District
Director's Report
December 2008 (
Rich DeMartino)
Boston NABC
We did it! The reviews are in; the Boston NABC has clearly earned a five-star rating. Players commented that this NABC is one of the best and most enjoyable NABCs they ever attended.
Following are a few of the highlights:
The evening hospitality was superb. The selections were all great and included lobster rolls, chili, New England clam chowder, and ice cream sundaes. Generous hospitality was also available each day for the I/N and Senior players and coffee and pastries were provided to the players each morning.
The I/N program was absolutely sensational. 1,220 players participated with a total table count of 924 tables. There were numerous lectures done for the players, at least one of which was attended by about 150 eager participants. Many of the nearby teachers helped considerably by encouraging their students to come and join the fun. The table count for the first Friday through Monday was a whopping 531 tables, an amazing average of 133 tables per day. Congratulations to all who helped achieve this incredible result.
The volunteer dinner at the Summer Shack was fabulous with an open bar, raw bar, lobster, steak, and a wonderful dessert buffet. Several Board members commented that this dinner was the best they ever attended. There were 116 attendees, all of whom had a terrific time.
Excellent tours were offered each day except the first Friday and Thanksgiving Day. 244 players participated on these tours (a great turnout) and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. On the Board spouse tours, 15 participated on Monday and 18 on Tuesday and all commented on how great the tours were.
An outstanding hospitality suite was available to our volunteers each day for breakfast and lunch. The suite was great for the volunteers and promoted good will and camaraderie.
Committee Chairs and their committees did an outstanding job on all of the following: Board Gift Bags (the gift bags were extremely well done and were among the best ever); Caddies (plenty, well-mannered and trained); Information (this centrally-located desk always seemed to be open and was well-utilized all day); Partnerships (a difficult job, very well done); Publicity and Promotion (truly outstanding); Registration and Prizes (great gifts and a well-manned desk); Restaurant Guide (an excellent guide was prepared which was also published on the website); State Days (a great idea, very popular with the players); Transportation (excellent pre-tournament information was provided for auto, rail, and parking); and, Volunteers (sufficient and well-organized);
5,109 players participated from 43 countries and all the states except Utah and Wyoming.
A detailed budget was prepared with numerous financial controls that were strictly followed. Although all expenses are not finalized, the expectation is that we will end up at or below budget, a great result. The overall table count was 10,636 tables, about 10% lower than pre-tournament estimates. Most believe the lower table count is due solely to the financial crisis.
On behalf of the ACBL Board of Directors, the District Board and all the players who enjoyed this wonderful NABC, I want to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to NABC Chairs Kathy Benjamin and Frank Lombardo, our excellent Committee Heads and all the volunteers who gave their time so willingly to make this NABC the huge success that it was. There aren't sufficient words to convey what a super job you all did and how proud I am to be your District Director.
Top Ten Finishers in NABC Events - District 25
Phyllis Fireman, Chestnut Hill MA |
8 |
LM WOMEN'S PAIRS
Phyllis Chase, Providence RI | |
Joyce Regan, E Greenwich RI |
6 |
WOMENS BAM TEAMS
Karen McCallum, Exeter NH |
1 |
Phyllis Fireman, Chestnut Hill MA |
7 |
Phyllis Chase, Providence RI | |
Joyce Regan, E Greenwich RI |
8 |
SENIOR KO TEAMS
Rich DeMartino, Riverside CT | |
Geoffrey Brod, Avon CT | |
Pat McDevitt, Brookline MA | |
John Stiefel, Wethersfield CT |
2 |
BLUE RIBBON PAIRS
Douglas Doub, W Hartford CT |
3 |
MINI-BLUE RIBBON PAIRS
Nathan Glasser, Somerville MA | |
Stephen McDevitt, Medford MA |
4 |
NORTH AMERICAN SWISS TEAMS
John McLaughlin, Melrose MA | |
Lloyd Arvedon, Bedford MA | |
Steve Gladyszak, Chelsea MA | |
Pat McDevitt, Brookline MA |
5 |
Highlights of ACBL Board Meeting
CEO Report
CEO Jay Baum reported that membership has increased by 1,389 members for the first 10 months of 2008. New members continue to average nearly 1,000 per month, a 2% increase over 2007. Tournament attendance is slightly down from 2007 with average tables per Regional down about 5% and average tables per Sectional down about 3%. Club tables are about the same as in 2007, but on-line tables continue to grow, being about 24% ahead of 2007 through September.
The CEO also reported that the November issue of the ACBL Bulletin is online. The plan is to make the magazine available each month for paid-up members who have registered for My ACBL. This is a benefit members have asked for that will allow them to reference articles back to 2005 without having to keep years of Bulletins. Members will also have the ability to print pages.
Financial Results
For calendar year 2008, Management and the Finance Committee are currently projecting a gain of in excess of $600,000, which is approximately $100,000 more favorable than budgeted. For 2009, the BOD approved a budget which projects a deficit of about $195,000. Because of the very large profits we earned in 2007 and 2008, the Finance Committee recommended we budget for a small deficit rather than raising fees.
I am pleased to report that for the third straight year, there will be no changes in Sectional or Regional fees, except for an increase from $135 to $165 in the Sectional surcharge (a one time charge for each Sectional which covers travel for the Head Director). This is great news for the District and our Units but in 2010 it is inevitable that Sectional and Regional fees will be higher.
