THE VILLAGE CARD CLUB
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
August 21, 2009

The meeting was called to order by President Dick Condon at 2:15 p.m.

ATTENDING: Condon, Harris, Cosby, Estes, Bertnolli, Fischer, Irving, Fetters. Absent: Waugh, Luehring

GUESTS: Andy Cosby, Peg Birzer, Teri LaBove, Rick Wendricks

AGENDA APPROVAL: Motion was made by Fetters to approve the agenda. It was seconded and approved by unanimous vote.

PREVIOUS MONTH’S MINUTES: There being no additions or corrections to the July minutes, Bertnolli made a motion to approve said minutes. It was seconded and approved by unanimous vote.

DIRECTORS REPORTS:
Publicity: Bertnolli reported that the game report for two weeks ago did not appear in The Voice because the “Clubs and Organizations” staff person was out of town. They will not appear this week because Pat was out of town.

Purchasing: Estes reported that pick-up slips had been ordered and had also been picked up and placed in their appropriate place. She also reported that she had straightened the kitchen and it was ready for the tournament. Nancy Arterburn’s name has been added to the list of approved people to charge on the club’s credit card and that Nancy should be responsible for obtaining supplies for the Better Bridgers. It was discussed that the club did not own any dishtowels, but that there are five towels that are in the cabinet.

Game Manager: Fetters reported that the YTD table count of 5806 is the highest at the end of July in VCC history—100 tables higher than the previous record in 2006, due almost entirely to the new Thursday morning Better Bridger’s game. Sanctioned games, while 182 tables ahead of last year, are still 83 tables behind our 2005 record. She also reported that the International Fund Friday night pot luck, organized by T. LaBove, drew 11 tables and favorable response. A discussion of adding a regular Friday night pot luck game will be a part of New Business. Fetters reported that the 3rd Sunday Swiss Team game will be removed from the schedule of games because there has been no member interest in the game for the past several months.

Treasurer: S. Cosby reported July Net Income for July of $263.49. YTD Net Income was $4022.90. She stated that this positive position is, for the most part, because of the approximate $7000 from the Regional Tournament. She also reported that every employee of the club is on direct deposit this month, that she paid taxes by e-pay, and that pay stubs were e-mailed to employees. Last month she wrote zero checks. All bills were paid electronically. She reported that she has very explicit instructions for these procedures in the Treasurer’s files.

Vice-President: P. Harris presented a very thorough report from the Education Committee meeting held July 28, 2009. One recommendation that came out of this meeting was that the Education Committee should remain as it is presently constituted. However, they did have recommendations on how to structure the Education Committee, to get better feedback to the Committee, and to provide for continuity (as there are no term limits on committee members. The recommended that the Bylaws be amended to provide for the following committee members—Vice President (Chairman); A Player (1000+ Masterpoints); B Player (100-1000 Masterpoints); C Player (1-99 Masterpoints); Game Director Representative; Teacher Representative; Easybridge! Coordinator; Player Development (ex officio); Publicity (ex officio). Suggestions were also given regarding Classes, Workshops, and General Instruction in the Club. Pam also reported that the Practice Knock-Out session for the Intermediate/Novice Players was a great success. It even made a tiny amount of profit! Peg Birzer, who was one of the organizers of the event shared that she received several comments from participants of the event who want the event repeated several times a year.

Player Development: C. Irving reported that she had received several affirmatives from novice players who would be interested in taking the Club Series if it was offered this fall.

Membership: Luehring absent so no report given.

CORRESPONDENCE: From ACBL, the VCC received news that we are being awarded two more upgraded club championships because of the increase in ACBL memberships. Upon inspection of the list of new members, it was noted that a large majority of the new members are Easybridge! participants.

OLD BUSINESS:
Agenda & Resolutions: President Condon stated that more attention will be paid to Agenda items and Resolutions. If an item is not on the published agenda it will not be acted on. He also required that resolutions are to be in board members’ hands prior to the meeting so that each board member can education him/herself on all aspects of the resolution and discuss it knowledgeably.

Easybridge! Facilitator: Fish or Fowl: Easybridge! structure was discussed. It was explained that on Thursday and Saturday there is a game director. The lesson is given by a “Presenter” and there is a “Helper” who serves as an assistant presenter to be available to answer questions for players when the Presenter is assisting other players.

A motion was made by S. Cosby as follows: “Game Clerk: $10 session. Only one clerking fee will be paid when 2 or more games are run concurrently. Duplicate Game Directors shall receive the greater of $32 or $21 per session play $1 per table plus a $3 supplement for a 2-session game conducted consistent with VCC policies. A Game Director shall receive a $7 game clerk fee when also the Clerk. If a game is cancelled after the Game Director’s arrival, he/she shall be paid $10. If the size or complexity of a game warrants two or more directors sharing game management responsibilities, each shall receive $21 plus a proportionate share of the applicable table count fee. The Club Manager may authorize reasonable payment for extended assignments; for example, $10 per set for duplicating boards.”

After an extended discussion, the motion was amended to separate the Clerk Fee proposal from the Game Director proposal. Thereafter, the Game Director motion was seconded and approved. The Clerk Fee motion died for lack of a second.

Because there had been a great deal of discussion and dissatisfaction among VCC members with the decision to have a potluck Christmas Dinner, it was brought up for reexamination. The pros and cons of both the potluck and the catered meal were discussed at length. The motion for changing this back to a catered meal was tabled until the Social Chairman can obtain information on the cost of both methods of providing a meal. It will be discussed at the September board meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

A request from N. Irving for $900 seed money for the upcoming 299er tournament was approved.

A Friday night open game was approved for the 2nd Friday night of each month was approved. This will include a potluck dinner, which will be organized by Teri LaBove. It was noted that Teri will not be the director for this game. Tony Hofstede will direct the game.

In the absence of N. Luehring, the Community Fair discussion will be at a later date.

Estes made a motion that new Bid Box Inserts be purchased. The motion was seconded. This will be an expenditure of $1008.76. It was noted that the inserts are five years old. The motion passed.

C. Irving proposed a motion that a fund be established that will enable contributions to be given for the specific purpose of purchasing a dealing machine. After discussion, the motion was amended to include the appointment of a 5-person team to study all aspects of dealing machines, to compare the various brands available, to contact clubs that currently use dealing machines, and evaluate the overall benefits a dealing machine provides a club. The motion was seconded and approved. There was one dissenting vote.

After a discussion of the virtues/perceived problems of pre-dealt hands, S. Cosby made a motion to leave the determination of how hands will be prepared to the Club Manager. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved

The regular meeting was adjourned at 4:35.

A closed session convened at 4:40.

In the absence of D. Waugh, the minutes are prepared and submitted by Cathy Irving.