Minutes of individual Board Meetings can be viewed by selecting from the menu.

BYLAWS of the HAWKEYE BRIDGE ASSOCIATION, INC (UNIT 216) (Web Page)

BYLAWS of the HAWKEYE BRIDGE ASSOCIATION, INC (UNIT 216) (Word Document)

The meeting was called to order at 4:45PM on September 24, 2025.

Present: David Nelmark, Brad Albers, Jay Winter, Rich Newell, Beth Scoles, Ron Nielsen, Phil Hayne, Jim McGinn

A consensus was reached that we will not attempt to repair the soda machine due to the prohibitive cost of a service call.

Effective immediately, the Board has determined that only service animals will be allowed in the Bridge Center; no other pets/animals will be allowed.

There was continuing discussion on the future of the Bridge Center.

The meeting adjourned at 6:00PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jay Winter

Acting Secretary

Minutes

Unit 216 Board Meeting

Friday, September 19, 2025   3:00PM

Attendance: Carolyn Sabroske, Carolyn Miller, Linda Murphy, Joyce Halverson, Leslie Heimbach

Minutes from Previous Meeting: Approved but not yet posted on website; Rich Newell is new Webmaster; Leslie will forward 2025 Minutes as the last Minutes posted were dated 10/28/24.

Treasurer’s Report: Carolyn Miller shared current bank statement, net worth, and cash flow report for this year vs. prior.  

Old Business:

1. Stars of Tomorrow: Held 8/22-23, attendance was considerably lower than last year (26.5 tables vs. 37); may be due to ISU football game in Ireland. Expenses were low as we did not serve lunch, and using a local director vs. one from ACBL helped. We did not lose money, and we discussed continuing to hold it as long as it shows a profit. Leslie will chair next year’s sectional, Linda will coordinate partnerships. We will bring potential dates to next meeting for approval.

2. Cornbelt Sectional: Held 9/12-13, attendance was less than 2024 (51 tables this year, 54 in 2024); a profit was shown due to utilizing local director, charging $1 more, and having members bring food/treats.

New Business:

1. Elections and Unit Game: The terms for Carolyn Sabroske, Carolyn Miller, and Joyce are ending but all have agreed to serve again. Elections will be held Saturday, September 27-Friday, October 3. Carolyn has put up signage and will create ballots for Leslie to put out with ballot box; announcements will be made before each game that week (Saturday Rich, Mon/Thurs Jessie, Tues/Wed Leslie). We will hold our free Unit Game, annual meeting, election results, & update from the Corporation on Saturday, October 4; lunch at 11:30 followed by reports; game starts at 12:15PM; we (the Unit Board) will furnish lunch: beef burgers (Carolyn Sabroske), pickles/condiments/salad (Carolyn Miller), salad (Joyce), chips (Linda), dessert (Leslie). In 2024, we had 54 people but anticipate more with the corporation update.

2. Name Tags: We will facilitate an order of nametags for those who wish to order; Carolyn found a source for $8-10 each. Joyce will coordinate the signup and ordering.

3. Marketing: Linda will add signage to our front window outlining game times and contact information. She also has many other ideas to promote the Center and volunteers ready to help, but marketing efforts are on hold until we have further information from the Corporation about potential location and system changes. We did discuss marketing our tournaments using ACBL emails, and possibly purchasing in bulk to save money. We tabled any decisions until our November meeting.
4. Next Sectional: The 2026 Hawkeye Holiday Sectional has been set for Friday & Saturday, January 9-10. Carolyn will schedule Gregg to direct, and obtain a sanction number from ACBL. Joyce will chair the tournament, Linda will coordinate partnerships.

5. Christmas Party: The 2025 Christmas Party will be Friday, December 5. Last year we held it on a Saturday to potentially capture players who work, but turnout was low at 12.5 tables. There will be a free game and potluck. Players with last names beginning with A-M will contribute (and we’ll alternate the last half of the alphabet the next time we hold a potluck).

6. Grant: The application for the Endow Urbandale Grant was submitted and received by the 8/31 deadline. We requested $2500 to help offset the Regional loss of approximately $5000. Decision is anticipated mid-late September.

