Muncie Duplicate Bridge Club

 

Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting

 

 

1. The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m., November 29, 2007. Present were Patti Lang, Jack Madsen, Ella Reff, Mike Spurgeon, and Jon Williams.

 

2. Treasurer’s Report. Jon provided information from our Club Treasurer, Andrea Eavey. As of the October bank statement, the club has $4,366 in the checking account. The savings account, as of September 30 (statements are quarterly for this account) contained $8,285. Also:

 

            a. Through October 31, income from player fees is $7,286 and expenses are $7,457.

 

            b. Also through October 31, we have had 2,548 participants (including first-time players who play free and social game/lesson participants who pay $1).

 

            c. The savings account is earning .5% (half of one percent) interest. The bank, Mutual Federal, has certificates of deposit available at much higher rates, currently 4.6% for a 7 month CD and 4.5% for a 19 month CD. One disadvantage of the CDs is that the money would not be readily available. Mike suggested we hold off committing funds to CDs until we determine possible equipment expenditures and the board agreed.

 

3. Christmas Party. Forty-four people (11 tables!!) have signed up for the Christmas party December 5 at the Anderson Country Club. The party begins with a cash bar at 5:15 p.m., buffet dinner is at 6:00 and bridge at 7:00. Dixie and the social committee requested $50 for incidental expenses and this was approved by the board.

 

4. Friday game. Ella reported on the Friday game, which is a sanctioned duplicate the 1^st and 3^rd Fridays and a social game the 2^nd and 4^th Fridays.

 

            a. Since these began in June, 35 people not regular club members have participated in one or more Friday sessions. Of these, 15 have played in the Friday sanctioned duplicate and 5 of the 15 have come to the Monday or Wednesday evening duplicate.

 

            b. Jon reported that the financial records show that in the past 3 months there have been an average of 3.5 tables in the sanctioned game and 27 people at the social game.

 

 

            c. Based on the attendance figures, the board members agreed that the Friday games should continue. Ella noted that she had not intended to teach at these games indefinitely and so the board is looking for volunteers to teach.

 

            d. To assist the volunteer teacher, the board agreed to purchase the ACBL Club series teaching materials if those are still available.

 

5. Electronic scoring equipment:

 

            a. Patti presented information from BridgePad, a maker of electronic scoring equipment. The system consists of a handheld device at each table which is used to enter the contract and result for each board. The table unit sends the information to a base station which is connected to the computer running ACBLScore, which is automatically updated. Scores are then available immediately after the last board is played.

 

            b. BridgePad systems are available in 8, 12, and 18 table units. The cost for the 12 unit bundle is $1,995. The base station costs an additional $175, and two carrying cases cost $85. Total investment would be $2,255. The units operate on AA batteries, the first set of which are included. According to the manufacturer’s web site, a 30-day free trial is available.

 

            c. A similar system is marketed under the name BridgeMate, but that company’s web site does not give cost information.

 

            d. The advantage of having BridgePad is that scores are available immediately after the last board is played. This would save up to 15 minutes on those nights when all boards are finished at the same time.

 

6. Electrical problems at the Senior Center. This was a discussion item because some problems with the lighting had been noticed. Jack reported that the Senior Center had caused maintenance to be performed recently. The board agreed that this was a matter for the Senior Center and not the club.

 

7. Social committee.

 

            a. Dixie, on behalf of the social committee, presented a proposal for four annual events: a Valentine’s party, a July member carry in, an October Halloween party, and a Christmas party. All are to be held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled game and all except the Christmas Party to be held at the Senior Center. The board concurred generally but would like fore information about the carry in and will discuss that further.

 

            b. Ella said she would like someone to take her place on the social committee and so the board is asking for a volunteer to work with Dixie and Regina.

8. Bridge laws and proprieties. The directors agreed at the last meeting to develop brief explanations of the laws and proprieties applicable to situations which occur often. Those are now nearly complete and will be presented beginning in January. The initial topics are: When and how to alert (Patti); What happens if there is a failure to alert (Mike); Opening lead rules (Jon); Dummy rights and limitations (Jack); Ethics (Ella); and Claims & concessions (Jon).

 

9. There is a new IRS requirement for tax exempt organizations which have under $25,000 annual revenue, a category that includes our club, to file an information return. The first return is due May 15, 2008, for calendar year 2007.

 

10. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

 

 

Jon Williams

Club Manager