TABLE  TALK

A publication of the Vermont Bridge Association                        April  2005

 

Note From The Editor

 

This issue of Table Talk is a bit different from the previous issues. We have no featured personality this issue. We expect to bring back the featured personality back for the next issue. Also, this issue we shall bother you with the VBA’s basically boring by-laws. See Dave Shaw’s article (below) discussing changes to the by-laws. The by-laws themselves appear at the end, just before the sectional flyer. Please retain the bylaws for future reference

 

Moving Up

 

Congratulations to the following VBA members who have reached new achievement levels

 

New Junior Master:           Betty Faulkner, Carolyn Little, Patricia Pember,

                                           Frank Reed, Mary Frances Tobin, Marie Limoges

 

New Club Master               Dusya Lobanoff

 

New Sectional Master        Paul Clouser, Carlos Galvan

 

New Regional Master        Rhoda Chickering, C. Kirk Osterland

 

New NABC Master           Patricia Williams

 

 

VBA BY-LAWS RE DUX

By Dave Shaw

 

At the President’s Cup game on October 2, 2004, proposed By-Law changes were presented, an addition or two made and a vote taken to approve all the changes. All that should have put an end to this administrative task for another 10 years.   WRONG! 

 

Mark Oettinger, who has been enormously helpful in getting this project done, discovered that another set of amendments, voted on in the mid-‘90’s, was never added to the official By-Laws with the result that the set of By-Laws reviewed and approved last October was not accurate at that time.  So, Mark and I added in the mid ‘90’s changes, made the changes voted on last October and, in a final review, defined some terms in Article One and removed a couple redundancies.  A new and improved set of By-Laws is included in this issue of Table Talk for your reading pleasure.

 

I think we should vote on these By-Laws next President’s Cup just to make them official.

 

 

AMERICAN CONTRACT BRIDGE LEAGUE

SPRING NATIONAL TOURNAMENT

 

The ACBL spring national tournament took place in Pittsburgh from March 10-20. Vermont had a smaller representation than usual.

 

I note the following performances by Vermonters who won more than 10 masterpoints

 

Hank Youngerman                          44.28               Phil Sharpsteen                       23.83

Don Sondergeld                              41.45               Frank Hacker                           23.83

Mary Savko                                     31.23               Michael Arnowitt                    23.60

Ellie Hanlon                                    31.23               Courtney Nelson                     14.30

James Gordon                                 28.17               Sandra Hammer                       13.85

Andy Avery                                    27.44

 

There were many (too numerous to mention) good performances in KO teams. The following players performed well in the nationally rated events.

 

Editorial Note: Those of you unfamiliar with National Events should know that National Events generally have a large number of participants and attract most of the best players in the country and several international stars. Placings in the 30s may not look all that impressive, but they represent a significant achievement.

 

Silver Ribbon Pairs --- James Gordon ---                                    33rd

Rockwell Mixed Pairs --- Andy Avery ---                                   15th

Whitehead Women’s Pairs --- Ellie Hanlon and Mary Savko ---  9th

Jacoby Open Swiss Teams --- Michael Arnowitt ---                    30th

                                                  Hank Youngerman ---                 38th

 

My apologies to anyone I have inadvertently omitted

 

 

Bridge in the Slow Lane

By Frank Hacker

 

I have just returned from the ACBL spring national tournament in Pittsburgh where I played 17 sessions of bridge in 7 days with my favorite partner, Phil Sharpsteen. National tournaments can be very tiring, but they are also exhilarating. Most of the country’s top players were in Pittsburgh, as well as several international stars. The level of competition was very high in the national events and in the top brackets of the knock out teams.

 

If you have never attended a national tournament, I suggest you give it serious thought. You’ll have a good time.

 

The Pittsburgh tournament did have some drawbacks. The temperature was 10 to 15 degrees below normal for mid March and the tournament was in a convention center rather than a hotel. This led to a lot of walking outside in the cold and wind. Common sense would dictate having the spring nationals in Atlanta and the summer nationals in Pittsburgh, instead of the other way around. Of course financial and capacity considerations are frequently more important determinants of location than the expected weather.

 

How often have you had 2 aces on opening lead against a voluntarily bid small slam?

