<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small">My weigh-in (I'm away until Tuesday, and don't think calling in makes sense at Starbucks...)</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small">A cart is a great idea--sometimes venues have these, and they may our lives a lot easier (think Vasa). However, there will always be schlepping --as coffee needs to be dumped and baskets need to be rinsed before fresh pots are made. We may want to have a 5 gallon slop bucket, but actually I think some of this needs to be done away from the maddening crowds, for both safety and aesthetics.... BUT using a combo of water pitcher/jugs and a cart will make a lot of this a lot easier. All comes down to room in the trailer.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small">Single session for everything? I wonder? For A events, eg, open pairs, there may be more people getting awards, but certainly the value goes down. I wonder if we can't make a compromise and make open events 2 session events, and bcd single session (but I'm not sure if that is better for things like gold rush pairs, where bigger points are awarded for pairs that can put together a good day's worth of bridge). I have a feeling that A players want the bigger pay offs (and if we're going to make a blanket change, I think we need to poll specifically As to see). Just my thoughts....I'll never forget one time doing well in both sessions of an open and number of points awarded for me and my partner's efforts--glorious.....</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small">Lunch breaks are long for those who finish fast, and sometimes too short for those who don't. I've been in both situations. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small">I like the idea of encouraging people to bring their lunch from home--but we also need to stress, NO REFRIGERATION, so that people don't expect us to store their food (this happens pretty near every time, btw--people want to store food, and take ice...)....</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small">And I can always use some help. hiring someone makes sense. Sometimes we've been lucky and I've been able to enlist the aid of Jenny Ballantyne and/or Dee Patrick. But here's something key--strength and size matters. There was a time caddies (especially Laurie's son) was able to help and was perfect, but them days are long gone. Let's talk about this when I'm back...</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small">I LOVE the idea of fast pairs on Friday when we have a 7ish start (and recommend 7:15 start,btw), and the next day a 10:30 start. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT, and suspect it will be VERY popular. Did I say I love fast pairs when we have an early start the next day??</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small">And as to the start times, I heard comments, both pro and con. Personally I am all for a 10:30 start--it allows me to eat dinner at a decent hour and get a good night sleep. BUT, I would want a shorter break between the two sessions. I think we're trainable, and this could work. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small">all for now</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small">from sunny Palm Springs</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small">romeo</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all"><div><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div>Ann Romeo<br>Personal email: <a href="mailto:annromeo@gmail.com" target="_blank">annromeo@gmail.com</a></div>
<div>Local home: 425-392-8417 <br>Work email: <a href="mailto:Ann.Romeo@ORCInternational.com" target="_blank">Ann.Romeo@ORCInternational.com</a></div>
<div>Work direct dial: 212-463-6331</div><div>My cell: 425-615-1413 (text ok)</div><div> </div><div><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">
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<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sat, Mar 4, 2017 at 3:04 PM, JC Chupack <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jc.chupack@gmail.com" target="_blank">jc.chupack@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div>We can discuss/review briefly at the board meeting, but I'm sending out in advance for anyone not attending. I highlighted key items that the board should weigh in on and possibly vote on during the meeting, since this is long. Also, I incorporated Jenni's feedback into my notes below. I pretty much agree with everything she mentioned, but I tried to make clear what was hers vs. mine.<br><br></div>I am planning to do a post-sectional survey to all the players that attended to ask for general feedback and to possibly ask a few specific questions for this event. If you have things you'd like me to ask, let me know.<br><div><br>======================<br><br>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Pre-event:</p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.375in;unicode-bidi:embed;direction:ltr"><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Planning - we needed more
bridgemates than planned for this. Unsure of details of what happened
here. </span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Boards need to be made for
1-36. Remind Sharon and Nick when boards are being duplicated.</span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Print signs for the fee
schedule and post them prominently - it'll save a lot of repeating info to
those buying</span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Chairs should write up and
print out announcements for them and for the directors (they can always be
edited onsite) - see announcements section</span></li></ul>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt"> </p>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Setup:</p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.375in;unicode-bidi:embed;direction:ltr"><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Entry-buying table would be
