RABA BOARD MEETING – April 26, 2005

PRESENT: L. Ackerman. L. Allen, D. Bradley, J. Bridges, W. Marsland, M. Perlson, L. Sanders,

L. Meacham, B. Foster, M. Spence.

ABSENT: P. Clark, A. Booke

The minutes of the February 2, 2005 meeting were approved as distributed.

Warren Marsland provided two reports; a detailed treasures report and a summary of the fiscal year comparison. Year to date profit for tournaments was $896.00.

Committee Reports:

Lynn Ackerman reported that there has not been much card sending activity lately. There will be no newsletter sent out before the regional. Bill Foster reported that he needs a few more people to help at the partnership desk at the regional.

Old Business:

The Spring sectional went well with approximately a $600 profit. A player complained that there was not enough time between sessions on Saturday as there was in the past. More pizza to be ordered next time. Discussed the starting times of 10:00 and 3:00 vs 9:00, 1:00, 7:00 for the Saturday game. The unit board will be discussing these times in order to get some consistency. A Survey Committee was elected (Lynn Ackerman and Mike Perlson). The survey will ask pro’s and cons on starting at 10:00 etc. on Saturday. Also possibly a new starting time of 10:00 on Sunday. A survey will be drafted and ready to go with the ballots at election time in late August.

A list will be obtained from Bernie at the next sectional showing the location of the players attending.

Bruce Toder’s request for an increased fee for directing tournaments was discussed. The current fee for tournament directors is $100/session and the tournament assistant is $80/session. It was concluded that Jim would email/call Bruce and tell him that a decision was made to leave the fee at $80 per session, $.85 per table including dinner. Since our income basically stays the same, a 25% increase in director fees is substantial. We want to give Bruce the opportunity to accept or decline and to let us know in a few days. Doug Bradley was asked if he would direct this tournament if Bruce declines the offer. He accepted at the current rate. There was a suggestion that this directing job should be offered to all local directors at the beginning of the year for the various tournaments. Then they could inform the board which tournament if any they would like to direct. This will be discussed at a future date.

Regional Update

Jim will keep in better touch with Mike about publicity. A nice job was done putting the regional ad in the bulletin.

The Park Plaza is very interested in hosting our next regional. Room reservations were made for the directors, Audrey Grant, etc. Food will be offered between sessions for the committee chairs and their assistants. The committee chairs are to let Janet Flanagan know the number of people who will eat between sessions so she can plan the food amount better. This is to be done before the tournament begins. There will be food available for the players each day at the end of the last session.

Audrey Grant will be conducting a teaching program Thursday, Friday and Saturday with no fee to the district. The fee per person attending will be $95 for new teachers, $25 for those who have already taken a TAP program. Any amount over $1500 will go directly to RABA. Warren Marsland requested that RABA pay 50% of this fee for each RABA person taking the course. It was concluded that RABA will pay a maximum of $600 towards this course. In turn RABA can announce that is will be a “RABA sponsored event” or something along those lines. Discussed finding a way to measure the benefits of subsidizing these courses. 1 -3 people out of 18 from the Rochester area benefited/are teaching from the program. The Syracuse program itself “was a sham”.

Summer Sectional

Playing site is at the Genesee Country Christian School, 4120 Long Point Road in Geneseo on August 6 and 7^th. Times will 10:00 & 3:00 on Saturday. 10:00 on Sunday as we have to be out by 5:30. Cost is $300 total for both days. Warren will change the website dates/times to take off Friday and will send in a schedule. A 199’er section will be offered. Jim to make of flyers for teachers and clubs. Bernie will direct. Lynn gave Liz a list of foods/supplies that will be needed. Jim will take care of tables.

Mens & Womens Pairs

Will be held on June 9^th, Temple Sinai at Bruce’s game. Lynn will arrange getting food and pop.

New Business

Members of the Election Nominating Committee are Warren Marsland, Doug Bradley, Liz Meacham, Lew Allen and Lynn Ackerman.

The website by Ed Reppert was discussed and looks good.

Warren brought up a possible new playing site for tournaments at the Lakeville Training Hall which is approximately 20 minutes south of Marketplace Mall. Cost is $600 for 3 days (vs $1400 for the India center).

The suggestion to alternate our board meeting days between Tuesday and Wednesdays was accepted.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, July 20^th at the Lakeville Training Hall. Warren will send out directions.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynn Ackerman, interim Secretary