Here is a hand from Pittsburgh.     S  73     H  10963     D  A8654     C  A4

 

You are south on lead after the bidding below

 

South      West       North      East

                                               Pass        Pass        Pass         2C

                                               Pass        2NT        Pass         3S

                                               Pass        4D           Pass        4S

                                               Pass        6S             all pass

 

What’s going on here? I decided to hold onto both aces and chose the 10 of hearts as my opening lead. This worked out very well as the whole hand was

 

                                                             S     964

                                                             H     K8752

                                                             D     732

                                                             C     85

                  S    108                                                                              S    AKQJ52

                  H    AJ                                                                               C    Q4

                  D    KQJ109                                                                      D    ---

                  C    7632                                                                           C    KQJ109

                                                             S     73

                                                             H    10963

                                                             D     A8654

                                                             C     A4

 

10 of hearts lead induced declarer to take the first trick finesse and resulted in a 1 trick set. The lead of the ace of diamonds would have been fatal for our side. The ace of clubs would have been survivable, but only because dummy has a doubleton trump. Trade one of dummy’s clubs for one of partner’s trumps and the lead of the club ace would also have given away the contract.

 

The Vermont winter sectional tournament took place at the end of February at the Burlington Bridge Academy. Here is a frustrating hand from the Saturday afternoon open pairs. Phil and I lost to the eventual winners by 90 match points. This hand contributed to our stunning non-achievement.

 

                                                             S     AQJ1073

                                                             H     QJ2

                                                             D     75

                                                             C     AK

                  S     6                                                                                 S     K9

                  H    A108632                                                                    H     954

                  D    AQ83                                                                          D     J2

                  C    74                                                                                C     J108632

                                                             S     8754

                                                             H     K

                                                             D     K10964

                                                             C     Q95

 

The bidding proceeded             West          North          East          South

                                                    1H          Double         Pass            1S

                                                    Pass           3S             Pass             4S

                                                    All pass

 

The opening lead was the ace of hearts followed by a low heart. Cover up the east and west hands. How would you play the hand to avoid the 4 obvious potential losers?

 

There seem to be 3 choices.

 

1.   Trump the second heart, take the spade finesse and later pitch a diamond on your queen of clubs.

 

2.   Win the second heart in dummy, pitching a diamond from your hand. Then cash the AK of clubs in dummy, ruff dummy’s third heart, pitch dummy’s second diamond on the queen of clubs and finally after all of this take the spade finesse.

 

3.   Win the second heart in dummy, play the spades ace (giving up the finesse), cash the AK of clubs in dummy, trump dummy’s last heart and play the queen of clubs pitching a diamond.

 

As you can see the first two lines are losers. In the first, east wins the trump king and leads a diamond to skewer your king before you have pitched dummy’s second diamond. In the second, west trumps your club winner to prevent you from pitching dummy’s second diamond. The third line works as it circumvents both of these problems.

 

Here is the $64 question? Is it reasonable to adopt the winning line at matchpoint scoring? I can understand eschewing the spade finesse at IMPs (Swiss Team scoring), since the point is to make the contract. At matchpoints, however, one frequently takes risks to try for the maximum number of tricks. Left hand opponent has opened the bidding. Right hand opponent hasn’t peeped. You are missing a grand total of 15 high card points. You seem to be in a normal contract. Even though you have managed to play the contract in the south hand (instead of north where a diamond opening lead could scuttle you immediately), it does not seem reasonable to forgo the spade finesse. What do you think?

 

 

THE LAW OF TOTAL TRICKS

by Michael Farrell

 

          By now most of you have heard of “The Law of Total Tricks”.  This principle has been thoroughly discussed in Larry Cohen’s two fine books. “To Bid or not to Bid” and “Following the Law”.  The essence of “The LAW” is that most hands in which the HCP are divided so that one side holds between 17 & 23, the number of tricks taken by both sides if played in the best trump fits is equal to the total number of trumps held by both sides.  i.e. if N/S have nine spades between them and E/W also have a nine-card fit in another suit, the hand will produce a total of 18 tricks.  If N/S can make 10 tricks in spades then E/W can make only eight in their suit.  If N/S can take but seven tricks, E/W will be able to make 11.

 

For practical purposes, “the LAW” says you are safe to bid to the level equal to the combined number of trumps in the partnership.  If you have between 17 & 23 HCP and hold nine trumps in the partnership you are safe at the three level.  This is not to say you will take nine tricks, rather that your result, plus or minus will be better than if you had sold out.  If you adhere to “the LAW” simply as described above, you will enjoy numerous successes in competitive auctions.  Be forewarned: occasionally you will be doubled and have a disastrous result.

