Unit 142 Board Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2025 at Matt’s Pickle and Paddle
hosted by the Edgeworth Bridge Club
The Unit 142 Board Meeting was held at Edgeworth Bridge Club’s Matt’s Pickle and Paddle location on September 10, 2025.
Attendance: Ron Franck (President), Maureen Loeb (Secretary), Robyn Fennel, Jim Gump, David Loeb, June Threlkeld, and Terri Tunick.
President’s Remarks
Ron stated how appreciative he is for all the hard work the board is doing; the Unit is thriving, and many lessons are being held. We have to look for 1 or 2 additional board members that are rwilling to take on a few responsibilities.
Secretary's Report
The minutes from the July meeting were reviewed and approved.
Treasurer's Report
We distributed Michael Pascal’s financial report. The Unit is in good shape financially. Ron encouraged us to use funds on publicize bridge and help more people learn bridge.
Committee Reports
- Education
We distributed Bill’s Education Report. The unit has many students and classes. David stated that we have bridge classes for beginners scheduled in Mt. Lebanon using the Bridge War methodology. He is also starting a 2/1 class in October.
We have over 100 active students in our Unit. The problem is the transition from lessons to club games. Terry shared a flyer for new classes. She’ll post in on Facebook.
We discussed local, non sanctioned bridge games. Ron suggested that we visit social bridge game, and offer help. We’ve donated some bidding boxes and boards to a local church and the YMCA. Supervised play and hospitality are well appreciated.
- IN/Publicity/Marketing/
Terri met with YaJagoff Media, a marketing consulting firm. She asked them for a proposal focusing on publicity and education, and obtaining some segments covering bridge on television, podcasts, and radio. We need more marketing collateral (e.g. stories, pictures, videos, etc.) to promote bridge. Our events need to collect marketing assets. Since we’re running the events, it’s hard to take photos. We should consider hiring a photographer. There is a need to market bridge better, especially to younger prospects. We should look into an inter collegiate bridge teams: Pitt, CMU, and ND. We need to get better Instagram coverage.
- Membership
Nothing new to report.
- Tournaments/Special Games
We’ll have a unit wide Holiday Pary on a Friday so that 3 clubs can participate. They get $50 for hospitality. Recommend Dec. 12th for date. We’ll use the same boards. The South Pittsburgh Bridge Club can duplicate boards for Greensburg and provide hand records. We recommend raising money and food for local food banks since it is a difficult time of year for many.
We’ll do a Pro Am next year. June will lead discussion at the next Board meeting.
- Club Liaison
Dustin is new club manager of Edgeworth. He’s added many special games. Terri reported that they are trying to get funding through a private donation so they can use the Edgeworth Club again. The Edgeworth Club charges $100/game which creates a financial loss for them. The Allegheny Club can be used seasonally. Currently, game are being held at Picketball Matt's Pickle and Padel.
- Website and Newsletter
David Loeb reported the website is operating smoothly. Currently focusing on how the website can be use to promote bridge. We are setup to have web pages support posts and advertisements on social media. The website is positioned to help support the “call to action” of posts and advertisements promoting bridge.
New Business
- Pittsburgh Regional Update
The DoubleTree was very affordable, offering good rates for hotel rooms and for the ballroom. The playing area was good. Feedback was positive from out of town players. The location was a negative for some Pittsburgh players. The bathrooms were a problem. Room was noisy, and coffee wasn’t available throughout the day. We’re under contract to have it there next year. There is more work to set up the ballroom as compared to the Masonic. Having no Hospitality Room was also a problem.
Maureen discussed the potential to grow the Pittsburgh Regional and the benefits for players of all levels.
The Board unanimously voted to empower Ron and Maureen to work with D5 leadership negotiate an agreement to assume financial and operational responsibilities for the 2026 Pittsburgh Regional, and to disengage from all discussions regarding the Regional if no progress is made.
- Club Support Funds
South Pittsburgh Bridge is using funds to advertise bridge. No update from other clubs. Gus spent about $500 to have his dealing machine repaired. South Pittsburgh will soon have the same expense.
- Results from Summer Sectional
The Sectional lost $3,000 due to high rent charged by Masonic. Alex said he can handle directing alone. David and Maureen are joining the Elks to look for lodges which would work for Sectionals. Once they become members, they will survey Elks Lodges and assess their potential to host events.
- Fall Sectional
The Fall Sectional will be held at the Masonic. We will cut down hospitality expenses. We decided to have a Pittsburgh Cookie Table; and will ask players to bring cookies. June expressed concern that only SPBC promotes our tournaments and special games.
June asked if next year we will have the Fall Sectional with the regional being pushed back to mid-September? The Board discussed next year’s Fall Sectional and decided to revisit the question after seeing the result from the 2025 Fall Sectional.
- Sapphire Integration
The ACBL has launched the Sapphire program to encourage the progress of students and new players. The Bridge for Brain Health charity has integrated their Customer Relationship Management system with the ACBL’s Sapphire program. The data will be shared with teachers to help them provide timely and reach out to share the data with teachers to help them provide timely encouragement for their students.
Next Board Meeting
Subject to confirmation, the Board agreed to hold their next meeting on Saturday, November 8th at the South Hills Corcordia game. Ron will confirm with Concordia.
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn the Board Meeting was made and approved.
