SEDONA-OAK CREEK DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

MARCH 31, 2008





Present: Marsha Helton, Peter Wahl, Karen Villa, Jan Birkett, and Marie Lazar. Also present was Jay Kavanaugh.



The minutes of the February 13, 2008 meeting were approved as presented.



Member Survey - The results of the recent member survey were discussed. 54 responses have been received; however the survey will remain open until April 15 to allow those who have not yet submitted a response to be included. The results will be posted on the bulletin board as well as the Unit 355 website. Key issues identified to date include publishing of financial results, schedule of special club games a year in advance, as well as the $7.00 fee for special games.



Financial Status - A quarterly financial report was presented. This report, in a format used by previous Boards since 1993, will be posted on the Web Site for all members to peruse. The Club made an operating profit of $1258.86 for the first quarter of 2008 and has fulfilled the remaining ($1300.00) financial obligation to Peter Wahl for the purchase of his club. As of March 31, 2008, there is a combined balance of $4562.92 in the checking and savings accounts. The Board reviewed the cost of special games (Junior Fund, Charity, STAC, North American Pairs, etc.) and feels it is feasible at this time to absorb the extra sanction fees through operating income. Therefore, all games will now have a $6.00 fee, unless financial conditions change, such as a major rent increase or decreased attendance at games. In order to keep the Tuesday game viable, the Board voted to keep it as a special game (either Junior Fund or Charity).



Special Games Schedule - The schedule was approved and will be published on the Web Site.

The schedule is a work-in-progress and more special games may be added throughout the year if financially feasible.



Robb Gordon Proposal - Preliminary Survey results show 31 votes for and 4 against this proposal. The Board voted unanimously to accept the proposal as presented. The game will include a 30 minute lesson, pre-duplicated boards with hand records, and a 30 minute post-game discussion. Robb will charge $8.00 to $10.00 per person, depending on attendance. Robb will reimburse the Club $50.00 for rent, and he will direct the game. The first such game will be April 22; subsequent games will be scheduled at Robb’s convenience.



Sedona Bridge Festival - Committees will be established to work on a special promotional event to recruit both party bridge players and newcomers to duplicate bridge. The plan will be modeled after a program implemented in Detroit that succeeded in soliciting 250 attendees to two separate events.



Slow Play - Although the game clock has improved slow play dramatically, there is still a problem with some slow players who continuously play up to and through the breaks, with the result that the players who follow them miss their breaks. This situation will be monitored with the Directors, and if conditions continue to persist, penalties will be implemented to offending teams (average minus board). If there is no specific offending team, both teams will receive an average on the board.



Howell Movements - Howell movements have presented a major problem with round times, as teams cannot progress until all teams have finished. Therefore, the Board voted to increase the round times to 21 minutes for 3 board movements and 28 minutes for 4 board movements (ACBL guidelines). Teams who are persistently late with the new schedule will forfeit their last board and be awarded average scores. If the Director determines a particular team is at fault, that team shall be awarded an average minus.



Respectfully submitted,



Jan Birkett, Secretary