Adjournment & Next Meeting:

We will meet again Wednesday, November 5, at 10AM. This meeting was adjourned at 4:30PM.

Submitted by Leslie Heimbach

Minutes

Unit 216 Board Meeting

Wednesday, July 9, 2025   3:30PM

Attendance: Faith Garnaas, Leslie Heimbach, Joyce Halverson, Carolyn Miller, Linda Murphy, Carolyn Sabroske, Nancy Wilson

Minutes from Previous Meeting: Approved – thanks to Linda Murphy for compiling.

Treasurer’s Report: Carolyn Miller shared our net worth consisting of bank account and CD. Preliminary figures from the Regional show estimated net (revenue minus ACBL fees) of $9600. After subtracting the hotel charges, we anticipate a loss of approximately $5500. Final numbers will become available as she receives all expense requests.

Old Business:

1. June Regional 6/24-28/25: We hosted a total of 219 ½ tables for all sessions. Comparing attendance to the 2023 regional, our numbers were up per session. We also reduced our financial loss by about half from 2 years ago. For the future, we discussed changing the days to M-F as Saturday was our lowest attended day. It was also discussed to research other venue options, rather than a hotel, to save money. Our Bridge Center, senior centers, community centers, churches, and Legion Halls were all mentioned. Consideration is also being given to whether we provide lunches or not. We will continue to see how other Regionals are handling it, as well as what restrictions/costs will be associated with our next chosen location. It was agreed that starting the planning process well in advance of 2027 can only help.
2. Stars of Tomorrow 8/22-23/25: The flier has been approved by ACBL and is now available on their website. Printed fliers have been posted at the bridge center and players have been asked to take a handful to other tournaments to help promote it. Leslie will send 2 emails (1 now and 1 in a month) to players with less than 750 points for further promotion. Linda also encouraged us all to personally invite players and promote through word of mouth. As we get closer, we will put out sign-up sheets for donations of food and snacks (we are not serving lunch).

New Business:

1. Corporation News: Carolyn Sabroske and Carolyn Miller recently met with representatives from the Corporation Board. The Corporation Board provides the physical location and functions as the landlord for the weekly bridge games and sectional tournaments. The current lease is expiring within a year and they must make a commitment in the next several months. No final decision has been made and there is ongoing negotiation between the Board and Gregg Walsh. We are not party to it or involved in it; the meeting was just to bring us up-to-date information.
2. Urbandale Grant: Our grant request application is due 8/31, and Leslie will submit a preliminary draft to board members via email. Edits and additions can be made and we will finalize and approve at our next meeting.

Adjournment & Next Meeting:

Our next meeting date is TBD sometime after August 18. This meeting was adjourned at 5:15PM.

Submitted by Leslie Heimbach

Minutes

Unit 216 Board Meeting

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Attendance:  Joyce Halverson (via phone), Leslie Heimbach, Carolyn Miller, Linda Murphy,

                      Carolyn Sabroske, Nancy Wilson

Old Business:

A.    Updates for Iowa Regional Tournament, June 24 – 28, 2025

Leslie has the cable for the printer. Leslie is bringing the printer.

Nancy will print the daily signs which will show what events take place each day. Carolyn has old signs to use that the daily notices can be attached to. Brian Weilke will have the Winners information. The daily notices will be placed in both the playing room and outside the playing room. Easels will be provided by the Holiday Inn.

Table cloths need to be cut and taped to the tables. We will do this Monday afternoon.

Everyone who is volunteering should arrive at the Bridge Center Monday, June 23 at        3:30.

Faith has lined people up to help move the supplies and card tables. We will move a little over 40 tables.

When the tables are placed in the Playing Room, there is a system that we must use or they will not align correctly. The rules are: the tables must be 9 feet apart, center of the table to the center of the next table. Nancy will call Rich to obtain the instructions on using this system.

We need hard candy each day. Linda will purchase and bring.

Coffee – not sure how much we need. We already have some coffee. Decided to wait a couple of days to determine if we need to purchase more. We have people lined up who are making the coffee each day. Bring the carafes from the bridge center. Coffee is allowed only in the Hospitality Room. The Hospitality Room should be open all day; Carolyn S. will make sure the hotel will accommodate this.

