Rhode Island Bridge Association, Inc

Minutes of Unit 145 Board Meeting

August 17, 2011

 

 

Present: Ann Broomfield, Joe Brouillard, Grace Charron, Lois DeBlois, Chris DelSesto, Lisa Eklund,   Maureen Fahey, Ray Hayden, Danuta Lamparski, Jo Murray, Paula Najarian, Dave Prentiss, Bill Shockley, Stan Williams

Excused: Bob Erwin, Sue Erwin, Richard Tropper, Nancy Rosenbaum

 

 

Call to Order:

 

Lois DeBlois (in place of Sue Erwin) called the meeting to order at 5:40 PM.

 

 

Secretary’s Report:

 

The minutes of the June 9, 2011 meeting were distributed, reviewed, and approved unanimously.

 

 

Board Membership:

 

Lois DeBlois recommended two new members, Lisa Eklund and Jo Murray, for board membership.  Lisa Eklund was recommended to take over as Secretary for the remainder of the calendar year.  Both candidates were unanimously approved by the board membership.

 

 

Treasurer’s Report:

 

Joe Brouillard presented the report for the period from January 1, 2011 to July 31, 2011.  He also presented the annual report for 2010.  The annual report includes income from the annual gala, tournaments, unit reimbursements, and interest.  The expenses include categories such as awards, charity, the annual gala, gifts, postage, printing, storage, tournaments, and the website.  The net income for 2010 was over $1800.  Both reports were unanimously accepted.

 

Going forward, Maureen Fahey and Stan Williams have volunteered to take care of storage needs to alleviate this expense.

 

 

Tournament Manager’s Report:

 

Maureen Fahey reported on the June tournament.  There were 47 tables on Saturday morning (more than in March) and 38 tables on Sunday for the team game.  The net income was over $900.

 

People are requested to volunteer to help setup tables on Saturday morning at the Sectional tournament on September 24th.  Lois DeBlois has also volunteered to provide copies of Sectional fliers for distribution to clubs.

 

There will be a Tournament Manager Meeting after the Swiss team event on September 4th.  We have submitted dates for 2013 and 2014, although some dates are pending in 2014 due to Nationals being held in New England.  Dates for 2012 tournaments have already been approved and we are awaiting approval for 2013.

 

Given the recent use of BridgeMates instead of travelers, there are fewer duties for the caddy.  It was suggested/agreed that Lois DeBlois and Maureen Fahey would make a list of duties that included clean-up tasks so that expectations would be clear.  There was a concern that this would change the pay, but it was decided that this would only offset previous duties that are no longer necessary.

 

 

Annual Gala:

 

The Annual Gala will be held at RI Shriners again this year.

 

There was a suggestion that the Annual Gala become a Sectional tournament so that silver points (other than black) could be awarded.  However, for this year the Annual Gala would conflict with a Maine sectional.  This can be discussed again for next year.  It was mentioned that the Annual Gala would have to be open to everyone if it was made into a Sectional tournament.  The Gala traditionally been subsidized by the Unit and is the Unit Annual Business Meeting.  The event is open to non-members on a space available basis.  There was a suggestion of convention card holders as a gift for the Annual Gala.  The feedback for this suggestion was positive.

 

The menu and price for the Gala will be finalized next week.  The flyer has been prepared and will go out by September 15th or earlier.  The flyer has a tear-off section for responses to be sent to the Secretary, Lisa Eklund.

 

Maureen Fahey will ask Sue Miguel if she is available to be the director.  Courtney Tellier has agreed to caddy. 

 

 

Other Business:

 

Lois DeBlois asked for approval to purchase a new cream / milk container.  The cost is approximately $20 - $30.  This was unanimously approved.

 

 

By-Law Update:

 

Bob Erwin and Joe Brouillard have been working on updates to the By-Laws.  In his absence Lois DeBlois and Joe Brouillard presented the report on the proposed changes.  The most significant changes involve the Secretary and Treasurer positions.  The proposed changes allow the Secretary and Treasurer positions to be held by the same person and allow the Unit Compensation Committee to determine any compensation.  Another proposed change would require the Treasurer to be bonded (see Bond Insurance below).

 

 

Nominating Committee:

 

The Nominating Committee headed by Joe Brouillard recommends the following slate of officers for approval at the Annual Gala.  These appointments would be for the 2012 calendar year.

President: William Shockley

Vice President: Lois DeBlois

Secretary: Lisa Eklund

Treasurer: Richard Tropper

 

Upon approval of William Shockley as President the Unit will need a new Unit Recorder.  This person serves as an impartial contact person for grievances during a tournament.  William has had to investigate two situations over the years that he has been Unit Recorder.  It is best if the person is a certified director.  At each tournament an alternate can also be designated.  The position is voluntary and is appointed by the Board.  The only people that cannot serve as Unit Recorder are the President and people on the Disciplinary Committee due to conflict of interest.

 

 

Bond Insurance:

 

Joe Brouillard presented a proposal including Fidelity Bond Insurance Quotes for our Treasurer.  This would cover the club in case of a misappropriation of funds and would include a background / credit check on the Treasurer.  In order to collect on the insurance policy, the person involved would have to be convicted of the crime.  The President has to execute the policy.  A motion was unanimously passed to have the President proceed in executing such a contract.

 

 

BridgeMates: 

 

Joe Brouillard presented a proposal to buy BridgeMates for all the clubs in RI.  Due to bulk purchasing, the BridgeMates would be available for $99/each (33% discount).  The proposal includes BridgeMates, a carrying case, and server for each club.  The funding would come 50% as a RIBA Subsidy and 50% as an RIBA Loan.  In order to raise funds to pay off the loan, it was proposed that we raise the fee for tournaments from $9 to $10.  The ownership of the BridgeMates would remain with RIBA but each club would be responsible for maintenance/repair.  They currently cannot be used for Swiss Team scoring.  Each club would decide whether or not to participate in the program.  A motion was passed to go forward in offering the BridgeMates to each club.  The motion was passed with one objecting member who prefers the travelers to the BridgeMates. 

 

 

Charitable Giving:

 

Lois DeBlois proposed that we obtain and allow clubs to place Donation Cans for the RI Food Pantry at each site.  The price for the donation cans ($3/each) is also a charitable donation.  The motion was passed with one objecting member.

 

 

Respectively submitted,

 

Lisa Eklund

Secretary