Fort Western Unit 183
Board Meeting Minutes
February 27, 2008

Present: Tom Nute, Katye Kowierschke, Kay Jones, Tom Hughes, Byron Taylor,
              Mary Hoger, Max Jackson, Margot Hirsch

Byron Taylor, the President, called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Margot Hirsch 
confirmed that the approved minutes were posted in the studio and on the website. 
Mary Hoger gave the Treasurer's Report. She moved $7000 from the savings account to the 
money market. Also, the money market includes $4475 in interest. The report was approved.

OLD BUSINESS
Margot checked again recently with AT&T to order a dedicated computer line. No high-speed 
internet is available in the studio's immediate area. Tom Nute will research other options
and report to the board.

Work continues on preparing a new directory. The deadline for new listings and corrections 
to existing listings is February 29, 2008. Laura Nash will prepare a draft for the board's 
review after that date.

Plans for Easybridge! are progressing nicely. Lauren Brown and Diane Washabaugh are 
certified instructors. Penny Mixon and Tom Nute will assist them in delivering the 
program. The program is being widely publicized and will begin Saturday, March 10, 
at 10:00 a.m. at the Fort Worth Studio.

The board was pleased that the annual audit was successful. Mary Hoger does a great 
job balancing the books. The audit committee consisted of Tom Hughes, Chair, 
Dave Pollard, and Tom Nute.

Byron reported on the Green New Year feedback. The studio will continue using plates 
and plastic ware. However, the studio will begin a formal recycling program. 
Steve Shirey will provide a container for recycling aluminum cans. Max Jackson will 
obtain a container for recycling paper. Steve is in charge of the recycling. Byron will 
ask Grady to publish an announcement to explain the recycling effort.

Significant Dates:
Grand National Teams: Flight C: March 30, 2008      Flight B: May 4, 2008
Awards Night: April 2, 2008
Heart of the Metroplex Sectional: April 4-6, 2008
Pro Am Game: May 7, 2008
Fort Worth Sectional: June 6-8, 2008
StaC Games: June 23-29, 2008
Fort Worth Fall Sectional: October 10-12, 2008

Margot will send out a Unit 183 request immediately for volunteers that can be recognized 
at Awards Night. Byron will choose the Goodwill honorees.
Max Jackson will work with the Arlington Club to deliver tables and bidding boxes.
Byron asked for feedback about the draft for the Pro Am Game.

Tom reported on the Fort Worth Sectional. The tournament fees will be $11.00 for ACBL 
members and $12.00 for non-ACBL members. The Swiss Team fee will be $96.00 and include 
a meal catered by Pulido's. A free 0-20 Game will take place on Saturday afternoon. 
Tom will email the board a rough draft of the schedule. All evening games will begin 
at 7:30 p.m.   

Kay Jones reported on the upcoming Fall Sectional. It will take place at BJ's Catering 
on University Dr. since Will Rogers is not available. There is ample free parking at 
BJ's Catering. Kay will ask the Omni Hotel for a bid for the 2009 Regional Tournament. 

Progress concerning Zero Tolerance was discussed. The board encourages players to call 
the director immediately when unacceptable behavior is taking place. Unacceptable behavior 
may occur between partners and/or opponents. The director may be in another room when the 
infraction occurs and may only become aware of an uncomfortable situation if a player 
calls. The board wants the studio to be comfortable for all players whether they have 
been playing for years or are participating in their first game.

All directors are expected to remind players at the beginning of each game about the cell 
phone policy and the zero tolerance policy.

NEW BUSINESS
Byron asked the board to review the Directors' Memo (3 November 2005) and give him 
feedback. All directors must make sure that all areas of the studio are clean after each 
of their games. This includes sweeping and vacuuming the floors as needed. Also, the 
coffee pots must be cleaned thoroughly.
Also, Byron wants the board to provide feedback concerning publicity plans.

Diane Washabaugh is chairing the Relocation Committee. Jeri Quinton and Dave Pollard will 
serve on the committee. Shawn McCormick will chair the Mentoring Program.
Janet Jordan, the Sunshine Committee Chair, should be notified when a player is ill or a 
loss has occurred.

The board approved purchasing a shelf for the microwave oven. Max will install the shelf 
bove the ice machine.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Margot Hirsch