American Contract Bridge League Unit 522 – Fresno, Inc.

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

 1320 East Shaw Avenue, Suite 100, California 93726

 

August 30, 2009

 

DIRECTORS PRESENT: Richard Meffley, Jill Wood, Margaret Mahaffey, Paul Boyd, Mary Jo Davila, Kay Chrisman, John Simpson, Laura DaCosta, Dora Gostanian, Bert Rettner and Doris Frazer.

GUESTS PRESENT:  Michael Molinari

Richard Meffley called the meeting to order at 11:09 a. m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

The minutes of the June 7, 2009 meeting of the Board were read.   Kay Chrisman made a motion seconded by Jill Wood to approve the minutes as corrected. The Board unanimously approved the minutes.

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Paul Boyd reported on the August 2009 Profit and Loss. 

·         Net Income for August 2009 was a minus $2,317.05.

·         Paul reported that one of our Certificate of Deposits came due and it was renewed a just over 2%.

·         Paul reported that the pro-rata amount to bring our rent due date to the first of each month was $1,906.33.  This amount and the September rent in the amount of $4,570.95 was been paid. 

·         Kay Chrisman offered for discussion the subject of how funds were allocated to pay clubhouse bills.  Kay reminded the Board that at the last meeting of the Board, there was discussion as to where the shortage would come from to cover the lease payments and statements were made by several of the Board members indicating their understanding that this decision was already agreed and voted on by the Board.  Kay stated that she had researched previous minutes to discover when this agreement was made and was not able to find an approved motion that stated definitively where the shortfall would come from.

·         Kay Chrisman offered a motion, seconded by Jill Wood stating that all expenses incurred as a result of the move to 1320 E. Shaw would be paid out of the Building Fund and the funds designated as Fund Raising Funds would be put into the Clubhouse account to cover monthly shortfalls.  Other solutions to cover the monthly shortfall would be considered by the Board when the Fund Raising funds begin to run out.  After much discussion, a vote was called and approved by all members with the exception of Paul Boyd who opposed the motion. 

A motion was offered by Margaret Mahaffey, seconded by Dora Gostanian to approve the Treasurer’s report and the Board unanimously approved the motion.

EDUCATION RECRUITMENT COMMITTEE:

·         Michael Molinari reported that a new class of beginning lessons started August 28, 2009 with 12 students.

·         Michael offered for approval a new Beginning Bridge Policy, dated August 30, 2009.  The specific change in the policy is related to the collection and distribution of player fee.

1.      The cost for each series of lessons will increase from $8 to $10 plus the cost of the book.

2.      The presenter/director will pay the Unit $12 per table ($3 per player) for the use of the Bridge center

3.      The Treasurer will distribute the player fees as $8 per table to the Clubhouse Account and $4 into the Education-Recruitment program. 

CLUBHOUSE:

·         Kay Chrisman reported that all outdoor lights are now working.

·         The linoleum has been repaired, however more tiles are coming up and the property manager has been notified.

·         The filtered water faucet in the kitchen has been repaired.

·         Security needs have been met at the expense of the owners of the property.

·         It was discovered just prior to the 299er tournament that the keys to the men’s restroom did not work, but this was resolved prior to the start of the tournament.

·         After much research, new chair gliders have been installed on several chairs at the clubhouse for testing as to movement on carpet.  A decision will be made in the following weeks.

·         On 8/14/09, a request was sent to the property manager for approval to rent additional space during the October sectional.  This is still pending.

·         On 8/14/09, a request was sent to the property manager to have the janitorial staff spot clean the carpets on a weekly basis per out lease agreement.  This request has been acknowledged, but still in pending status.

·         On 8/20/09, the property manager left a memo to all tenants regarding the Kiwanis Club using the parking lot during CSUF football games.  The specific dates affect one Friday night game, one Saturday afternoon game and Saturday, October 31st which is the weekend of our Fall Sectional.  Our needs have been addressed with the property manager and with the Kiwanis club and reserved parking will be provided to meet our needs.  Players entering the parking lot during these specific dates will only have to inform the attendant that they are attending a bridge game and they will be directed to our reserved spaces.

