THE VILLAGE CARD CLUB
Semi-annual General Meeting
June 11, 2009

The meeting was called to order by President Dick Condon at 12:40 P.M.

The President began with a "Welcome back" for Harriet Needling who has been absent for quite some time. Harriet is 95 years of age and still enjoys playing duplicate bridge.

He also announced that the club has two new directors, Cathy Irving and Becky Rice.

Verdie White, who resides in Hot Springs but is a member of our club, was elected president of the Hot Springs bridge club. Verdie thanked the Village Card Club members who supported her in her quest for office. She also thanked the Club for being such a friendly club.

AGENDA APPROVAL: Jim Farrell moved to approve the agenda. This was seconded and was passed.

PREVIOUS SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES: Rick Wendricks moved to accept the minutes of the December 11, 2008, semi-annual meeting. This was seconded and approved.

STATE OF THE CLUB REPORT: There were two Board of Director changes. Cathy Irving was named Player Development Director. Pat Bertnolli was appointed as Publicity Director.

The Sectional Tournament was a huge success, with a total of 481 tables and a net income of $7,122.

The Better Bridgers group, which has been playing at the Coronado Center is joining the club, effective July 1. Their game will be on Thursday mornings. Ray Hull is the coordinator of this group.

Dick Condon presented Certificates of Appreciation to: Vicki Jennings for her donation of table caddies, Wally Johnson and Dale Stollsteimer for the repair on the chairs prior to the Sectional Tournament, Jerry Bertrand and Jim Crawford for the audit of our 2008 finances, the Spring Fling Sectional Tournament Chairs for their outstanding work and Easybridge! volunteers Andy Cosby, Peg Birzer, Vicki Jennings, Cathy Irving, Becky Rice and Ginna DeThomas.

All volunteers of the various activities were honored by name and stood for recognition and applause.

DIRECTORS REPORTS: Sheila Cosby, Treasurer, reported that we are ahead of our proposed budgeted deficit due to Sectional Tournament income. Without the tournaments the club operated at a loss of over $10,000 for the past two years. The Finance Committee will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Pam Harris, Director of Education, presented a report on the summer class schedule.

Alicia Fetters, game manager, announced the total table count for May was 779. The total table count for the year, January through May was 4065.25 which is virtually the same as last year.

Cathy Irving gave a report on the VCC Outreach program. The purpose of the program is to plan methods of getting Villagers to come to the VCC to participate in the club activities. Various strategies were mentioned to obtain this goal.

All the Directors reports are posted on the bulletin boards at the Club and on the Web site.

OLD BUSINESS:

The Rose Memorial Garden Committee asked for donations for another plant in memory of Peg Tompos who passed away recently.

Ginna DeThomas was presented with the Sally Blevins Award. This award goes to the player with less the 300 points who earns the most points for the year.

NEW BUSINESS: Ned Irving reported on the 299'er Tournament that will be held August 28th, 29th and 30th. There are various workshops set up for the month of July to help the 299'ers learn team strategy, scoring and when and how to make director calls.

The Long Range Planning Committee had recommended a $.50 increase in card fees, to be voted on at the December General Meeting. Due to the increased income from the tournament, and the anticipated additional Thursday morning games, this recommendation is under advisement only and the financial committee will report further, if increase is needed.

AMENDMENTS to BY-LAWS: Article V, Section 5C: The proposal reads; Whereas the Village Card Club, Inc. (VCC) Board of Directors (BOD) has canceled the Bridge Plus program, be it Resolved that Article V, Section 5C be changed to read "monitor the transition of players from education courses to novice and entry games, and from lower to higher strata games." Estelle White moved to approve the change, seconded and passed.

Article VII, Section 3: Wording was changed to read, "The candidate selection process 3 weeks prior to the date of the election." Jeannine Williamson moved to accept the time change. This was seconded and passed.

Article VII, Section 5: The new wording will be "Printed ballots will be provided for all members at the Election. A plurality vote will determine the winner of the election. Election results will be made available to members. A candidate may inquire about his/her tally only." Mickey Washington moved to accept this change, seconded and passed.

Facilities Committee By-Laws Amendment: Establish a standing committee in the By-Laws whose responsibility would be the physical and mechanical areas of the Casa de Carta. As problems arise, or are anticipated, the Facilities Committee would make recommendations to, or give options to the Village Card Club, inc. Board of Directors (BOD). The BOD could then make an informed decision to be expedited by the Facilities Committee or the BOD." Diana Podawiltz moved to accept this amendment. Seconded and passed. The members of this committee are Wally Johnson, Pat Luehring, and Richard Robertson. Bob Ingels has volunteered to be on the committee.

CONSTITUTION CHANGE PROPOSAL: Article V, Amendments, Section 2. It was proposed that the Village Card Club, Inc. adopt a voting period of one week prior to the Semi-Annual General Meeting via prepared ballots.

Dick Banks moved for a discussion of this proposed change. Seconded and approved. Following the discussion, Pam Harris requested a vote on the subject. Estelle White moved that the change be approved. This was seconded and unanimously rejected. Without the passage of this amendment, the other three were moot. A resolution to not discuss these three items came from the floor, and was unanimously approved. It was passed, eliminating the reading and discussion. Rick Wendricks moved to vote on this resolution, seconded and passed.

Rick Wendricks moved the meeting adjourn, it was seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 1:28 P.M.

Submitted by Doris J. Waugh, Secretary