Rhode Island Bridge Association, Inc

Minutes of Unit 145 Board Meeting

February 27, 2008

 

 

Present:  Joe Brouillard, Bill Niemi, Bill Lang, Bob Erwin, Lois DeBlois, Nancy O’Donnell, Brenda Iemma, Judy Biegner, Sue Erwin, Dave Prentiss, Chris DelSesto

Excused:  Lou D’Orio

 

President Joe Brouillard called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.

 

Secretary’s Report:

 

Sue Erwin’s report was not presented in hardcopy, but is available on the website.  Hardcopy will be available at future BOD meetings.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

 

Brenda Iemma presented the 2007 Annual Treasurer’s Report which was reviewed and accepted by the BOD.  She also brought the unit up to date on current expenditures.

 

 

Tournament Manager’s report:

 

January Tournament:

 

·        There were 39 tables on Saturday, a 30% increase from the October sectional, and five extra tables at the Sunday game.  It was the largest January RIBA sectional for the last ten years.

·        We needed a second director on Saturday for this number of tables.

·        The I/N game is growing.

·        There were only seven tables in the A/X game, which is too few for a good game.  There were comments and complaints from the participants.  For March the points for playing have been lowered from 2500 to 2000 with the hope of increasing participation.  We are required by the ACBL rules to run this game regardless of the number of tables.  The game cannot be combined and stratified with the other B / C game if there are too few tables.

·        Special thanks to Lois (and all those who helped) for her efforts and leadership on hospitality.

March Tournament:

 

There are five categories in which we could use some assistance:  Sandwich orders, beverages, trash collection, hospitality, and cleanup.  (Of course, general help is also appreciated.)  Joe asked for assistance from members of the BOD to share the workload.

 

 

Old Business:

 

IRS Annual Report:

 

All non-profits now must file an IRS annual report.  Since receipts are less than $25000, we have a simpler filing.  Brenda and Joe will file this report.

 

State of Rhode Island Registered Agent:

 

Currently the Registered Agent for the RIBA is Bob Erwin.  The RIBA Constitution requires the President act as the Registered Agent.  The unit BOD must approve changing the Registered Agent to Joe Brouillard, the current Unit president.  A motion was so proposed, seconded and unanimously passed.

 

Annual Report for Non-Profits for the State of Rhode Island:

 

The secretary must file an Annual Report for Non-Profits for the State of Rhode Island between June 1 and June 30.  The fee is $20.00.  The secretary will take action on this.

 

Knights of Columbus Deposit:

 

The K of C deposit of $100.00 for the October 2007 sectional has been returned.  Their facility had another activity pick up the date.

 

Charities:

 

Two charities have been tentatively accepted for our charitable donation:  The Community Food Bank and The Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  Judy Biegner has agreed to investigate these charities to ensure that both use most of the monies for the actual charity.  The Unit voted to donate $400.00 to each of these charities, contingent on a positive outcome from Judy’s inquiries.

 

 

New Business:

 

Email Software:

 

Joe returned the email software that we had been using because after the free trail period was over the product key would not unlock the software.    Joe proposed another software package that should support our unit for the foreseeable future.  A motion was made to purchase this software, seconded and carried.

 

Teaching Mileage Reimbursement:

 

Sue Erwin, an ACBL Certified Bridge Teacher, has been asked to teach beginner level bridge classes at the Cranston Senior Center.  The classes will begin on Thursday, March 20th, and run for eight weeks.  Because of the minimal compensation for the teaching and the distance from Sue’s home, she has requested mileage reimbursement from the unit, since this activity is sponsored by the BOD, and the unit will gain attendance and memberships from this group.  A motion was made, discussed, and passed. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:40.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Sue Erwin,

Secretary