From the Desk of the SVP

From the Desk of the SVP SS4LIFE The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 1

The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 2

Eunice Patton won 219+ MPA s In Chicago Noah Newman and won 200+ MPA s In Chicago New Player Patricia Haynes of South Metro DBC in Atlanta, GA Won 90+ MPAs In Chicago The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 3

New ABA Level I Certified club Directors Margie Inman Nashville, TN The Staff Development Chair recommended Margie Inman - Nashville, TN; Joyce Toney (Birmingham, AL), Frances Scales (Nashville, TN) and Sharette Simpkins (Jacksonville, FL), to the Sectional Vice President for promotion to Level 1 Certified Club Directors. During the Chair s presentation at the Southern Section s general meeting, she certified that they each have met all requirements for promotion as listed in ABA Handbook Part IV and were approved They were presented with Certificates of Achievement at the meeting. Frances and Sharette s certificates will be sent to them as they were unable to attend the meeting. Joyce toney Birmingham, al FrancEs Scales Nashville, TN Sharette Simpkins Jacksonville, FL The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 4

GOOD NEWS! MEMBER S CORNER Staff Development Training Directors In Training COURSE The Staff Development committee held a Mini Workshop for the Directors in Training (DIT) on March 9 in Chattanooga. The following aspiring directors participated in the workshop. They will receive certificates of participation. Barbara Jackson Margie inman June Ingram Bernadette Porche Evelyn lewis Sharette Simpkins Joyce toney One Day Course New Duplicate Laws COURSE The following is an excerpt from the 2017 Staff Development report A One Day Course on the New 2017 Laws of Duplicate Bridge was held for active Certified Directors and DITs in Atlanta on September 7 th as part of our continuing education program. The following persons will receive certificates of participation -- Gloria Christler, Worth Christler, Evelyn Cook, Edith Knowlton, Evelyn Lewis, Gwendolyn Middlebrooks, Bernadette Porche, Gloria Simmons, and Anderson C. Williams. Gloria Christler Worth Christler Evelyn Cook Edith Knowlton Evelyn Cook Gwendolyn Middlebrooks Evelyn Lewis Bernadette Porche Gloria Simmons Anderson Williams Jo The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 5

MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES Meeting date time 9/20/2017 10:00 AM Meeting location Tunica, MS (Roadhouse Hotel) Presiding Type of Meeting Note taker AGENDA TOPICS Evelyn Adkins, SVP General Membership Gwendolyn White, Secretary American Bridge Association, Inc. Southern Section Attendance 27 Members Signed In (Sign-In Sheet on File) Call to Order Evelyn Adkins, Sectional Vice President The Sectional Vice President (SVP), Evelyn Adkins, called the meeting to order at 10 am. After which, the following agenda topics ensued. Prayer Gretchen Thornton, South Metro DBC Gretchen Thornton of South Metro Offered the prayer. Welcome Evelyn Adkins, Sectional Vice President The following items were presented in the opening remarks of the Welcome by the Section s Vice President (SVP), Evelyn Adkins. Southern Section s Participation in Chicago Summer National 1. Southern Section members demonstrated strong support for the Chicago Summer National Tournament through outstanding attendance and MPA s won. Over 70 Southern Section members attended the Chicago National. 2. The Southern Section celebrated 19 members who made the Century Club (wining 100+ MPAs). They included Noah Newman who won 203+ MPA s; Eunice Patton with over 219 MPA s and new member Patricia Haynes was celebrated for acquiring over 90 MPA s. The body applauded them for their MPA successes. 3. The Southern Section Hospitality in Chicago was surprised on the first night by the unexpected large number of Southern Section members in attendance; But revamped fantastically on second night. Upcoming Tournaments, Grade A s and Major Sanctioned Events The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 6

