SAULT INTERNATIONAL UNIT 212
MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING
Saturday, July 25, 2015
PRESENT: John
Robertson, Bruce Richmond, Secretary Marilyn Patterson, Arlene Smith, Gunnar
Kristiansen, Peter Smith, Mark Brown, Judy Penno,
Sharon Lessard
Regrets: Treasurer Marabeth
Sharp, Doug Souliere, Dave Chiasson,
Ted Martin
1.
President John Robertson
called the meeting to order at 1:30 P.M. Lunch was provided.
2.
Nancy, the Regional Tournament
Director presented information for:
NON-CHAMPIONSHIP SECTIONALS
A unit of 200 or fewer members or
sectional tournament which averages 15 or fewer tables per session may run up
to three non-championship (“ downgraded”) sectionals a
year.
Discussion followed and will continue at
our next meeting.
3. Minutes
of the May 9, 2015 Meeting were distributed by computer previously, and also available. MOTION:
by Arlene Smith seconded by Gunnar Kristiansen to accept as presented. Carried.
4. Business
arising from the minutes:
(A) The
ACBL Grant for a Charitable donation has been forwarded and we are now awaiting approval. From the Sault Unit 212, $500 was asked for
to go to ARCH Hospice in the Sault and $500 for the St. Joseph Hospital
Auxiliary in Elliot Lake.
(B) The
Play Bridge Dealer 4+ has arrived, used by the club and they are looking for
volunteers to arrive early to make up boards. It can be used for teaching
purposed, producing themed hands. The
Unit was to donate up to $2,000 to help pay for the machine.
5.
Treasurer’s
Report: Marabeth Sharp sent in a report up to July
24, 2015 which was distributed and will
be filed with these minutes.
Summary : TOURNAMENT account has $3911.47
:Investment TA-03-06-2016 @ .65% $ 7,875.52
:Investment Dec. 16/15 @ .8 % $4,972.26
:
CHEQUING Bank Account $7,396.30
: PETTY
CASH $100.00
: total
cash $11,407.77
TOTAL ASSETS: $ 24,255.55
TOTAL REVENUE: $980.30
TOTAL EXPENSES: $2,207.38
NET INCOME: $-1,227.08
QUESTION: Has the Unit donation to help pay for the Play
Bridge Dealer 4+ machine been taken from the bank account yet? As those in attendance were not sure there was
a MOTION
by Bruce Richmond to table the Treasurer’s Report until our next meeting.. Carried. .
6.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
TOURNAMENTS: Arlene
Smith
Sectional in May: We did lose
some money.
Regional
Tournament:
As of to-day there should be 222 tables, so we should make some money. Arlene
has had many good comments about everything including the lessons and the
refreshments. There is a disappointment about the number of out-of-towners with
only one from North Bay, 2 from Elliot Lake and zero from Sudbury where they
are having some problems. Also there is a disappointment in the number of
members in our own club supporting the regional. Other comments expressed including
to treat new people well and be friendly; develop a relationship with other
close clubs; coupons for $2-$3 off at a Regional. Gunnar mentioned some cost saving ideas to
attract more attendees one session free at a Regional, to stop having two directors
(have a tournament assistant).
Accolades to
Arlene for the fantastic tournament she has managed for our Unit
6. NEW
BUSINESS:
(A) Tournaments
and declining attendance: Sharon Lessard spoke about
programs she is doing to Attract new players to bridge. The first is Easybridge!
where the first four lessons are free and the fifth is
a sanctioned game for those with 1-20 points. This continues to keep the
players interested and they are playing duplicate
before they know it. Accreditation to teach this course can be taken on line
athttp://wwweasybridge.com/ for $100.
She will be attending an instructor’s course for “Learn Bridge in a Day”
owned by Whirlwind bridge. She will present this in the fall in Elliot Lake and
possibly in the Sault if the clubs are interested in offering the course to
local and will follow up with either Easybridge!,
ACBL Bidding in the 21st Century or some other bridge program.
We have to
consider why some people start to play bridge!
They want to socialize, be occupied and they want to eat! By the way, thanks to the women and the men
who bake for the club.
(B) Our
next Regional is one week before the one in Toronto. The question is, do we continue with the
Regional in the Sault? When Gunnar was asked for his opinion he stated as long
as we have money we should continue with the Sectionals. The 2017 Regional is
ours but no clubs should go against Toronto.
No tournament in the Sault then our next tournament is 2019. Sudbury was
down 20-25% last year. Gunnar presented the Attendance History of tournaments
in the Sault. It showed a range from 67 tables in 2009 down to 47 tables in
2015 for the Sectional and 580 tables in 1995 down to 307 in 2013 for the
Regional. Arlene stated that the newer
people need the experienced. Perhaps we
could partner with Thunder Bay and do a split regional. The District is allowed
2 tournaments a year. The baking and
hospitality is becoming harder and harder to supply. Bruce said he was looking around the tables
and thinking where will these people be three years
from now!
Folders were mailed to all clubs within a 500 mile
radius. There were lots of inquiries but
flights to the Sault were a problem. In the States Grand Rapids and Flint were
the closest airports. It would be nice
if Porter would become a Sponsor!!!
(C)
We will have to
consider the Non Championship Sectionals.
Bruce volunteered to be a director if we run any. A sanction must be applied for a year in
advance. We need silver point games. We
would have to talk to the clubs to raise the fees.
(D)
Much thanks to
the Medicine Shop, Honda, Ontario Lottery, Sault Ste Marie Tourism and the
Station Mall for their support.
7. Adjournment:
Motion by Bruce Richmond. The meeting closed at 2:10 P.M.
NEXT
MEETING: Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 6?:00 P.M.
Marilyn
Patterson Secretary
Marilyn Patterson