August 7, 2003

The most important item on the agenda was the long awaited new marketing plan, where the

Board and Management are committed to spend over one million dollars annually in a continued

effort to increase membership. Management provided highlights of this plan. I will report

further on this subject after the Fall 2003 meeting where management is expected to produce

more detailed information. The good news is that our membership is on the upswing! We are

pulling out all the stops so that we can continue the trend.

Some highlights of the Board meeting:

The 2004 budget time is approaching. Every effort is being made to avoid any increases in

membership dues and sanction fees. With an increase in the income stream, this goal should

be quite attainable.

Current year interim financial figures appear to be quite favourable. Marketing will spend

more in the second half of the year, but this has been anticipated in this year’s budget.

1) For my Canadian constituents; George Retek and myself were successful in having the

board pass two motions:

a) Starting in 2004 there will be a two day Canadian Senior Team Championship (CSTC)

and a one day Canadian Imp Pairs Championship (CIPC) event. The CSTC will be

held on Days 5 and 6 and the CIPC on Day 6 of the Canadian Bridge Week. Non

qualifying players in CSTC on Day 5 may also play in the CIPC on Day 6.

b) An annual Regional was given to District 1-2-18-19 at the discretion of the CBF for

the purpose of financially support the CBF International Fund. It is expected to be

held during the winter months to avoid conflicting with established Regionals.

2) In order to play in a nationally rated event at all NABC’s (including Blue/Red/Silver

Ribbon Pairs) a person must be an ACBL member whose service fee or dues are current.

3) A club may bar a player from all its games, and the player has the right to appeal.

However, if the club extends barring to GNT, NAOP, STAC’s, Progressive Sectionals,

Unit and District wide competitions held at clubs, then a written notice is required to be

sent to the person, together with a notification of right to appeal.

4) Effective in 2004, the afternoon of the first day of each NABC shall be a one session event

for the benefit of the International Fund. Actual expenses will be deducted from

proceeds, that will include an additional $1.00 charge.

5) There will be no Blue Ribbon qualification earned in the future for winning continuous

Pairs/Side Game Series type of events at Regionals.

6) The General Convention Chart is amended to permit use of transfer responses/advances to

overcalls, where the call shows length or values in the suit of the transfer.

7) Amended STAC regulations to allow sections with fewer than 10 pairs to be included in the

Sectionally rated Championship event. However, this rule may be modified or waived

prior to the start of the tournament, at the sponsor’s option.

8) Management is authorized to experiment with 10am and 3pm starting times during an

upcoming NABC with the approval and cooperation of the local sponsoring organization.

I hope to see you all in Calgary, but if I miss you there, I’m hoping Regina (September 29 -

October 5) will work out for you. Jay Baum, the ACBL’s Chief Executive Officer, has picked

District 18 to visit for a Regional. He will be in Regina and is looking forward to meeting many

players. He will spend as much time as needed to answer any questions you may have. Since he

only goes to 2 or 3 Regionals a year, I was pleased that he picked our District for a visit. He says

he has heard only good things about our Regionals. I look forward to spending one more term as

your District Director on the National Board of Directors. I am serving as a trustee of the

Educational Foundation and on a committee dedicated to improving the NAOP’s and GN Teams.

Along with work on several other committees, I remain dedicated to serving the Bridge players of

our District.

 I appreciate your past support and hope you will consider me once again. Please

call, email or write if you have any concerns that need to be addressed.

Yours sincerely,

Dick

Richard Anderson