MINUTES
ACBL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Hyatt Regency Hotel
Kansas City, Missouri
March 12 - 15, 2001


 

The meeting was called to order by President Jim Kirkham on Monday March 12, 2001 at 8:00 am.

Present:George Retek #1, Jonathan Steinberg #2, Joan Levy Gerard #3, Don Swan #4, Sharon Fairchild #5, Nadine K. Wood #6, Bruce Reeve #7, Glenn Smith #8, Phil Altus #9, Charles D. Wilkinson #10, Jim Reiman #11, Wayne Hascall #12, Harriette Buckman #13, Sue Himel #14, Virgil V. Anderson #15, Dan E. Morse #16, Jerry Fleming #17, Richard G. Anderson #18, Barbara Nist #19, Robert E. Lix #20, Roger Smith #21, James H. Kirkham #22, Alan LeBendig #23, Alvin Levy #24, Richard DeMartino #25.
Also
Present:
Don Mamula, Chairman Board of Governors; Peter Rank, League Counsel; David O. Silber, Chief Executive Officer; Jack Zdancewicz, Michael Calhoun, Gary Blaiss, Nancy Foy, Jim Miller, Julie Greenberg, Carol Robertson, Jean Patterson, and Rena Hetzer.


Approval of Birmingham 003 Minutes

The Birmingham Minutes are approved.

Carried.


011-260: Ratification of Executive Committee Minutes

The minutes of the Executive Committee meeting are ratified.

Carried. (Minutes of meeting follow)

    Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting Convened Via Conference Call, Monday, February 5, 2001 @ 10:00 AM CT

    PRESENT: President Jim Kirkham, Glenn Smith, Nadine Wood, Dan Morse, Roger Smith

    ALSO PRESENT: Jim Reiman, Chair of Bridge Committee, Don Mamula, David Silber, Gary Blaiss, Rena Hetzer

    OBJECTIVE: Approval of Proposed Conditions of Contest and Site for Senior Team Trials

    Gary Blaiss presented an overview of the attached conditions of contest.

    A) Does the Committee accept St. Louis, Missouri as the site to be held August 14-18, 2001, running concurrently with the St. Louis Regional?

    By a vote of 5-0, the Committee unanimously approved St. Louis, Missouri as the site of the event to be held August 14-18, 2001. It will run concurrently with the St. Louis Regional.

    B) Does the Committee grant the awarding of 100 master points?

    By a vote of 4-1, the Committee approved the awarding of 100 master points.

    Jim Reiman was the dissenting vote.

    • Does the Committee grant the depth of the overall award ½ the second day field?

    By a vote of 5-0, the Committee unanimously approved the awarding of ½ the second day field.

      • Does the Committee approve the conditions of contest with augmentation?

    By a vote of 5-0, the Committee unanimously approved the conditions of contest with augmentation.


011-261: Ratification of Audit Firm

Jackson, Howell and Associates is approved as the 2001 audit firm.

Carried.


011-262: Election of 401K Trustee

Al Levy is elected as 401K Trustee for a four-year term January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2004.

Carried.


011-263: Election of ACBL Treasurer

Bob Lix is elected as Treasurer for a one-year term May 1, 2001 - April 30, 2001.

Carried.


001-264: Bridge Hall of Fame Nominating Committee

  • The Western Zone reported the election of Eddie Kantar as Western Zone representative on the Bridge Hall of Fame Nominating Committee for a three-year term August 1, 2001 through July 31, 2004.
  • The Central Zone reported the election of Mike Passell as Central Zone representative on the Bridge Hall of Fame Nominating Committee for a three-year term August 1, 2001 through July 31, 2004.

Carried.


001-265: Bridge Hall of Fame Committee

President Kirkham announced the appointments of Cecil Cook as Western Zone representative and Jo Morse as Eastern Zone representative on the Bridge Hall of Fame Committee for a three-year term beginning August 1, 2001 through July 31, 2004.


Request for Consideration of Non-Agenda Items

  1. Three-Session Morning Knockout: Referred to BRIDGE - Tournament Regulations as Item 011-153.
  2. Three-Session Morning Knockout - Harrisburg Regional: Referred to BRIDGE - Tournament Regulations as Item 011-152.
  3. Remuneration regarding past Board Members: Referred to Governance as Item 011-49.
  4. Club game sanctions to Groups of Clubs: Referred to MARKETING-Clubs as Item 011-190.
  5. Masterpoint Plan Review: Referred to BRIDGE - Tournament Regulations as Item 011-154.