The SVP announced the upcoming Sectional Tournaments and games and urged continued support. She asked Club/Unit schedulers to make sure that games are not scheduled to be held during a protected Sectional Weekend. (during Nationwide Games Sept 29 (evening) and Sept 30(day) - Dec 8 (evening) and Dec 9(day) or UNCF Games in October Clubs should try to sponsor a game) 1) The upcoming tournaments are: a) Birmingham is coming up October 5 th thru October 7 th b) MABU Grade A Nov 16 th -18 th c) Columbus Grade A Dec 28 th 30 th d) Nationwide Games e) UNCF Games in October - try to have them f) Spring National is April 12 th -18 th Dearborn Michigan g) Summer National July 25 - Aug 4 th Austin, TX The SVP presented an account of the two (2) National Board Meetings that she attended. She noted that Revamping the Script Awards Program was the center of interest and activity. Secretary s Report Gwendolyn L. White The minutes of the January 15, 2017 Southern Section Sectional Meeting were read silently by the members in attendance. Action Erma Givens moved that the minutes be approved as written and James Tanksley seconded the motion. Resolved All Approved Financial Report Dwight Bush, Treasurer The Section Treasurer, Dwight Bush, presented the Income and Expense Report from the Martin Luther King Sectional Tournament January 13 16, 2017. He also presented a detailed Financial Report for the period January 1, 2017 August 31, 2017. Copies of both reports and a copy of the check register were distributed. In this presentation, he noted that the Section ended the period with a Cash Balance on Hand $17,174.56. A summary report of the Section Financial Reports is presented below and detail reports are on file with the Treasurer. Income and Expense Report Martin Luther King Sectional Tournament Summary January 13-16, 2017 Total Income $11,433.00 Total Expenses $10,494.00 Net Income $938.20 Southern Section s Annual Financial Report January 1, 2017 August 31, 2017 Balance January 1, 2017 $16,038.49 Income $33,415.99 Total Expenses $16,241.43 Ending Cash Balance $17,174.56 The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 7

Action Margie Inman moved that the Treasurer s Report be accepted for audit and Cornell Garrett seconded the motion. Resolved All Approved Committee Reports Section Committee Chairpersons Merit and Life Membership Award Recipients Scholarship Committee Report Tournament Chair Update Action The Chairperson of the Merit and Life Membership Award Committee, Leslie King, thanked members of the committee for agreeing to serve. The following information was presented in the Chairman s report. a. Jacki McLoyd is the 2017 recipient of the Merit Award for the Southern Section. b. The Committee did not have a nominee for the Life Membership Award this year but indicated that a nominee would be forthcoming in 2018. c. The chair announced that Nominations for 2018 Life and Merit Membership Awards should be submitted by December 1 st, 2017. She noted that Information for eligibility criteria for Life and Merit Membership, forms, etc. can be found on the website and additional information is in ABA handbook. The Chair of the Scholarship Committee, Leatrice Bell is ill. Gwendolyn Middlebrooks presented the Committee s report for Leatrice. Gwen reported that we have three (3) recipients of the Scholarship Award. She noted that one of the recipients had registered for college and became ill and had to withdraw. The one year award to her has been delayed and is reserved for 2nd semester when the recipient re-enrolls. The Chair of the Tournament Committee, Gloria Christler, presented the following items in her report. An Update on The Status of The Upcoming Tournament. The Tournament Committee, Benny Patton, Anderson Williams, Dwight Bush, Toliver McKinney and Sharette Simpkins, met by teleconference to look over the details of this Tournament (Tunica) and the January 12-15, 2018 MLK Tournament. The Contract for the Southern Section s Sectional MLK Tournament is with the Crowne Plaza Airport North in Atlanta. A Request for feedback on the Horseshoe and Roadhouse Hotels. The Committee is reviewing this year s Tournament here in Tunica, it is assessing the Horseshoe/Roadhouse Hotel contract and requests your feedback. If you like this facility vs some places where we have stayed before let the Committee know, so that negotiations for next year s contract can begin asap. The Projections for this year of 15, 20 and 25 tables are on target. They are holding at the high end of 25 tables. Financially, we should be very well in the black. The Tournament Chair will get a report to the Secretary for the upcoming Newsletter so that you can see the financial outcome of this tournament. The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 8

