Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen,
It’s a pleasure and privilege to address you this morning.
I would like to make some personal remarks before addressing
Board business.
My personal views and aspirations for the year are
highlighted in my interview in the January Bridge Bulletin. Some areas that I will concentration on
include: bridge in the middle schools; promotion and sponsorship; good world
relations; interaction with the Chess Federations; and promoting all forms of
bridge including bridge Internet websites, online bridge and online teaching.
One project that I am undertaking is writing to every Youth
(under 20) with less than 100 masterpoints.
Along with my message will be an appropriate bridge, a big discount on
bridge software, and suggestions on further educational material.
It has been a pleasure interacting with your chairman, Don
Mamula. I find Don to be a devoted
Chairman and I believe he represents your interests well.
Two special Board committees have been established. The first covers an internal matter…“Board
Operations.” To start, this
committee is charged with finding ways of improving the Board’s efficiency and
productivity. In time this committee
will address all aspects of Board business.
A second committee was established, called “Local Rules
at Clubs.” This committee will
study allowing clubs to modify certain bridge regulations to better accommodate
their players. Areas of potential
modification include: use of the Convention Cards; Alerts; and restricting
conventions. A member of the Laws
Commission is on this committee to make sure that its suggestions either
conform to the Laws or possibly to see what Laws need to be modified to
accommodate the suggested modifications.
I will be establishing a brainstorming committee on the
“future of bridge,” and will meet at the summer NABC in New Orleans. Volunteers to serve include Zia Mahmood, Bob
Hamman, Jeff Meckstroth, Bob Blanchard, Jeff Polisner, Jim Allen, Alan
Truscott, Larry King, Barbara Seagram, and Val Covalchiuc.
The Board is also studying the current allocation of
Regional tournaments to see what, if any, changes should be made.
Another area that is being studied is the format of the
North American Open Pairs and Grand National Teams. Suggestions for changes or replacements will be made.
This year we will attempt three-day Board meetings, if
possible, rather than four-day meetings.
Savings amount to over $27,000. Better
Board procedures will go a long way in making three-day Board meeting
permanent. The Board worked very hard,
before and during this Board meeting.
The end result was an efficient and effective Board meeting within the
3-day period.
Pleases feel free to discuss any matter with me or other
Board members.
I believe that management and the Board, with input from the
Board of Governors and other special committees, can work constructively to
make bridge prosper.
Thank you for allowing me to address you this morning.
Al Levy
President
ACBL