 

As long as the good results are outnumbering the bad by two to one or more, you are playing winning bridge.

 

Here are some fine tuning adjustments, allow ½ trick for each:

 

NEGATIVE ADJUSTMENTS:

1.      Holding tertiary winners in the opponent’s suit(s) i.e. cards that may take a defensive trick but will not be useful on offense.

2.      Poor intermediary cards in your suit(s) i.e. AJxxx rather than AJT82.

3.      Poor distribution, flat hands.  If in doubt as to the total trump holdings always take the conservative course.

 

POSITIVE ADJUSTMENTS: (For the most the opposite of the negatives)

 

1.  Holding “Primary Points” in out suit(s).  See In-and-Out Valuation. (Note from the editor—Mike wrote an excellent article on the subject of in an out valuation for a previous issue)

2.      Good intermediate cards in our suit(s).

3.      Good distribution, long suit(s), shortness.

4.      Double fits with partner, or if the opponents have a 2nd fit.

 

When evaluating a hand, particularly concerning bidding at the level of three, you should consider the negative and positive adjustments.  If the number of negatives is equal to positives, ignore and bid to your trump level.  If however, one of the adjustments number more than the other, take heed and bid conservatively or aggressively as indicated.

 

 

VERMONT WINTER SECTIONAL

February 25-27, 2005

 

Here are the results from the winter sectional. Congratulations to Phil Sharpsteen and Frank Hacker who won 3 events, also to Louise and Chris Acker who won twice in flight B and came in 2nd twice in flight B. Congratulations to Harold Leitenberg and Barbara Marx who won both of the 0-20 pairs.

 

FRIDAY AFTERNOON OPEN PAIRS

20 Pairs

 

 

                A     B     C  

  3.33       1                         Philip Sharpsteen - Frank Hacker                     142.50

  2.50       2                         Jackie Kimel - Barbara Fitzgerald                    133.50

  2.41       3      1                 Bryant Jones - Thomas Osmer                          128.50

  1.40       4                         Lynn Carew - Patricia Nestork                         124.00

  1.17       5                         Andrew Dubay - William Dubay                      123.50

  1.81       6      2       1        Carlos Galvan - Bertrand Nadeau                     119.00

  1.36               3                 Stephen Bean - Alan Wertheimer                     115.00

  1.02               4                 Louise Acker - Chris Acker                              114.50

  1.06               5       2        Layton Davis - William Wade                          109.50

 

 

FRIDAY EVENING OPEN PAIRS

20 Pairs

                A     B     C  

  3.67       1                         Gerald Di Vincenzo - Nicholas Ecker Racz     130.50

  2.75       2      1                 Louise Acker - Chris Acker                              129.00

  2.06       3                         Andrew Dubay - William Dubay                      128.00

  1.61       4      2      1         Helen Lewis - Julianna McAllister                   122.50

  1.16       5                         Jackie Kimel - Wayne Hersey                           121.00

  0.87       6                         Frank Hacker - Philip Sharpsteen                     120.50

  1.20               3                 Paul Reardon - Mary Tierney                            113.50

  0.90               4                 Gary Feingold - Kotze Toshev                          108.00

  1.06                       2         Sally Newton - John Newton                             105.00

 

 

FRIDAY EVENING 0-20 PAIRS

5 Pairs

 

  0.80       1                         Harold Leitenberg - Barbara Marks                    39.00

  0.60       2                         Michael Furlong - Nancy Furlong                      35.00

 

 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON OPEN PAIRS

30 Pairs

                 A     B     C  

  4.67        1                        Douglas Doub - Hank Youngerman                  231.50

  3.50        2      1      1        Herb Franzen - Pat Hoffmann                           180.00

  2.30      3/4   2/3               Louise Acker - Chris Acker                              178.00

  2.30      3/4   2/3     2        Martha Gazley - Richard Gazley                      178.00

  1.48        5      4      3        Rhoda Chickering - Elayne Bernstein              175.50

  1.11        6      5      4        Layton Davis - William Wade                          174.50

  0.73                6                Edward Schirmer - Frank Reed                        172.50

 

 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON 0-20 PAIRS

6 Pairs

 

  0.80       1                         Harold Leitenberg - Barbara Marks                   26.00

  0.60       2                         Nancy Furlong - Michael Furlong                      23.50

 

 

SATURDAY EVENING OPEN PAIRS

25 Pairs

                A     B     C  

  3.83       1                         Philip Sharpsteen - Frank Hacker                     135.52

