Annual Meeting Minutes

ACBL Unit 364 (Colorado West)
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Saturday, May 2, 2026
The 2026 Annual Meeting of American Contract Bridge League Unit 364 took place immediately
after the second session of the Doc Holiday Sectional Tournament, sponsored by Unit 364.
• Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
• Quorum: The Chair declared a quorum - 14 Unit members required; 15 members present
• 2025 Annual Meeting Minutes: Minutes unanimously approved as submitted.
• Financial Report: A detailed financial report prepared by Treasurer Greg Westerwick
(current as of April, 2026) was available at the meeting (copy attached). Sharon Snyder
provided a summary of the report. The Unit has two CDs valued at about $12,000, and a
bank balance of $20,000+. The report was unanimously accepted as submitted.
Note: The Unit is in the process of purchasing a refurbished dealing machine (including a
one-year warranty) for about $4,000. No other capital expenditures are anticipated.
• Unit Sectionals: George Fuller provided an update on the remaining 2026 sectional
tournaments:
• Four Corners in Durango (July 10 to 12)
• Vail Valley in Edwards (August 7 to 9)
• Peach in Grand Junction (August 28 to 30)
Up-to-date information on these sections can be found on the Unit 364 web site.
• Replacement Board Member: Joe Heineman has resigned. Barbara Clarke was
unanimously elected as a replacement (for the unexpired term).
• Amendments to Unit 364 By-Laws: The Board of Directors submitted four (4) proposed
changes to the Unit By-Laws. Each was approved unanimously. (Changes to the By-Laws
require a two-thirds vote of the members voting at the annual meeting. See By-law X.)
#1. Number of Directors. Changes number from seven (7) to seven (7) to nine (9).
#2. Financial Interest. Limitation in section 6.4.2 removed.
#3. President Qualification. Remove one-year Board membership requirement.
#4. Regular Board Meetings. Notice to all unit members requirement removed.
A memorandum setting forth the old and new By-law provisions, and the reason for the
changes is attached to these minutes.
• Adjournment: The 2026 Annual Board Meeting of ACBL Unit 364 was adjourned at 6:25
p.m.


Notes for Unit Financial Report
1. Unit finances remain in very good shape, even after about $11,000 in
equipment purchases to support conducting local sectionals during 2025
and 2026..
2. Our primary income sources are a stipend from ACBL based on number of
unit members, table fees from tournaments, donations solicited by
tournament chairs and bank CD interest.
3. Expenses are mainly tournament operations, administration fees (state
incorporation, awards, supplies and trailer costs) and equipment needed for
conducting tournaments. We have purchased all major equipment for
tournament operations, so will be seeing only maintenance, supplies and
replacements in the next few years. We run our tournaments expecting a
small loss, so our net budget gain/loss for the year is well within our
income.
4. Our approach of using multiple CDs—a long term and a short term-gives
us some additional income and maximum flexibility at essentially no risk.
We purchase CDs directly from our bank (Alpine Bank, with branches in the
vicinity of almost all our clubs) as a matter of convenience as it is not worth
our time to hunt down higher rates for the amount we are investing.
5. Looking ahead to 2027, we expect to see stable finances with essentially no
gain or loss for the year.
2026 Proposed Bylaw Amendments
American Contract Bridge League- Colorado West Unit 364
Annual Membership Meeting - May 2, 2026
The Board of Directors recommends the following bylaw amendments. These changes
are intended to improve clarity, align certain provisions with District 17 practices, and
provide greater flexibility for effective governance and transparency.
ARTICLE VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 6.1 - Number of Directors
Current Language
The affairs of the Unit shall be managed and conducted by the Board which shall
consist of seven (7) persons, all of whom must be members in good standing of the
Unit.
Proposed Amendment
The Unit Board of Directors shall consist of between seven (7) and nine (9) members.
The Board of Directors may, subject to the restrictions below, increase or decrease the
size of the Board. If the number of directors is decreased, the term of any incumbent
director shall not be shortened. All Directors must be members in good standing of the
Unit.
Reason for Amendment
This change provides flexibility in board size and aligns the Unit with the governance
practices reflected in District 17 bylaws.
Section 6.4.2 - Financial Interest
Current Language
No member having a financial interest in any bridge club shall be eligible for nomination
and/or election to the Board, nor can such member be appointed to the Board except in
an honorary and non-voting capacity.
Proposed Amendment
Delete Section 6.4.2 in its entirety.
Reason for Amendment
This provision is unique to Unit 364 and is already addressed within the bylaws and
policies of the American Contract Bridge League, under which the Unit operates as a
chartered organization. Removal eliminates redundancy and aligns Unit bylaws with
ACBL governance standards.
ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS
Section 7.1 - President Qualification
Current Language
The office of the President shall require at least one year prior service on the Board.
Such service need not immediately precede election to office.
Proposed Amendment
Delete this requirement.
Reason for Amendment
This provision is unique to Unit 364. The Board believes qualifications for leadership
positions are best evaluated by the sitting Board of Directors when officers are elected.
ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Section 5.4 - Notice of Meetings
Current Language
Notice of each meeting of the members stating the place, date, and time of the meeting,
and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is
called, shall be delivered no fewer than ten days nor more than sixty days before the
date of the meeting...
Proposed Amendment
Replace "Notice of each meeting of the members" with:
"Notice of each annual or special meeting of the membership"
Revised section would read:
Notice of each annual or special meeting of the membership stating the place, date,
and time of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes
for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered no fewer than ten days nor more than
sixty days before the date of the meeting...
Reason for Amendment
This change clarifies that the notice requirement applies specifically to annual and
special membership meetings, eliminating ambiguity and improving transparency.

