Minutes of The Fort Collins Duplicate Players Club Meeting, February 27, 2008

Present: Doug Watt, Ramona Baker, Gail Hanson, Ron Alexander, John Worley

Absent: Beth McGregor

Election of Officers: Nomination of the following Board Members as Officers of the Board for 2008 was voted on and approved: Doug Watt, President, John Worley, Vice-President, Gail Hanson, Secretary.

A motion was made, discussed, and approved to have Ron Alexander serve as Treasurer and he will contact Ed Yosses, past President, regarding the responsibilities of said role.

Old Business:

Seeding the Field and Seeding with the Strats: The field for Club games will continue to be seeded, especially for the “Big Games,” and the seeding will be informally monitored by Board members, who will coach the Club Manager regarding the seeding.

Table Assignments at the Team Games: A random drawing of table assignments at the team games seems to be working satisfactorily and will continue.

Responding to Suggestions of Members: Suggestions from members will continue to be directed to the Club Manager and responded to in a professional manner. Questions that cannot be readily answered will continue to be forwarded to the Board. Doug Watt will contact Barb Meier to see if she’s willing to continue to serve as Club Manager

Compensation for Non-Playing Director: Continuing to compensate a non-playing Director $50 per game for special games was voted on and approved.

Permitted Conventions: General Chart conventions will continue to be allowed and other conventions will be permitted when a description thereof is given for a defense thereto and when approved by the Club Manager or the Board

Treasury Report: A formal treasury report was not presented. Ron Alexander will contact EdYosses, past President, regarding the financial status of the Club and a description of the type of expenditures incurred by the Club in the past in order to determine what past expenditures should be continued and what new expenditures should be considered.

Team Games: Discussion was held regarding holding more than one Team game per month since they draw the largest attendance. Only one Team game will be held per month. This issue will be revisited at the next meeting.

New Business:

6:30 Starting Time: Discussion was held regarding a 6:30 starting time, with a check-in time of 6:15, instead of a 6:45 starting time, with a check-in time of 6:30. Doug Watt will contact Larry Matheny regarding a previous polling of Club members regarding this issue and the results thereof.

A polling of Club members in attendance at the Swiss Team event, which tends to have a large attendance, regarding the issue of a 6:30 starting time will be conducted if it is determined a new polling is needed.

Name Tags: Discussion was held regarding having members wear name tags. Name Tags will be available to wear on a voluntary basis.

Lighting: Discussion was held regarding the poor lighting at the facility. All available lighting will be used and members are welcome to bring their own appliances to enhance the lighting.

Mentorships Between Novice and Experienced Players: Discusson was held regarding what can be done to establish and encourage mentorships between novice and experienced players. In those months with a fifth Wednesday, there will be a pairing of Life Masters with non-Life Masters.

Guest Speakers: Discussion was held regarding the possibility of having guest speakers address the Club

regarding topics of bidding, playing, and defending. The necessary funds for acquiring guest speakers are not available, as well as a time slot for such. Topics of bidding, playing, and defending are addressed at the lesson session conducted before most Unit games.

Partnership Desk Site: Discussion was held regarding establishing a partnership desk site on the Northern Colorado Bridge web site for pairing of members for club games, including team games, and establishing an e-mail listing of those members who are available for pairing. Doug Watt will contact Bill Stoltey regarding the feasibility of both issues.

Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Board will be scheduled as needed.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.