December 2021 - 9

A MESSAGE
FROM THE
PRESIDENT
AMERICAN
CONTRACT
BRIDGE LEAGUE
PRESIDENT
Georgia Heth
CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Suzi Subeck
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Joe Jones
CHAIR, BOARD OF
GOVERNORS
Doug Couchman
Board of Directors
District 1 * Leo Weniger
District 2 * Flo Belford
District 3 * Carlos Muñoz
District 4 * Joann Glasson
District 5 * Brian Ellis
District 6 * Margot Hennings
District 7 * Mike Kovacich
District 8 * Georgia Heth
District 9 * Jeff Overby
District 10 * Larry Sealy
District 11 * A.J. Stephani
District 12 * Dennis Carman
District 13 * Suzi Subeck
District 14 * Deana Liddy
District 15 * Warren Smith
District 16 * Paul Cuneo
District 17 * Cindy Shoemaker
District 18 * David Johnson
District 19 * Tim White
District 20 * Laurie Rowe
District 21 * Stu Goodgold
District 22 * David Lodge
District 23 * John Jones
District 24 * David Moss
District 25 * Carole Weinstein
To contact a district director,
visit acbl.org/boardofdirectors.
For most of my presidency, I prided myself on having answered every email,
letter and phone message I received regarding the ACBL, but as they say, pride
goeth before a fall. The controversy this fall regarding
enforcement of the visitors policy at virtual club
games generated so much response that I was unable
to keep up with it. Fortunately, the managers of two
of the largest games involved allowed me to submit
a response to them which they kindly forwarded to
their members. I did read each and every one of the
responses I received and I apologize for not answering
them individually. The editorial in this month's
issue gives a very good explanation of the visitor
policy situation, so I am not going to give one here.
Personally, I look forward to the day when there are
no more restrictions and we can play whenever and
wherever we want.
I appreciated all of the mail I received from you
these past two years. Almost all of it was polite, even when it was not in favor
of what we were doing. It showed how much our members care about the game
and the organization and gives me hope for the future.
I would like to thank the Board of Directors for the work they put in during
this time. Their work increased substantially as compared to pre-COVID
times. The committee chairs worked especially hard. Our work changed from
being motion-focused to full board discussions of strategic goals. We had
much more disagreement than usual, but tried hard to keep the discussions
focused on the issues.
Our executive team and staff responded to the crisis admirably. Many hours
were spent learning new ways to do things. The virtual club system required
much work, including efforts from volunteers. The result was we developed a
new way to play bridge, which attracted new members and old members who
could no longer attend face-to-face games for reasons other than COVID.
Finally, I would like to thank you, the members of the ACBL. Volunteers
worked under uncertain circumstances trying to keep their units, districts
and clubs afloat. The volunteers in the disciplinary process worked especially
hard. Most members kept their memberships active, even if they were not
playing bridge. A significant part of our membership played online, providing
income to all levels of the game. We appreciate you and your loyalty to our
game.
GEORGIA HETH
December 2021 | Bridge Bulletin |
9
http://www.acbl.org/boardofdirectors
December 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2021