Bridge Education Committee The Chairman of the Bridge Education Committee, Dr. Anderson Williams, reported that the committee has been active this year recruiting aspiring bridge instructors. A letter was sent out to all Presidents and Secretaries of clubs in the Section requesting names of anybody who IS currently or is aspiring to become a certified bridge teacher. The Committee s goal is that by the end of the year, there will be at least one certified teacher for each club in the Southern Section. Five (5) members: Cornell and Jackie Garrett, Cheryl Ransom, Patricia Haynes and Dorothy Placide, attended the Teacher Training Seminar. If all goes well, it is expected that these five (5) people will be certified teachers by the January MLK Tournament. Old Business Membership/Mentorship Committee Action: The Chairperson of the Membership/Mentorship committee, Jacki McLoyd, emphasized the need to include zero tolerance in all club activities so that when new students join ABA they will not have problems. It was noted that Edith Knowlton had done an excellent presentation on zero tolerance and that her list would be excellent for dissemination and club use. Acquire Edith s list and Disseminate her Do s and Don ts out to the Section Clubs. Staff Development Committee The Chair of the Staff Development Committee, Shirley Williams, reported that the committee has been very active since the last Section meeting. One of its objectives is to ensure that each club in the Section has a trained certified director. Towards this end, the Committee focused on (1) Developing and training programs for those persons who have expressed an interest in learning to direct. We also worked with active certified directors and directors in training (DITs) on (2) Updating their knowledge and skills and (3) information was sent to all active Southern Section directors and DITs on the Major Changes in the 2017 Laws of Duplicate Bridge. The committee held a Mini Workshop for the Directors in Training (DIT) on March 9 in Chattanooga. The following aspiring directors participated in the workshop Barbara Jackson, Margie Inman, June Ingram, Bernadette Porche, Evelyn Lewis, Sharette Simpkins, and Joyce Toney. They will receive certificates of participation. A One Day Course on the New 2017 Laws of Duplicate Bridge was held for active Certified Directors and DITs in Atlanta on September 7 th as part of our continuing education program. The following persons will receive certificates of participation -- Gloria Christler, Worth Christler, Evelyn Cook, Edith Knowlton, Evelyn Lewis, Gwendolyn Middlebrooks, Bernadette Porche, Gloria Simmons, and Anderson C. Williams. 2017 Promotions to Level I Certified Club Directors: The Staff Development Chair recommended Margie Inman - Nashville, TN; Joyce Toney, -Birmingham, AL; Frances Scales - Nashville, TN; and Sharette Simpkins Jacksonville FL. who completed the Directors in Training (DITS) program to the Sectional Vice The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 9

President for promotion to Level 1 Certified Director. They each met all requirements for promotion as listed in ABA Handbook Part IV and were approved. They were officially promoted to Level 1 Certified Club Directors and presented with a Certificates of Achievement at the meeting. Frances and Sharette s Certificates will be sent to them as they were unable to attend the meeting. Required Sanction Games Action The SVP discussed sanctioned game requirements. She noted that The National Secretary presented an awesome letter in Reno explaining the requirements for clubs to keeping their charter. In the future Clubs will be held to this requirement: The SVP presented the following 4 Sanction Game requirements to which each club will be held in order to keep club charter. (1) Scholarship Game, (2) Headquarters Game, (3) Club game each month, and (4) Regional Tournament each year. The 2018 Calendar from each club must be filled out with projected dates and submitted to SVP by the end of October 2017. New Business 2018 Election Action Election Committee Resolved The Section Vice-President referred to Section 6.9 of the Bylaws. that the Election Committee shall be appointed by the Section Vice President by the Fall Section meeting at least one year before the election of Officers to define the process for Election 2018. Point of clarification was made by Anderson Williams distinguishing between the Election Committee and the Nominating Committee. In accordance with Section 6.9, the SVP named Jacki McLoyd to Chair the Election Committee as her appointee. Agnes Harper Inquired as to whether the members of the Election committee would all be appointed by the SVP. The SVP responded that Jacki McLoyd is the Chair and that the Chair would choose her committee. Jacki McLoyd is the Chair of the Election Committee and will choose her committee. Nominating Committee Evelyn Adkins, Southern Section SVP, referred to ByLaws to present an overview of the criteria for membership on the Nominating Committee and the selection process. The Nominating Committee shall be comprised of no more than five (5) Section Members. There was a discussion regarding membership requirements to serve on the Nominating Committee. The issue was clarified by reading the following excerpts from SECTION 9.2 Criteria for membership on the Nominating Committee: --Must be a member of the Section for at least 5 years. The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 10