Carried.


Emergency Agenda Items

  1. Toronto NABC 0-20 Entry Fees: Referred to BRIDGE - Tournament Regulations as Item 011-155.
  2. Carried.

  3. Letter to ACBL members regarding Fall 2000 NABC.
  4. Not Carried.


CEO Report

The report of ACBL CEO David Silber is received. (Exhibit 1)


CFO Report

The report of ACBL CFO Jack Zdancewicz is received. (Exhibit 2)


CMO Report

The report of ACBL CMO Michael Calhoun is received. (Exhibit 3)


League Counsel Report

Peter Rank, League Counsel, reported on the status of litigation.

* * * * * * * * * *

The meeting was called to order by President Jim Kirkham on Wednesday March 14 at 8:30 am.

Present:Same as Monday March 12
Also Present:Same as Monday March 12
 
APPEALS AND CHARGES

Reeve, Chair
Morse, Vice Chair
Steinberg
Buckman
Fairchild
Levy
Smith, R.

Committee report by Chairman.

In the matter of the request to remove the prohibition of playing together from Jack Hayden (ACBL# P739672) and Rosemary Hayden (ACBL# P739664):

The prohibition is removed effective March 15, 2001.

In the matter of the request to be permitted to play together at ACBL-sanctioned games at clubs from Billy Handy (ACBL# L4248998) and Cindy Handy (ACBL# M370481):

The prohibition of playing together continues in force except for ACBL-sanctioned games conducted at and by a club. Billy and Cindy Handy remain on permanent probation.

In the matter of the Appeal of Dan Keleher (ACBL# N348951) for relief from the decision of the Unit 172 Disciplinary committee and District 16 Appellate committee:

The appeal was denied.

In the matter of the Appeal of John E. Blubaugh to the ACBL Appeals and Charges Committee:

The appeal was heard by the full Committee on March 12 and 13, 2001. The decision of the Committee is as follows:

    • The decision of the Ethical Oversight Committee is sustained, except that the punishment imposed on Mr. Blubaugh is amended as in paragraph B below.
    • The punishment to be imposed on Mr. Blubaugh is as follows:
      • That Mr. Blubaugh be suspended from the ACBL effective March 14, 2001 through September 13, 2002; and
      • That on completion of the suspension Mr. Blubaugh be placed on probation through September 12, 2007, during which time Mr. Blubaugh shall not be allowed to shuffle and/or deal a hand in ACBL-sanctioned competition; and
      • That all masterpoints won by Mr. Blubaugh for the period March 15, 2000 through March 14, 2001 shall be removed from Mr. Blubaugh's ACBL record.

 

FINANCE
Lix, Chair
Retek, Vice Chair
Wilkinson
Gerard
DeMartino
Nist

Committee report by Chairman.

011-15: ACBL Canadian TD Retirement Benefits (003-23)

  • The ACBL will establish a Canadian Group RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) for the benefit of the full time employees residing in Canada. ACBL will match ½ of the RRSP contributions made by existing full time employees living in Canada up to 8% (4% maximum) of salaries or up to the maximum allowable earned from ACBL after August 1, 2001. Starting with the year 2002 the salary period will be from January 1 to December 31. Employee contributions must be received by ACBL Headquarters no later than January 31 of the following year. Estimated cost $7,200 annually. Any future change to the corresponding US plan will be mirrored here.

Carried.   Abstain: 8

  • The ACBL will contribute an estimated total of $82,500 as of August 1, 2001 to the RRSP of individual qualified employees living in Canada in lieu of past pension plan contributions. These individual payments will be based on actuarially calculated accrued benefits. These amounts may be paid over a three year period at the option of the employee without interest.

Carried.   Nay: 5, 8, 9, 12

  • ACBL will match ½ of individual RRSP contributions made prior to February 28, 2002 by qualified employees living in Canada on amounts calculated to be consistent with the amount calculated per 401(k) plan for U.S. participants for the period of July 1, 1992 to July 31, 2001. These amounts may be paid over a three year period at the option of the employee without interest. Estimated maximum cost to ACBL is $37,000 as of August 1, 2001.

