AMERICAN CONTRACT BRIDGE LEAGUE
6575 Windchase Blvd. Horn Lake, MS. 38637
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
San Francisco, California
November 18-21 , 2012
December 2012
Greetings Everyone,
The San Francisco meetings were very successful as was the tournament for some District 18 players. I would like to pass on special congratulations to Peter Worby and Kevin Young of Regina. Peter and Kevin came from behind to win the Mini Blue Ribbon Pairs. You can get the complete details in the San Francisco daily bulletin.
The Board elected Don Mamula, from District 19, as president for 2013. Many of you may have met Don if you have attended the Penticton Regional or more recently Don attended our Regional in Kalispell. Be sure to introduce yourself the next time you see Don. Closer to home District 18 elected two new positions on the Board of Governors. Dick Anderson was elected as Chair of the BoG and Barry Harper was elected as the Vice-Chair. Congratulations to these District 18 players.
Below I have high-lighted a few of the San Francisco motions that are most relevant to District 18. If you have trouble getting to sleep in the evenings I am including a link to the full minutes.
2012 San Francisco BoD Minutes
I would like to wish everyone all the best in the holidays and as always may all for finesses be successful,
Sincerely,
Claire Jones
Item 123-02: Masterpoint Removal Formula
Carried: Unanimous
This item has stricter penalties for conduct and ethics violations. It is hoped this will show that the League views this type of violation as an extremely serious offence.
Item 123:-122-110: Reconsider Playing Directors in StaCs
Failed: 16-8-1 I voted in favor of this item.
Reconsideration items require a two-thirds vote. The item was one vote short of reconsideration. As a result the regulation that playing directors in StaC’s are not eligible for over-all awards will come into effect January 1st. The positive vote showed there was a concern for the hardship this motion may cause smaller clubs. There is a high likelihood there will be a motion in St. Louis to provide more consideration for the smaller clubs.
Item 123-110: Electronic Devices
Carried Unanimously
This item pertains to the Nationals. Presently electronic are not permitted in the playing area. This is unenforceable and created problems for the many players carrying cell phones. Under the new regulation electronic devices must be turned off and kept out of site in the playing area. It was felt this is a more realistic way to deal with cell phone concerns.
Item 123-114: District 20, one additional Regional in 2014
Carried 16-8-1 I voted against this motion.
District 20 Regionals are in a close proximity to Southern District 18 Regionals. Our calendar is already crowded and I believe more Regionals in our area will hurt the attendance at District 18 Regionals.
Item 123-115: Alzheimer’s Association Fund raiser.
Carried: Unanimously
One June 21, 2013 the ACBL will run an Alzheimer’s Association fund raiser in the clubs.
Item 123-45: Grass Roots FUNd Month.
Carried: Unanimously
Concerns had been raised over scheduling Grass Root fund raiser games into crowded December calendars. By changing from December to January it was felt there would be fewer conflicts for clubs which desired to host the games. The second Grass Roots fund raiser month will be January 2014. After that it will be January of every year.
Item 123-46: ACBL Membership for Club managers and Club directors.
Carried: Unanimously
It was felt this regulation was long over-due.
Item 123-53: Amnesty Program
Carried: 23-1-1 I voted in favor.
The ACBL will run a six-month amnesty program in 2013 in an attempt to regain lapsed memberships.
Item 123-54: ACBL Membership required for ACBL tournament participation.
Deferred
There is a concern over non-members regularly playing at tournaments and being put in lower strats then they should be as a result of not having their masterpoints recorded. This motion hoped to address this problem. Other concerns were raised that this could also prevent new players from trying tournament play. It was felt the vote should be delayed until St. Louis and the time could be used to investigate a way to address both concerns.
Item 123-160: Chapter1. Section 1. Juniors
Carried Unanimously
Currently there is a $5.00 Student membership where juniors have a player number but do not receive a bulletin. It was felt it would be more benificial to have the juniors receive a bulletin with their membership. The new regulation does away with the $5.00 Student membership and replaces it with a $15.00 Junior membership which includes a mailing of the bulletin.
Item 123-170: New Events at NABC
Carried 13-8-4 I voted in Favor
Beginning at the St. Louis Nationals there will be a new under 10 000 MP four session Swiss Teams at the Spring NABCs. It will be played on the first Friday and Saturday of the tournament and will pay 10% platinum points for the over-all winners. If you plan on attending St. Louis be sure to consider this event.