My Life as a District Director
by Alvin Levy

In my first article in the Post Mortem let me tell you about my duties and responsibilities as District Director, as well as give you a picture of the overall magnitude of organized bridge in ACBLand. I tell you this partly to inform and partly so that I can solicit input from you on bridge matters that I can influence.

The 25 District Directors govern the league, setting policy in almost every area of bridge. The most important areas are: everything to do with money, from setting the annual budget to tournament sanction fees; overseeing tournament operations, including tournament Directors' duties and conditions of contest in all events; reviewing front office activities; and influencing the future direction of the league. The minor things are anything you can think of - from who represents the ACBL in international play to what conventions are alertable. The Board meets the week before each NABC for 5-6 days of intense committee work and decision making.

Interaction between Board members and league officials continues around the year. After one year on the job I'm totally absorbed in local and national affairs. I have more than a working relationship with most on the ACBL Board of Directors, the ACBL front office (CEO Roy Green, The Bridge Bulletin Editor Henry Francis, and Club Manager Jane Johnson, among others) and many of the best minds on the ACBL special committees (Competition and Convention, Appeals, Laws Commission, Goodwill - I love the great work and loving person of Aileen Osofsky). I've relied on the insight, wisdom, and ideas of some of the best minds in bridge who reside in the NY area. Everyone seems to have time for me. I'm very involved in local affairs, an active member of the NSBA Board of Directors, and an active non-member of the GNYBA.

Some of my focus has been with full time clubs, which I consider to be the backbone of the League, organizing some special games that benefit them, such as Unit Championships, and week-end STACs, as well as disseminating long lists of club players who have ranked high in the Ace of Clubs and Mini-McKenney races. I keep the Unit officials informed of league activities and policy, especially as they affect local activities, and Unit officials express their opinions to me on national affairs, and make specific requests that directly affect their activities.

Organized Bridge is Bigger than You ThinkThe ACBL league office, headed by CEO Roy Green, employs 95 people plus a large directing staff throughout ACBLand, and has revenue of $14 million. This doesn't begin to estimate the revenue generated per year by bridge activities in North America. There are 3680 bridge clubs (including 2480 single session clubs) with 2,300,000 tables in play during 1996. Besides the 3 NABCs run by the ACBL there were 127 Regionals (182,000 tables) and 925 Sectionals (235,000 tables) run by the 25 Districts and 320 Units. In addition to entry fees, there are travel expenses (airfare, hotels, food, etc.), bridge products (books, software, etc.), education activities (bridge lessons and tapes), charity work, journalistic activities (bridge columns and magazines), and all kinds of internet activities, to say nothing of professional play. My conservative estimate of money generated by bridge activities is over $100 million per yearand we're still a secret to the outside world!? Everyone involved with organized bridge, from club owners, journalists and authors, and all those who make a living through bridge, to the players that love the Game would prosper if Bridge were to become a household word (with the NY metropolitan area recognized as its mecca). I know what you are saying - dream on - well maybe not - you can't reach your goals if you don't have any. New Yorkers are doing their share of promoting. Two examples of bridge promotions generated by members of District 24 are:

Deals on WheelsThe GNYBA's special project Deals on Wheels is turning into a huge success. The goal is to bring Internet bridge to seniors at Senior Centers, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities. With one pilot program fully operational and others on the way, organizations are already inquiring about the program. I'm proud to be involved in a small way with the originator and main force behind the project, Bobby Blanchard, as well as Sandy Stern, Sandy Levine, Joan Dziekanski, Joe Pasternack, and Bonnie Gellas, among others. Many donations have been received, and the ACBL is also expected to contribute to this project. Even though the purpose of this activity is purely a giving one, in due time this activity will generate great publicity for bridge.

Bridge Postage StampWe are pursuing a Bridge Postage Stamp. At my request, the ACBL will seek a postage stamp honoring Bridge. Joe Pasternack originated the idea, and will pursue the matter for the ACBL.

Masterpoint RecordsYou will receive a masterpoint insert in your Bridge Bulletin every other month from now on - but you can always check your masterpoint total as well as the latest additions, by calling 800-467-1623. In addition, you can check your dues status, report missing Bridge Bulletins, and leave messages.

ACBL Web Site @ http://www. acbl.org/~acbl. Check out the ACBL web site - it's packed with useful information on on league activities, tournament schedules, Daily Bulletins from the NABCs, other bridge web sites, and much much more.

Any suggestions, comments, ideas? e-mail, write, or call me @ 1 Pensdale Court, Stony Brook, NY 11790 (516) 751-8441 (evenings) al_levy@atdc.northgrum.com