September 2021 - 73

Robert Bertoni | 1956-2021
Robert " Bob "
Bertoni, a Diamond
Life Master who
served as the
District 25 Director
(New England) on
the ACBL Board,
died June 29 after
a multi-year battle
with cancer. He was 65.
Born in Norwood MA, Bertoni
attended Boston College. Prior to his
retirement in 2020, Bertoni owned
Megahertz Computer in Bradford
MA.
Bertoni previously served as
president of District 25 and Unit 108,
and he established the Amesbury
Duplicate Bridge Club. According to
his wife, Beth, " Bob was the Grand
Poohbah of all things bridge. "
District and unit officials praised
his work. " Bob worked tirelessly to
retain the best of bridge and, where
needed, made improvements and
adjustments to the ever-changing
landscape of the game, especially
during the COVID crisis. "
Remembrances from friends and
players were many. " Bob was always
available to lend a hand to help or
an ear to listen. He could do your
taxes, bet on your golf game, fix your
computer and give sage advice all
in the same day, a true Renaissance
man. Bob leaves behind many friends
who will always carry his memory. He
had a knack for being able to disagree
without being disagreeable, and he
remained undaunted in the face of
adversity both at the bridge table and
in life. "
Bertoni is survived by his wife,
Beth, son, Dan Burrows, and daughter,
Dylan Bertoni.
ACBL Bylaws Amendment
The Board of Directors approved a proposed amendment to Article IX of the ACBL
Bylaws that would clarify that all elected and appointed representatives to the Board of
Governors may be replaced by their respective Districts if their positions become vacant
for any reason, but that other members of the Board of Governors will not be replaced.
It also clarified that absence from Board of Governors meetings due to participation in
Board of Directors meetings shall be considered excused absences. To become effective
it must be approved a second time by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors and,
subsequently, by a majority vote of the Board of Governors. The full text of the proposed
amendment is as follows:
Article IX Board of Governors
9.3 Membership. The following shall make up the membership of the Board of Governors.
9.3.1 There shall be three Representatives from each District who shall be elected for
terms of three (3) years. If a Representative's position becomes vacant (including as
a result of the application of subsection 9.7.3), the District shall appoint a replacement
for the duration of the Representative's term.
9.3.2 All persons who were members of the Board of Governors as of January 1, 2021,
by virtue of their former status as First and Second Alternates to the Board of Directors
shall remain members of the Board of Governors until one year following the
date on which their terms would otherwise expire or until they resign or are deemed
to have resigned or the position otherwise becomes vacant. If a member referred
to in this provision resigns or is deemed to have resigned before January 1, 2024,
he or she will not be replaced on the Board of Governors. No further elections shall
take place for these positions.
9.3.3 All persons who were members of the Board of Governors as of January 1, 2021,
by virtue of their former position of President of the Board of Directors shall maintain
their membership (subject to Article 9.7.3). If, by virtue of Article 9.7.3 such
member is deemed to have resigned or the position otherwise becomes vacant, he
or she will not be replaced on the Board of Governors.
9.3.4 All past Chairs of the Board of Governors shall also be members (subject to Article
9.7.3). If, by virtue of Article 9.7.3, such member is deemed to have resigned
or the position otherwise becomes vacant, he or she will not be replaced on the
Board of Governors.
9.3.5 Each Representative must be a member in good standing of the ACBL and be and
remain a member of a Unit located within the District which he or she represents
during the term.
9.3.6 No member of the Board of Directors shall have a voice or vote on the Board of
Governors.
...
9.7 Meetings.
...
9.7.3 Any member who fails to attend two-thirds of all meetings available electronically in
a calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned and shall not be eligible to serve
as a member of the Board of Governors until the next regularly scheduled election.
Absence due to membership on the Board of Directors shall be excepted from
this provision and the Chair may grant other exceptions in the event of extenuating
circumstances.
September 2021 | Bridge Bulletin |
73

September 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2021