  2.87       2      1      1         Layton Davis - William Wade                          127.69

  2.15       3      2                 Louise Acker - Chris Acker                              126.56

  1.62       4                        Wayne Hersey - June Dorion                             120.06

  1.21       5                         Dorothy Kelleher - Michael St John                  119.56

  1.34       6                         Lynn Carew - Patricia Nestork                          117.56

  1.36               3      2         David Atkinson - Nancy Russell                       115.56

  1.02               4      3         Rhoda Chickering - Elayne Bernstein               109.62

  0.76               5      4         Helen Lewis - Julianna McAllister                    109.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUNDAY SWISS TEAMS

13 Teams

               A     B     C  

  5.75      1                         Frank Hacker - Philip Sharpsteen –

                                          Rudolph Polli - Michael Arnowitt                        91.00

  4.31      2                         Gerald Di Vincenzo - Hank Youngerman –

                                          Douglas Doub - Nicholas Ecker Racz                  88.00

  3.23      3                         Gary Feingold - Edsel Hughes -

                                          Stanley Rosenthal - Kotze Toshev                        74.00

  2.13     4/5                       William Dubay - Andrew Dubay -

                                          William Wade - Layton Davis                              71.00

  3.41     4/5   1                   Paul Reardon - Mary Tierney -

                                           Louise Acker - Chris Acker                                 71.00

  2.56             2                   Bryant Jones - Elayne Bernstein -

                                           Barbara Fitzgerald - Jonna Robinson                   68.00

  2.11             3      1           Gerald Russell - Nancy Russell -

                                           Joseph Phillips - David Atkinson                         53.00

 

 

MINI MCKENNEY 2004 FINAL STANDINGS

UNIT 175

 

The Unit 175 mini McKenney standings recognize the VBA members in each masterpoint category (determined at the beginning of the year) who won the most masterpoints in 2004.

 

 

CATEGORY A – ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

 

Jan Gisholt                               Londonderry VT                                            17.49

Allan Snow                              Essex Junction VT                                         11.99

Robert S Perrott                       Vero Beach FL                                                 7.39

 

 

CATEGORY B - JUNIOR MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

William R Cloutier                  Burlington VT                                                42.34

Richard J Ross                         Essex Junction VT                                         19.33

Raymond F Brault                   Burlington VT                                                18.51

 

 

CATEGORY C - CLUB MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

C Kirk Osterland                     Manchester VT                                               47.75

Judith R Ward                          Poultney VT                                                  45.43

Phyllis D Meredith                  Sarasota FL                                                    30.86

 

 

CATEGORY D - SECTIONAL MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Joan Soloff                               Norwich VT                                                   50.32

Elizabeth VonRiesenfelder      Manchester VT                                              45.62

Pauline G Seymour                  Woodstock VT                                               38.88

 

 

CATEGORY E - REGIONAL MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Alan Wertheimer                      Burlington                                                    116.88

Ms Susan Doty                         Tifton GA                                                       63.58

Bonnie M Clouser                    Williston VT                                                   63.52

 

 

CATEGORY F - NABC MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Lucy C Morini                          Warren VT                                                     68.04

Nancy R Lolli                           Ft Lauderdale FL                                            67.07

Kenneth Pearson                       East Montpelier VT                                        62.89

 

 

CATEGORY G - LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Jesse Stalker                              Plainfield NH                                               101.51

Kotze Toshev                            Essex Junction VT                                         40.19

Martha Gazley                           Huntington VT                                              32.74

 

 

CATEGORY H - BRONZE LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Bryant D Jones                          S Burlington VT                                           134.18

Jay Friedenson                          Morrisville VT                                              132.04

Andy Avery                               Jamaica VT                                                  128.07

 

 

CATEGORY I - SILVER LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Donald Sondergeld                    Hubbardton VT                                            329.46

Wayne C Hersey                        Montpelier VT                                             264.73

Jay Costello                                East Amherst NY                                        250.04

 

 

 

 

CATEGORY J - GOLD LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

James D Gordon                         S Burlington VT                                          526.72

Frank A Hacker                          Barre VT                                                      261.94

Hank Youngerman                     Williston VT                                                140.40

 

 

CATEGORY K - DIAMOND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Anne S Hoffman                          Peru VT                                                         91.30

 

 

ACE OF CLUBS 2004 FINAL STANDINGS

UNIT 175

 

The Unit 175 Ace of Clubs standings recognize the VBA members in each masterpoint category (determined at the beginning of the year) who won the most masterpoints at club games in 2004.

