DRAFT

April 9, 2007
Houston Bridge Studio

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. Board Members present were: Norm Gautier, Pres., Bert Onstott, VP, Karen Nimmons, Sec., Bobbi Kauffman, Marsha Bernstein, JoDene Bond, Jolie Hess, and Ed Groner. Also present were Jim Woodward, Treas., and Dianna Gittelman, guest.

GUESTS

Dianna Gittelman talked about getting publicity for bridge in general in the various newspapers. She also presented to the board information on various locations that are to be considered possible new sites for our Sectionals. She asked the board to pinpoint the future dates of the tournaments so she could further the discussions with the managers.

MARCH MINUTES

The minutes of the March meeting were approved through the on line voting poll. They were submitted to the Webmaster for posting and the Scorecard Reporter.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Unit remains in good financial condition.

It still appears the Regional made money. Jim is waiting to pay for final expenses and the final numbers will be in next month. The board members discussed various checks and transactions. MOTION: to approve checks #2397-2405 and transactions #118-122. It was seconded and approved. The board also discussed the possibility of having to hire an assistant director for future tournaments and further discussions will follow.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Awards/Fund Raising/Flyers – Marsha

Marsha reported there are 33 plaques left and 4 are on order. 250 flyers were ordered for the tournament and will be passed out to the various clubs. Marsha also reported she has the Ace of Clubs awards and the Mini-McKinney awards, which are to be passed out Sunday during the meeting. Each recipient will walk on stage to receive their award.

Communications Committee – Norm

Norm reported there is nothing new to report other than the present committee chair is looking to be released and they are looking for a volunteer to talk over. The board discussed the possibility of having one of the new board members taking over.

I/N/Education/Book Sales – Joyce

Joyce was not present but sent in her report. She reported she sold a lot of books to the teachers last month. Gary King will be teaching two classes at the Bridge Studio: Play of the Hand for the Intermediate Player and Beginning Bridge. Play of the Hand class is already full. As far as education is concerned, a few of Lynn Graham’s students are beginning to play at some of the community games and the board would like all players to be considerate of their limitations.

NAP/GNT – Ed

Ed informed the board he is about to enter into agreements with BCH and Houston Bridge Studio to rent their facilities for the upcoming NAP in November. He is considering holding the games only on Sunday and will have to have the tournament on two different Sundays, one for flights A&C, and the other for flight B. The dates will be decided between Ed and Jolie, Tournament Coordinator. He had nothing to report on the GNT at this time.

STaC and Goodwill – Karen

Karen reported one card went out this month and there was nothing to report on StaC. She was reminded that the latest Stac information needed to to uploaded to Box.net and she informed the board it will get done.

Supplies – Bobbi

Bobbi reported everything is ready to go to the Shriners for the Election Sectional. Some items will need to be ordered after the tournament, but for right now, everything is in order. She gave the board a copy of the inventory and a list of her duties.

Tournament Coordination – Jolie

Jolie reported she spoke with Teresa Cole at the Shriners and as of Feb. 2008, all contracts will not be honored. She recommended the board start getting contracts on new playing sites.

She passed out revised copies of the 2008 Tournament and Games schedule.

She also reported there is confusion about the 299er three day tournament coming up in May and wanted to know if it made any difference to the board. She was told no.

Membership/Directories – Bert

Bert reported the current membership is 2273, down three from 2276 last month. But retention continues to improve as does the number of new members in the past three years. There is nothing new on the directories other than they will be available at the Election Sectional and future Sectionals until they are gone.

Bridge in Schools – Bert

Bert reported the classes are still going on at KIPP Academy Middle School, KIPP Spirit Middle School, KIPP 3D Academy Middle School, and at YES Prep.

OLD BUSINESS

April Sectional 2007 –Joyce & Ed

Joyce sent out e-mails to the set up volunteers and hopes everyone comes out to help. She made free plays for the photographer, Unit Webmaster and the others who receive them. She also had the 50 cent coupons run off. Ed was reminded that on Friday he needs to make sure the Election Committee has a place to lock up the ballot box. Gulf Parcel will deliver the supplies Thursday.

June Sectional 2007 – Jolie & Karen

Jolie reported the flyer is online on the Unit Website. The flyer has been printed and will be distributed to the clubs soon and will also be at the Election Sectional. The Ad has been sent to the Scorecard. The E-mail flyer for ACBL is ready to go. Demeris is catering the Sunday lunch at $8.25 per meal. Karen will get a table count on Saturday and will confirm the number with Demeris no later than Saturday noon. Reservations for the directors are made and Karen is arranging for the set up workers for Friday morning.

Updates on Initiatives

0-20 Mp subsidized games

The Bridge Studio is changing the 0-20 Friday game to a 299er game next week. It will be a full game without a pre-game lesson. It will cost $5.00 and Joyce had flyers made for the Sectional and the new player packets.

Zero Tolerance

Marsha has stood up before a few of the games welcoming the new players and reminding everyone to make them feel comfortable at the table.

Hotel Negotiations – Jolie

Jolie reported there is a new contact person at the Holiday Inn. His name is Oberlin Delgado. Bobbie Williams is now with another property.

NEW BUSINESS

National Charity Foundation Update – Marsha

As a director of the National Charity, Marsha reported that the Unit Charity Rebate program was eliminated effective Jan. 1, 2007. She also reported that the hand analysis for the district-wide charity games will be eliminated.

News for the Scorecard – Norm

The board agreed that the minutes in draft form will be made available to the Scorecard Reporter and to the Website Editor as soon as prepared by the Secretary and agreed by the President with the understanding that the minutes are subject to correction until they are approved by the board. They will be re-sent once approved.

Future Board Meeting Dates

The board will meet next May 7, 2007.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The board met in executive session for five minutes.

ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karen Nimmons, Secretary