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Detroit — * It was March, and the hosts provided snow almost every day. Bundled
up bridge players had a great time as the local committee and a generous
donation from Compuware provided wonderful food and entertainment. The
table count was close to the budget, but the 8,544 tables was the smallest
NABC since November 2000 in Birmingham. The people of Detroit could not
have done more to make this tournament a success.
The league is healthy, table count for 2007 exceeded 3 million, and after
expenses there was a record surplus. Membership increased by 983 and as
of February is 158,269.
New member secondary mailings have been started. This is a program that
sends new members a second “bulletin” quarterly that provides information
about the game, common conventions and non-timely items to help new members
learn how to enjoy the league experience. This program was discontinued
several years ago in a budget crunch. I would like club managers and teachers
to ask our newer members their thoughts on this series and give me some
feedback.
The board studied the report of the Real Estate committee and postponed
making a decision on relocation to the summer meetings in Las Vegas.
The Hall of Fame committee announced that Nick Nickell has been elected,
and we congratulate Nick on this well deserved honor. Even though he lives
in New York, Nick has maintained his membership in Unit 119 and District
7. The committee also announced that Jerry Machlin “the founding father”
of the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference, will join the Hall. Jerry died in
1997.
Other bored news:
*>* We passed a watered down statement about the incident at the World Championships in China disapproving of non-bridge related statements made by representatives participating in world competition. Further the USBF, CBF and MBF are requested to adopt regulations disallowing such demonstrations.
*>* The ACBL Bridge in the Schools program was modified to include shortened mini-bridge for participants with time limitations.
*>* For the third time the board addressed reducing the number of special games at clubs, and once again it was voted down. Hopefully this will be the last time that we have to address this matter.
*>* The Code of Disciplinary Regulations has been changed to prohibit lawyers from representing those charged in front of committees. This was done to simplify hearings and make them less of a courtroom atmosphere. The code was changed from requiring “clear and convincing proof” to a “preponderance of the evidence” as the standard of proof. For all non-lawyer types, this means that the evidence is more convincing than the evidence opposed to it.
*>* The board received and approved the convention charts from the Competition and Conventions Committee (a non-board committee). The major change is that multi-two diamond convention may not be played in any pair events beginning Aug. 8. While personally I neither play nor like the treatment, this seems like a step backward in system development. The new Laws will be available later in the year, and club owners and managers should purchase a copy when available and do a little studying. Seminars should be available at selected tournaments in the near future. They become effective Sept. 8.
Leave your cell phones at home or in your room when playing in NABC event.
The board passed a very strong policy recommended by management banning
cell phones and other non-health related devices from playing areas. The
penalties are harsh — one full board in matchpoints, 12 IMPs in a team
game – and will be enforced. A second offense will result in disqualification
from the event. The league is trying to get in front of what could be a
serious problem such as chess has experienced.
New cameras and surveillance devices were used in Detroit, and they provided
much clearer pictures and can be directed easier to watch players. Bridge
is a wonderful game and it is a shame that some players make these measures
necessary.
In closing, remember that this summer the ACBL will hold the first Youth North American Championships in Atlanta. District 7 will once more show the league who we are and what we can do for bridge.
Bruce Reeve
Bruce Reeve, District Seven - District Director
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