Central Ohio Bridge Association

Minutes

January 26, 2010

The meeting was called to order at 5:35 pm. at the Columbus Bridge Center in Columbus, Ohio by John Fleeman.

Members Present: Suman Agarwal, Ishaq (Ike) Al-Qutub, Eileen Erwin, John Fleeman, Jeanne Griffin, Bob Jiobu, Cheryl Schneider, Skip Williams, Mary Lynn Zwald.

Members Absent: Pat Bacher, Fred Gottlieb, Russell Peffers, Marian Shemberg.

Treasurer's Report

Jeanne presented the financial statements for December 31, 2009, indicating a cash balance of $13,215.17 and Certificates of Deposit for $34,300.60.

She gave a recap of the January Sectional showing a total of 167 tables for the event. There was a net loss of $299.08. There are several factors giving rise to the loss. Attendance was down 11 tables as a result of very bad weather Friday and Saturday (Sunday's attendance was up) and ACBL Fees have been increased. Copies of the financial reports are attached.

The reports were unanimously approved after a motion for approval was made by Mary Lynn with a second by Ishaq.

Sectionals

John suggested that those on the Hospitality Committee recruit other bridge players, not necessarily Board Members, to help during the tournaments, so that those on the committee would have an opportunity to play also.

Some matters of timing were discussed to improve future sectionals which would allow players more time for meals in between the events. It was agreed that future tournaments will be as follows:

Friday l:30 pm 7:00 pm

Saturday` 10:00 am 2:30 pm 7:3 0 pm

Cheryl suggested that the Friday afternoon "A" game be eliminated. Attendance is such that the numbers of tables in this flight are minimal and result in poor competition for the "A" level players. If this continues, the "A" level players will not continue to support the event. We will look into this for future sectionals. Also we will request that the Tournament Director insure that there will be no matches of less than 24 boards played in future sectionals.

Jeanne suggested that we reduce the number of sectionals to three per year because of the demands on Board Members to present 4 sectionals and a regional every year. She cited that other units in the district were presenting 2 to 3 per year and that we are the only unit providing 4 per year. Lengthy discussion ensued with a unanimous vote to eliminate the scheduled March 11 sectional because of the obvious conflicts with the 2011 National in Kentucky in which we will be participating.

John reviewed the assignments for the upcoming March Sectional (March 26, 27 and 28) which will be as follows:

Chairperson Ishaq AlQutub

Hospitality John Fleeman

Partnerships Eileen Erwin

Caddies John Fleeman

Setup Bob Jiobu and John Fleeman

Annual Awards Dinner

The dinner is scheduled for April 25^th. Liaisons will contact the clubs to find out if any of their members are new life masters, those who reached the goal after year-end and would not be included in the ACBL listing at year-end, so that they can be honored as well. The fee for the event will be $10 for dinner and two sessions of bridge.

New Business

Cheryl reported that the planning for the Regional is going well and that this year Mary Lynn would be hi charge of Partnerships for the event.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 5:30 pm. at the Columbus Bridge Center.

Motion to Adjourn

Cheryl moved to adjourn and John seconded. The meeting was adjourned about 6:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted by Mary Lynn Zwald, Recording Secretary.