Fort Western Unit 183
Board Meeting Minutes
July 18, 2007

Present: Katye Kowierschke, Mary Hoger, Judy Staser, Steve Shirey,
              Byron Taylor, Tom Hughes, Diane Washabaugh, Margot Hirsch

Steve Shirey, Vice President, called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in Kay Jones' absence. 
Margot Hirsch confirmed that the approved June minutes were posted on the studio bulletin board and the 
Unit 183 website. Mary Hoger reported that the recent Sectional lost money. The board approved the 
Treasurer's Report and discussed ways to improve the upcoming Fall Sectional.

OLD BUSINESS

The June Sectional was discussed. Our own Unit 183 players will be encouraged to play and support 
Unit 183 tournaments. Players are commended for becoming Life Masters. However, they must be encouraged 
and inspired to play for pleasure and to achieve even higher designations. The schedule for the 
Fall Sectional will be revised to include a Compact KO on Friday and a third session (morning) on Saturday. 
The third session will allow for a Saturday KO and an additional pairs game. Tom Hughes will present a 
draft of the schedule at the next board meeting.

Byron Taylor will talk to the Decorating Committee to determine how the board can support the committee for 
future tournaments. Also, coffee pots are being purchased and will be used to improve the tournament coffee.

Margot Hirsch gave the Nominating Committee's report. The committee consists of: Margot Hirsch (Chair), 
Mary Hoger, Byron Taylor, Caron Peck, Winnie Elmore, Max Jackson, and Laura Nash. Margot reported that the 
committee has identified potential nominees. Also, she stated that the election notice has been sent to clubs 
throughout Unit 183 and posted on the website asking for additional nominations. The notice states that the 
deadline for submitting nominations is Tuesday, September 4, 2007. The election will take place on Sunday, 
October 21, 2007.

Steve Shirey will ask Kay Jones to appoint the Election Committee. The board suggested that Henry Weltman 
serve as Chair. Diane Washabaugh volunteered to serve on the committee.

Margot announced that the following recipients will receive 2006 ACBL charity rebates: Presbyterian 
Night Shelter, Women's Haven of Tarrant County, The Women's Shelter of Arlington, AISD Families in Transition, 
Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County, and Arlington Life Shelter. 


The Wednesday Unit Game and the Mentoring Program were discussed. The board approved holding a team game once 
a month during the Wednesday Unit Game. Steve will schedule the game for the third Wednesday of the month. 
He will ask Carolyn Pinto, the Director, to post a sign advertising the game. Diane Washabaugh will direct a 
special Sunday afternoon game especially for the Mentoring Program. However, the mentors and mentees can play 
in any game at their convenience during August, September, and October. Diane will contact Barbara Traphagen, 
Mentoring Program Chair, about the schedule. 

The board will ask the directors to promote these playing opportunities to increase player participation. The 
Wednesday Unit Game will not be held during the upcoming Dallas Regional.

The schedule for the October NLM Tournament will be posted on the website and linked with the ACBL website. 
Diane will contact Stuart DeJournet. Steve will contact Caron Peck in Arlington about naming a partnership 
chair. 

Margot reminded the board about the District 16 Board of Governors Election. The board members will vote at 
the August meeting. 

 NEW BUSINESS

Playing cards were discussed. Both sizes of cards will be available. The director will use his/her discretion 
to choose the size to use during a particular game. Judy Staser will ask Keith McCall to purchase new 
regular-sized playing cards.

The board congratulated Denton on the opening of its new studio. Byron Taylor will send a plant to the new 
studio on behalf of the board.

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

Respectfully submitted,
Margot Hirsch