Carried.   Nay: 5, 8, 9, 12, 16, 19, 22, 23, 25

  • Payments to employees for past services will be made only after receiving appropriate disclaimers from the employee. Management will consult with Legal Counsel to prepare disclaimers.

Carried.   Abstain: 8, 12

  • According to Canadian Income Tax Law, employees residing in Canada who are over 69 years of age cannot have an RRSP. Any amounts due these employees will be paid to them without restrictions above, except for the receipt of the disclaimer statement.

Carried.   Abstain: 8

Effective Date: 8/1/01

Projected Cost to Implement: $7,200 annual and $119,500 maximum catch up cost.


011-16: Canadian City Per Diem

The per diem paid to ACBL staff in Canada will be amended such that the per diem paid in the following cities be the same as that paid in the referenced US city.

Montreal = Boston, MA (current IRS allowable per diem is $46)

Toronto = Detroit, MI (current IRS allowable per diem is $46)

Vancouver = Seattle, WA (current IRS allowable per diem is $46)

Not Carried.   Aye: 15


011-17: Sanction Fees & Masterpoint Awards for Unit and District Sponsored Charity Games

Each Unit is entitled to hold two four charity events annually. The first and third, if any, event must be for the benefit of the ACBL Charity Foundation or the CBL Charity Fund. The second and fourth, if any event may be for either of the ACBL Charity Foundation or, the CBF Charitable Fund or for a local beneficiary. For the ACBL Charity Foundation or the CBF Charitable Fund, these events may be one or two sessions. For the a local beneficiary, they event may be two sessions only if the first event for the ACBL Charity Foundation or for the CBF Charitable Fund was two sessions. In addition, Units and Districts may conduct a charity event (of one or two sessions) in conjunction with each Sectional or Regional Tournament.

All Unit or District Charity events held for the benefit of the ACBL Charity Foundation or the CBF Charitable Fund shall carry Sectional rating, and require a minimum payment to the appropriate foundation of $1.50 per player per session. Unit sponsored charity games held for a local beneficiary, when held at a Sectional tournament, shall carry awards of 100% of Sectional rating, and require a minimum payment to the local charity of $1.40 per player per session. Unit or District sponsored charity games held for a local beneficiary, when held at a Regional tournament, shall carry awards of 100% of Sectional rating, and require a minimum payment to the local charity of $1.50 per player per session. All other Unit or District sponsored Charity events held for a local beneficiary shall carry awards of 70% 100% of Sectional rating, and require a minimum payment to the local charity of $1.25 $1.20 per player per session and a sanction fee of $1.20 per table per session to the ACBL. Each Unit/District shall be permitted to charge whatever entry fee it believes will cover its costs, plus a satisfactory overage.

The ACBL waives all sanction fees for Unit and District charity events. Events

held at Sectional and Regional tournaments to benefit charity are not excluded from the appropriate per table sanction fee. The minimum payment to charity will be 40% of the per table sanction fee for open and senior Regionals, and 100% of the per table sanction fee for Sectionals & I/N Regionals.

Carried without dissent.

 

GOVERNANCE
Anderson, R., Chair
Altus, Vice Chair
Anderson, V.
Hascall
LeBendig
Swan
Wood
Himel

Committee report by Chairman.

011-40: Privileged Communications (003-52)

A. Any communication that occurs during the meeting of an ACBL Body (as defined below), which relates to matters that have been, are or might reasonably become subjects of business for that particular body, is privileged.

1. "Privileged" shall mean communication that may not be used as the basis for any complaint under ACBL disciplinary or other regulations.

2. "ACBL Body" includes the Board of Directors, any ACBL Foundation Board and any ACBL committee or sub-committee appointed by the ACBL President, by the ACBL Board or by any ACBL Board member. It shall also include the Board of Governors, any District or Unit Board within ACBL and any duly appointed or elected District or Unit committee or sub-committee.

Carried.   Nay: 3, 8, 10, 11, 15

B. Private conversations between ACBL Officials (as defined below) who serve on the same ACBL Body, which relate to matters that have been, are or might reasonably become subjects of business for that particular ACBL body, are privileged.

Not Carried.   Aye: 6, 7, 18, 21, 22, 23


011-41: ACBL Bylaws Amendment for Geographical Representation

Concerning a plan for reducing the size of the ACBL Board of Directors as regulated by the ACBL Bylaws the Board made the following decisions:

  • The concept of geographical representation for two or more districts by one representative to the National Board of Directors is approved.
  • A Special Committee will be appointed by the President to determine the specific details of this plan.

