STAC Update
In addition to the above, we are again participating in the three Great Western STACs, hosted by Western Conference. One major change this year is that the August Swiss Team STAC will become the Great Western Summer STAC, and will have the same format as the other STACs, including pair games with overall results. Your participation in these STACs is important because it helps keep tournament costs down. Because of the success of these games, Western Conference sanction fees have not been raised in some time.
2007 Was a Good Year
While the final financial results for 2007 are not yet available, all indications are that we had a very successful year. Tournament attendance was strong, membership was up, we had very successful NABCs, our building was sold, and costs at headquarters were down. As a result, no dues or fee increases are necessary for 2008. CEO Jay Baum was tendered a new contract.
Special Games at Clubs
At the ACBL board meeting in Detroit next month, we will again have before us a motion to limit the number of special games clubs can hold. I will again oppose this motion. I think this is a free enterprise issue. Club managers hold these games because their players like them and/or because they want to support the funds. They are not under any obligation to hold any of these games, and can decide, if they hold such games, what type of games they wish to run. The extra money raised is used to fund activities that either would not be funded at all, or that would require an allocation from the ACBL general fund. Is this worthwhile? See below. You be the judge.
Charity GamesDistrict 17 NABCs
The most popular of the special games are charity games. These games can be run either for the ACBL Charity Foundation or for local charities under a formula that assures that the Foundation is the beneficiary for at least half the charity games a club holds. Giving to local charities helps build community ties. The Foundation gives $20K each year to five ACBL districts to distribute to charities determined by each district board. The districts selected rotate so that each district gets these funds about every 5th year.International Fund Games
The extra money raised by these games is collected by ACBL and sent to the United States Bridge Federation (USBF) to pay expenses of non-junior players who represent the US in international competition.Junior Fund Games
The primary purpose of funds raised here is to attract young players to the game of bridge, and to nurture and develop them. A significant percentage of the money helps fund the ACBL school bridge lesson program. $50K is annually sent to the USBF to fund junior (age 25 and under) participation in international competition.Education Foundation Games
A new beneficiary to the suite of special games, funds earmarked for this foundation are used for school programs, to develop educational materials and new education programs, and to strengthen and expand ACBL's volunteer cadre of bridge teachers.
Shanghai 7
It's fair to say that I heard more about the incident at the medals ceremony that concluded the world championships in Shanghai than about anything that has come up in my time as your ACBL board representative. First was the criticism that the rumored punishment was too harsh; then the ACBL board was criticized because absolutely nothing was done. This matter came under the jurisdiction of the USBF, which didn't hear it until after the ACBL board meeting in San Francisco concluded. There is a motion before the ACBL board to censure the participants. I am a co-sponsor of this motion. If you're interested, e-mail me at the address below, and I'll be happy to explain my position. This motion will be heard in Detroit, and I'll report the results in my next column.
Bracketed KO Masterpoint Changes
Another area where I have heard from a number of you pertains to the masterpoint (MP) award changes that went into effect in January for bracketed KO teams. Traditionally, the MP awards were based on the size of the field. Several members on the ACBL board felt that it would be fairer to base the awards for each bracket on the strength of the bracket. Based on this, a new formula was developed. In one of the bracketed KOs in Albuquerque, bracket 1 paid the winners over 60 points, while bracket 2 paid around 25. I'd like to hear what you have to say about this change. Personally, I think it makes sense.
Consistency in Team Conditions
I submitted a motion for Detroit seeking more consistency in the conditions of contest for various team games. I think it is reasonable that masterpoint awards be based on percentage of participation. This is true in Swiss, but not in KO. It seems that all multi-session team games could allow teams of more than 4 players, but that is not the case for compact KOs. There are other differences
Thanks
Several district 17 board members have retired. I'd like to thank Paul Ivaska, Selina Whitworth, Jim Truitt and Ginny Johnston for all their contributions to the success of District 17. You made a difference!
In my next report, I'll elaborate on some of the issues raised here, and report on the ACBL board meeting in Detroit. Starting May 1, I will no longer be ACBL Treasurer. I am a candidate for ACBL President for 2009. That election will take place this summer.
Your input and suggestions on any of the above topics (or any other issues you wish to raise) are always appreciated, whether you agree or not. My phone number is (505)662-3036, you can e-mail me at peanutcat@aol.com, or write me at 2175 La Tierra Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544-2766.