 

 

CATEGORY A - ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

 

Jan Gisholt                                   Londonderry VT                                            16.18

Allan Snow                                  Essex Junction VT                                         10.64

Robert S Perrott                           Vero Beach FL                                                7.39

 

 

CATEGORY B - JUNIOR MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

William R Cloutier                         Burlington VT                                              33.41

Dusya A Lobanoff                          Manchester Ctr VT                                      15.87

Richard J Ross                                Essex Junction VT                                       14.70

 

 

CATEGORY C - CLUB MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

C Kirk Osterland                            Manchester VT                                             33.40

Judith R Ward                                Poultney VT                                                 32.46

Gloria Singer                                  Burlington VT                                              29.77

 

 

CATEGORY D - SECTIONAL MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Pauline G Seymour                       Woodstock VT                                               35.80

Joan Soloff                                     Norwich VT                                                  32.61

Reginald H Fitz                             Woodstock VT                                               27.27

 

 

CATEGORY E - REGIONAL MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Alan Wertheimer                           Burlington VT                                                59.39

Bonnie M Clouser                         Williston VT                                                   44.45

Elizabeth Holbrook                        Pittsford VT                                                    23.93

 

 

CATEGORY F - NABC MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Nancy R Lolli                                Ft Lauderdale FL                                            47.13

Henry Peltz                                    Manchester VT                                               39.80

Jon A Stokes                                  Williston VT                                                   39.24

 

 

CATEGORY G - LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Jesse Stalker                                   Plainfield NH                                                 50.56

Kotze Toshev                                 Essex Junction VT                                          28.26

Martha Gazley                                Huntington VT                                               26.93

 

 

CATEGORY H - BRONZE LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Bryant D Jones                                S Burlington VT                                            91.09

Ruth Stokes                                     Williston VT                                                  59.95

Barbara Philpet                               Rutland VT                                                     55.76

 

 

CATEGORY I - SILVER LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Wayne C Hersey                             Montpelier VT                                             121.54

Kathleen M Farrell                          Burlington VT                                             111.58

Patricia A Di Vincenzo                   S Burlington VT                                            87.73

 

 

CATEGORY J - GOLD LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Frank A Hacker                               Barre VT                                                        90.41

Michael W Farrell                           Burlington VT                                                68.78

Hank Youngerman                          Williston VT                                                   18.53

 

CATEGORY K - DIAMOND LIFE MASTER OF THE YEAR

 

Anne S Hoffman                             Peru VT                                                             8.24

 

CHANGES AT ALL

CORTINA TOURNAMENTS

By Dave Shaw

 

The contracts for the three 2005 tournaments to be held at Cortina Inn and Resort have been negotiated and there are some major changes.  The biggest changes involve coffee and tea during our games and food services.   Similar to the snack bars available at New England Regional Tournaments, Cortina will offer a concession stand with sandwiches, hot dogs, fruits, cookies/brownies, candy bars, coffee, tea, and soft drinks.  The concession stand will be open from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:30 on Friday, 12:00-3:00 and 6:00-9:00 on Saturday and 10:00-1:30 and 2:00-3:30 on Sunday.  An announcement that the stand will be closing will be made 20 minutes before it does close.  There will be a “TIPS” cup available for the benefit of the employees tending the concession stand.  The clubs or the VBA running the tournaments will continue to offer refreshments after the Friday and Saturday evening sessions and before the Swiss Teams on Sunday morning. 

 

The Sunday buffet between sessions of the Swiss Teams will no longer be offered.  In its place, you may complete an order sheet for a sandwich/hot dog including chips, beverage, and dessert on an ala carte basis which will be served to you through the concession stand between the fourth and fifth rounds of the Swiss – at approximately 2:15 to 3:00.  With perhaps 100 people processing the concession stand between 2:00 (early finishers) and 2:45, we ask your patience and indulgence, especially at the May tournament as this will be the first time we’ve tried this approach.

 

The Cortina has decreased the price of its room package for the May tournament and maintained pricing for the July and October tournaments.    The room package continues to include two (four for double occupancy) buffet breakfasts with omelet station  and a $10.00 per night coupon toward meals purchased at the Cortina at either of its restaurants; Theo’s or Zola’s.  Please refer to the May tournament’s advertising flyer elsewhere in this issue.