SECTIONALS: 

·         John Simpson reported that the Non-Life Master Sectional was a success netting a profit of $1,262.09. Many Board members agreed and stated they had heard many, many compliments on the accommodations and food.

·         John discussed the potential need for additional directors if we are to place tables in additional space within our complex.   John stated that Kay Chrisman has offered to assist Diane Barton Payne and other directors could help if needed.  Jill Wood will call ACBL to ask for their approval.

·         John has negotiated a room rate of $89 at the Piccadilly University for participants in the Fall Sectional.

·         John reported that flyers for the Fall Sectional have been sent for distribution at all Regional events.

NEW BUSINESS:

·         District 21 Election:  Jill Wood gave the members an overview of each candidate’s qualifications.  Ballots were distributed; members voted and sealed their ballots in an envelope which was given to Richard Meffley for bulk mailing.

·         District 21 Good Will award:  The Board agreed to nominate Kay Chrisman for the award.

·         Other:  Jill Wood advised the Board that Sheila Smith, due to personal reasons, was no longer able to provide the dinner she donated for the silent auction during the Unit’s open house.  Sheila Smith will pay the $450 to reimburse Mun Takeda, the winner of the auction.

·         Christmas Party:  The Unit’s annual Christmas party is scheduled for December 13, 2009.

·         Unit Events: A pro/am team game with potluck is scheduled for September 20, 2009.   Ten Unit Championship games will be scheduled at the Unit games through September 2009.  Fourteen more to be scheduled by end of year.

·         Kay Chrisman offered for approval a Non-Sanctioned Bridge Lesson policy for review and approval.  Non-Sanctioned Bridge Lessons are those classes that are held at the clubhouse but are not sanction and/or approved by the Board as Unit Bridge Lessons.  The policy states the following:

1.      The Clubhouse Manager has the authority to approve the use of the teaching room for private

Bridge lessons given by Unit Members to members and non-members of the Unit provided that:

·         The Director and/or Club Owner using the large playing room have been advised in advance of the proposed activity.

·         The proposed lessons provide the possibility of benefiting the Unit by increasing players and membership in the Unit.

·         Attendees of the lessons enter and exit by the door provided in the teaching room and in no way disturb the game in process in the large playing room,

·         Bathroom keys will be made available to the attendees in the teaching room as well as water, glasses and any refreshments the teacher furnishes.

·         Table fees and rent for the use of the room will not be charged by the Unit.

After discussion, Bert Rettner made a motion to approve the policy, seconded by Doris Frazer and the Board unanimously approved the new policy providing for a review after one year.

·         Kay Chrisman offered for approval a new policy for Novice, 49er and 99er games held by the Unit.  The policy states the following:

Games held for players under 100 Master Points are deemed to be educational and not income generating.  The players are to be nurtured and prepared for other games offered at the Bridge Center.  The Board of Directors shall approve the start up and continuance of these games based on the benefit to the Unit.

1.      Independent games:  Rent and table fees will not be charged on games with less than four tables.  ACBL fees will be paid by the Unit or Director as applicable.  The Director will receive compensation of $75 and reimbursement for cookies.  Any remaining money shall be given to the Treasurer to be recorded as miscellaneous income.

·         Games run as an added section to an open game:  Rent and table fees will be paid as follows:

o   When both sections are run by one Director, rent and table fees will be charged based on the total tables in both sections.

o   When the Novice section is run by the Unit with a separate Director, table fees will not be charged if the section has less than 3 ½ tables and rent will not be charged if the section has less than 5 tables.  The Director shall be paid $75 and any remaining money after expenses will be given to the Treasurer to be recorded as miscellaneous income.

After discussion, Bert Rettner made a motion to approve the policy, seconded by Doris Frazer and the Board unanimously approved the new policy providing for a review after one year.

 

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors will be on October 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fresno Bridge Center.

 

AS THERE WAS NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO DISCUSS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 12:50 pm.