Rhode Island Bridge Association, Inc

Minutes of Unit 145 Board Meeting

February 24, 2010

 

Present:  Sue Erwin, Lois DeBlois, Kathy Thornton, Brenda Iemma, Joe Brouillard, Bob Erwin, Bill Lang, Nancy Rosenbaum, Bill Shockley

Excused:  Chris Del Sesto, Dave Prentiss

Absent:  Danuta Lamparski, Nancy O’Donnell

Special Circumstances:  Judy Biegner

 

President Sue Erwin called the meeting to order at 5:54 p.m.

 

Secretary’s Report 

Sue Erwin’s report of the December board meeting was reviewed and accepted by the BOD. 

 

Treasurer’s Report

Brenda Iemma presented the 12/01/2009-02/20/10 report, which was accepted by the BOD.

 

 

Tournament Manager’s Report

 

January Sectional

 

Joe Brouillard stated that the January sectional went well.  We were close to the maximum number of tables on Saturday and on Sunday there were a record number of teams at 41 teams.  The tournament made a profit.

 

Joe will approach the senior center again to see if they can free up the exercise room.

 

We have plenty of tables and bidding boxes.

 

There have been complaints by players about the mess left behind by other players.  Joe plans to make an announcement at the beginning of the day asking that people help by cleaning up.

 

Joe and Lois stated that the new coffee pot and the extra caddy did help.  However, having an extra caddy at the March sectional will provide a more complete picture.

 

Kevin Griffin expressed concern regarding overwork with the larger numbers of attendees.

 

March Sectional

 

Joe does not see the need for a third director.  The January sectional has been the best attended sectional for the past three years running.  We were forced to have a third director last year for the March sectional based upon the January turnout, and the third director proved to be unnecessary for March.  The expense of the third director caused the March sectional to run at a financial loss.  Joe would consider canceling the March sectional if we are to be forced to have a third director.

 

Bill Lang states that we have three caddies lined up for March.

 

Lois requests help for hospitality for the March sectional due to her increased work commitments that week.  Members of the BOD volunteered to provide items for hospitality.  Bob Erwin will help with drinks, as he has in the past. 

 

The possibility of reinstating the “bridge bucks” was raised which it is anticipated will increase donations.  We should have a scale of “bucks” awarded for the contributions.

 

Lois suggested that a sign-up list for contributions could be posted at the clubs, and she will take care of e-mailing the club directors.

 

 

Old Business

 

Sue Erwin announced that the District Delegates are:  Sue, Lois, Kathy and Joe.

 

Sue thanked everyone for our responses on the district bylaws issue.  Rhode Island has responded.

 

 

New Business

 

Sue will contact Judy Biegner for suggestions for charities for this year’s donation.

 

Joe asked about the possibility of a Christmas donation, possibly for children.  This was unanimously approved by the board.  Judy will be contacted about this.  Any suggestions for designations for the donation can be brought to Judy’s attention and she will investigate.

 

Bill Shockley raised a question about the absence of a January STaC.  We are usually piggybacked with EMBA.  Bob Erwin suggested that Bill research the possibility of Rhode Island having a separate STaC.  However, we must keep our good relationship with EMBA in mind.

 

Bob Erwin provided some information regarding the new venue for the Senior Regional.  The deposits to Seacrest will not automatically be transferred to Chatham Bars Inn as previously reported, but will be refunded.

 

The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be in May.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Kathy Thornton

Secretary, Unit 145