Rhode Island Bridge Association, Inc

Minutes of Unit 145 Board Meeting

May 19, 2010

Present: Sue Erwin, Lois DeBlois, Kathy Thornton, Brenda Iemma, Joe Brouillard,

Bob Erwin, Nancy Rosenbaum, Judy Biegner

Excused: Bill Lang, Chris Del Sesto, David Prentiss, Bill Shockley

Resigned: Nancy O’Donnell has moved to another unit.

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

Secretary’s Report

Kathy Thornton’s report of the February board meeting was reviewed and accepted by the BOD.

Treasurer’s Report

Brenda Iemma’s report for the period of 2/21/10 to 5/13/10 was reviewed and accepted by the board.

Tournament Manager’s Report

March Sectional

There was an increase in the floor maintenance fee to $100.00.

June Sectional

We are all set for the June tournament. Joe has approached the Senior Center again about the use of the exercise room, but he is not sure that we can get it.

Bridge Bucks: Seven to eight people contributed in March. Lois feel that the bridge bucks were effective and worth it. Joe will send out a general e-mail regarding the availability of bridge bucks for hospitality contributions for the June tournament.

Gala

The deposit is in place, we have the room, and everything is going forward.

Old Business

Charitable Donations: Judy Biegner has researched and feels that either the Food Bank or Shriners are great ideas. Both designate over 90% to the benefit of recipients. Both of the Shriners’ hospitals are in Massachusetts, but Rhode Island children use the facilities, and our check can be designated to the hospital of our choice or split between them.

After discussion, the Board elected to donate $500 to the Food Bank and $500 to the Shriners now. The November donation will be discussed at the August meeting.

STaCs: Since Bill Shockley is not present at the meeting, we were unable to determine what, if anything, he has learned regarding our unit holding its own STaCs if EMBA elects to opt out for certain ones.

New Business

Sturbridge Regional: The Bylaws will be voted on at the Delegates Meeting and all unit delegates are planning to attend.

Forms and Reports: The IRS Annual Report is in. The Annual Report for the State of Rhode Island is due in June. The State of Rhode Island Registered Agent form needs to be filed.

Training a new Tournament Manager: Joe’s term will end at the end of the year, and we do not yet have someone to take over from him. He will train and support the new manager. The new tournament manager does not have to come from the board, but can volunteer from the general membership.

Course for Unit Recorder to be held in Waterbury: Since this is an important meeting, it would be to our benefit if our Unit Recorder were to attend.

Club visits: Sue Erwin will do one or two club visits this summer.

Bridge Bits: Sue will coordinate with Kathy. Nancy Rosenbaum will provide a lesson. The work will be done in August for September.

Sectional: One of our members has made a proposal for changes which may draw more people to our sectionals. A survey will be designed by Kathy and sent out to the membership online.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Thornton

Secretary, Unit 145