September 14, 2019
East Texas Bridge Association Unit 225
Board Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 11:30by President Linda Harrison. Mary Ramsey, Phyllis Alvarez, Jo Ann Zastovnik, and Sandra O’Bannon were excused absent, the other Board Members were in attendance.
By voice vote the Board approved the minutes from the August, 2019 Board meeting.
The treasurer’s monthly report was reviewed. The Board discussed one particular expenditure, $600 to the US Treasury. This payment wasthe fee for reinstatement of our tax-exempt status. If approved, this will be well worth the money because of future tax savings it will provide. By voice vote the Board approved the treasurer’s report as submitted.
Linda reviewed the activity of the Senior Citizen Building Committee (Charles and Susan Ford, John Hamilton, and Linda Harrison). They are working on addressing the proposed increase of rental of the Senior Center from our current $30.00 per hour to $60.00 per hour. On September 11th, Charles Ford, Susan Ford, Nelda Avent, and Linda Harrison attended a meeting of the Tyler City Council. They made a presentation to the council requesting that Unit 225 be allowed to keep the same rate. Unit 225 is non-profit organizatin and we are senior citizens. In addition, after the meeting Linda Harrison followed up with a letter to the City of Tyler Mayor Heines asking that we be offered the same rental rate as before, including storage. The council seemed positively disposed to our appeal, and will make a decision by September 25, when they will approve the 2020 city budget.
The committee reviewing the bylaws discussed their proposed changes. These included reducing the size of the Board from 12 to 9, reducing quorum requirement from 7 to 5, changing the tenure on the Board from 2 to 3 years and electing 3 new Board members each year, and modifying slightly the duties of some of the officers. Carol Kinsey agreed to prepare a copy of the bylaws with the proposed changes highlighted. The Board will have to approve these at the next meeting, then prepare a petition for a vote of the membership, to be held at a special general meeting in December.
The Tournament of Roses will be held in July 2020. TheTyler Holiday Inn hotel is preparing a contract, but we plan to delay signing until the situation with the Senior Center is clarified.Janie Wolaver(Chair),
Carol Kinsey, and Rathnam agreed to work on 2021 Tournament of Stars (TOS) Committee with Mike Graham and Shirley Shelton in planning for the next 2021 TOS. The Board approved having Mike Graham and Shirley Shelton Chair the 2021 TOS. The Committee will work with Mike and Shirley to develop a preliminary budget and develop a plan for the Board’s consideration regarding how they recommend dealing with the feedback from the 2019 TOS. Also, Jo Ellen Wade agreed to do TOS 2021 partnerships.
Once the TOS Committee provides this feedback to the Board for consideration, the Board will review the Committee’s recommendations and vote on whether we are ready to move forward with signing a contract with the Holiday Inn, Longview. The Board approved by voice vote going ahead with this plan.
President Harrison announced the North American Pairs (NAP) Unit 225 game to be held at the Tyler Senior Center on Saturday, October 5. There will be 2 sessions with lunch, cost $28. All directors are asked to encourage participation. Linda will talk with Jo Ann Zastovnik about the lunch plans.
Linda Harrison sent out information to all Unit 225 Directors and Board Members regarding requirements for the 2019 Goodwill Award and the TexasStar Award. The deadline for these nominations are Oct 12th and President Harrison will present those to the Board at the next meeting.
July31, 2019, marked the end of our fiscal year. Rathnam and Nancy Green are working with Treasurer, Sandra O’Bannon, to audit Unit 225’s financial records and will present the results of the audit at our next meeting.
President Harrison mentioned the Pittsburg NLM tournament October 31-November 2, and encouraged attendance by those eligible.
An Awards Committee was formed with Rathnam(Chair), Sandra O’Bannon, and John Hamilton. They are reviewing the awards that we present to members in various situations, including the cost of the entire Unit 225 Awards Program. After they finish with this review, they will present any proposed Unit 225 Awards Program changes to the Board.
President Harrison announced congratulations to 3 new life masters: Cheryl Landers, Sandra O’Bannon, and Cliff Smith.
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 PM.
Tom Spradlin, Secretary
Mike and Shirley to develop a preliminary budgetand develop a planfor the Board’sconsideration regarding how they recommend dealing with the feedback from the2019 TOS. Also, Jo Ellen Wade agreed to do TOS 2021 partnerships. Once the TOS Committee provides this feedback to the Board for consideration, the Board will review the Committee’s recommendations and vote onwhether we are ready to move forwardwith signing a contract with the Holiday Inn, Longview. The Board approved by voice vote going ahead with this plan.President Harrison announced the North American Pairs (NAP)Unit 225 game to be held at the Tyler Senior Center on Saturday, October 5. There will be 2 sessions with lunch, and cost $28. All directors are asked to encourage participation. Linda will talk with Jo Ann Zastovnik about the lunch plans.Linda Harrison sent out information to all Unit 225 Directors and Board Members regarding requirements for the 2019 Goodwill Award and the TexasStar Award. The deadline for these nominations are Oct 12thand President Harrison will present those to the Board at the next meeting. July31, 2019marked the end of our fiscal year. Rathnam and Nancy Green are working with Treasurer, Sandra O’Bannon to audit Unit 225’sfinancial records and will present the results of the audit at our next meeting.President Harrison mentioned the Pittsburg NLM tournament October 31-November 2, and encouraged attendance by those eligible.An Awards Committee was formed with Rathnam(Chair), Sandra O’Bannon, and John Hamilton. Theyare reviewing the awards that we present to members in various situations, including the cost of the entire Unit 225 Awards Program. After they finish with this review, they will present any proposedUnit 225 Awards Programchanges to the Board.President Harrison announced congratulations to3 new life masters: Cheryl Landers, Sandra O’Bannon, and Cliff Smith.The meeting adjourned at 12:30 PM.Tom Spradlin, Secretary
