officers for 2012 – 2013

Flo Belford, Secretary assumed the chair.

Nominations for President were requested.

Motion by Shirley Galler, seconded by Nicholas Wong,

That Brian Thomas be nominated for President.

Motion by Shirley Galler, seconded by Francis,

That nominations for President be closed.

Carried

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Brian Thomas was declared President.

Nominations for Vice-President were requested.

Motion by David Chiasson, seconded by George Hodgson,

That Tom Ramsay be nominated for Vice-President.

Motion by Larry Hansen, seconded by Nicholas Wong,

That nominations for Vice-President be closed.

Carried

Tom Ramsay was declared Vice-President.

Nominations for Treasurer were requested.

Motion by David Halasi, seconded by Tom Ramsay

That Shirley Galler be nominated for Treasurer.

Motion by Larry Hansen, seconded by Nicholas Wong,

That nominations for Treasurer be closed.

Carried

Shirley Galler was declared Treasurer.

15/16.  Appointment of Executive/Planning Committee

The Executive and Planning Committees will be combined.  There must be one member from each unit.   Following are the members:

Shirley Galler 181                   Tom Ramsay  249                 Brian Thomas 238

Nicholas Wong 246                 David Halasi    166                  David Chiasson 212

Larry Hansen 228                   Greg Carey 198

18/19.  Appointments

Appellate Chair                       Paul Cronin

Disciplinary Chair                   

Education Liaison                    Flo Belford

Recorder                                 Paul Cronin

Secretary                                Flo Belford

Tournament Coordinator        Graham Warren

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20.  The game times at next year’s Toronto Regional are l0:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. 

Motion by Shirley Galler, seconded by Linda Lord,

That the Planning Committee Meeting, Agenda A and Agenda B meetings be held after the Friday afternoon game on March 29, 2013, and the General Meeting of the Board of Directors (Agenda C) be held on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at l0:00 a.m. 

Carried

Action:  Flo Belford will send out proxy forms prior to the meetings.

21.  There being no further business the meeting adjourned.