Carried.   Nay: 1, 2, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25


011-42: Club Game Barred Players

No open club may bar a player, or players as a class, based upon the player's race, creed, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, national origin or on his proficiency at bridge.

Except as detailed in the previous paragraph, a club may bar a player for whatever reason it deems proper consistent with ACBL Rules and Regulations and the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. An obnoxious or incompatible partnership may be barred as a pair, but each may be permitted to play with other partners.

To bar a player, club management must notify the player in writing and send a copy of the notification to the ACBL Club Membership Department. The notification must include the player's name and player number and the reason for the barring.

A club may extend the barring of a player from Grand national teams, North American Pair events, sectional tournaments, unit or district competitions, such as unit championships, charity games, IMP games, and unit- or district-wide championships held at the club. In such cases, the written notice to the person barred must include the person's right to appeal the action to the Unit Board in which the club is located. The barred player has 30 days from receipt of the notice to appeal to the Unit in which the barring took place. Such written notice is required, otherwise the barring shall not be effective. The club may not impose partnership restrictions on such players for these events unless the unit, district or ACBL first imposes them.

Items 883-2, 913-2 and 973-04 are rescinded.

Effective Date: As soon as can be implemented by management.

Carried.   Nay: 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, 14, 24   Abstain: 4, 15, 25


011-43: ACBL Laws Commission Representative to WBF Laws Committee

The ACBL will send a representative from the ACBL Laws Commission to attend all meetings of the WBF Laws Committee held in conjunction with World Championships. The representative will be selected by the ACBL Laws Commission. The ACBL will provide a supersaver air ticket, hotel room, and per diem.

Carried without dissent.


011-46: Unit Transfers - Kentucky

Christian, Muhlenberg and Todd counties, in Kentucky will be permitted to transfer from unit 117 to unit 193.

Carried without dissent.


011-47: International Fund

All players entering NABC+ events will be charged the same entry fee which will include a $1.50 surcharge per player per session for the International Fund.

Deferred to Toronto Summer 2001 NABC.

Carried.   Nay: 1, 6, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 24


011-48: ACBL Code of Disciplinary Regulations

The ACBL Code of Disciplinary Regulations is amended as follows:

A. 6.7.1 The disciplined person shall have the right, within ten (10) thirty (30) days after notice of the imposition of the discipline imposed, to request a review of the decision..............

B. Under Disciplinary Sanction Guidelines:

E12 Prearrange a deal or part thereof including one card (¶ 2.1 & ¶ 2.2)

C. 3.3.3 and 6.5(b) Be represented by counsel, who need at the hearing by a person who shall not be an attorney. An attorney is defined as a person who is a member in good standing of a bar association licensed or has been licensed to practice law in any State, the District of Columbia, a United States Territory, Canada, Bermuda or Mexico. The person charged may be represented by an attorney in regards to other matters concerning the Hearing.

8.2 Appeals to the ACBL Board of Directors, Appeals and Charges Committee shall be allowed:

8.2.1 ......

8.2.2 .....

8.2.3 Notice of appeal must be given to the ACBL Board of Directors Appeals and Charges Committee ..........

8.2.4 .....

8.2.5 ....

8.3 Parties to appeals shall not be represented by an attorney at appeals hearings under Section 8.

12. 3 Each party to the proceeding may be represented by counsel, who need not at the hearing by a person who shall not be an attorney, at any time or during any part5 of the proceeding. Either party to a hearing may be represented by an attorney in regards to other matters concerning the hearing. A failure to exercise this right at one part of the hearing is not a waiver of such right at any other part.

  • 3.9 All disciplines are a matter of record. A written report shall be submitted to ACBL Management by the disciplinary body imposing the discipline.

A written report shall be made of all hearings, including a brief summary of the facts, the committee's findings and what sanction, if any, is to be taken. The complaining party and the party subject to discipline shall receive the written report, if requested. ACBL Management shall receive a copy of all written reports.

  • 8. Appeal Procedures

8.1 Appeals to the District shall be allowed.

8.1.1 As a matter of right, a disciplined person, or any party aggrieved and the ACBL ...............

  • 12.4 The Committee shall not ..............................................................

.........................................