 

The Cortina has begun its program of renovation of the playing space and rooms in the older part of the Inn (the rooms to the left as you face the reservation desk).   The Pico Ballroom (the main playing area) has been completed except for wallpaper and I’m told the result is considerably brighter which should make it easier for us to see our cards!  Please plan to come out to the Cortina for these popular tournaments. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VERMONT BRIDGE ASSOCIATION

BY-LAWS

 

 

Article One

Name

 

Section 1:

 

The name of this organization shall be The Vermont Bridge Association.

 

Section 2:

 

The short title of The Vermont Bridge Association, as used in these By-Laws, is the Association, and the short title of the American Contract Bridge League is the ACBL.

 

Section 3:

 

The Association:

 

(a)        is a Unit of the ACBL, and part of the New England Bridge Conference (hereinafter referred to as the District);

 

(b)        recognizes the ACBL as the parent organization having authority and control over tournament bridge in the United States; and

 

(c)        operates under the sanction of the ACBL, and functions within the governing documents of the ACBL and the District.

 

Article Two

Objectives of the Association

 

The objectives of this Association shall be to:

 

(a)        preserve and promote the best interests of tournament contract bridge and any modifications thereof;

 

(b)        prescribe rules of eligibility for participation in tournaments under its auspices;

 

(c)        co-operate with and assist the ACBL in the promotion and conduct of contract bridge tournaments;

 

(d)        consider and pass upon reports of dishonest, unethical or improper conduct of participants in tournaments, and to bar or suspend persons guilty of such conduct from further participation in tournaments and/or clubs;

 

(e)        conduct such other activities as may be in keeping with its principal objectives; and

 

(f)         conduct, license or sanction contract bridge tournaments, at which championship titles shall be determined; to formulate, interpret and enforce rules for the conduct of such tournaments under its auspices within the geographical limits of the State of Vermont.

 

 

Article Three

Membership Dues, Voting Rights and Privileges

 

Section 1:

 

The membership of the Association shall be comprised of ACBL members in good standing, who are residents of the State of Vermont, or who have received appropriate dispensation from the ACBL.

 

Section 2:

 

The privileges of members in good standing shall be as follows:

 

(a)        to vote in person at the Annual Meeting and at all special meetings on all matters to be voted on at such meetings; and

 

(b)        to be eligible for election or appointment to any office or committee of the Association.

 

 

Article Four

Administration of Association Affairs

 

Section 1:

 

The affairs of the Association shall be administered by a Board of Directors.

 

Section 2:

 

The Board of Directors shall consist of one member for clubs holding 1-2 games per week; two members for clubs holding 3-4 games per week; three members for clubs holding 5-6 games per week; four members for clubs holding more than 6 games per week, plus the President, first and second Vice-Presidents, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the most recent Past President and the Table Talk Editor.  In order to qualify for representation on the Board of Directors, a club must be sanctioned by the ACBL, and must conduct a sanctioned bridge game within the State of Vermont at least once per week for no less than six months of the year.

 

Section 3:

 

Bridge clubs will be accepted as affiliates of the Association on application to, and approval by, the Board of Directors.  Such approval shall be contingent upon the club’s receipt and continuing maintenance of an ACBL sanction.

 

Section 4:

 

The President or Manager of each affiliated club will provide to the Secretary the name of the individual or individuals  authorized to represent that club on the Board of Directors.  The Secretary will maintain a current list of such individuals.  A club that is unable to be represented at a meeting of the Board of Directors by its designated representative(s) may assign one or more alternate qualified club member(s).  Such assignment(s) must be made in writing and signed by the respective club President or Manager.

 

No individual who has voting authority at a Board of Director’s meeting may have more than one vote.

 

Section 5:

 

The Association is entitled to appoint District Delegates to the District Board of Delegates.  The President shall appoint those District Delegates.

 

 

Article Five

Amendments to the By-Laws

 

Section 1:

 

Amendments to the By-Laws may be made at any regular or special meeting of the members, provided ten (10) days notice in writing has been given to the members, announcing the intention to revise the By-Laws at that meeting.  It shall be the duty of the Secretary to incorporate the text of the proposed amendment(s) in the notice of the meeting.

 

Section 2:

 

The concurrence of two-thirds of all members present and voting shall be required to pass any amendment to the By-Laws.

 

 

Article Six

Elections

 

Section 1:

 

The Board of Directors, at least 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting, shall appoint a Nomination Committee consisting of a minimum of three members, each of whom must be principally affiliated with separate clubs within the State.  The Nomination Committee shall prepare a slate of officers, consisting of President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, to be placed in nomination at the Annual Meeting of the members of the Association.  Not more than two-thirds of the Nomination Committee shall be current Directors.

