THE VILLAGE CARD CLUB
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
July 11, 2008

The meeting was called to order by President Cecil Grattafiori at 2:10 pm.

Attending: Cecil Grattafiori, Jim Bicknell, Peg Birzer, Ginna DeThomas, Lillian Estes, Pam Harris, Cathy Irving, Teri LaBove, Becky Rice, Richard Robertson and Barbara Stiff.

Guests attending: Dick Condon, Tony Hofstede, Fran and Ray Banks and Connie Fitch.

Cecil asked that we add two items to the agenda: the Christmas party and the Election Committee.

Cathy made a motion that the agenda be approved. Teri seconded the motion and all approved.

Teri moved that the minutes of the June 6, 2008 board meeting be approved. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.

Dick Condon reported on the Sectional Tournament. The sanction for April 4 - 5, 2009 has been received. The schedule will be the same as last year and the rooms have been reserved. Dick needs a coordinator. Flyers will be ready for Tunica. There was some discussion of dates for 2010 and it was noted that STAC dates are set by the District.

Board member reports:
Becky reported on the table count for June. There was a 4.5% increase from last year. This computes to a 7.8% increase for the year if the table count is added for the Regional Tournament. There was the largest STAC attendance in June for the past five years. The World Wide Bridge Contest on Friday, June 6th had 11 tables and Becky thanked Ginna amd Teri for their work on getting turn out for this game. She reported that the free mini-lesson on July 2nd had a large attendance and the feedback was positive. Becky thanked Ned for giving his time for this lesson.

Jim reported that there was a profit for the month of June. Cecil noted that ACBL costs for May were recorded in June.

Tony Hofstede had a comment regarding changing cards when boards are duplicated. Apparently there was a recent mix-up of old and new cards.

Cathy said that as a response to a letter she sent to ACBL regarding reimbursement for using their logo in our material, we received a check for $213.93, which was posted in June.

Lillian brought to the board a convention card that Frank Matthews has devised which could be copied on both sides. Frank would pay the club for advertising on the bottom of the card. The copy was shown to all board members and after much discussion, it was determined that the current card is less expensive and therefore use of the current card will be continued.

Teri reported no new members this month. She noted that the $5.00 membership fee will not take effect until next year. Cathy said that the figure was used for those in Swiss Team Marathon who will be joining the club for the next year’s marathon play.

Pam passed out an impressive list of summer classes and received a round of applause for her work in getting these in place so quickly. There was some discussion of advertising and Jim asked that Pam check with him regarding deposits, teacher reports, etc.

Cathy noted that the District has agreed to fund classes for the younger players and questioned whether our club should become involved. After some discussion, Cecil asked that Cathy and Pam check into setting up such a class with one of the schools or the Boys and Girls Club. There was discussion of ordering materials, however Connie Fitch noted that the materials are free from ACBL.

Old Business:
Discussion of attendance at Bridge + was held. Becky reported that the total table count for Bridge Plus from January to June of 2007 was 119 tables and from January to June of 2008 is 77.75 tables, a decrease of 35%. . Cathy noted that the move to evening does not seem to have helped. Robbie pointed out the addition of a new lower strata game at that time. Ginna mentioned that the postcard sent out the first of year was not successful in getting any additional players. Connie Fitch then noted that last week there was a calling committee working on getting additional players. They had five tables last night, although non-eligible players made up one table. Pam then said that although Bridge + comes under the Education Program, she is not ready to act on any changes at this time. Cecil felt that they should continue the present set-up until September, with the calling committee in place and the board would review the matter at that time.

New Business:
Several board members mentioned what they felt were personal comments in the audit of 2007 financial aspects of the club. A discussion of what should be included in the audit was held, with Cathy questioning why an outside audit could not be done. Cecil noted that it is the incoming President’s decision who will do the audit and it was suggested that he let the next year’s President know what some Board members had suggested.

Cecil noted that he had met with Jeannine Williamson, who was last year’s chairperson of the Christmas party committee. He will be meeting with Nan Medcalf and Ginna on Monday to get the plans for the party on track.

Cecil then asked that the board members submit a list of five names of members who might be willing to serve on the Nominating Committee. There was some discussion of the new process and the names will be due to Cecil before the next board meeting.

A motion was made that the meeting be adjourned for a closed meeting to consider a Conduct and Ethics recommendation. The meeting was adjourned at 3:10 pm.

Submitted by: Peg Birzer, Secretary Subject to Board Approval