From: Marvin French [mailto:mfrench1@san.rr.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2011 1:43 PM
To: kenem@kenmonzingo.com
Subject: Canadian dues to the WBF

Janice  Anderson of the Canadian Bridge Federation and Joan Gerard clarified some things for me. I think you will find them interesting.

When a Canadian joins the ACBL he can optionally add money for joining the CBF. Those who don't do that are not members of the CBF.
That used to mean no CBF magazine, but it is now on the CBF website for all to read. Non-members are ineligible to participate in certain important CBF events,  including those qualifying for WBF play.

However, when the ACBL sends in dues for  Canadians, they do so for all Canadians, not just CBF members. The WBF therefore includes all Canadians in its report of CBF membership on the WBF website.

It seems  logical that the ACBL should not pay WBF dues for non-CBF members, or report their numbers to the WBF. Let the CBF pay those dues if they wish.

As I have said, Americans should also have the choice of not joining the USBF, but Joan Gerard tells me that all are automatically included as non-voting members of the USBF.

For both Canadian and American ACBL players,  opting out of their national bridge federation, with no dues paid to the  WBF for them, would save the ACBL quite a bit of money.

Charging all NABC+ participants extra money that goes to international play expenses is unconscionable. Such donations should be optional, not required.

We give ACBL members the option of joining USBF, if they wish, with extra dues just as Canadians can opt for the CBF or not, as they wish, when they join ACBL. Then the USBF, as a WBF member (as it is now), can forward WBF dues and membership count based on its membership, not ACBL membership.

Then those opting for USBF membership can have voting rights in the USBF (which they do not have now). That would make the USBF a more democratic organization.”

Marv