American Contract Bridge League Unit 522 – Fresno, Inc.

A Non-profit Corporation Serving Fresno, Madera and Mariposa Counties

2415 East Clinton Avenue, Fresno, California 93703

Unit Board Minutes


DIRECTORS PRESENT:  Richard Meffley, John Renna, Margaret Mahaffey, Judy Nicholson, Kay Chrisman, Dave Shuster and Paul Messner.

DIRECTORS NOT PRESENT:  Howard Reed, Richard Betcher, Paul Boyd, and Mary Lou DaCosta


RICHARD MEFFLEY, PRESIDENT, CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:45 P.M.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  The minutes of the January 26, 2006 meeting of the Board were unanimously approved as presented.

TREASURER REPORT:  John Renna presented the financial reports dated January 31, 2006. 

  1. The Balance Sheet states a Net Income in the amount of $1,950.82.
  2. The Building Fund balance is $135,955.52
  3. Other Current Assets is stated as $637.23.  The amount represents an inventory of EZBridge books to be used in future classes.
  4. The Balance Sheet now reflects separate balances for the Building Fund and the Memorial Fund.
  5. Maggie Mahaffey suggested that monthly financial reports be posted at the Clubhouse once approved by the Board and volunteered to post the reports on the Bulletin Board each month.

After a motion was offered and seconded, the Board unanimously approved the Financial Reports.

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW MEMBER RECRUITMENT:

Judy Nicholson reported on the progress she and Paul Boyd have made in their preparations to present a plan to the Board on recruiting new members.  Judy suggested several ways to advertise our Club Games and future EZBridge classes through flyers, newspapers and radio.

BUILDING FUND:

·John Renna stated that fund raising for the Building Fund is very difficult because donations are not considered Charitable Donations.  John suggested a possible solution, but asked that he be given more time to gather more information and present his plan.

·        Howard will be asked to continue chairing the committee to review Facility options.

WINTER SECTIONAL:

Judy Nicholson reported that everything is in place to accommodate the good turn out she is expecting.  She reminds everyone to please bring food!


OLD BUSINESS: continued

MEMBERSHIP IN DISTRICT 22 VS. DISTRICT 21:

Tabled for another meeting.

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR 2006:

Judy Nicholson made a motion to cancel the 2006 June Sectional as it is poorly attended and looses money.  The motion was seconded, and after discussion the Board voted to approve the motion with Dave Shuster abstaining.


NEW BUSINESS:

CLUBHOUSE MANAGEMENT:

Paul Messner suggested that many of the bidding boxes along with their inserts are old, dirty, broken and very much in need of attention.  Paul offered his services and was quickly appointed to the position of Unit Manager of Bridge Supplies.  

ZERO TOLERANCE:

Three separate incidents were discussed where the actions of players did not meet the Zero Tolerance standards as published in the Unit’s Zero Tolerance Policy.  Richard Meffley suggested that players who do not adhere to our policy be punished by an adjustment in their score as recommended in our policy.    The following excerpts are taken directly from the Units’s published policy.

<>“Acceptable behavior:
    1.    Being a good 'host' or 'guest' at the table
    2.    Greeting others in a friendly manner.
    3.    Praising the bidding and/or play of the opponents .
    4.    Having two clearly completed convention cards readily available to the opponents  <>
Unacceptable behavior:
    1. Badgering, rudeness, insinuations, intimidation, profanity, threats, or violence.
    2. Negative comments concerning opponents' or partner's play or bidding.
<>    3. Constant and gratuitous lessons and analyses at the table.
    4. Loud and disruptive arguing with a director's rulings.

If a player at the table behaves in an unacceptable manner, the director should be called immediately. Annoying behavior, embarrassing remarks, or any other conduct which might interfere with the enjoyment of the game is specifically prohibited by Law 74A”.

The ACBL Policy states procedures for Directors to follow:

II.   “The director, when called, shall make an assessment of the situation. If it is established that there was unacceptable behavior, an immediate ¼ board disciplinary penalty (3 IMP in team games) shall be assigned to all offenders. This may involve any one or all four players at the table irrespective of who initiated the unacceptable behavior. If both members of a partnership are guilty, the penalties are additive (¼ board EACH = ½ board!).

IV. Warnings are strongly discouraged and will be given only when there is no clear violation or in cases where the facts cannot be determined. Offenders are to receive immediate penalties. Regardless of who may have initiated unacceptable behavior. ALL offenses are punishable. Retaliatory behavior is a punishable offense. Frivolous accusations will also be considered as offenses under this policy”.


ZERO TOLERANCE: continued

The Board of Directors strongly believes that assignment of disciplinary penalties will improve the overall behavior at our games.  A Zero Tolerance Report Form is available at the Directors desk for players to report incidents, which occur away from the table, which occur at the table where no penalty was assessed and for directors to document complaints and action taken. Completed incident reports should be send to Dave Shuster, the Unit’s Recorder. 


SUNDAY UNIT GAME:

John Renna suggested several ways to build the Sunday afternoon game by offering competitive special games.  Maggie Mahaffey and John will work together to put some of these games on the calendar.


DISRUPTIONS TO THE GAME

Paul Messner stated that players, who leave the table to smoke in between rounds, greatly delay and disrupt the flow of the game.  The discussion resulted in a suggestion that Directors offer a five-minute smoking break mid way through the game.

Cell phones was again brought up by Judy Nicholson as a disruption to the game.  Judy stated that the ringing of cell phones is disruptive, but even more disruptive is players who talk on their cell phones at the bridge table.  It was suggested that cell phones could be restricted at Unit games, however no action was taken.  Richard suggested that Club Owners might want to put in place some policy regarding cell phones during their games.


APPOINTMENTS:

Hospitality Chairman – Judy Nicholson                         Membership – Maggie Mahaffee

Recorder – Dave Shuster                                                    Sunshine – Kim Morris

Publicity – Dave Shuster                                                    APF – Richard Meffley

Nap/Gnt – Richard Meffley                                                 Judiciary – Emmy Camp

Parliamentarian – Kay Chrisman                                              Historian – Verlee O’Neill

Bridge Supplies – Paul Messner                                     Business Manager – Mary Lou DaCosta

Computer Graphics – Charlene Sweet, Kay Chrisman (Backup)         

Novice – Paul Messner                                                           Charity Chairman – Rick Betcher

Clubhouse Maintenance and Repairs – Bruce Smith

Education Chairman and Electronic Contact will be published after the nominees have accepted the positions.


As there was no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.


Kay Chrisman, Unit Secretary