CENTRAL OHIO BRIDGE ASSOCIATION

BOARD MINUTES

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. at the Columbus Bridge Center in Columbus, Ohio, by the president, Linda Rice.

Members present were: Suman Agarwal, Pat Bacher, John Fleeman, Jeanne Griffin, Bob Jiobu, Nancy Moore, Russell Peffers, Linda Rice, Cheryl Schneider, Lenore Smart. Absent: Steve McCafferty, Kathryn Pyant.

Treasurer’s Report: Jeanne Griffin presented COBA’s Financial Statement as of October 20, 2007, which included the Flying Buckeye Regional expenses and profit for August, 2007. Currently the club assets are $45,741 (including $14,900 in prepayments to Haimerl Center for rental of the facilities through 2009). Jeanne suggested we pay only the required first quarter deposit for future years. Reserving so far ahead, since we didn’t know what might happen to the building, was questioned. Other board members said that most facilities require reservations this far ahead, and we wanted to be sure we had a good, economical location for our Sectionals.

Jeanne told us we could put our reserve monies into a 3-month CD at 3.7% with a minimum of $2,000 invested, or a 6-month CD at around 5%. Cheryl Schneider made the motion, seconded by John Fleeman, that we put $15,000 into a 6-month CD. Motion passed. Lenore Smart moved, seconded by Pat Bacher, that we put $5,000 into a 3-month CD. Motion passed.

Jeanne said she filed COBA taxes for 2006, and she gave a copy to the secretary to file.

Corresponding Secretary: Suman Agarwal reported he had sent flyers for the Sectional to the clubs and questioned the need for sending the flyers. The board agreed that we needed the advertisement and considered the expense minimal.

Suman suggested we add to our website a place to advertise for partners for local and away events. While we know that some people do not like to advertise, the board agreed that it would be good for members who do.

President’s Report: Linda Rice brought a 24”X36” picture frame with inserts for 20 4”X6” pictures. She will work on getting pictures of our top Life Masters to display in it, to give them recognition. She also suggested displaying a picture of the club champion for each month.

Old Business:

October 19-21 Sectional: Linda Rice thanked the Board Members for their help with the Sectional. Lenore Smart, Jeanne Griffin, Kathryn Pyant, John Fleeman, and Pat Bacher were given special recognition, but all contributed and were appreciated. Lenore spent $709 for the food, $250 of which was for supplies, some of which can be used again. Hospitality was exceptional.

The food provided by the church on Sunday was very good and better organized. The lines moved much faster than last time. The vegetarian food that was offered was appreciated. While they did run out of food, the Board feels they will take that into account next time. On Sunday, we need to decorate the Hospitality tables and provide pop and a snack after the lunch break. We can provide only coffee and water until after the lunch break, because the church people need to make a profit.

Linda is still trying to find a way to make it easier for players to find their tables when playing team games. She suggested having stickers on the trash sacks, but others said the sacks were discarded and the tables were changed between sessions.

Linda told the board she has prepared posters to post to show players from out of town where to find restaurants and hotels. She can also send the list by email upon request.

Linda will create and maintain a list of players we can call when we need partners.

Suman suggested changing the KO starting times from 9 a.m., 1:30 and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday to a Compact KO with two starting times (instead of three), beginning at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The objection to this was a loss in revenue from the third session. Suman, Cheryl, and Jeanne were assigned to a committee to discuss this further and report back to the Board.

How the club handles abusive behavior at tournaments was brought up. Linda will discuss this issue with the Head Director of the Tournament, Jay Albright, and then contact ACBL for further guidance.

Card Machine: Mike Hill’s proposal to purchase a Card Dealing Machine and rent it to COBA for Sectionals was considered. His machine would provide boards with pre-dealt hands (he would not provide the hand records without additional compensation). John Fleeman distributed copies of a proposed agreement between Mike and COBA, and considerable discussion followed.

PRO: There is no outlay of $5,000 by COBA to purchase the machine. The Board would compensate Mike with 14 free plays at each our Sectionals ($112-$140 for each). Mike would be responsible for maintenance, for storing the machine, and for having it at the Sectionals.

CON: The Board could purchase the machine and have it available for many more games, using the hand records as teaching tools. This would primarily benefit Columbus clubs, though other clubs could use it, and John Fleeman would be willing to transport it to them. It would not be economically feasible for Columbus Bridge Center to rent the machine from Mike.

John Fleeman made a motion, seconded by Russell Peffers, that we enter into an agreement with Mike Hill for him to purchase the machine and rent it to us. Vote was 3 Yeas, 4 Nays, and 3 Abstaining. Then one of the nays decided to abstain, making it 3 Yeas, 3, Nays, and 4 Abstaining. Discussion continued, with many members clearly not decided on which way the Board should go. Linda asked for another show of hands, and the vote was 4 Yeas, 3 Nays, and 3 Abstaining. Cheryl suggested we table the motion and let us digest what had been discussed. It was agreed to do this and come to the next meeting prepared for a final vote.

New Business:

Tournament Assignments for January 4-6, 2008: Tournament Chair: John Fleeman; Hospitality Chair: Lenore Smart; Partnership Chair: Bob Jiobu; Caddies: Mark Bullimore.

Sanctions for March Tournament: Linda will look into this.

NAP in Cincinnati on November 3, 2007: Suman asked if anyone needed a partner. He and Jeanne will to go as partners.

Lexington-Louisville District Meeting: Linda asked if anyone was going and could attend the District 11 Meeting. Suman and Jeanne volunteered. Linda will get more information for them.

Letters to Club Owners, Teacher, Directors, Members: Linda wrote a letter, asking for suggestions of ways COBA can assist the people listed. Suman will send the letter to the 12 clubs in our unit, requesting their input.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, November 12, 2007, at the Columbus Bridge Center at 5:30 p.m. Linda requested that this be held in the side room of the cub so that the meeting could be extended past 7:00 p.m. She wants to discuss the surplus in COBA’s accounts and the best way to utilize these funds.

Russell Peffers moved the meeting be adjourned, seconded by John Fleeman. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Respectively submitted by Nancy Moore, Recording Secretary.