President John Van Ness called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.

Present: Board members Bonnie Bagley, Jerry Fleming, Connie Freeman, Karin Griffin, Darryl Helton, Paul Ivaska, Ginny Johnston, Carolyn Newcomb, Marianne Spanier, Vickie Thomas, Jim Truitt, John Van Ness and Selina Whitworth.
Absent: Dale Sweetwood

Also attending a portion of the meeting were Penny Coffman, Denver Unit Board President, Dan Williams, Jared Johnson, Scorecard editor, Gary Zeiger, Director In Charge and Steven Adelson.

President's Opening Remarks
John Van Ness welcomed the board members and noted that Dale Sweetwood is absent due to health problems. He noted that D-17 regionals continue to thrive Ð he especially commended Albuquerque and Denver for their increased table count and for the surplus Albuquerque realized and the surplus Denver is on track to produce.

Secretary's Report
Bonnie Bagley noted a sympathy card was sent to Karin Griffin for the death of her husband, John. A donation was made in his memory by the District 17 board to the Ronald McDonald House in Albuquerque and to the American Diabetes Association.

Approval of June 24, 2006 Minutes
The minutes of the January 17, 2007 meeting were approved.

Treasurer's Report
Carolyn Newcomb reported the report shows a year to date $9,834 deficit but the sanction fee from the Mesa Regional has not been received. As of May 18, District 17 has a net worth of $92, 996, an increase of $5,329 from May 2006. A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to accept the treasurer's report.

Current Regional (Denver) Report
At this time, Penny Coffman, the Denver Unit Board President was recognized. Penny reported Denver tournaments are alive and well, the table count for the January sectional was up and the March sectional had a near record attendance. The I/N tournament in April, which had been running at a loss, made $500. The regional thus far is 198.5 tables up over 2006 and it is a virtual lock to reach 1900 tables. Currently the hotel can support a 2,000 table regional but renovation is scheduled that will increase the capacity. There are contracts with the hotel through 2009 and post tournament meeting is scheduled with the hotel to ensure continued smooth operations. Penny noted the hotel staff has been extremely conscientious and courteous. Attention has been focused on the I/Ns with door prizes of books and coupons. John Van Ness thanked Penny for putting on a terrific tournament and noted (jokingly) the only complaint he has heard is there were too many people. Ginny Johnston added there are many new restaurants nearby and the attendance at the Daylight Pairs has been good.

National Board Report
Jerry Fleming reported on the National Board meeting held at the St. Louis NABC in March.
1. There was a motion to reduce the number of special games a club can hold. The motion was defeated, The Board of Governors asked the Board of Directors to reconsider the issue which will be done at the next meeting in July at the Nashville NABC.
2. The process of tightening the GNT residence eligibility is continuing. The GNT credentials committee seriously considers claims made. There is dwindling interest in the GNTs, especially in the Open Flight.
3. The NAP reimbursement has changed, instead of airfare and three hotel nights for 1st place pairs and three hotel nights for the 2nd place pairs, 1st place winners will now receive $700 and 2nd place will receive $300 upon playing in the national event. The 3rd place pairs are still invited to participate with no reimbursement. This is to save on administrative costs with no loss of reimbursement to the winners.
4. A regional may not be more then six and a half days, however, a one session event may be scheduled the afternoon before the start of the regional, to benefit the ACBL Charity Foundation, ACBL Education Foundation, the International Fund or the Junior Fund.

There have been significant personnel changes in the ACBL staff. The marketing director resigned The Chief Financial Officer has been reassigned and a search is being made for a professional budget analyst. Jerry also noted the sale of the ACBL building in Memphis fell through. The directors and officers insurance will be renewed. Jerry was reelected as ACBL treasurer.

Board of Governors Report
Ginny Johnston reported she was in St. Louis to attend the Board of Governor's meeting but became very ill and was unable to attend.

Western Conference Report
John Van Ness reported he and Jerry Fleming are on the Western Conference Board of Directors which consists of District 17, District 21 and District 22. Jerry is the current president and Tom Shulman, from Las Vegas, is the WC treasurer. The Western Conference is a break even organization with revenue mostly from regional sanction fees and the WC STaCs. The WC STaC is far larger then any NABC or the Gatlinburg regional in numbers of players, with over 15,000 different players. If not for the Western Conference STaC, the Western Conference would likely not exist.

Executive Committee Report
John noted the Executive Committee took three actions since the last meeting in Albuquerque. Tucson was interested in having Senior games starting at 9:00 a.m., as Albuquerque did and starting times of 9:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. were approved for the October 2007 Tucson regional. The Las Vegas unit asked for approval of Ken Monzingo as tournament chairman for the 2008 Summer NABC in Las Vegas. Approval was given. The third item was approval for the 2008 Riverside, CA regional to start a day earlier to avoid playing on Super Bowl Sunday. This would overlap with the last day of the 2008 Albuquerque regional, but it is highly unlikely the overlap will cause a decrease in attendance at either tournament.

Unfinished/Old Business

None.

