Columbia Bridge Club                                                   REVISED 8/29/07

Board Meeting held at club

August 6, 2007

 

Attending:

 

Bernetha Henry, Connie Moody, Pat Webb, Karen Coulter, Sheelagh Young, Carol Clemenz, Tom Gabriel, Janice Ripley, Mike Bitonti, and Jim Chianelli

 

President Henry called the meeting to order at 5:30.

 

Secretary: Minutes of June meeting approved as posted.  Moved by Young with second by Webb.  Carried.

 

Treasurer: Webb reports that certificates of deposit will mature 9/07, and it was agreed to allow them to roll over at current location, Arthur State Bank.  The repairs/maintenance cost of $525.61 was for repairs to air conditioning ($450) and reimbursement for supplies needed for upkeep ($75.61).  A check for $188 will be sent to Alston Wilkes as that was the designated charity for July – December 2006. Report was accepted.

 

August Sectional:  Carol Clemenz reports on the upcoming Sectional - plans are well established, food has been taken care of, free coffee will be supplied by Starbucks.  She thanked Tom Gabriel, Susan McFadden, and Brent Holcomb for their efforts in procuring gift certificates from local businesses and restaurants.  They did a great job.  Mary Jo Norton donated several bridge related books to be given along with trophies to winners in the I/N group.  Caddies have been lined up, and shirts will be provided for them.  Clemenz thanked all for their cooperation and help in these efforts.

 

Fundraising:  Sheelagh Young reports that the committee met last month, and although they have numerous good ideas for fund raising, it was decided they would not begin that process until a suitable site/location had been decided upon.  However, after much discussion, the board voted to begin that process now instead of waiting for a site.  Young will meet with the committee again and put plans in place for that to occur.  During discussion about location, Karen Coulter mentioned that she had a report indicating high crime rates in the Atlas Road area.  Pat Webb immediately spoke up and asked if Karen had a report regarding crime in the area we are currently housed.  Karen reported she did not and there was no further discussion on that issue.

 

Education:  George Nichols reports that Cynthia Cone took the director’s course in Nashville and is now certified.  He presented flyers regarding the two upcoming courses (“How to Bid and Play Slams” and the beginner course) and reports that he distributed approximately 300 flyers to local parks, retirement homes, country clubs, etc.  Ads for the beginner course will be in local papers with a total cost of $441.30 of which the ACBL will pay three-fourths.  Cost to the club will be $110.  He also presented the standards for teachers and courses.  Teachers must be certified in order to conduct classes at CBC.  Interested parties should see George to review the standards and get approval for teaching.  Henry thanked George for all his efforts in education as he devotes many hours to the program, and he is appreciated.

 

Old Business:

 

President Henry asked that each and every board member take on the duty of looking for suitable property for a possible new location of the bridge club.  The middle section of the Atlas Road property is under negotiation with an unknown party; therefore, no price per acre is available until the contract is settled.  Board members have made several attempts to contact the builder who previously made an offer to buy the existing CBC site.  He has not responded.  Henry reports plans to speak with Senator Jackson regarding plans for the Atlas Road area.  Dick Coulter reports having made inquiries with the mayor’s office regarding property in the inner city for a possible recreational facility for seniors.

 

It was reported that several club members’ cars have been “keyed” recently.  Connie Moody agreed to contact the police department requesting more patrol in our area.

 

New Business:

 

Membership lists for those having paid dues and those not paid are at the front desk.  Henry reminded Bitonti to have directors charge an extra dollar entry fee to non-members. 

 

An updated phone list will be mailed along with the September “Tricks and Treats.”

 

Henry expressed ideas regarding changes to the monthly newsletter.  We would like to see more “newsy” items such as listing members who are hospitalized, any recent deaths of bridge members, and “current event” articles about members.  It was suggested that members give such articles to Henry for approval to pass along to Patrick Lauterbach, our editor.

 

Henry suggested issuing a “free play” to C players who compete in open games and come in first in C, but do not scratch.  There were several issues to be discussed in this regard, and this issue will be revisited in September.

 

There is a very successful Youth Bridge Program in Atlanta, and Henry would like to see something like that started in Columbia.  Permission was granted for Sandie Gies to begin the process of researching the possibilities of teaching bridge in the school system, at after-school programs, etc. 

 

The issue of playing directors was presented, and Bitonti reports that this is allowed by the ACBL, and because of the limited number of directors we have, this will some times be the case at CBC.  Any members who have concerns about this should contact Bitonti directly.

 

A letter will be sent to Sallie Blackwell regarding lack of attendance at board meetings.  Ripley is to handle this.

 

Ripley presented two letters that had been received from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Atlanta Junior Bridge asking that we hold charity games with proceeds benefiting them.  It was decided our charity funds would be divided between the MS Society and Alston Wilkes.  Ripley is to look into requirements and allowances for charity games from ACBL. 

 

Brent Holcomb had suggested having a game in honor of Bob Pierce.  It was decided that instead a book would be purchased for the CBC library.  Ripley to make purchase.

 

Next board meeting will be held Monday, September 10, 2007 at 5:30pm.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 6:53.

 

Submitted August 7, 2007

Janice J. Ripley, Secretary

To be posted at the club without objection