 

Section 2:

 

The Nomination Committee will select a chairperson who shall submit the Committee’s slate of officers to the Secretary at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting.  The Committee may determine this slate in any manner acceptable to the Committee.

 

Section 3:

 

Additional nominations may be made by any member of the Association, but such nominations must be in writing and signed by at least ten members in good standing, and must be presented to the Secretary of the Association at least one-half hour before the stated time of the Annual Meeting.

 

 

Article Seven

Meetings

 

Section 1:

 

The Board of Directors shall fix the time and place of the Annual Meeting, and the Secretary shall give written notice of such meeting at least twenty (20) days prior to the meeting.  This notice will include the proposed slate of officers for the coming year.

 

Section 2:

 

Special meetings of the members of the Association may be called at any time by:

 

(a)        the President;

(b)        written request of a majority of the Board of Directors; or

(c)        written request of three (3) or more qualifying clubs affiliated with the Association.

 

The notice of any special meeting shall contain an agenda of the matters to be taken up at such meeting.

 

Section 3:

 

A quorum for the transaction of business at any annual or special meeting of the membership shall consist of those members present at a duly noticed membership meeting.

 

Section 4:

 

The Board of Directors shall fix the time and place of any special meeting of the membership, and shall give notice by mail of such meeting to all members at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting.

 

Section 5:

 

There shall be at least three (3) regular meetings of the Board of Directors of the Association each year, the time and place of which will be specified by the President.

 

Section 6:

 

A quorum of the Board of Directors for the transaction of business shall consist of those Directors, or designated representatives, present at a duly noticed meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 7:

 

The President, and in his or her absence, a Vice-President, shall preside at all meetings of the Association, as well as those of the Board of Directors.

 

 

Article Eight

Board of Directors

 

Section 1:

 

The Board of Directors has the authority to:

 

(a)        discuss and decide the general policies of the Association;

(b)        arrange a schedule of tournaments for the maximum enjoyment of the Association members, and to apply to the ACBL for approval of suitable dates for the same.  It may designate a member club or clubs to run the sectional tournaments which are allowed under ACBL rules.  Clubs that run tournaments will file a complete financial report with the Treasurer within three weeks of the conclusion of the tournament.  This report will be accompanied by any payments to the Association that the Board of Directors requires.  Payments in this context shall be specified in writing by the Board of Directors at least sixty (60) days prior to commencement of the tournament.

 

(c)        acquire, hold, administer, maintain and dispose of all property of the Association;

 

(d)        appropriate the funds of the Association for the purposes set forth in these By-Laws;

 

(e)        hire and discharge employees, to supervise their conduct, and to fix their compensation, if any, subject to membership approval;

 

(f)         censure, suspend or expel any member for a violation of the governing documents, or of any rule, or for conduct which is improper and prejudicial to the welfare and/or reputation of the Association or the District or the ACBL.  No member shall be censured, suspended or expelled without the affirmative vote, by written ballot, of two-thirds of the Board of Directors present and voting, nor without a written notice by registered mail at least ten (10) days before the hearing of the charges against such member, specifying the time and place of the hearing, at which hearing the accused individual shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to be represented by counsel;

 

(g)        cause all of the receipts and disbursements of the Association to be audited biennially, by someone who is neither an officer of the Association nor the Table Talk Editor;

 

(h)        conduct, manage, supervise and control all of the business of the Association, including the conducting of unit games and tournaments, and the selection of all dates and locations for holding such games and tournaments; and

 

(i)         encourage participation of local bridge clubs in affairs of the Association.

 

 

Section 2:

 

Any office of the Association that becomes vacant will be filled by an appointee, as determined by the Executive Committee, who will be confirmed at the next Board of Director’s meeting or special or annual meeting of the Association.