Each member of the committee makes his or her decision as to guilt on a standard of "clear and convincing."

Effective Date: 4/1/01 (does not apply to cases filed before 4/1/01)

Carried.   Nay: 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 14


Item 011-49: Former ACBL BOD Remuneration Agreements

Item 911-26 B.3. is modified to add the underlined words:

No member of the ACBL Board of Directors or Chairman of the ACBL Board of Governors shall be employed as a permanent or temporary employee of the ACBL in any capacity other than that of tournament director until at least one year after leaving said position. The requirement that a past Board member be out of office for at least 12 months shall not apply to independent contractor situations where sole payment is on a sales commission formula for quantifiable benefits brought to the ACBL.

Effective: Immediately

Carried without dissent.


Item 011-50: Confidential E-Mails

E-Mail sent to Board of Directors members, League Counsel and or Chairman of the Board of Governors shall be considered confidential if marked "confidential" by the sender.

Carried without dissent.

 
MARKETING

Buckman, Chair
Steinberg, Vice Chair
Swan
Altus
Lix
Wilkinson
Fleming
Nist
Smith, R.
Fairchild
Himel

Committee report by Chairman.

Item 011-185: Marketing and Publicity Report

  • Management's marketing and publicity report is received.
  • Cost benefit analyses on all Marketing programs will be included in marketing reports and Easybridge! reports presented for Toronto.

Carried without dissent.


Item 011-186: Easybridge! Report

Management's Easybridge! report is received.

Carried without dissent.


Item 011-187: Club Recognition Program and
Jane Johnson Club of the Year Award

The attached Club Recognition Program and the Jane Johnson Club of the Year Award are adopted and will be implemented by Management. All clubs will be eligible according to their individual status on a three-tiered basis. (Exhibit 5)

Carried without dissent.

 
MARKETING - Education

Smith, R., Chair Altus
Lix
Fairchild
Himel

Committee report by Chairman.

Item 011-215: Bridge Education Status Report

Management's education status report is received.

Carried without dissent.


Item 011-216: Development of Nationwide Education Program

The Board of Governors request that the Board of Directors actively pursue the development of a nationwide educationally sound after school bridge program. The components of this program would include the hiring of a professional educator to examine existing programs and write teaching objectives to develop a website to distribute the program, secure funding and to market and implement the program nationwide.

Deferred to Toronto Summer 2001.

Carried.   Nay: 10, 12, 17

 
MARKETING - Clubs

Fleming, Chair
Lix
Nist Swan Smith, R.

Committee report by Chairman.

Item 011-190: Group Club Game Sanctions

Before the Summer 2001 meeting, Management has agreed to run an experimental game whereby clubs in different locations may run a club game scored across all the participating clubs. The software is in place to do this. The results of this effort will be reported to a joint Marketing/Bridge special committee as an aid to the development of the details of this project.

The findings of the special committee will be reported to the Marketing/Bridge Committees for Toronto.

Carried.   Nay: 7

* * * * * * * * * *

The meeting was called to order by President Jim Kirkham on Thursday March 15 at 9:00 am.

Present:Same as Wednesday March 14
Also Present:Same as Wednesday March 14
 
BRIDGE - International

Morse, Chair
Anderson, R.
Wood
Anderson, V.
Retek
Levy

Committee report by Chairman.

Item 011-115: 2001 International Fund

The 2001 International Fund Monies totaling $57,177 will be distributed as follows:

A. Entry Fees for the 2 Bermuda Bowl teams and the 2 Venice Cup teams. $10,000.00

B. 35% of the remaining balance to the teams (1/7 to each player plus NPC) winning the 2001 ITT and the 2001 WITT.. $47,177 X .35 x 2 = $33,023.90

C. 15% of the remaining balance to the teams (1/7 to each player plus NPC) placing 2nd in the 2001 ITT and the 2001 WITT.. $47,177 X .15 x 2 = $14,153.10

$57,177.00

Note: The entry fee for the Zone Two Senior Team will be paid from the 2002 Senior International Fund.

Carried without dissent.


Item 011-116: Augmentation to USA Junior Team 2

Todd Wolford, ACBL #Q296715, is augmented to USA Junior Team 2.

Carried without dissent.