better off near the entrance to the site.<span>
</span>(Suggest we set up two entry-buying tables near the front, in the
nooks between the doors. When there's a rush, there can be separate tables
per event/strat.) When lines formed on Saturday, it was tough to get to
the nearby tables, and we had spills happen because tables got knocked.</span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">The offset nook where
partnership, entries, and the loading dock are should be used for
additional tables for May.<span> </span>We had
to set up one extra table during this event; I expect May will be as big,
if not bigger, so we'll need that space for more gaming tables.</span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">In addition to taking
pictures of the initial setup that we will need to reset to, note how many
tables, chairs, rows, etc. </span></li></ul>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt"> </p>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Announcements:</p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.375in;unicode-bidi:embed;direction:ltr"><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Remember to turn on all the
volume switches for announcements.<span>
</span>After that, it's a simple on/off (allow 30s to let the mic warm
up).</span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Chair should write up
"last round" announcement items to ask the directors to include
at end of each session - start time of next session, start time of next
day's session, etc.</span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">At end of Saturday 2nd
session, ask everyone to please rotate their playing table 45 degrees
before they leave. It'll save a lot of time on Sat evening. </span></li></ul>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt"> </p>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Hospitality:</p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.375in;unicode-bidi:embed;direction:ltr"><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Since we don't have a big
sink or kitchen for this site, and we intend to keep using this site, I
recommend that we plan on buying and bringing several gallon jugs of water
and refilling those rather than hauling the coffee urns back and forth.<span> </span>Also, we should get a hospitality cart
to be used throughout the weekend (table height cart) to minimize lifting
needs/strain.<span> </span></span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">We might be getting to the
size point that we should consider hiring someone to be a hospitality
assistant during sessions. Given minimum wage, I'd figure this is around
$100-$125 per day, but coffee runs out mid-session, snacks need to be
restocked, areas need to be picked up and cleaned up, wiped down, tidied…I
imagine we could keep a person busy.<span>
</span>The only question is if we're willing to make this
investment/risk.<span> </span>I do not think
it's the right thing to do to get volunteers to sit out sessions to make
this happen.</span></li></ul>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt"> </p>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Event times/timing:</p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.375in;unicode-bidi:embed;direction:ltr"><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">I heard lots of good feedback
on the start times (though this is self-fulfilling). The only negative I heard was that Friday night's session goes late and then Sat AM starts early the next morning. (This was toughest on the folks having to close down on Friday evening.)<br></span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,0)"><b>Jenni noted (and I agree)
that we should shift to a shorter Swiss on Sunday. We both heard
complaints about 56 boards being used, that it was "too much
bridge" and "too long of a day."<span> </span></b></span>I intend to ask about this in a
post-event survey to get data, but while I know some A players like 56
boards, it does not work well to have A on a different timing than
everyone else, for carpooling and noise levels.<span> </span>And many A as well as BCD players do not
prefer that many boards.</span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Jenni noted (and I agree)
that 1hr15 was too long for a lunch on Sunday at this location. There's
plenty of nearby fast food.<span> </span>I know
my group dawdled a bit (so I could do things), then drove 1.5mi away, ate
lunch, and then had plenty of time to go shopping and have a brief walk
while still arriving in plenty of time to play.<span> </span></span></li><ul type="circle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.375in;unicode-bidi:embed;direction:ltr"><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,0)">For Forest Ridge, we will
either need to provide the extra time or just recommend everyone bring a
sack lunch.</span><span><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,0)"> </span> </span>It is much slower to
get in and out of that site, and we don't want bridge players speeding
through that neighborhood or parking illegally to make it back.</span></li></ul></ul>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt"> </p>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Event formats:</p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.375in;unicode-bidi:embed;direction:ltr"><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">The 0-750 was a big hit. I
think it drove the additional attendance we got. Likewise, there was
appreciation for the 0-2500.<span> </span>A
daylight timed event will get the attendance to have these breakouts, I
think.<span> </span>(Friday evening was the only
session that we were a little light to have the events we had.)</span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt"><b><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,0)">Jenni and I both heard
negative feedback about the BAM being the only event for open players on
