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

April 20, 2006

 

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

DIRECTORS NOT PRESENT:  Richard Betcher and Mary Lou DaCosta

INVITED QUESTS:  Jill Wood

RICHARD MEFFLEY, PRESIDENT, CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:41 P.M.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  The minutes of the April 20, 2006 meeting of the Board were unanimously approved as corrected.

 

TREASURER REPORT:

John Renna reported the net income as of March 3l, 2006 was $6,727.85, an increase of $115.91 over the same period in 2005.  The Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Statement as of March 31, 2006 were unanimously approved as presented.

 

NEW MEMBER RECRUITMENT:

  1. Paul Boyd and Judy Nicholson presented a telephone Survey Outline, which would be used to solicit information from members who have not played at the club in 2006.  The Survey will solicit information as to the reasons they are no longer playing at the Fresno Bridge Club and what can be done to bring them back to the club to play.  The Board voted unanimously to proceed with the program.
  2. The Education Committee requested a budget of $500 for miscellaneous expenses that might occur during their research and development of educational programs.  The Board voted unanimously to approve the budget.

 

2006 EVENTS: 

Richard proposed a 2006 Fresno Unit Annual Bracketed Knock-Out Team event.  If approved, the event would run on three Sundays beginning with the first in June, the second and third in July 2006.  The Board was unable to establish specific dates at this time because of several conflicts.  The matter was held over to the next Board meeting.

 

DISTRICT AFFILIATION:

Jill Wood and Richard Meffley presented the results of their research into the differences between District 21 and District 22 and the pros and cons of belonging to one over the other.  After the discussion, Jill and Richard agreed that the only significant difference was the location of the District level finals for the Grand National Teams and the North American Pairs competitions.  District 21 holds the district level finals in the San Francisco or San Jose areas and District 22 holds their district level finals in the San Diego area.  The convenience of traveling the shorter distance to the San Francisco area to compete in the district finals might encourage more players to compete in the Unit level GNT and NAP events.  It was agreed that prior to making a decision to leave District 22 and join District

21, the Unit 22 membership should have time to weigh the pros and cons and provide feedback to the Board.  An article will be placed in the Aces, Places newsletter which is provided to all members in Unit 522 advising that the Board is considering a possible move to District 21 and why this matter is under consideration.  Members will be asked to provide feedback to any Board member or to an e-mail address provided for this purpose.

 

 

CLUBHOUSE:

Paul Messner asked the Board to approve an expenditure to (1) replace bidding box inserts for forty (40) existing bidding boxes, (2) purchase new green pass cards for the remaining bidding boxes and (3) purchase new “1♣” bidding cards for the remaining bidding boxes.  The estimated cost for these items is $300.  The Board unanimously approved the expenditure.

 

ROSTER:

Mark Stern has volunteered to update and publish a new roster of members. The pink one now being used by the membership was published in 2004 and is missing many new members.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Richard advised the Board that his May 19th Friday night game will be cancelled because the date conflicts with the Visalia Sectional.  Richard asked that he not be required to pay rent for that specific date.  The Board unanimously approved the request.

 

  1. Fresno Bridge Center Management:

Dave Shuster brought up for discussion, how best to operate the Fresno Bridge Center to insure not only the multiplicity of games but also the increase in players (members) to the games.  The last several years has shown a steady decline in players and a demographic study of existing players indicates this decline will continue.  Therefore, the Board must study not only programs to bring in new players but how the Fresno Bridge Center should be operated and managed to best serve and accommodate new and existing players.  Promoting the Fresno Bridge Center (advertising) and providing lessons to bring in new players will be expensive.  Where do these funds come from?  Some Bridge Clubs run successfully by owning all the games, which allow the profits from the games to be put to use promoting and increasing all games offered at the Bridge Club.  Is this a viable option for the Fresno Bridge Center? If it is, it could be phased in as existing Club Owners decide to retire.  Dave asked the Board to continue discussions and consider all options that will benefit the Fresno Bridge Center.  Subject was tabled for further discussions at the next Board meeting.

 

The next regular Board Meeting will be held Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 5:30 p.m.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

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