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