Brian Weikle will arrive in Des Moines Monday afternoon.

We should make a list of our supplies. We should have enough of these:

            Playing cards

            Scoresheets

            Convention cards

Linda will purchase small golf pencils and will bring the pencil sharpener from the Bridge Center. 

Carolyn S. will call Brian Weikle to see what supplies he needs.

We need trash bags to tie two bags diagonally on each card table to collect trash. Joyce will bring 60 grocery bags for this purpose. We need to make sure to empty bags at the end of each day as needed.

Leslie will bring some cardboard boxes to transport the bidding boxes. Jay has an evening game Monday and needs to use some bidding boxes.

Carolyn S. will learn how to use the dealer box. We need instructions on how to use the machine. Each evening during the tournament, Carolyn will have to travel to the bridge center to make the next day’s playing cards. Thursday is exempt as it is a Team Day.

We have enough people for the daily Registrations. Leslie and Joyce will help if there is a need.

Adjournment and Next Meeting:

The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 a.m.

A future meeting was not scheduled at this time.

Submitted by Linda Murphy

Minutes

Unit 216 Board Meeting

Monday, May 19, 2025   10:30AM

Attendance: Faith Garnaas, Leslie Heimbach, Carolyn Miller, Carolyn Sabroske

Minutes from Previous Meeting: Approved; Carolyn will contact Bud Stowe for information on how to post to website.

Treasurer’s Report: Carolyn Miller shared our net worth and cash flow comparison year-to-date over last year. It was noted that that we have a new line item for the CD interest we are earning.

Old Business:

1. Medallion Game 5/17: It was disappointing to see a lower-than-expected turnout. There were 7 tables on the A side, and 5 ½ on the B. We chose a Saturday so that bridge players who work during the week might attend, but discussion was to move it back to a Friday next year.
2. June Regional 6/24-28: Tom has resigned as tournament chair so the board will work as a committee on the event. The deposit has been paid to the hotel and Carolyn S. is meeting with our contact to finalize lunch menus and meeting room set up. We are responsible to supply all equipment for the tournament as the ACBL director does not. This includes paper, entry sheets, cards, boards, bidding boxes, dealing machine, and computer. Faith will coordinate moving the card tables from the Bridge Center to the hotel on 6/23. Leslie will call ACBL to find out how to send a mass email to promote the tournament soon, and will coordinate staffing for the Registration table. We will also have a ‘Partnerships’ table, and speakers between sessions on Tuesday, Wed., and Friday (Val Laing, Rich Newell, and Toby White respectively).
3. Stars of Tomorrow 8/22-23: Carolyn has ACBL sanction number for the flier and information to submit it to ACBL for final approval.
4. Urbandale Grant: Carol Broms will assist the building corporation in applying for this grant, and our board will also submit an application. We surveyed the application and determined that we will apply for reimbursement for the upcoming Regional. The application is due 8/31 so we will revisit after the Regional to complete the details and provide a P&L with it.

New Business:

1. New Board Member: Tom Olsson has resigned from the Board, effective immediately, due to health issues. Per our Board rules, we may appoint a replacement, rather than hold an election. Several names were discussed and Joyce will reach out to potential candidates.

Adjournment & Next Meeting:

We will meet again Wednesday, June 18 at 10:30AM. This meeting was adjourned at 11:40AM.

Submitted by Leslie Heimbach

Minutes

Unit 216 Board Meeting

Thursday, March 27, 2025   10:45AM

Attendance: Faith Garnaas, Leslie Heimbach, Carolyn Miller, Carolyn Sabroske

Minutes from Previous Meeting: Approved and posted on website prior to meeting.

Treasurer’s Report: Carolyn Miller shared current bank statements and cash flow report for this year vs. prior.  She also shared that the Winter Festival/Hawkeye Holiday tournament had no expenses and received some contributions so the event made $390. An update to last month’s conversation about earning interest on the bank account: she and Carolyn Sabroske transferred 65% to a long-term CD, 20% to a short-term CD to be used for upcoming Regional expenses, and left 15% as cash for ongoing operating expenses.

