Fort Western Unit 183 
Board Meeting Minutes
November 21, 2007

Present: Diane Washabaugh, Kay Jones, Tom Hughes, Judy Staser, Steve Shirey,
              Byron Taylor, Margot Hirsch, Laura Nash (Guest), Carolyn Pinto (Guest)

Kay Jones called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Margot Hirsch confirmed that the 
approved minutes are posted in the studio and on the website. Kay presented the 
Treasurer's Report in Mary Hoger's absence. The report included the current financial 
statement and the 2007 Fall Sectional Report. The tournament will clear almost $1000.00 
once all expenses are paid. The Treasurer's Report was approved.

OLD BUSINESS

The board approved upholding the vote for a high-speed internet line until the service 
becomes available in the studio's geographic area. Margot will check with AT&T 
periodically to order the service as soon as becomes available.

Kay presented the new Unit 183 Zero Tolerance Policy. The board approved it as written. 
The Unit's policy reflects ACBL's policy. The guidelines will be posted immediately. 
The directors at the Fort Worth Studio will announce the guidelines and implement them 
immediately. All players are encouraged to read and adhere to the guidelines. Kay will 
ask Grady to publish the guidelines in the next issue of the newsletter. Also, the new 
policy and guidelines will be posted on the website and hard copies will be made available.

Kay will purchase signs for the trailer. Kay is working to obtain an ACBL reimbursement 
for the Unit's trailer.

Kay reminded everyone about some important upcoming dates:
Unit Christmas Party: It will be a Swiss Teams Game on Wednesday, 
December 19, at 7:00 p.m. Katye Kowierschke will obtain the door prizes and arrange for 
the food. Players are encouraged to bring party foods.
Board of Directors December Meeting: It will be a dinner meeting on Sunday, December 9, 
at 6:30 p.m.

NEW BUSINESS

Byron Taylor led the discussion about the Pro Am Game. Setting the date was tabled until 
the next meeting. The game will take place on a Wednesday in 2008.
Also, the Mentoring Program was discussed. The feedback received was positive and the 
program was successful. The board wants to move the Program to spring so as not to 
conflict with other fall events. Margot will ask Barbara Traphagen to launch another 
Mentoring Program in Spring 2008. Meanwhile, the board appreciates the good job Barbara 
did last fall. Also, appreciated is the assistance Diane Washabaugh provided.

Steve Shirey proposed that tournament speakers receive a fee for service rather than free 
plays. The board approved paying each tournament speaker $25.00 per presentation. Margot 
will draft a statement for the Standing Rules.

Carolyn Pinto presented some suggestions for improving the studio's table count and 
attracting new players. The suggestions include: Hold a supervised play game where the 
director provides bidding assistance. Players could have no more than 100 points. A 
twenty-minute lecture would precede the game. Establish an EasyBridge! Program. Explore 
the possibility of Bridge Plus for players with fewer than five master points. 

Laura Nash, player and owner of the L. J. Nash Collection, asked for permission to market 
her line of convention card holders at the Fort Worth Studio and all upcoming Fort Worth 
tournaments. The board approved her request. Margot will draft a statement for the 
Standing Rules for bridge-related items only to be sold at the studio and tournaments. 
All items will require prior board approval before being offered for sale.

 OTHER BUSINESS

Peggy Hardcastle has retired as the Thursday Afternoon Game Director. The Board of 
Directors hopes that all players will join them in expressing gratitude to Peggy for the 
significant contribution she has made to Fort Worth and the game of Bridge.  Peggy could 
always be counted on for her professionalism, a smile, and a kind word whether she was 
directing or playing.

The board has approved Diane Washabaugh as the new director of the Thursday Afternoon 
Game. Also, the board approved forgiving the rent for the first Thursday in November due 
to the directorial transition.

The board approved the purchase of a new printer for the studio.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Margot Hirsch