New Business

Duplicating Machine
John Van Ness recognized Dan Williams, from Denver, who explained the process of duplicating boards for pairs games. He is duplicating the boards for the pairs games in Districts 22 and 23. There are many advantages to pre-duplicated boards, it allows for perfect movements (everyone in the event plays exactly the same boards), there are no fouled boards, it allows games to start on time and it is a service to players, many of whom do not like to make the boards. Dan Williams provides the boards and cards. After much discussion, it was moved and seconded to hire Dan Williams to duplicate the boards in pairs games at the 2007 Phoenix and Tucson regionals, upon approval of the tournament chairman, the cost paid by District 17, as a trial for duplicating the boards for all District 17 regionals. The motion passed unanimously.

Entry Fees
John Van Ness stated the factors to be considered when the subject of raising entry fees arises, are the units hosting D-17 regionals showing a surplus, cost to the players, the status of the district treasury and protection against ACBL rising fees. After discussion concerning the card fees of neighboring districts, the increased costs of running a regional and the additional cost to the district of paying for pre-duped boards for pairs games, as a service to the players. A motion was made and seconded to raise the entry fees for District 17 regionals to $11 starting with the Albuquerque regional in January 2008, the increase to be split with 50 cents to the district and 50 cents to the unit hosting the regional. The motion passed unanimously.

Completed Tournament Reports

Albuquerque, January, 2007
Karin Griffin reported the tournament was very successful, the table count was 1,869 up 346.5 over 2006 and a surplus of $10,758 was realized by the unit. Karin stated a lot of people do extra work without charging which is one of the reasons for the surplus.

Tucson I/N, February, 2007
Connie Freeman reported the table count was 304, down 24 tables, perhaps due to less promotion then in previous years. A surplus of $300 was realized and Connie stated the players love the tournament and it continues to thrive considering 'they promote themselves out of business.' John Van Ness noted there are very few I/N regionals and Tucson's is by far the largest and provides a 'farm system' for beginning tournament players.

Mesa Senior, April, 2007
In Dale Sweetwood's absence John Van Ness reported there were 1,994 tables, down from 2,073 in 2006 and 2,334 in 2005. The financial report has not been completed but there appears to be about a $3,000 loss which is reason for concern after surpluses of over $17,000 in 2005 and almost $4,000 in 2006.

Future Tournament Reports

Las Vegas (June 18 Ð 24, 2007) Paul Ivaska reported that Tom Shulman, tournament chairman, is predicting a financial squeeze for the unit. The raised entry fee in 2008 will be a definite help.

Phoenix (August 13-19, 2007) Marianne Spanier and Jerry Gaer stated if the recent sectional is any indication, the table count increased from 250 to 398.5, the new tournament chairman, Leslie Davis will do a fantastic job.

Tucson (October 8-14, 2007) Connie Freeman said Tucson is ready and tournament chairman, Paul Moore's health is getting better. Jerry Fleming announced that ACBL president, Sharon Fairchild, will be attending the Tucson regional.

Albuquerque (January 21-27, 2008) Karin Griffin noted the tournament will be held at the Marriott Pyramid Hotel and presented the proposed budget and schedule. A motion was made to approve the Albuquerque budget with changes to reflect the increased entry fee (income and district sanction fees) and removal of the D-17 reception and breakfast expenses (there is no district board meeting). The motion was seconded and passed. After much discussion, it was moved to approve the schedule (the events are the same as 2007) with starting times at 8:45 am, 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm, with the encouragement of pre-duplicated boards. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. A motion was made, seconded and passed to offer Albuquerque the Baldwin Plan.

Tucson I/N Regional (February 21-24, 2008) Connie Freeman said the tournament will be in the same location, the Holiday Inn, Palo Verde

Las Vegas (Feb, 25-March 2, 2008) Paul Ivaska noted that due to the 2008 Summer NABC held in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas regional is moved to the end of February. There will be a lot of publicity to notify players of the change. John noted that District 17 has never held a regional in a location the same year as an NABC but the loss of revenue to the District from not holding a regional in Las Vegas could easily exceed $20,000.

Mesa (April 7-13 2008) There was no report due to the absence of Dale Sweetwood.

Denver (May 20-26, 2008) Ginny Johnston stated there are contracts with the Renaissance Hotel through 2009 and a meeting is scheduled negotiate for future years.

Las Vegas NABC (July 17-27, 2008) Bonnie Bagley reported she will be helping Ken Monzingo, tournament chairman, and will specifically be handling Registration and Section Top Prizes and will appreciate any and all help from district board members. She reiterated, as Jerry Fleming noted there are no NABCs scheduled in the near future (through 2012) in District 17.

Phoenix (August 18-24, 2008) Marianne Spanier said the tournament will be held at the Sheraton Crescent. Jerry Gaer noted the regional will suffer fall out from the 2008 Summer NABC in Las Vegas.

Colorado Springs (October 6-12, 2008) Bonnie Bagley stated the tournament will be held at the Sheraton as the room rates at the more desirable Hilton are too high is October.