Friday evening.</span></b><span> </span>The turnout for it
was also lower this year than in previous years, and we both believe that
players are voting with their feet, which may have led to Friday night's light attendance (plus the timing).<span>
</span>At the tournaments committee, we discussed this because the survey data indicated that the BAM was the only event type we offer that had a negative rating, and the concern
with offering another open event opposite it is that the BAM won't run in
that case.<span> </span>In my opinion, we have enough data between the survey and on-site to <span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,0)"><b>remove the Friday night BAM and replace with an open or fast pairs (fast because of the Sat AM start time).</b></span><span>
</span>(Note that we offer a BAM on the Monday of the KO sectional, so
it's not like we won't offer the format any more, and we can see after
that event if we get similar negative feedback or if it was just the
Friday night that was troublesome.)</span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt"><b><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,0)">Jenni recommended that when
we have a 0-2500, we adjust strata to 0-3000, 3000-5000, and 5000+ for the
Open event.</span></b><span> </span>(Note that, per our
voting last year, the board agreed to revise strata based on tournament
data after each tournament. Tournament data is still pending, but I trust Jenni's input here as a tentative agreement.)<br></span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,0)"><b>Jenni recommended (and I
agree) that we should shift to single session events, because they pay
more MP and players tend to be happier with them for scheduling and
performance.</b></span><span><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,0)"><b> </b></span> </span>We got several queries
pre-event about single session entries (which we're required to accept,
but it's not obvious that's the case when it's a 2-session event…I didn't
even know that until doing this!). I submitted a summary to the board last
month about proposing we eliminate 2 session pairs events that I'll bring
to the 3/6 meeting and have attached to this for reference.</span></li></ul>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.375in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt"> </p>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Publicity:</p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.375in;unicode-bidi:embed;direction:ltr"><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Pre-event publicity seemed to
work fine given attendance. Note that we did not have this flyer at the
previous sectional due to the site change.</span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Enthusiasm for photos (aside
from awards) was mixed. </span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">If we do want to keep pushing
session winner photos, I would like us to get a banner to use as a
backdrop for photos, but this is very much a "nice to
have".<span> </span>It'd be ~$250, high
quality and re-usable (and packs down small), and I'd have it printed with
our Seattle logo alternating with either the ACBL logo or with text for
"Seattle Unit 446" or similar.<span>
</span>If someone crafty wants to volunteer to make one, I'm all for that,
too.</span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Roving photography would be
nice to use for publicizing our events, but obviously, anyone who
volunteered would be playing.</span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">I think the big board was
nice. Curious for others' thoughts on it.<span>
</span>We won't need as many "slots" if we don't post award
winners (but we could just keep the awards winners displayed all year,
which is kind of a cool thing…or we could replace with thank yous to
volunteers or other things we want to publicize)</span></li></ul>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt"> </p>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Equipment notes:</p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.375in;unicode-bidi:embed;direction:ltr"><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,0)"><b><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Jenni recommmended we get
laminated placards or stands with the section letters to show where posted
results are.</span></b></span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,0)"><b><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Hospitality cart (see
hospitality section)</span></b></span></li><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,0)"><b><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Tables - we may need more
folding tables?</span></b></span></li></ul>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt"> </p>
<p style="margin:0in;font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">Teardown:</p>
<ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.375in;unicode-bidi:embed;direction:ltr"><li style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;vertical-align:middle"><span style="font-family:calibri;font-size:11pt">We had good help this year
and it took just over an hour to tear down. No big feedback items here. I
think it went very well.</span></li></ul>
<div><div><div class="m_-710207259676363530gmail_signature"><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">--<font size="1"><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><br><span style="font-family:arial"><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:x-small">JC Chupack</span></font></span></font><div style="font-family:arial;font-size:small"><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:arial"><font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:x-small">* Find me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, or Twitter: jcchupack</span></font></span></font></div></font></font></div></div>
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