DMBC Board Meeting, June 16, 2008

The meeting was called to order by President John Sterling at 5:05 PM.

The following members were also in attendance:

            Doris Katz

            Barbara King

            Frank Fisher

            Chet Masztak

            Lynn Brown

            Chris Murray

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as presented.

The FINANCIAL REPORT was approved as presented by John Sterling on behalf of Bruce Ohmann which included:

            Income for May ’08 - $4,506.96

            Expenses for May ’08 - $10,609.00

            Overall Total for May ’08 – ($6,102.04)

            Overall Total Assets on Hand as of May 31, 08 - $69,714.15

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

June Byrne, Director, made the following report regarding play at DBMC:

1. The Novice Game bridge class is still running at approximately 3 ¼  tables. It is expected to remain at this level until fall.

2. The Saturday Game is now a sustaining game with anywhere from 7 – 10 tables. DBMC will increase the cost of lunch to $2.00 beginning in August, when the bridge game will become The Charity Championship Open Game with triple points awarded. The total cost will be $6.00 for lunch and the game.

3. June reported that the Club is nearly out of Phone Listing books.  She requested permission to print an addendum including new member listings for distribution to new members, when they join DBMC.  The New Phone Listing books are not scheduled for publication until sometime next year.  This would serve as a stop gap measure for the convenience of new members joining the Club. The Board agreed.

4. The new Duplicate Boards are in and they are very different from the existing Duplicate Boards owned by the Club. However, June feels with use, the members will become more comfortable with them.  The Board agreed.  In addition, Barbara King volunteered to contribute a set of 36 Duplicate Boards to the Club.  June indicated that she plans to contact Ellie Stefen to see, if she is interested in disposing of the Boards she used in her Holly Hill game.

5. June is planning on running another “Director’s Training Course” in the fall.  She will rebate the cost of the course to anyone who passes the test and agrees to serve as a DBMC Director.

6. Matie Ellery is planning to teach a “Review of Duplicate Bridge” course in the fall as well.  June Byrne will be teaching a “Bridge Basics III” course in October.  The idea is to familiarize former bridge players who would like a refresher course in Duplicate Bridge.  Both of these classes will be Level 2 and Level 3 classes as opposed to a Beginner’s Basic Bridge class.

7. June plans to explore the idea of preparing a “packet” for distribution to new members, when they join DBMC.  The packet will include a phone listing of existing members, several examples of “Lessons” provided by the Club’s Directors, announcements of any upcoming tournaments, etc.  The Board had a mixed reaction to the idea.  June agreed to explore the idea more fully and return to the Board with a copy for the Board’s approval.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. John Sterling reported that plumbing problems (a plugged toilet) in the restroom has been fixed at a cost of $100.  

2. Other remaining problems consist of the molding in the Ladies room and the painting outside the front of the building.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. The membership reaction to the new tables has been favorable and six (6) additional tables were purchased for $50 a piece to bring the total to sixteen (16) new tables. 

2. The one table that was recovered does not meet with the approval of the members or the Board.  It is very difficult to write on the table without puncturing a hole in the paper.  That is not acceptable.

3. A thorough discussion was held regarding the purchase of a “card dealing machine.”  Due to the cost, as well as the practical application (since the Club’s Directors are so busy preparing for the game, teaching the lesson and preparing food), the Board decided to wait six months before deciding if this would be good for DBMC.  The use of the “dealing machine” would require approximately 30 minutes of the Director’s or a volunteer’s time prior to the game to prepare the Duplicate Boards.  The cost was going to be upwards to $4,500 - $5,000. The Board will readdress this issue once more information becomes available.

4. The Fall Sectional Tournament report indicated that Max Bayard wishes to pursue the idea of awarding “gift bags” in addition to MP’s to the winners of each game throughout the tournament.  He is looking for ideas concerning what is to be included in the “gift bags.”  Any and all ideas are welcome.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. A request has been made by the Cleaning Service representative that the Club increase the fee by $200 a month which would bring the total to $800 a month.  This service is performed on a daily basis, six (6) days a week.  With the cost of gasoline, insurance (which she provides) and other increasing costs, she found it necessary to make this request.

2. A motion was made by Barbara King and seconded by Frank Fisher that we grant the increase of $200 to a total $800 a month subject to the fact that a job description will be given to her to follow that will include the Club’s expectations of performance. The contract will continue on a month to month basis.  Motion carried.

NEXT MEETING:

Due to the number of Board members expecting to be absent from the meeting scheduled for July 21, 2008, the meeting was re-scheduled for August 4, 2008

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:20 PM.