Item 011-117: Tri Country Playoff

The ACBL, acting in its capacity as the Zone 2 governing body, will request the WBF to allow Canada, Bermuda and Mexico to participate in a Tri Country playoff, with the winner playing in the Bermuda Bowl in Bali, 2001. The existing rules, although well intentioned, are discriminatory and arbitrary and must be changed. We are aware that it may not be convenient for the WBF to change the number of teams that qualify but we hope that will not stop them from doing what is right.

Not Carried.   Aye: 1, 2, 7, 8, 18, 21, 22

 
BRIDGE - Special Events

Anderson, V., Chair
Hascall
Levy Morse Retek

Committee report by Chairman.

Item 011-130: Special Event Games

Management's report concerning special event games is received.

Carried without dissent.


Item 011-131: 2001 North American College Bridge Team Championship

A. The award for 1st overall in the 2001 North American College Bridge Team hampionship will be 80% of National Rating to a maximum of 25 Gold MPs.

B. The number of tables upon which to base the award will be the total number entered at all sites.

C. The depth of the awards will be based on original entry but no more than the number of teams qualifying for and playing at the final (6).

Effective 2001 NA College Bridge Team Championship

Carried.   Nay: 10


Item 011-132: NAOP Flight Structure

The North American Open Pairs (NAOP) flight structure will include a 4th flight.

The flights limits would be:

Open = unlimited;
A = 0-5000;
B = 0-2000;
C = non-Life Masters up to 500 masterpoints.

Deferred to Toronto Summer 2001

Carried.   Nay: 21


Item 011-133: United States Bridge Federation ByLaws

A. The proposed bylaws & articles of the US Bridge Federation are adopted. (Exhibit 6)

B. The ACBL Board of Directors requests the USBF Board of Directors to assume responsibility for selecting and approving teams (or pairs) to represent the United States in international competition taking place in 2002 and beyond. This includes conducting trials for such selection when appropriate.

C. The ACBL Board of Directors requests the USBF Board of Directors to advise the ACBL Board by no later than Wednesday, June 27, 2001 what level of financial support, if any (and for what purposes) it requests from ACBL for 2002.

D. The ACBL Board of Directors requests the USBF Board of Directors to advise the ACBL Board by no later than October 1, 2001 regarding its thinking about the type and level of financial support, if any, it expects to request from ACBL beyond 2002.

Carried.   Abstain: 1, 2


Item 011-134: Online Pair Event Masterpoints

Management may sanction online special championships along the following guidelines:

  1. The points are to be unpigmented.
  2. The magnitude of points will be determined by Management but may be no more than the lesser of Regional Rating or 50 masterpoints for 1st place overall for overall awards. The rating for qualifying levels (for session/section awards) may be lower than that of the rating for overall masterpoints.

Item 993-155 is rescinded.

Carried.   Nay: 7

 
BRIDGE - Tournament Regulations

Wood, Chair
Anderson, R.
DeMartino LeBendig Reeve

Committee report by Chairman.

Item 011-145: Mini-Spingold KOs Conditions of Contest

The conditions of contest for the Mini-Spingold KOs are approved. Exhibit 7

Carried without dissent.


Item 011-146: Tournament Appeals Committee

The following report from the ACBL Laws Commission is accepted.

"The Commission agreed that Sponsoring Organizations should not ignore their responsibility to provide an appeals committee. The Laws seem to clearly guarantee the right for a player to have a review of a Director's decision."

The Commission also said there is nothing in the Laws which speaks to the membership of a committee. A sponsor could, if circumstances permit, ask the DIC to select a committee of directors to hear appeals. The Laws Commission does not think such an arrangement is feasible except at very large tournaments such as North American Championships since it would require a large and very knowledgeable staff in order that enough directors would not have been part of the original decision making and advisory group.

Carried without dissent.


Item 011-147: Scheduling & Sanctioning of Regional & Sectional Tournaments

If it is in the best interests of bridge and ACBL, Management may, at its discretion, grant a sanction even though such a sanction would violate an existing regulation. Irrespective of this authority, another Unit or District retains the right of appeal for arbitration if the matter concerns violation of a conflict regulation.

Management will notify the Board at least three times a year of instances where Management has varied from the regulation.

Carried.   Nay: 17


Item 011-148: Criteria for NABC's

  • The ACBL Board of Directors will stringently apply the criteria that they already have in place for the NABC's. The Board of Governors requests a second review of tournament sites by members of the ACBL Board or other qualified persons that are not in the Meeting Planning department so that there may be an independent evaluation of tournament sites before they are awarded.

