MINUTES
CLEVELAND WHIST CLUB
NORTHEAST OHIO UNIT 125
BOARD MEETING November 3, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 5:40 Pm by Ginny Young at St. Michael’s Woodside with a quorum
present.
Present: Ginny Young, Barb Bacon, Barb Greenspan, Fleur Howard, Harriet Kitay, Rosemary Kleis, Ellen
Miles, Sue Pisanelli, Frank Scali, Jim Stahl, Kathy Sulgrove, Ros Sukenik, Kermit Wolford.
Absent: Geraldean Jones, Mary Lou Vermerris.
Guests: Sharon Fairchild, Cathy Wolford.
The minutes of the October 6, 2010 Board Meeting were approved with one correction. Cathy Wolford
asked that the paragraph in the Treasurer’s report about the revised ACBL policy on reimbursement for
membership dues be revised to read:
Cathy Wolford discussed briefly the revised ACBL policy on reimbursement for membership
dues. She has sent emails to the ACBL discussing the hardship that may occur to our Unit under the
revised policy. The new policy will have reimbursements being held until amounts reach $1,000. Since
our Unit typically receives between $900 - $1000 per quarter, this would impact our cash flow
significantly.
Barb Bacon made a motion to accept the minutes with the revision and it was seconded by Barb
Greenspan. The motion was accepted.
Cathy Wolford gave the treasurer’s report. She read a note received from Beverly Carter, thanking the
board for their contribution to the Scholarship Committee on behalf of the Board.
Cathy Wolford discussed financial results of the latest Unit Events. The Master/NonLife Master Open
Pairs Event had an attendance of 20 tables. The financial results are not all in but there will be an
estimated income of 100-200$.
There were 33 ½ tables for the 499’r sectional, compared to 39 last year and 80 tables the year before.
The open pairs sidegame drew only 3 tables, compared with 10 tables last year. There were 7 teams for
the Sunday Swiss Teams Event. There will be an estimated loss of 800-900$.
Cathy Wolford has filed 990 forms for the Unit.
President Ginny Young extended congratulations to Kathy Sulgrove on her recent performance in the
World Championships in Philadelphia. Kathy was ranked as the 8th woman bridge player in the world
following the event.
Ginny Young reports that comments about the new Garfield Heights Site for sectionals have all been
very favorable.
Ginny Young reports that the Vichill League had a scoring change in Bracket 3.
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No report available for the Scholarship Committee. Frank Scali reports that he has money for the
committee from one of his recent games to benefit the committee.
There was a general discussion regarding the Unit Game. Jim Stahl, director of the Unit Game, reports
that since August 1, 2010, only 3 of the 10 games were held, due to the lack of attendance. Barb
Greenspan suggests that Sunday is not a good day for the Unit Game. She states that the Monday night
game of Gary Sikon might be a better option.
The Unit is obligated to use the Senior Center until the end of the year. The Unit is committed to the
STAC Swiss Game on December 12, 2010. There will be no games on the weeks of the Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and New Year’s holidays.
Kathy Sulgrove made a motion that as of January 1, 2011, the Sunday game be suspended and have the
Unit Game Committee make recommendations for an alternative. Ros Sukenik seconded the motion
and it carried. Harriet Kitay, Barb Greenspan, Ellen Miles, and Jim Stahl will form the Unit Game
Committee.
Barb Greenspan made a motion, seconded by Harriet Kitay that no free passes be given for the Unit
Game. The motion carried.
The Budget Committee (Cathy Wolford, Ros Sukenik, and Sue Pisanelli) met October 13, 2010. A report
was passed out and discussed briefly.
Barb Greenspan reports that the NAOP game held in Buffalo, NY had 5 ½ and 4 ½ tables only. She
suggests that the attendance is shrinking, possibly due to too many games and too many new games.
Some discussion followed regarding this year’s change of venue due to the World Championships and
that impact on the NAOP game in Buffalo.
The Search Committee will postpone looking for a site for the Summer IMP League until next month.
Barb Bacon reports that the next April Sectional Tournament will be held at the Garfield Heights Site.
The contract has been signed. Barb Greenspan and Kathy Sulgrove will be chairing this event.
The Garfield Heights Facility will be available for the August and November Tournaments but there is no
contract yet.
Barbara Bacon thanked Jim Stahl for transporting the tables from the Solon KofC Hall to the Garfield
Heights Facility. The tables can be stored there at Garfield Heights at no cost to us. So they do not have
to be transported back to the Solon Hall. For the Short Term, no decision about tables for future Unit
Tournaments and Events needs to be made, but long term planning for the Unit should look at the table
situation. Currently the tables for the tournaments and events are rented from the Solon KofC Hall for
$5 per table. In November it was $6 per table. Should tables be purchased by the Unit? Jim Stahl talked
about tables available online. Solon Kof C does not want to sell their tables.
Steve Vrooman called Barb Bacon to inform the Unit that he will go to Garfield Heights to make
arrangements for setting up tables for the sectional. A sincerethank you is extended Steve Vrooman.
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Old Business: The Unit is committed to hiring Stephanie Alexander as a TA for the November Sectional
at the previously agreed upon fee. The discussion of future TA’s and agreements for pay, can be
postponed until the next Unit Meeting.
New Business: Jim Stahl passed out a sheet discussing the Google Groups that he has initiated for the
Unit. One group will be exclusive for the Board but the other is open to all Unit members.
The Nominating Committee for next year’s new board members will be made up of Kermit Wolford,
Geraldean Jones, Barb Bacon, Ginny Young, and Sue Pisanelli (outgoing board members). Candidates
are needed for vacant spots on the 2011 Unit Board.
Sharon Fairchild volunteered to chair the Member of the Year Committee. The Annual Unit Membership
game will be held on May 15, 2011 at St. Michael’s Woodside. The Holiday Party will be held at the Unit
Game.
Kathy Sulgrove and Fleur Howard will be organizing the STAC Swiss Team Game for December 12, 2010
at the Solon Senior Center. Steve Vrooman will be directing the event. He will bring supplies for $1 per
table.
A motion to adjourn was made by Barb Bacon and seconded by Sue Pisanelli. The motion carried.
The next meeting will be held December 8, 2010 at 5:30 PM prior to the Vichill League Game.
Hospitality for the next meeting will be provided by Harriet Kitay with Frank Scali providing the
dessert.
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