NABC card fees will increase as follows: NABC+ events from $18.00 to $20.00 per player; NABC limited events from $16.50 to $17.00; Regional two session events from $15.50 to $16.00; and single session and IN events from $14.50 to $15.00.
STACs
STAC charges for 2009 will be computed using the following formula:
Tables Factor 0 - 500 $4.35 x #Tables 500 - 1000 $4.10 x #Tables over 500 + 2,175 1000 - 2000 $3.75 x #Tables over 1000 + 4,225 2000 - 4000 $3.30 x #Tables over 2000 + 7,975 4000+ $3.00 x #Tables over 4000 + 14,575
This formula corrects some minor inconsistencies in the 2008 formula but produces essentially the same results. For the District 25 STAC, total charges can be estimated for a given number of tables by using the above table. For the combined District 3/24/25 STAC, Management has found a way not to charge us for extra sessions, so each Unit's charge will be based on the ratio of the Unit's tables to the total number of tables in the STAC.
The idea proposed by Management last year to have all STACs during a week run by a single tournament director has not worked as smoothly as planned so I believe many of the STACs in 2009 will be run as they were previously. Based on a suggestion I made, the whole issue of STACs will be studied by a committee in 2009 to determine how best to conduct and charge for STACs in the future.
Hand Records at NABCs
A motion was passed that for all games at NABCs, the hands used in NABC+ events shall be different from the hands played in other games (Regional, side games and I/N games). Previously, on the first day of these events, the hands used in the NABC+ events were the same as hands used in the other games.
As usual, the full minutes of the Board Meeting will be posted on the ACBL Website within the next 10 days or so. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or require additional information.
Top 25 Masterpoint Winners – Boston NABC
Name |
Total Points |
Points Won in NABC+ Events | ||
1. |
Pat McDevitt, Brookline MA |
194.80 |
173.57 | |
2. |
Rich DeMartino, Riverside CT |
167.65 |
153.00 | |
3. |
John Stiefel, Wethersfield CT |
164.64 |
153.00 | |
4. |
Lloyd Arvedon, Bedford MA |
145.10 |
83.82 | |
5. |
Geoffrey Brod, Avon CT |
126.23 |
105.00 | |
6. |
John McLaughlin, Melrose MA |
123.80 |
83.82 | |
7. |
Karen McCallum, Exeter NH |
122.88 |
111.12 | |
8. |
Douglas Doub, W Hartford CT |
110.75 |
107.83 | |
9. |
Simon Kantor, Agawam MA |
100.85 |
65.00 | |
10. |
William Hunter, Reading MA |
90.21 |
27.12 | |
Shome Mukherjee, Randolph MA |
90.21 |
27.12 | ||
12. |
Phyllis Fireman, Chestnut Hill MA |
85.99 |
76.19 | |
13. |
Joyce Regan, E Greenwich RI |
82.43 |
71.80 | |
14. |
Stephen Gladyszak, Chelsea MA |
80.02 |
73.78 | |
15. |
Melvin Marcus, Waltham MA |
79.30 |
51.83 | |
16. |
Alan Applebaum, Brookline MA |
78.10 |
78.10 | |
17. |
Adam Grossack, Newton MA |
75.91 |
||
18. |
Phyllis Chase, Providence RI |
75.35 |
73.91 | |
19. |
Margie Sullivan, Sagamore Beach MA |
74.28 |
||
20. |
Stephen Earl, AvonCT |
73.49 |
73.49 | |
Allan Rothenberg, W Hartford CT |
73.49 |
73.49 | ||
22. |
Nathan Glasser, Somerville MA |
72.83 |
||
23. |
Larry Bausher, West Haven CT |
69.84 |
52.83 | |
24. |
Cynthia Berenson, Boston MA |
64.54 |
||
25. |
David Becher, Danvers MA |
64.15 |
18.78 |
Top Five Platinum Masterpoint Winners - 2008 NABCs
Name |
Platinum Points | ||
1 |
Doug Doub, West Hartford CT |
454 | |
2 |
John Stiefel, Wethersfield CT |
361 | |
3 |
Pat McDevitt, Brookline MA |
300 | |
4 |
Rich DeMartino, Riverside CT |
282 | |
5 |
Karen McCallum, Exeter NH |
276 |
ACBL Goodwill & Charity Committee Appointments
It gives me great pleasure to announce the following appointments to the ACBL National Goodwill Committee and the National Charity Committee. These are lifetime appointments honoring players who have contributed substantially to bridge in District 25.
National Goodwill Committee
David Rock, WMBA
Jim Rasmussen, EMBA
Both of these players are most deserving of this appointment because of their exemplary behavior at the bridge table and their significant contributions to New England bridge. Each of them also did an outstanding job as a Committee Chair at the Boston NABC.
National Charity Committee
Peggy Malaspina, EMBA
Judy Biegner, RIBA
Peggy has been a major contributor in promoting bridge both as Publicity & Promotion Chair of the Boston NABC and as Editor of EMBA's Quick Trick. Judy has been doing an outstanding job for the past five years coordinating Rhode Island charity events and providing leadership to the Rhode Island Unit in selecting worthy charities for the unit's annual donations.
The 2009 Spring NABC will be in Houston from March 12 through March 22 at the Hilton Americas. I hope to see you there. The 2009 Summer NABC is in Washington DC and the 2009 Fall NABC is in San Diego.
Rich DeMartino
District Director