Not Carried.   Aye: 1, 2, 5, 13, 17, 18, 21

  • The following will be communicated to the Board of Governors concerning their motion about criteria for NABC's.

  1. The motion from the Board of Governors is received.
  2. The ACBL president has appointed an NABC strategy committee whose membership was drawn from the Board of Directors, the Board of Governors and other interested ACBL members.
  3. The strategy committee will review the NABC's from a global perspective but with emphasis on site selection to determine if any rules need to be established or guidelines modified.
  4. The committee will file a report which will include their recommendations with the ACBL Board of Directors and Board of Governors.
  5. The report may form the basis for legislation which would establish some rules, modify some guidelines and/or make some other policy changes in how ACBL conducts NABC's.

Carried.   Nay: 8, 10


Item 011-149: Platinum Point Life Master

300 platinum points may be used to achieve Life Master status.

Not Carried Unanimously.


Item 011-151: Overall Masterpoints for KOs

Items 821-41 & 823-81 are amended as follows:

C1. In Regionally-rated (or higher) KO events, teams shall be required to win 2 matches, not including Byes, to receive overall Masterpoint awards. Effective January 1, 1983.

  • In Nationally-rated Knockout events held without extended round robin qualification, teams which receive a BYE will be required to win the next match, and the depth of the overall awards is limited to one-half of the second day qualifiers.

# of teams qualifying for day 2 # of overall awards

8 teams 1st - 4th

16 teams 1st - 8th

32 teams 1st - 16th

64 teams 1st - 32nd

  • In NABC+ extended team trials, teams receiving a BYE into stage two or later, will be qualified for the overall awards after one win. In these events, progression from one stage to the next is deemed a win. The depth of the overall awards is based on the total number of teams entered as per ACBL Formula.

Carried without dissent.


Item 011-152: Harrisburg Regional

The Harrisburg Pennsylvania regional, January 1-6, 2002, is permitted to hold, on a one-time basis, a three-session morning bracketed KO. The overall masterpoints will be reduced by a factor of 30%.

Carried without dissent.


Item 011-153: 3-Session Regional Knockouts

Regional Knockouts of three sessions in length may be scheduled. The overall masterpoints will be reduced by a factor of 30%.

Deferred to Toronto Summer 2001

Carried.   Nay: 1, 6, 12, 17, 23   Abstain: 4


Item 011-154: Masterpoint Review Plan

The regular review of the entire masterpoint plan on a five-year basis per item 981-190E will be set aside in order that the masterpoints awarded in nationally-rated events can be addressed at the summer 2001 ACBL Board of Directors' meeting in Toronto.

Not carried unanimously.


Item 011-155: Toronto NABC 0-20 Entry Fees

Entry Fees for 0-20 events during the Toronto NABC (July 2001) will be set at $12.00 Canadian.

Not Carried.   Aye: 1, 2, 5, 6, 16, 17, 18, 21, 23, 25   Abstain: 4


Key Discussion Groups

Reports from each discussion group were given as follows:

Group 1 Role of the Board (Exhibit 8)

Group 3 A. "Competitors" Access to ACBL Membership (Exhibit 9)

B. Management Communication to the Board

Group 4 Board/Management Mistrust (Exhibit 10)

Group 5 Role of the Board (Exhibit 11)

Group 6 A. "Competitors" Access to ACBL Membership (Exhibit 12)

B. Management Communication to the Board

Group 2 Employee Compensation (No Exhibit)


Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee report is received.


NABC Strategic Planning Committee Report

The report of the NABC Strategic Planning Committee is received.


2002 ACBL President Election

For the year 2002 only, the election of the ACBL President will be held at the preceding summer Board meeting instead of the preceding fall Board meeting.

Carried.   Nay: 3, 11. 12, 15   Abstain: 4, 9


Closing Remarks

It was moved by Retek and carried unanimously that the Board expresses its thanks to District 15 and its units, including District Director Virgil Anderson, Tournament Chairman Steve Crutcher as well as all the other chair persons and numerous volunteers, plus a thanks to the Hyatt Crown Center Hotel and Westin Crown Center Hotel for their fine cooperation.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the Board adjourned sine die at 4:30 p.m.


Exhibits

CEO Report

CFO Report

CMO Report