January 11, 2020
East Texas Bridge Association
Unit 225 Board Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 11:30 by President Linda Harrison. Jo Ellen Wade and Jo Ann Zastovnik were excused absent, while Linda Harrison, Janie Wolaver, Phyllis Alvarez, John Hamilton, Sandra O’Bannon, Mary Ramsey, Rathnam, Carol Kinsey, Susan Ford, and Tom Spradlin were in attendance.
By voice vote the Board approved the minutes from the November, 2019 Board meeting and the December, 2019 special meeting.
Sandra O’Bannon presented for review the treasurer’s monthly reports for both November and December, 2019. There were small losses in both months, and the year-end balance was $40,155.08. By voice vote the Board approved the treasurer’s reports as submitted.
Mike Graham joined the meeting to describe ongoing preparations for the 2021 Tournament of Stars in Longview. Mike has met with the manager of the Holiday Inn there, and the current contract is for $12000, but the hotel will give us a $2000 discount if we sell at least 40 lunch tickets every day. Mike proposes charging a $14 entry fee per session in 2021, as opposed to $13, and that will bring this tournament in line with others. Hotel room rates are to remain the same as before, with 80 rooms at the Holiday Inn and another 25 across the street. Last year the organizers didn’t send tournament flyers to small clubs, but they will do so this time. Mike and Shirley are currently working on the schedule for the various events. Mike also mentioned that we might be able to save money in 2021 by hiring fewer directors. They also hope to get at least 7 teams of high-level players, so that they can have their own stratum in team events. The Longview Convention & Visitors Bureau has offered to provide free coffee for the event, which will also save money. Mike agreed to look into an RV park to suggest for those who would like to drive their RV to the tournament. Jo Ellen Wade has offered to co-chair partnerships, but there are other committee jobs to be filled, and Linda has begun looking for those.
President Harrison reviewed the unit Christmas party, the December special meeting, the by-law amendment, and the awards presentations, saying all were well done. It was discovered that one member did not receive her Life Master award due to delayed reporting, we will make that up next year. The Santa’s Kids Van Zandt Co. Foster Children program was happy with our donation of $404 from the December meeting and unit game.
Carol Kinsey offered to review the by-laws and the tenures of the current directors and propose a schedule for board members to rotate off the board. We will not attempt to replace directors until membership has dropped to the level required by the by-laws.
President Harrison has proposed a budget for the July 9-11, 2020 Tyler sectional tournament. The board will review it at the next meeting.
The April meeting will consist of a membership luncheon and awards ceremony. The Awards Committee is still considering proposals for awards, and will outline their ideas at the next board meeting. Also, the Texas Star and Goodwill Awards will be presented at the Houston regional tournament. Carol Kinsey offered to try to get software with which we could print our own certificates.
The board agreed to make a memorial contribution of $100.00 to Hospice of East Texas in honor of Emily Leake.
Carol Kinsey suggested that we all try to support Shreveport’s upcoming sectional tournament, since they are faithful in supporting ours. Carol also summarized statistics on our membership recently received from ACBL. After some discussion, the directors agreed that we need to work on steps to increase our membership.
The meeting adjourned at 12:30.
Tom Spradlin, Secretary