Action Action Resolved Anderson Williams made the following MOTION. THAT the ByLaws Committee be asked to amend the Section 9.2 requirement of the ByLaws from: Must be a member of the Section for five (5) years to serve on the Nominating committee. To read Must be a member of the Section in good standing to serve on the Nominating committee. The MOTION was seconded by Willetta Phipps. There was a discussion regarding the process for amending the ByLaws. The issue was clarified by reading the following excerpts from Section 12 of the ByLaws. Amendments to these ByLaws may be made at any Section membership meeting by two thirds vote of those present. Anderson Williams revised his MOTION. The revised MOTION is Anderson Williams MOVED THAT the Criteria for membership on the Nominating Committee be changed to state that one must be a member of the Southern Section in good standing. The Revised Motion was seconded and Carried with one opposed. Six (6) members: Margaret Johnson ATL, Margie Inman of Nashville, Jackie Harris of Columbus, Doris Swinton of Jacksonville, FL, Cornell Garrett, Nashville and Lydia Alexander of Birmingham were nominated and informally approved by the body to serve on the Nominating Committee. These six (6) members will comprise the nominating committee. Adjournment MOTION BY Birnell Hatcher SECONDED BY There being no further business to come before The Southern Section, at 11:25 AM, it was MOVED that The Sectional membership meeting be adjourned. The MOTION was SECONDED, unanimously CARRIED and the meeting was adjourned. Submitted by Gwendolyn L. White, Section Secretary Signature: Gwendolyn Littleton White Gwendolyn Littleton White (September 24, 2017) Email: glavernwhite@gmail.com The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 11

The Treasurer s Report The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 12

Friday 29-Sep *Nationwide Scholarship Night Scholarship Saturday 30-Sep Nationwide Scholarship Day Scholarship Friday 8-Dec Nationwide Super Pairs Night Super Open Pair Saturday 9-Dec Nationwide Super Pairs Day Super Open Pair October 5-October 7 Birmingham Grade A Tournament Birmingham Nov 16 - Nov 18 MABU Grade A MABU December 28-30th Columbus Grade A Tournament Columbus The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 13

BIRMINGHAM This Certificate of Achievement is presented to Ms. Joyce Toney The body applauded as Evelyn Adkins, SVP, read from the certificate presented to Joyce Toney of Birmingham during the Southern Section General Meeting (SSGM). Shirley Williams (Staff Development Chair) and the SVP made the presentation to Joyce Toney who has met all the requirements, of a Level I Director, as listed in the ABA Handbook Part IV. She has officially been promoted to Level I Director according to the January 2017 Staff Development Report. Joyce has been a Director in Training (DIT) GEORGIA & MISSISSIPPI CLUB NEWS SMDBC Member Jacki McLoyd, is the 2017 recipient of the Merit Award for the Southern Section. Gloria Christler is the National Secretary elect from ATL, Georgia. Staff Development held a Mini Workshop for the Directors in Training (DIT) on March 9 in Chattanooga. Several aspiring directors from Georgia participated in the workshop: Barbara Jackson, Bernadette Porche and Evelyn Lewis. They will receive certificates of participation. FLORIDA Sharette Simpkins of Jacksonville, FL was officially promoted to Level I Director at a ceremony in Tunica, MS. Sharette was not present to accept the Certificate of Achievement presented by Shirley Williams, Chair of Staff Development and Evelyn Adkins, SVP. According to the chair, Sharette has met all the requirements as listed in the ABA Handbook Part IV. TENNESSEE Margie Inman of Nashville, TN was officially promoted to Level I Director at a ceremony in Tunica, MS. Margie was presented a Certificate of Achievement by Shirley Williams, Chair of Staff Development and Evelyn Adkins, SVP. According to the chair, she has met all the requirements as listed in the ABA Handbook Part IV. TUNICA, MS The 2017 Southern Section Sectional Meeting was held in MS. The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 14

