The Village Card Club Board of Directors Meeting
January 15, 2010 -- Minutes

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

ATTENDING: Richard Condon, Vicki Jennings, Vonna Fischer,Nancy Luehring,Peg Birzer,Chuck Stofer, Sheila Cosby, Mary Kay Stockford,Shan Merritt, Pat Bertnolli.

GUESTS: Andy Cosby, Richard Robertson

AGENDA APPROVAL: Nancy Luering moved to accept the agenda as amended. This was seconded and approved.

PREVIOUS MONTHS MINUTES:Sheila Cosby moved to accept the previous month’s minutes. This was seconded and passed.

DIRECTORS REPORTS: Nancy Luering reported 621 paid memberships so far. Our last year’s total was 737. We have 37 over-85 players.

Sheila Cosby reported our net income at Dec. 31, 2009 was $5,669.10. Total assets increased from $29,298 in 2008 to $40,467 in 2009.

Vicki Jennings reported for Cathy Irving that a meeting was held for all teachers Jan 1, 2010. The Bidding class was quite successful and the Play of the Hand class includes 20 members from that class. A second evening Bidding class was not successful. A third EZ Bridge group will begin on Jan. 23. It is advertised in the Voice. Flyers are also available regarding that session.

Vicki Jennings reported that members of her Player Development group would like to attend 299 and below games to offer a mini lesson. During the game, 1-2 hands would reflect the lesson. The Player Development job description needs updating. It was recommended that some pre-set boards be used in 99 and below games to reflect the lesson.

Chuck Stofer reported the purchase of miscellaneous supplies and books.

Peg Birzer reported that Jan Farnsworth’s picture has been sent to Bridge Bulletin and will appear in the March issue. She is working to change the format of information in the Village Voice to reflect more card club info and fewer individual scores. We are still not on the POA website and are looking for better representation in the village Recreation magazine.

Shan Merritt reported that our total table count for the year was 9,982 ½ tables. Representing an 8 ½ % increase over last year. Our goal for 2010 is 10,000 tables. The calendar will be changed to reflect the club is open for non-sanctioned games on May 18-20.

CORRESPONDENCE: A thank you was received from HSV Animal Shelter for our gift of $100 in Jan Farnsworth’s name, which was donated by her friends and presented by Maureen Morgan of the VCC.

A letter requesting directions to the club from Nashville, Tenn. was received and referred to Dick Condon.

An email from Andy Cosby was received requesting the purchase of new boards. See New Business.

A note was received from Betty Schultz thanking the VCC for the gift card and expressing enjoyment of her time with the VCC.

OLD BUSINESS: Guidelines for naming events after deceased members—tabled.

Club participation in the Hot Springs Village 40th Anniv. Celebration was discussed. It was decided to hold a casual Sunday afternoon game with “Bring a friend to our club” as the theme. Date to be determined.

Bridge pads travelers function use will be reviewed at a later date when the club has become more familiar with the pads. The Club Manager will review the progress and report to the BOD.

NEW BUSINESS: Nancy Luering moved that we provide $1,000 in seed money for the Spring Fling. This was seconded and passed.

Changes to the 2010 calendar were discussed and implemented. The 299 Swiss Team game on March 7 has been moved to March 14 due to a conflict with the Village Race Day.

Chuck Stofer moved that we change our meeting from the 2nd to the 3rd Friday of the month. This was seconded and carried.

Peg Birzer moved that we celebrate Founder’s Day March 4. This was seconded and carried. It will be our club’s 25th anniversary and we will celebrate with day long festivities. Coffee and donuts will be served in the morning sessions and the afternoon sessions will conclude with wine, cheese and fruit. The day was selected as one of the busiest days of the week for club attendance but all will be invited to join in.

Nancy Luering moved to provide a $300 budget for the party. This was seconded and carried.

Peg Birzer moved that we purchase an email program for a one-time fee of $50.00 and an ongoing fee of $15 to $20. Motion seconded and carried. This program will allow the publicity committee as well as many other groups within the club to reach out to members on a timely basis and save the cost of paper.Peg Birzer will provide a motion for the next general meeting to establish a publicity committee.

Peg will seek the POA’s help in designing a brochure with pockets so we can keep the same outside information and use annual inserts with updated club information.

Sheila Cosby stated that the finance committee sees no reason to establish new or change existing accounts. Table fees will remain the same.

Chuck Stofer moved that the Hot Springs Bridge House receive a copy of our Zero Tolerance policy per their request. The motion was seconded and carried.

It was determined that our recent small games were due to the holiday season and no special policy is needed. The games will go on as scheduled during these times.

The 2010 contract with the POA Ponce de Leon Center is signed for the Spring Fling.

Nancy Luering moved that we purchase 2 more sets of boards, carrying cases, red inserts, and 2 sets of table cards. This was per a request from Andy Cosby who stated that due to directors getting their boards ready in advance we were running into a shortage of available boards. The cost will be approx $385.00. Also Andy Cosby assured the BOD that these new boards will fulfill the requirements of the VCC. The motion was seconded and carried.

Everyone was given a copy of Article 5, Section 6, of the VCC Bylaws, and a copy of the Job Description of the Club Manager. A panel of the President, Dick Condon, the Club Manager, Vonna Fisher, and the Membership Director, Nancy Luering, are to meet and recommend a termination policy for the VCC. The BOD will take this under consideration at the next meeting.

Sheila Cosby moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:25p.

Respectfully submitted, Mary Kay Stockford, Secretary