Goodwill:
David Gadd 
Indianapolis, IN
 
The Central Indiana Bridge Association (Unit 130) would like to nominate Gold Life Master David Gadd as Goodwill Committee representative. 
Within the last decade, David moved to Indianapolis from his home in South Bend where he was happy to be able to revel in the culture of his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame.  If you ever have a spare minute, David would be happy to catch you up on his beloved Irish, a subject which competes with the topic of bridge on his list of “what I love most.”
For the past several years, we have observed how David is always attuned to being a goodwill ambassador for the game of bridge.  At the table, he is courteous and kind, and is always willing to help less experienced players with a helpful hint about their play (but he only does this after they are away from the table.)  David understands both the importance of respect for your partner and respect for your opponents and he goes out of his way to make certain he never causes embarrassment for either at the table.
You see, there is little that causes David so much consternation as observing a partner on either side belittling his partner, or criticizing his opponent.  To remind all of us about courteous behavior, David writes helpful hints which he forwards to the ACBL Bulletin and to our district publication, The Monitor. His contributions have appeared frequently in both publications as he attempts to remind us that when we are seated at the bridge table competition and courtesy can live side-by-side. 
Although David daily battles the effects of Parkinsonism, he is never without a smile and a kind word.  He enjoys spotting new players who enjoy the play of the game and frequently invites them for a session or two.  Having the experience of playing with a Gold LM is often a thrill to less experienced players, and gives them a feeling that it is ok to compete in those open games!
We appreciate his smile, his sense of humor, his sage comments, but particularly we savor his skill at reminding each of us why we are here.  David is already a Goodwill Ambassador in his own right, and we commend him to you for further consideration.
 
 
 
Sandra S. Forsythe 
Beavercreek OH
 
Those who have been playing bridge for years tend to forget that not everyone knows “how we always do it.”  So Sandy sends weekly emails to her list of about 200 non-Life Masters, telling them everything they need to know about upcoming tournaments, special games and classes at the Miami Valley Bridge Center (including the next topic for the lesson that she & her  husband teach before their weekly NLM game).  New players don’t automatically know what a STaC is, or a compact KO, or how to interpret game results!  Her students know they can always come to her if they need help interpreting a tournament schedule, or if they have questions about anything from bidding and play to game cancellations.  Her former students from D.C. still send her bidding questions!
She is always happy to help the new players find a partner for tournaments or club games.  She’s often the (ineligible) standby for our weekly NLM game.  Most of the students don’t mind trading their chance to win masterpoints for a personal lesson.  For she & her husband’s monthly Saturday night “Good Time Game,” for friendly players only, she also arranges to have a standby.  She never want the lack of a partner to keep the new players away! 
She has mentored new players in the Unit’s mentor program for the past three years, and outside of the program as well.  Whomever she’s playing with, she never get mad at my partner!  She always tries to greet the opponents, practice active ethics, compliment good play and offer advice only when it’s welcomed. Her mindset is…Bridge is a game, it ought to be fun!
 
 
 
 
Charity:
 
Cyndy Cradick 
Indianapolis, IN
 
The Central Indiana Bridge Association (Unit 130) board would like to nominate Cyndy Craddick for the district charity position.  Cyndy is one of the most-beloved bridge teachers, directors and managers in the CIBA family.  This silver life master has devoted her life to bridge over several decades and is the reason many new players enter the bridge world and go on to become avid bridge contenders. 
One of her most impressive accomplishments is the relationship she has built with the local ABA group.  Cyndy, along with Betty Markey (an avid ABA player), has worked tirelessly to bring together both groups of bridge aficionados.  Their efforts have resulted in a tight bond between the two groups in Indianapolis.  As a consequence, it is not at all unusual to see ABA players in attendance at most local bridge games.  At the recent ABA national tournament in Indianapolis, Central Indiana players returned the favor and helped make that tourney a success by showing up in high numbers.  Several out-of-town players remarked on their surprise about the support they were receiving.  We know that without Cyndy and Betty, we would never have brought several people together who now consider each other friends. 
For nearly two decades, Cyndy served as Secretary for Unit 130, retiring in 2010.  As tournament caddy master over the same period of time, she recruited and trained many local youngsters to caddy CIBA events.  Cyndy has managed and directed clubs in Indianapolis, Greenwood and Columbus.  A few years ago, after the death of a local director which caused the impending doom of one of Indianapolis’ oldest clubs, Cyndy came to the rescue.  She moved the club to a new location, and it is still thriving.   Her kindnesses to those who play at her clubs are part of her legend. She never comes to the end of a game without thanking everyone for playing and telling them they are invited to come again.
For the past several years, Cyndy has undergone the challenge of a new management position.  She has had to take on the role of managing several chronic illnesses.  Even as she suffered with several heart incidents, diabetes and kidney failure, Cyndy seldom missed directing her games.  Her grandchildren were often at her side, caddying the game for her so she could manage the evening’s activities.  Her illnesses have finally gotten the upper hand, and just last month, Cyndy directed her last game.  Parties were held at two of her clubs and the response was overwhelming, bringing in admirers from all around the unit. 
As she spends time with husband, John, her kids and grandkids, I know she is always thinking of her bridge friends, and she still talks to them by phone, encouraging them to continue to be part of the game.  Our Board believes Cyndy would certainly be a good candidate for the Charity Committee position.  She is always an ambassador for bridge and a role model for all of us.
 
 
Donald E. Snyder 
Centerville OH
 
At the Miami Valley Bridge Association Don has recently become Hospitality Chair, and has been assisting with hospitality at events for some time.  He has also researched & dealt with having our chairs recovered.  He plays regularly, and is willing to be called in on short notice if needed.
 
 In the community, Don is a volunteer at the Food Pantry at a local church, and makes multiple weekly deliveries.  He also cooks for the church as outreach for funeral receptions, small group and congregation dinners, and helps provide coffee & cookies after services. He works with the Freedom Alliance to provide scholarships to children of service members killed.  He is a Stephen Minister, providing emotional support for people with problems such as family member death, divorce, job loss, or illness. He participates in the annual Christmas Basket program for the needy.