Tucson (November 10-16, 2008) Connie Freeman relayed thanks from the Tucson unit board for the opportunity to have this tournament.

Committee Reports

2007 Committee Appointments The President makes the committee appointments, which the district board ratifies during the second meeting of the year. The appointments for this year remain the same as last year and are as follows: Executive Committee - John Van Ness, Jerry Fleming, Jerry Gaer, Paul Ivaska and Bonnie Bagley; NAP - Selena Whitworth; Unit Affiliations - Vickie Thomas; Finance - Jim Truitt, Jerry Fleming & Carolyn Newcomb; Sectional Tournament Coordinator - Marianne Spanier; Regional Tournament Committee - Paul Ivaska, Jerry Gaer, Bonnie Bagley & Carolyn Newcomb and Gary Zeiger as advisor; Charity - Karin Griffin; GNT Ð Jerry Gaer; Scorecard - Bonnie Bagley; Baldwin Plan - Paul Ivaska, Jerry Gaer & Bonnie Bagley; Education - Vickie Thomas & Ginny Johnston; By-laws - Karin Griffin & Jim Truitt; Appeals Coordinator - Jim Truitt; I/N Coordinator - Connie Freeman; Web Page - Jerry Fleming. John Van Ness reappointed the same persons to the District Disciplinary Committee: Joe Harris, chairman, Bob Wingeard, Gerald Oehm, Bob Woodward, Karen Renne and Jon Gustafson. John also reappointed the same persons to the District Appellate Committee: Tom Shulman, chairman, Steve Kemic and Chris MacNaughton. A motion was made and seconded to ratify the committee appointments. The motion passed unanimously.

GNT Jerry Gaer reported that there were 50% more qualifying games at the club level, of course, the qualifying period was longer. Forty-two teams competed; five in the Open Flight, eight in Flight A, nineteen in Flight B and ten in Flight C. There will be no substantial changes in the Conditions of Contest for next year.

NAP Selina announced the Conditions of Contest approved in January have to be amended as ACBL changed the awards as Jerry Fleming noted in his Board of Director's report. A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to approve the amended Conditions of Contest. Selina stated she will not be running for reelection and the NAP Coordinator position will be available.

I/N Connie Freeman stated sent a record number of postcards to I/N players after the Albuquerque and Mesa Regionals Ð 576. Connie noted an announcement was made Friday evening that there were 21 I/N tables. John Van Ness noted that all the I/N games have been huge, there were 22.5 Friday afternoon and this is a credit to the district's emphasis on promoting the I/N program and to Denver's efforts as well.

By-laws No report

Charity Karin Griffin reported the next D-17 charity game will be Monday afternoon September 10th. The district Charity Games are the 2nd Tuesday in February and the 2nd Monday in September. In 2008 the District Charity Games will be February 12th and September 8th. Jerry Fleming is going to check the possibility of the District designating the charity for the District Charity Games.

At this time, John Van Ness introduced Steve Adelson, from Scottsdale, AZ who is observing the meeting, and Jared Johnson, editor of the Scorecard. Jared said everything is running smoothly and he thanked Jerry and John for their timely submittal of their columns and he always welcomes input from board members and if he can be helpful, please contact him.

Sectional Tournaments Marianne Spanier reported all is well. Jerry Fleming urged units to get their sanctions in for their tournaments Ð the Tucson September sectional and the I/N sectional in November have not been sanctioned and there are many 2008 tournaments that remain unsanctioned. It is important to get sanctions early to maintain the priority dates.

Finance Jim Truitt will do a financial review of 2007 when he receives the paperwork from the treasurer.

Baldwin Plan No report

Education Vickie Thomas has started a mentor program in Laramie and urges all units to do the same.

Unit Affiliations No report

Appeals Jim Truitt mentioned there is one appeal pending with the District Disciplinary Committee. Materials are being distributed to the committee members.

Elections Ginny Johnston reported the following are up for reelection: Darryl Helton Ð Arizona at Large, Bonnie Bagley Ð Colorado at Large, Ginny Johnston Ð Denver, Selina Whitworth Ð El Paso, Paul Ivaska Ð Las Vegas, Jim Truitt Ð New Mexico at Large, Marianne Spanier Ð Phoenix and Connie Freeman Ð Tucson. She asked that those up for reelection notify her as soon as possible if they are going to run again; she needs to know no later then August 1st.

At this time, Gary Zeiger, Director in Charge, joined the meeting. Gary stated as of last night the table count was 1,166.5, only up 198 tables and the GNT tables are not included in this count. The tournament is a lock for over 1,900 tables and will be the largest in many years. [Final attendance was 2015 tables] Gary said the hotel staff has been terrific (which is not new) as have been the local people who set up the tables. Gary pointed out the only glitch has been the tournament ad in the FORUM listed the Tuesday night start time as 7:30 pm instead of 7:00 pm, but it did not seem to be a major problem. Gary delayed the start of the Tuesday night game a few minutes to allow for players who might have thought the starting time was 7:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Bonnie L. Bagley