Old Business:

1. June Regional 6/24-28: We discussed assembling packets for participants and volunteer staffing needs. Tom will coordinate and announcements can be made at weekly games.
2. April Sectional 4/25-26: Fliers have been distributed and Carolyn will add announcement to the back window 2 weeks out. The price has been raised to $13 to help offset increasing ACBL fees.
3. Stars of Tomorrow 8/22-23: Leslie distributed flier for board approval. Carolyn will obtain sanction number and we’ll submit to ACBL for final approval. It was discussed and decided that providing coffee and snacks is adequate. The board does not feel that offering lunch increases attendance.

New Business:

1. Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney Recognition 5/17:  There will be an 11:30AM Potluck and Free Game at Noon. Leslie will look for last year’s flier to update. Faith will distribute flier soon and put out potluck sign ups 2 weeks prior. Carolyn will add game information to the back window 2 weeks prior as well.
2. Urbandale Grant:  Carol Broms approached the board about grant money available through the city of Urbandale, and volunteering to help write the grant request.  We discussed how we would utilize monies received: supplies to include bidding box inserts, and new cards, as well as Regional expenses. Carolyn Miller will research number of past tournament participants, Leslie will research number of hotel sleeping rooms utilized, and lease specifics to document how long we’ve been in Urbandale.

Adjournment & Next Meeting:

We will meet again Monday, May 19 at 10:45AM. This meeting was adjourned at 11:35AM.

Submitted by Leslie Heimbach

Minutes

Unit 216 Board Meeting

Monday, January 13, 2025   10:45AM

Attendance: Faith Garnaas, Joyce Halverson, Leslie Heimbach, Carolyn Miller, Tom Olsson, Carolyn Sabroske, Nancy Wilson

Minutes from Previous Meeting: Approved and posted on website prior to meeting.

Treasurer’s Report: Carolyn Miller shared current bank statements and cash flow report for this year vs. prior. It was asked if we earn interest on our bank account balance, and we currently do not. Carolyn will investigate CD rates and money market interest potential.

Old Business:

1. Winter Festival 1/24-25: We will start making announcements at current games to generate attendance. Nancy will announce on Mondays, Carolyn S. Tuesdays, Joyce Wednesdays, Tom on Thursdays. Nancy will make up sign up sheets for snack donations. Nancy will also contact ACBL to have them send out emails about the Sectional. Leslie will contact Scornavaca’s about providing lunch orders.
2. Education Liason: We are still looking to fill this position. Jay Winter’s name was raised as a possibility. Carolyn S will approach him about it.
3. June Regional 6/24-28: Tom distributed fliers with specific game schedule. We will have 1 director, Brian Weikle, which will reduce costs rather than having 2 directors. Tom will inventory Bridge Mates and bidding boxes to make sure we have ample supplies. Brian will supplement if needed. It was suggested to mark them as Unit 216’s to prevent loss.

We will use one of the complimentary guestrooms as a hospitality room for coffee and snacks at the Regional. We will be sure to ask for donations. Tom will announce this is available before the games.

If the Regional shows a significant monetary loss for the Unit, we discussed sharing tournaments with other Units, and/or abandoning hosting a Regional.

Tom will contact ACBL to arrange mass email announcement to promote attendance.

New Business:

1. GNT Publicity: We received an email from ACBL outlining the qualifiying games and format. The GNT will be held this year at the NABC in Philadelphia, July 2025. We discussed how to distribute to our members. Tom will work with Bud Stowe to update our email list.
2.  Spring Festival 4/25-26/25: Carolyn S will create a flier.
3. Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney Celebration: We will recognize those winners on Saturday, May 17. 11:30 Potluck and Noon free game. Faith will coordinate.
4. Tom asked who had been updating the club’s Facebook page. A photo was posted from the holiday party and the Winter Festival was promoted. It was suggested that it was Rich Newell?

Adjournment & Next Meeting:

We will meet again Thursday, March 27 at 10:45AM. This meeting was adjourned at 11:50AM.

Submitted by Leslie Heimbach