Hello Bridge Players, It was a joy to see you at the Sectional in Tunica. When we get it together, it s like a family reunion. As you know, families grow with the birth of children, marriages, etc. It is time we become deliberate about growing our ABA family, this means we need to recruit new members. Think about the joy you experienced when you were asked to join the ABA. Share the joy. Invite family, friends, church members, and everyone you spend time with to join the ABA and watch your club grow. Each club should set a goal for membership recruitment. After reaching the goal, the club president should reward the top recruiter. If we do not recruit new members our numbers will decline, we should not allow the decrease to exceed our increase. Make plans to join MABU for our Grade A in November 16-18, see flyer on the ABA website. Make plans to join MABU for our Grade A in November 16-18, see flyer on the ABA website. As I close, we must enforce Zero Tolerance with everyone. See you at the table. Jacki McLoyd, President MABU The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 15

Contributed by Edith Knowlton Contributed by Edith Knowlton What Falls Under the Umbrella of Zero Tolerance? ZERO TOLERANCE INCLUDES: Etiquette and Behaviors for players and directors: 1) Simple Things: a) Punctuality b) Cell Phone Use c) Intentional Slow Play d) Failure to call the director immediately e) Failure to comply with requests or directives from the director f) Demanding a specific seat at a specific table. 2) Be Prepared to adhere to ZERO TOLERANCE: a) Practice the same appropriate personal behaviors at local club games and tournaments. b) Remember. Practice makes perfect. Player As player, you should always: 1) Follow procedures established by the director in charge of each game. a) Show respect: Address the director by using the word Director. b) Arrive before the starting time for the duplicate bridge game. c) Register and get assigned seating before the starting time. d) Comply (without question) with the director s assignment for your seating. Efforts should always be made by the director in charge to sell entries so players with equal points and/or playing ability can be seated at the same table to begin the game.) This is called balancing the field and it improves the opportunity for less experienced players to have a chance to win. When directors don t balance the field less experienced players should be concerned because their chances of winning are limited. Note: Directors can t balance the field if players are permitted to sit where they choose to sit. The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 16

Contributed by Edith Knowlton When the Director Is Called You Should Understand That: 1. All activity at the table should cease. 2. The director should: e) Calmly approach the table (with the rule book in his/her possession). f) Ask who called? When identified, (this will be the first person to speak). g) Ask; How may I help you (what is the problem)? h) Ask if others want to speak about the situation. i) Listen attentively (without interruption) as players talk. j) Give all players an opportunity to speak who wish to speak. k) Make a decision (give instruction to players). l) Leave the table immediately and don t engage nor encourage rebuttal. m) Remind players that they have a STAY TUNED FOR PART 2 DO S AND DONT S Understand that the director is present to assist and provide support for you. The director is there to restore equity. The director is not present to exert power over you and shout orders. Simple Things That Beginners Need 1. A Copy of the Laws of Duplicate Bridge. 2. Knowledge of: a. Dummy s Hand (41D) b. Dummy s Rights (P.42) i. Absolute- Dummy is entitled to give information, in the Director s presence as to fact or law. ii. Qualified - c. Dummy s Limitations (43) i. Any player, including dummy may summon the director after attention has been drawn to an irregularity. Procedure following an irregularity (9B1(b)). ii. The difference between a minor penalty card and a major penalty card (50) 1. Disposition of a minor penalty card. (50C) 2. Disposition of a major Penalty card. (50D 1,2) 3. The Revoke (61) 4. The Revoke of Trick 12 (62 D) d. Give all players an opportunity to speak who wish to speak. e. Make a decision (give instruction to players). f. Leave the table immediately and don t engage nor encourage rebuttal. g. Remind players that they have a right to appeal the decision (have appeals sheets available at the directors table. The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 17

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Editor s Note Hi Everyone, Welcome to the 3 rd Edition of the Southern Exposure newsletter. It is our final newsletter this year and we look forward to 2018. Thanks to those of you who have contributed and helped make this newsletter a success. We hope the information provided in the Exposure has been beneficial to you. We are currently reviewing this year s Newsletter and would like your feedback. Let us know what you think. If you like the current information or have suggestions for the next issue, let us know, so that we can incorporate suggestions. Congratulations to ABA s next National Secretary, Gloria Christler. We are rooting hard for you. Your success is this organization s success Sincerely, Gwendolyn L. White Send feed back to the Editor at glavernwhite@gmail.com. The Southern Section of The American Bridge Association Editor - Gwendolyn Littleton White 19