Fort Western Unit 183 Board Meeting Minutes August 20, 2008 Present: Mary Hoger, Katye Kowierschke, Tom Nute, Tom Hughes, Kay Jones, Byron Taylor, Steve Shirey, Max Jackson, Margot Hirsch, Fran Fuller (guest), Grady Fuller (guest) Byron Taylor called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Margot Hirsch confirmed that the approved July minutes were posted on the Fort Worth Studio’s bulletin board and the Unit 183 website. Mary Hoger presented the Treasurer’s Report. It was approved. Mary will present the EasyBridge! Financial Report at the next meeting. OLD BUSINESS Tom Nute reported on EasyBridge! Twelve to sixteen players are participating in the Tuesday evening game. On September 6, a short class will be held on No Trump Responses. Katye Kowierschke reported on replacing the broken coffee pots. Wal-Mart refunded the total amount for the four pots. She and Max Jackson showed two models of coffee pots recommended for purchase. The board approved replacing the four returned pots with four of the less expensive model. Each pot will cost $135.98. The board also approved the purchase of a power strip and one timer. Tom Nute reported on the Unit 183 Directory. Changes have been submitted and the directory has been revised. The second edition of the directory will go to press soon. The agenda was temporarily suspended so that Grady Fuller could address the board. He requested that The Alert be reinstated by the board as a Unit 183-sponsored publication. He stated the advantages for doing so. Presently, he is publishing The Alert and covering the cost on a volunteer basis. The board expressed appreciation for his contribution. Byron stated that the board would consider Grady’s request and notify him quickly about the board’s decision. The Fall Sectional will take place September 19-21, 2008 in the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall. Kay Jones secured the sanction and confirmed the directors. Katye is arranging for the hospitality. She and Keith will provide the coffee supplies. Millie Williams will get the snacks. Diane Hoksbergen is in charge of decorations. Byron will check with Arlington about borrowing bidding boxes. Margot is taking care of partnership requests. Tom Hughes has all of the events scheduled. Byron is arranging for the caddies. The Non-Life Master Tournament is scheduled for November 1-2, 2008 at the Arlington Studio. Steve Shirey reported that Doris Doores is the Partnership Chair. Also, a caterer is being identified. Steve will order tournament hand records. Katye is going to shop for new card tables. She will take measurements. The preferred color choice is black. New side tables will be purchased after the move. Byron requested ACBL Goodwill Member of the Year nominations. He has received one and is expecting another. The board will choose the nominee to submit to ACBL. Margot will hold a meeting of the Standing Rules Committee after the Fall Sectional and report back to the board. Mary Hoger gave the Nominating Committee Report. The eight nominees are: Grady Fuller Joe Harbour Michael Heyman Carolyn Pinto Steve Shirey Gary Wright Shawn McCormick Margot Hirsch Those players that are current ACBL members may vote for three candidates only. Absentee ballots must be signed by the voter and postmarked by September 15, 2008. In person voting will end at the start of the first session of the Fall Sectional on Sunday, September 21, 2008. Tom Hughes will assemble and copy the Election newsletter containing the ballot immediately. A group of volunteers will assemble as soon as possible after that to prepare the newsletters for mailing. Tom Nute reported on the Election Committee. Kay Jones was added to the committee. His committee will count the ballots to determine the new board members. Max Jackson is working to find a new place to park the trailer when it is not in use. The board agreed that permission to park the trailer at a new location must be part of the new lease. The board discussed reinstating The Alert. The board concluded that it stands by its decision not to continue The Alert. NEW BUSINESS The board approved a new unit game format. An Eight is Enough game will be held the first Wednesday of the month beginning Wednesday, October 1, 2008. The board expressed sympathy to Karla Peck and her family for the loss of her son, Bryan Peck and to the families and friends of Glenn West and Bill Lawless. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Margot Hirsch