 

 

Article Nine

Committees and Delegates

 

Section 1:

 

The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint such committees as may be necessary or desirable to perform the functions of the Association.  With the exception of the Executive Committee, committee members need not be members of the Board of Directors.  The President is an ex-officio member of all committees.  Standing Committees shall consist of:

 

(a)        Executive Committee:  Consists of the officers of the Association, plus the most recent Past President.  Its functions are to advise the President on matters of immediate urgency, in order that quick decisions may be made when necessary.  The President may call an emergency meeting of this committee at any time, and any number of members present shall constitute a quorum;

 

(b)        Nomination Committee:  (See Article Six, Section 1)   When this committee has performed its function, it is automatically dissolved;

 

(c)        Conduct and Ethics Committee:  Shall hold hearings on serious violations of conduct or ethics, and issue warnings against any further violations.  When it is warranted, this committee shall forward recommendations for penalties for such violations to the Board of Directors.  The person or persons concerned may request a hearing before the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2:

 

Any Association Delegate to the District Board of Delegates who is unable to fulfill his or her responsibilities shall notify the President as soon as possible, so that an alternate may be named whenever this is consistent with Association policies pertaining to that position.

 

 

Article Ten

Secretary and Treasurer

 

Section 1:

 

The offices of Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by the members of the Association at the Annual Meeting prior to December 31.

 

Section 2:

 

The Secretary shall:

 

Produce and mail a welcome package for new members; maintain an accurate membership list (and notify ACBL of a member’s death); take and publish minutes of Association Board of Director’s meetings; and keep the current and historical records of the Association (minutes, by-laws, correspondence, conduct and ethics reports, etc.).

 

Section 3:

 

The Treasurer Shall:

 

Pay the bills of the Association, maintain its records of income and expenses, produce its financial reports, maintain its bank account(s), cooperate with an audit of its books at least every other year, and record gifts to Table Talk from patrons, and report the same to the Association’s  webmaster.

 

Section 4:

 

All checks for payment from the treasury shall be signed as authorized by the Board of Directors.  The Treasurer will be given written specifications, signed by the President, directing the manner in which the Treasurer is expected to discharge the financial obligations of the Association.  Any such specifications will continue in force until changed by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5:

 

All officer positions, and the position of Table Talk Editor, are non-salaried positions. 

 

 

VERMONT SPRING SECTIONAL

May 13 to 15, 2005

Cortina Inn and Resort

Killington, Vermont

Sanction # S0505049

    Friday May 13th

         2:00PM       Stratified Open Pairs               8:00PM    Stratified Open Pairs

                                                                                            Stratified Newcomer Pairs

                                                                                            Refreshments follow the game            

   Saturday May 14th

         1:00PM        Stratified Open Pairs           7:00PM     Stratiflighted Open Pairs                            

                                                                    A (separate event) = 0 to 62,000

                                                                                            B = 500 to 1500

                                                                                            C = 300 to 500

                                                                                            D = 0 to 300

                                            Stratified Newcomer Paris                                                                                                            

                                                                                            Refreshments follow the game

   Sunday May 15th

        10:30AM     1st session Stratified Open Swiss Teams

                             0 to 300 Swiss Teams (1 session only)

                             Assortment of breads/pastries served at 10:00AM

          3:00PM      2nd session Stratified Open Swiss Teams

 

Open Stratifications: A above 1500, B 500 to 1500, C 0 to 500

Newcomer Stratifications: A 100 to 300, B 50 to 100, C 0 to 50 (Strats may be adjusted)

 

Price per session: $8 - $1 additional for Non-ACBL members

Vermont State Law - No smoking in public buildings and or the playing area

Director (&MC): Dave Marshall

Partnerships: Pierce Smith (802) 236-5783

Tournament Committee:  Judi Ward (802) 287-5756 & Linda Baker (802) 773-9412

 

Accommodations for the tournament:

                                      1 person              2 persons

Superior room                 $149                    $149

Queen deluxe                  $159                    $159

King deluxe                     $169                    $169

 

Package includes 2 nights stay with 2 breakfast buffets per person and a $10 per person food voucher towards dinner in Zola’s Grille. 9% Vermont rooms and meals tax is not included in above rates. Check-in time 3PM, checkout time 11AM.

Reservations: 1-800 451-6108 or 802-773-3331. email: cortina1@aol.com.

Fax: 802- 775-6948.

 

There will be a drawing on April 29th for a free upgrade to the best available accommodations at the time of the drawing.  Make your reservations by April 29th!

Table Talk

A publication of the Vermont Bridge Association

Peter Bouyea, Circulation Manager

111 S. Cove Rd.

Burlington, VT 05401-5443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Vermont Bridge Association, Unit 175 of the American Contract Bridge League

publishes Table Talk quarterly. If you are an ACBL and Unit 175 (Vermont) member

And have not received a copy of Table Talk, please notify the circulation manager. Contributors’ articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the VBA.