Rhode Island Bridge Association, Inc

Minutes of Unit 145 Board Meeting

March 16, 2011

Present: Sue Erwin, Lois DeBlois, Joe Brouillard, Bob Erwin, Judy Biegner, Bill Shockley, Ray Hayden

Excused: Maureen Fahey, Stan Williams, Nancy Rosenbaum, Bill Lang, Grace Charron, David Prentiss, Chris Del Sesto

Absent: Brenda Iemma, Donna Lamparski

Call to Order

President Sue Erwin called the meeting to order at 5:31 PM

Secretary’s Report

The minutes of the 15 December, 2010 meeting were previously electronically distributed and were approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report

Brenda was not in attendance. An annual report was not available and will be provided at the next board meeting.

A discussion was held regarding the need for an annual audit of the association’s financial records. Ray volunteered to do a review of the basic records (i.e. check register, account statements) for the Association , to verify that the records are in order. Ray stated that he has experience in the field, but is not a degreed accountant. The board gratefully accepted his offer.

2010 charity disbursements have been completed. RIBA donated a total of $1,500 to three area charities, as follows: $500 to the Rhode Island Food Bank, $500 to the Shriner’s Hospital in Boston (marked for supporting RI children), and $500 to the Shriner’s Hospital in Springfield (also marked for supporting RI children)

Tournament Manager’s Report

Joe Brouillard reported for Stan and Maureen, who are out of the area this week. They transitioned into the role of Tournament Manager for the January Sectional and Joe felt they did a wonderful job. The event was very successful – 93 tables on Saturday and the team event on Sunday was the largest team event participation for RIBA in over a decade. A round of applause was given for the outstanding tournament.

Joe reported that the planning is in order for the upcoming Sectional – 26 & 27 March in Johnston.

Joe also reported that the site and sanction for the 2011 Unit Gala are in place. 2013 Unit planning will be approved at the Labor Day Regional. At that time, site dates will be contracted.

Old Business

Tournament Manager - Terry Parkerson resigned from the Board and from the role of Tournament Manager in late December, 2010. Maureen Fahey and Stan Williams volunteered to step into this key position. Sue expressed the Unit’s gratitude for their assuming this responsibility for the Unit. (As reported earlier, they were great.)

Secretary - The Unit still is in need of a Secretary. Bob Erwin volunteered to fill in for this meeting. Two members, both excellent candidates, were reluctant to commit to the driving distances. Sue requested input from any of our members with interest in the position or viable candidates.

By-Laws Update

Previously provided suggestions were reviewed and discussed. It was agreed that the Bylaws be updated to clarify that during calculation of a majority, those members with approved absences be removed from the total Board membership for determination of a quorum.

Joe and Bob agreed to rewrite paragraph VI-2 to integrate changes discussed during the meeting.

The board unanimously approved the other changes proposed and recommended that the list be updated as agreed and formally voted on by the membership during the Annual Meeting at the 2011 RIBA Gala.

New Business

A question was raised regarding bonding of the Unit Treasurer. Joe took the action to look into his status and the need for bonding. It was the consensus that our Treasurer should be bonded.

It was reported that Kathy Thornton has improved, but is still having issues with her health. We all wish her well.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:22 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert Erwin

Secretary (Acting), Unit 145