DMBC BOARD MEETING

January 19, 2009

 

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm by President Jim Geary.  The following board members were in attendance.

Lynn Brown

Jim Geary

Murray Goldberg

Judy Hinds

Donna Jurist

Barbara King

Chet Masztak

Sally Romkey

John Sterling

 

The minutes of the December meeting were approved.

 

 

Max Bayard, Spike Lay and Betty Sandifer were also present to give special reports.

 

Max reported on the attendance at the January Sectional which was a total of 227.5 tables.   Last year that total was 234.5.  The primary difference was a loss of 7 tables in the Open Swiss on Sunday.   A financial report for the tournament is being prepared.  The board expressed its thanks to Max for all the work he did in organizing and conducting a very successful tournament.  Several board members passed along positive comments from our visitors.

 

Spike is looking into the parameters for possibly conducting a Triple Point game periodically at the club.

 

Betty Sandifer, who is our area representative to our Unit 128, District 9, explained to us the structure of how the ACBL was divided into Districts, then Units, then Areas.    She passed to our club some ideas and suggestions from the recent Unit 128 Board of Governors meeting.   The Sunshine News bulletin is always interested in bridge articles or stories written by the membership and requests that we encourage members of DBMC to participate.   Our Unit is working closely with the ACBL in support of an active youth education program and encourages local clubs to become involved.  Betty also presented an idea of marketing and getting club exposure by approaching the local papers with a proposal to submit a monthly bridge article geared toward newer and novice bridge players.  These articles are available to us through the ACBL. 

 

Betty’s ideas/suggestions are appreciated and will be turned over to the appropriate committees. 

 

 

In regards to the youth program, Donna suggested we look into the local Home School organization as a good source for beginning this effort.   It was agreed that the program should be open to all students, regardless of where they were schooled.

 

 

FINANCIAL REPORT for December

 

·         Tournament financial statistics are not yet available

·         Our electricity bill was up over last year most likely because of a colder month in November than in 2007.

·         Food expenses were up due to more parties in December.

·         Repair bills were also higher.  It was noted that Pest Control was done in December rather than in January as last year, so we might expect the January repair costs to reflect this.

·         Directors’ fees were up due to the increase of directors given bonuses.

·         ACBL fees were higher because the monthly payment was moved to the current month.  This too will be rectified with January expenses.

·         Dues collected are less than at this time last year.  An effort will be made to be sure all members are paid. 

·         It was noted that all financial records should be held for 7 years for tax purposes.

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Memoriam - The board has been discussing a way to remember our recently passed members and to keep everyone informed.   Jim recommended that we place a listing on our club news bulletin board of deceased members.   Names along with month and year of death will be noted. 

 

White Boards – There appears to still be some confusion by members in reading these boards.  It was suggested that we try to make the calendar days more obvious by using darker lines to separate the days/weeks.

 

Water Cooler – There was a problem with the cooler and Don Beecher was able to repair it.  Our thanks to Don.

 

Ladder – In discussing whether to replace the stolen tall ladder, Don has assured us we will have access to his tall ladder should we need one.  The board decided to hold off on buying a new one to see if this arrangement will work.

 

 Digital Camera – A camera was purchased for the club, and Bill McManus has offered a class on how to use it for directors and anyone else who is interested.  Bill requested that we purchase a second memory card for the camera to facilitate his being able to download without removing the camera from the club.  The board approved that idea.

 

Directory – The directory update is still in progress and waiting for a more complete sign-up of members for 2009.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Committees – Below is a list of newly appointed committees.

 

 

1.      Tournament – Max Bayard, Judy Hinds

Judy stated that she would gladly serve on this committee but expressed to the board that she wished not to be considered as a replacement for Max when/if he no longer wants to position.

Max is developing a procedure for tournament planning.

 

2.      Membership – Doris Katz, Chet Masztak, Bob Renuart

 

3.      Grounds/House – Don Beecher, Joe Reeves

 

4.      Grievance – Doris Katz. Karen Hanno, Shirley Townley

 

5.      Publicity – Sally Romkey, Dona Jurist

 

6.      Entertainment / Special Events – Judy McCall, Barbara King  and team

 

7.      Sunshine – Shirley Townley

 

8.      Purchasing – Susan Hagey, Bob Aumiller, John Sterling

 

9.      Partnership – Betty Sandifer, Chet Masztak, Susan Hagey

 

10.  Education – Linda Miller, Matie Ellery, Betty Baard,

Murray Goldberg, Judy Hinds

 

11.  Decorating – Gail Rust, Peg Lupo

 

12.  Finance – John Sterling, Bruce Ohmann, Joe Reeves

 

13.   Computer/Website – Bill McManus, Bob Renuart

 

14.  Spruce-Up  – Gail Rust, Carol Lively, Betty Bayard

 

 

 

 

Welcome Sign –The welcome sign over the bulletin board which was used during the tournament will be taken down.  The board expressed appreciation to Misuzu McManus for her work on the sign.  There was some discussion about having the signed redesigned so that it could be laminated and more easily displayed during tournaments then stored.  Jim will pursue this with Gail Rust.

 

Dishwasher – Various parts are beginning to break and it was noted by Chet (who spent some time doing repairs on Sunday morning during the tournament) that the board might be prepared to purchase a new or good used dishwasher at some time in the near future.

 

Shuffling machine – Lynn Berg made an excellent presentation to the club last week.  The board is moving forward in purchasing a machine to deal hands and allow for the printing of hand records for every game.  To help defray the cost, one of our members, a non specific member has offered to match, up to $1000, all funds collected from the members for this purchase.  More information on this will be posted in our upcoming newsletter.

           

Other items discussed pertaining to the shuffler included physical space requirements and the increased work load on directors.  Several board members are interested in learning to use the machine and in helping the directors with this added duty.

 

Other – Jim will discuss the subject of bequests in the upcoming newsletter, along with volunteer appreciation.
 

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 pm.

 

 

Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 16. 2009.

 

 

Secretary

Lynn Brown