Fort Western Unit 183 Board Meeting Minutes January 24, 2007 Present: Kay Jones, Mary Hoger, Steve Shirey, Judy Staser, Tom Hughes, Byron Taylor, Diane Washabaugh, Margot Hirsch, Lieutenant Bruce Scott (guest) The President, Kay Jones, called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Margot Hirsch reported that the December minutes were approved and posted electronically. Mary Hoger gave the Treasurer's Report. She handed out statements for November, December, and the Fall Sectional. The Unit's certificates of deposit will mature next month. Mary will research the best rates for renewal. Her report was approved. OLD BUSINESS Kay showed everyone a picture of the permanent storage cover Ivan Uys built for the trailer. The cost was $750.00. The board was pleased and appreciates Ivan's good work. Margot introduced Lieutenant Bruce Scott, Clinical Manager, of the Fort Worth Fire Department. He proceeded to provide information about portable defibrillators. He demonstrated two units and answered questions. He provided two handouts for the board members to read. Margot handed out copies of the opinion rendered by Dick Simon concerning liability issues should the Unit purchase a defibrillator. The board will vote again at the next meeting on whether or not to purchase a portable defibrillator. The board appreciates the time and information that Lieutenant Scott and Mr. Simon provided. After much discussion, the board approved a new nonsmoking policy for the Fort Worth Studio, effective immediately for all players. Any player who smokes within 50 feet of the building shall be immediately suspended from play. The suspension limits are: 1. First offense: 30 days 2. Second offense: 6 months This policy is necessary to ensure compliance with the building management's mandate that prohibits smoking within fifty feet of the building. If this mandate is violated, the studio will face eviction. Kay will contact Mr. Grubbs to inform him about the studio's new policy. Diane Washabaugh will chair a new exploratory committee. The committee's charge is to identify a possible future location for the studio. Steve announced that Laura Nash, Ruth Bracken, Mickey Tryon, and Charles (Bill ) Gibson qualified for the NAOP in St. Louis. Mary Hoger will provide their stipends by March 1. NEW BUSINESS The board approved allowing Maxine Burwitz to use the studio on the first and third Friday evenings of the month. She will host her bridge group. The fee will be $7.00 per table. Maxine and her group will be responsible for adhering to the Rules for Studio Maintenance. All directors are reminded to adhere to the Rules for Studio Maintenance during the week and on the weekends. The standard is to please leave the studio the way you want to find it when you arrive. Diane will check with a restaurant supply company on available models of icemakers. Kay will send out the information via email for the board's approval. The door locks agenda item was tabled. The cell phone policy was discussed. The policy is sound and will be enforced as soon as the directors are informed. Kay will send them a letter stating that each director should make a cell phone announcement routinely at the beginning of each of their games. This announcement should remind players that all cell phones are to be turned off. If an important call is expected during the game, a player may leave his/her phone with the director. The board discussed a suggestion to change the budgeting process. The board concluded that the present process is satisfactory. Kay is the studio representative that deals with the building management. All issues should be brought to her attention and she will handle them. The only exceptions are the elevator and maintenance. The elevator and maintenance numbers may be called immediately when a need arises. Kay reviewed some volunteer assignments. Diane Washabaugh will serve as the Internet Coordinator. Stewart DeJournet is the Webmaster. Barbara Traphagen will coordinate the Mentoring Program. Kay will ask Carolyn Pinto to serve as the Education Liaison and Ann Kennemer as the ProAm Chair. Each board member will review the current Standing Rules. At the next meeting, the rules will be revised as necessary and approved. A policy for inclement weather will be considered. Respectfully submitted, Margot Hirsch