MINUTES

CLEVELAND WHIST CLUB

Board Meeting, Unit 125, Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Present: Bev Carter, Harriet Kitay, Eva Lefton, Ellen Miles, Peter Miller, Sue Pisanelli, Frank Scali, Susan Stark, Kathy Wolford, Kermit Wolford, Wayne Ward, Mary Lou Vermerris, Ginny Young.

Guests: Sharon Fairchild, Celeste Krejsa, Gene Krejsa.

Absent: Geraldean Jones, Roz Sukenik.

The meeting was called to order by the president, Ginny Young, at 5:45 PM with a quorum present.

The minutes of the last meeting on October 7, 2009 were corrected and approved following a motion by Eva Lefton with second by Ellen Miles.

Treasurer’s Report: Cathy Wolford reported that the 990EZ report for 2008 has been filed for the Unit 125. The table count for the 299’er tournament was down from 80 tables last year to 49 tables this year with 11 tables in the Sunday side game. The Buckeye Sectional Tournament table count was also down from 284 tables last year to 239 tables this year. A preliminary report shows that the expenses were higher also. This result is partially attributed to the higher rate for the directors this year. Last year we were not charged a full rate for the directing. This year the full rate was charged leading to more expenses. There were 3 directors and 3 caddies present. Discussion also suggested that perhaps less directors and caddies were needed.

President’s Report:

a. 48 decks of cards were replaced at the recent Buckeye Sectional.

b. There were complaints about the smoking at the doorways of the Sectional, particularly at the rear doorway. One incidence of illness was reported due to smoke wafting in that doorway. It is requested that we make a designated smoking area at the side door near the street. It is requested that smokers not congregate at the front entrance to the building.

c. Sharon Fairchild volunteered to chair the Member of the Year Committee and will have a nominee for the board by April 1, 2010.

d. Bev Carter volunteered to chair the Scholarship committee. She suggests that we move the awards for scholarship from August to May. This way the awards can be done at the Awards Banquet. The students will also receive their awards in a timely manner to plan for their fall enrollment. The deadline for scholarship applications will be April 12.

e. Harvey Bernstein has applied for a sanction to transfer Clare Kromar’s Tuesday Club to him. He has purchased the club. Board approval was given to waive the waiting period by board consensus.

f. Kathy Sulgrove has written a thoughtful letter to the board regarding the Unit Website and information for the website. She has asked for a liaison person. Sue Pisanelli volunteered.

g. Sophie Novak has resigned as the director for the Unit Game. Discussion ensued. Suggestions for a new director were given. How to advertise for a new director was discussed. Qualifications of a new director were discussed. It was suggested that a director with experience in managing a club might be preferable. Also discussed was the direction the Unit Game has taken. The Unit Game has a declining attendance. Things are being done to promote the game. We still need to have the Unit Game per our bylaws. The question was raised as to whether Wednesday is a day that is sacred or could the game be changed to another day. The consensus of the board was to wait and see what happens in December with the activities that have been planned. There will be a game on January 6, 2010.

Committee Reports:

a. Vichill: Peter Miller had no report on the Vichill League at this time. Some board members voiced the opinion that it would be nice to start earlier. This was countered by the fact that members living farther away find it difficult to be there on time at 7:30PM now, especially those who work on a Wednesday. At the sectional tournament, some Unit members questioned where and when their Summer Vichill League master points were going to show on their ACBL master point count. The Summer Vichill League master points were reported to ACBL. It was suggested that they might not be listed specifically as Summer Vichill and that may be confusing.

There will be a discussion for the Vichill League in January.

Old Business:

a. There is a need to replace some of the Unit boards. They are becoming broken and taped so much as to confuse members using them. Especially problematic are boards that have the vulnerability markings worn off.

b. December games – Bob Bartko and Ginny Miller need a count of those planning to attend the Spagetti Dinner. The dinner will be held Wednesday, December 2, 2009, at 6:15 PM with the game following at 7:15 PM. We need this game publicized and put on the website. Sue will contact Kathy Sulgrove. Also the Christmas Party with its pot luck needs publicized. This is a Bring Your Own Snack Pot Luck. All are encouraged to bring their favorite snack to share. Blast emails were suggested but due to the privacy issue will not be done at this time.

c. Celeste and Gene Krejsa discussed the Youth Bridge Program in our Unit. Gene and Celeste are in their 2^nd year at Hillside Middle School. They average about 20 students in the classroom each week. Celeste works with the 1^st year students and Gene is working with the returning 4 students.

Celeste discussed Patty Tucker who is coming to our Regional Tournament on Friday, January 15, 2010, and Saturday, January 16, 2010. Jan Assini has obtained permission to have her come for the entire district. The presentation will be between the afternoon and evening sessions on January 15 and 16, 2009. Celeste brought flyers for all to distribute.

New Business:

a. Sharon Fairchild reports that Barb Bacon, the unit tournament coordinator, mentioned that the units around are changing the 299’er games to 499’er games. Should we change our unit tournaments to 499’er games. Our 299’er Tournament was changed last year to a Nonlife master tournament. The board consensus was for the change of other tournaments to 499’er games.

Sharon further reports that the National ACBL Charity Foundation gives to the District 5 a sum of $20,000 this year to distribute to their favorite charities. This is given to the each district every 5 years and this is the year that District 5 will receive the $20,000 to distribute within their district. The Unit Board needs to be thinking about worthy charities within our area that help our unit members. These charities need to be reported to Sharon Fairchild and Ginny Young so that the names may be forwarded to District 5 leadership in a timely manner. Several charities including Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Chron’s Disease Foundation, and The Gathering Place were mentioned.

b. Kathy Sulgrove will come to a Wednesday night event. She asks about bridge teachers and lessons in the area to list on the website. Discussion ensued. There are teachers listed on the ACBL site but what is needed is a list for our unit area.

c. Ellen Miles will be absent on January 6, 2010.

The meeting was adjourned at 7PM following a motion by Bev Carter and seconded by Ellen Miles.

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Pisanelli, Secretary

The next board meeting will be held on January 6, 2010 at the Solon Party Center. Hospitality will be provided by Ginny Young.