Stephen Huber

ACBL Unit 364 – Board Meeting 1-8-26

1. Call to Order

Meeting called to order.
Board Members Present: Joe, Cara-Lyn, Steven, Sharon, Sally, George, Greg

2. Approval of Minutes

Motion: Approve the minutes of the previous meeting.
Moved by: Steven
Seconded by: Cara-Lyn
Vote: Approved unanimously, with George abstaining.

3. Election of Vice President

Motion:  Appoint Stephen Hubert as vice-president of the unit
Moved by: Cara-Lyn
Seconded by: Joe
Vote: Approved unanimously, with Steven recusing himself.

4. Board Composition and Bylaw Considerations

Grand Junction Club LLC has been dissolved. Kim Sutherland will operate the club as a social club. Sharon will not receive compensation for directing.

Motion: Appoint Sharon to the Board.
Moved by: Steven
Seconded by: Greg
Vote: Unanimously approved.

Proposed Bylaw Topics for Membership Consideration:

- Allowing club owners to serve on the Board
- Removing the requirement to serve one year on the Board before being eligible for President
  • With only seven Board members, this requirement could create leadership gaps
  • It unnecessarily restricts flexibility
  • It is uncommon in ACBL bylaws
- Expanding the Board from 7 to 7–9 members
  • Concern about split votes with an even number
  • Chair voting only in the event of a tie was discussed as a mitigation

Action: Steven will draft a written rationale supporting the proposed bylaw changes.

Action:  Joe will send an email to the membership once six Board members approve the proposed language.

5. Tournament Sanctioning

Four tournaments are currently sanctioned.
- Grand Junction and Doc Holliday are sanctioned as open sectionals.
- A venue for Doc Holliday has not yet been secured.
- The other two tournaments have been downgraded to local sectionals.

The Board discussed whether to apply to downgrade the Peach Sectional. Reasons included eliminating Saturday overalls, limiting awards to 80% silver, and ensuring the tournament remains financially viable.

Action: George will apply to downgrade the Peach to a local sectional.

6. QUIP Report

The QUIP report was reviewed and includes statistics identifying members at risk of lapsing. The Board discussed potential outreach to encourage these members to return.

7. Financial Report

The Unit ended the year down a couple thousand dollars.
- Checking and CD balances match Alpine Bank statements exactly.
- Tournament budget figures are based on estimates from the tournament costs tab.
- Tom McCalden has submitted the outstanding invoice for the website.

8. Peach Sectional Decisions

Sharon requested that the board make an advisory decision regarding hosting the Peach Sectional at CMU as discussed previously, and requested that tournament chairs be allowed some discretion in setting entry fees.

Motion: Proceed with the Peach Sectional at CMU
Moved by: CL
Seconded by: George
Vote: Unanimously approved.

Motion: Authorize tournament chairs to set entry fees within an approved range.
Moved by: Greg
Seconded by: Sally
Vote: Unanimously approved.

9. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn.
Vote: Unanimously approved.
Meeting adjourned at 6:05 PM.

Meeting called to order by Cara-Lyn.
In attendance: Cara-Lyn, Greg, Joe, Randy (Randy joined late during the dealing machine discussion)

Special guests: Shari Aggson, Barbara Clarke, and Janet Smalley (Peach presentation).

1. Treasurer’s Report

We have run all tournaments and incurred all major expected expenses. The current balance is close to what it will be at year-end, except for CDs etc.

a. Four Corners Tournament
- Lost slightly more than budgeted.  Table count was the primary factor.

b. Vail Tournament
- Showed a profit despite the failed session because we were not billed for ACBL table and sanction fees.

c. Peach Tournament

- Made a small profit due to large, unprecedented donations which helped offset the very costly venue

d. Cost Savings
- Estimated $1,000 saved per tournament by using a local sectional director.

e. Dealing Machine
- Discussion on purchasing a dealing machine.
- The treasurer says it would save money to buy our own dealing machine.
- Action: Greg will obtain an estimate for the next meeting.

2. Peach Sectional 2026 Presentation

Barbara Clarke presented data supporting that The Peach Sectional 2025 was successful and requested that it be held at CMU next year, with Sharon Snyder as Tournament Director.

Randy noted that this arrangement is the status quo. If changes are needed, we will need to inform ACBL. His understanding is that Sharon stepped down and there were considerable questions about the viability of using CMU as a venue due to catering costs, parking, contract violations by players, and other factors.  He referred the presenting group to the Tournament Chair, the correct channel for follow-up.

3. Grand Junction Regional 2027

Our cost estimate for hosting a regional was deemed too high by the district. Randy will work with the Downtown Merchant Association on a grant for 2027. If the grant is unsuccessful, we will need to find an alternative venue.

4. Alternate Venues for the Peach Sectional 2026

1. Fairgrounds
2. Convention Center – conflicting cost estimates (Creekside Room vs. Grand Ballroom)
3. Clifton Campus
4. VFW
5. Masonic Lodge

Venue selection was tabled until the next board meeting while alternate venues were being explored.

5. Vacant Board Seat

a. Discussion: The board discussed pros and cons of filling the vacant seat and what responsibilities the new member should assume.

b. Motion: To appoint Sally Gaglione to the board, pending her acceptance of the Membership Chair role.
- Motion by Cara-Lyn, seconded by Joe.
- Votes: Joe – Yes; Greg – Yes; Cara-Lyn – Yes.  Randy – Abstained.
- Motion passed.

c. Action: Cara-Lyn will contact Sally Gaglione to confirm her acceptance of the position and duties.

6. Tournament Committee Chair Report

The Tournament Committee Chair report was tabled due to George’s absence.

7. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:00