AMERICAN CONTRACT BRIDGE LEAGUE
2990 Airways Blvd. Memphis Tenn. 38116-3847
Claire Jones
District 18 Director
(901) 332-5586
2708 Lakeview Ave FAX: (901) 398-7754
Regina, Sk. S4S 1G3
Canada
H: (306) 584-3516
F: (306) 585-1443
Email: stats@accesscomm.ca
Greeting from My First Board Meeting
Reno, Nevada March 2010
Attending my first meeting has been an eye opening experience. When considering the issues you have to truly consider the big picture. Things that appear to be simple become very complex when the implications are viewed from an ACBL wide perspective. Thank you to everyone who sent me their thoughts on the issues being addressed. I may not have agreed with all but I did have a much broader perspective in making decisions that I felt were in the best interests of both our District and the entire League. Following is a summary of the more important motions that were considered in Reno. You will be able to get a complete run down when the final minutes are published and circulated, watch the bulletin or check www.acbl.org .
Thank you again and good luck with your bridge wherever where you are,
Claire Jones
District 18 Board of Directors
Some points of interest coming from Reno:
Advances in technology are always being looked at. If your club is not posting their results on the net check into the ACBL's latest service. Clubs can now post game results free of charge on the ACBL web site and by April it is hoped that features will be added to include the posting of travelers and recaps. In the past there have been complaints that the ACBL web site is difficult to navigate. We are presently working on completely revamping the web site to correct this problem. ACBL SCOR has served us for many years. Being an older DOS based system it doesn't take advantage of many of the features that are now available. We are presently making a decision on what is the best new system to replace it. Watch for a complete overhaul to be coming out in the next 9 to 18 months. The various table scoring devices for clubs and Units are still being evaluated. At this time leasing might be the best option until one clear best product is determined.
The ACBL has insurance coverage for many of the situations that arise at your clubs and tournaments. An important point to note is that the ACBL needs to be contacted immediately whenever something happens. If a member threatens action or if something happens where you feel there could be some liability, contact the League as soon as possible. This should be done even when the members say everything is alright. Peter Rank is your ACBL contact.
Reno Board Item Hi-Lites
Look for a complete list on the ACBL web site
Item - 101-33 - The month of February is reserved for Junior Fund Games, the month of April is reserved for Charity games and September is reserved for International Fund games and in those months any and all ACBL sanctioned club sessions may be special games for the named funds. In the remaining 9 months one game per sanctioned session may be a sanctioned game for either the Junior Fund, Charity Fund, International Fund, or Educational Fund.
The masterpoint rating will be 70% of Sectional rating with a cap of 6.00 masterpoints.
Carried 22-2-0 (My vote yes)
Recognizing that in its conception this concept was valid and recognizing that some areas strongly supported the present regulations, it was felt that something had to be done as the masterpoint system was being compromised.
Accepting this as the desired change other motions for related changes were defeated.
Item 101-46 - Moved that a Unit may use two of its three extended team game sanctions to run a 2-stage event, with a round robin phase of at least 4 matches to qualify teams to a KO bracket.
Carried - Unanimously
Item 101-47 - Moved the ACBL move the senior age to 60 over the next 5 years.
Defeated - 9-16 (My vote yes)
This was a lively discussion item. While a strong case could be made for raising the age it was felt raising the age would damage already existing successful senior aged events.
If you favored raising the age you may want to check into provisions already in place that allow for events with age restrictions of both 65 and 75 years of age.
Item 101-55 Moved that any club, in any calendar year, that runs special local charity games that are sanctioned for extra masterpoints must make available for public inspection an accounting of all such games no later than February 28th of the following calendar year.
Carried - Unanimously
This motion, altered from its original form, was put forward to deal with concerns members had over the running of charity games in their areas. This was passed as a measure to make the charities more transparent.
Item 101-110 - Moved that a Super Senior Pairs (70+) be established as a NABC+ event.
Carried 23 - 2 (My vote yes)
Even though this event will not count as a qualifier for Grand Life Master this should truly be a very popular event at future NABC's. It is a Fall event and is schedules to start this Fall in Orlando.
Item 101-130 - Moved that the number of boards in Regional events at the NABC's will no longer be a local option. Furthermore, with the exception of KO's and morning events the number of boards for pairs shall consist of 26 or 27 boards and Swiss teams shall consist of a minimum of 52 boards.
Defeated - 10-13 (My vote yes)
This was another lively discussion with the dissatisfaction of players being noted. The over-all feeling was that by dictating the number of boards local situations could not be accounted for. Those voting against this motion recognized that this is a situation that needs to be monitored carefully.
Item 101-132 -Moved that all games held at clubs with the sole exception of STaC's are to be counted in the ACE of Clubs races.
Carried - Unanimous
This is a good change that should benefit all our club players.
Item 101-133 - Moved that no club within 50 miles of a sectional or regional tournament be allowed to run an upgraded game.
Defeated 8-17 (My vote no)
This is not an issue in our area but in the more densely populated District the 50 miles could create hardships for some clubs.
Item 101-136 - Moved that ranks up to Life Master be modified.
Carried – Unanimous
In the new rankings it is recognized that to be a club master, sectional master, regional master, etc. you should have points earned in this venues. Watch for the complete chart on the ACBL web site.
Item 101-147 - Moved that the site for the 1017 Fall NABC be San Diego, CA.
Carried - Unanimous
Claire Jones
District 18 Director H: (306) 584-3516
2708 Lakeview Ave. F: (306) 585-1443
Regina, SK. S4S 1G3 Email: stats@accesscomm.ca
Canada