The meeting was called to order by President Dick Condon at 2:02 P.M.
ATTENDING: Dick Condon, Sheila Cosby, Doris Waugh, Lillian Estes, Cathy Irving, Nancy Luehring, Pat Bernolli and Vonna Fischer.ABSENT: Alicia Fetters and Pam Harris.
GUESTS: Ronnie Rice, Becky Rice, Fran Banks, Ray Banks, Peg Birzer, Andy Cosby, Betty Schultz, Teri LaBove and Gina Doss.
AGENDA APPROVAL: Pat Bertnolli moved to accept the agenda as amended. This was seconded and passed.
PREVIOUS MONTH’S MINUTES: Pat Bertnolli moved to accept the minutes as amended. Seconded and passed.
DIRECTORS REPORTS: Pat Bertnolli reported that three weeks ago the Village Voice omitted the bridge scores. This was corrected in the following Voice.
Lillian Estes gave thanks to Wally Johnson for re-doing the storage room. In the course of moving things around a moldy wall was discovered. The POA repaired this problem. She also commented that Robbie Robertson has found a new and less expensive source for ink cartridges. Lillian also reported the purchase of storage containers for the Christmas decorations.
Nancy Luehring stated that we have 353 paid members so far for next year. She plans to send e-mails to remind the non-paid members that dues must be paid by December 31.
Cathy Irving reported that the bidding classes were going well. “Play of the Hand” classes begin in January. She also reported that two of the students, Betty and Tom Winkler did very well at the DeGray tournament. They won two 0-49’er games and one 0-299’er game. They placed first overall in their category and were in the top 26% from the Village Card Club.
Cathy Irving gave the Game Manager report in the absence of Alicia. The table count for the month of September was 802.5. The total count from January through September was 7481.5. This represents a 6.5% increase over last year. October showed a total table count of 987.5. The total table count through October was 8,469, a 7.9% increase over the last year. The National American Pairs produced 52 tables. Dick Condon commended Alicia Fetters for all her hard work to make the NAP a success. Vonna Fischer reported that there will be a total of 16 sanctioned games for next year, 4 non-sanctioned games and 7 special games.
Sheila Cosby reported a gross profit of approximately $7,000. However, with expenses and losses factored in we are about $1,000 better than last year.
CORRESPONDENCE: Thank you notes and letters were received from the Woodlands Auditorium, the Farnsworth family and the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute for donations made in memory of Jan Farnsworth.
Thank you notes were also received from Jessieville and Fountain Lake schools for the donations made with proceeds from our charity game.
OLD BUSINESS: Lillian Estes moved that the open game on the last Monday in September be named the “Jan Farnsworth Memorial Game”. This memorial game will be an annual event. The motion was seconded and passed. Donations will be taken for a wall plaque honoring Jan. After a lengthy discussion it was decided that guidelines were needed for future honorariums. Pat Bertnolli will write these guidelines.
The “Dealer 4” dealing machine is scheduled to arrive on Monday, November 16. With luck it should be up and running within a week. Sheila Cosby reported a total of $4,285 was donated. A club orientation program is being planned. Dick Condon commended Cathy Irving and Sheila Cosby for their efforts in collecting these donations. Computer generated hands will be used in the games with two or more sections. All other games will be under the guidelines of the Director’s Manual, the Club Manager and the Game Manager.
Cathy Irving requested a refund for “out of pocket” postage.
Dick Condon proposed a limit of $150 for Christmas party gifts and drawing prizes. Sheila Cosby moved to accept this limit, seconded and passed. There will be a total of 15 door prizes. Voting for the 2010 Board of Directors begins on Tuesday, December 1 and runs through Tuesday December 8. Voting may be done from 11:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Contact Ellen Weber for absentee ballots.
• NEW BUSINESS:
Village Card Club gift certificates for games and classes are available. These certificates begin with a dollar value of $7.00 through $50.00. These may be purchased through the Education and Player Development committees.
• The 2011 sectional will be held April 1, 2, and 3. • • Dick Condon asked for permission to host the next quarterly President’s breakfast. Verdie White, Hot Springs Bridge House president hosted the latest one. This group consists of Verdie, Dick Condon and Dick Heil from Little Rock. Doris Waugh moved that the club reimburse Dick for his expenses. This was seconded and passed.
• A lengthy discussion was held concerning the establishment of a 0-499’er game or a Non-life Master game. Doris Waugh moved to leave the games as they are. This was seconded and approved.
• The Board decided there was nothing to discuss concerning a complaint of talking politics at the table. First Amendment rights were mentioned. Also, if someone is unhappy about the discussion, they are free to leave the table.
• The purchase of a copy machine is being contemplated. Sheila reported that the club has paid $1,185.36 for copies. This includes the printing of the membership books. The Board would like anyone with knowledge of copiers to contact them. A panel will be appointed to research the purchase. Announcements will be made at the games concerning this.
• Wally Johnson has removed the Club marquee at the front gate due to it’s poor condition. The board okayed the expense for repairs.
• Cathy Irving moved that no recording of the board meetings should take place without prior board approval. This was seconded and passed.
• Sheila Cosby moved that the club purchase 42 BridgePads. This is a wireless bridge scoring system that has been used in both the Tunica Regional and the DeGray Sectional tournaments. The VCC players who used them were impressed with them. This was seconded and passed.
• The Board approved the purchase of $10 Wal-Mart gift certificates as Christmas gifts for the Club directors.
• There will be three weeks of STaC games in 2010. Doris Waugh moved that the Wednesday game become an open game during STaC week. This was seconded and passed.
• Doris Waugh moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:29 P.M. Seconded and passed.
• Submitted by Doris Waugh, Secretary