I'm sure you have all heard that when you are enjoying yourself, time really flies. I can't believe that the last year and a half went so fast. It seems just like yesterday I started my term as District 8 president.

As most of you probably know, the president's job of most organizations is not the most demanding. Most of the work is really done by the secretary-treasurer, who are the ones who really keep everything going. I am truly indebted to our District 8 secretary-treasurer, Debbie Avery. She is a really a great asset to our district, and has been for many years.

Everything has gone rather smoothly so far. I haven't had many fires to put out, and I am very happy to tell you we are having many more people transferring into our district than are moving out. However, we still have a big job ahead of us in attracting new members. Most of our five units are shrinking -- not in large numbers, but still shrinking.

We all need to be talking to those tens of thousands of people who play social bridge. Many of them are excellent players who have never been exposed to duplicate. If each of us took the time to invite one person to play in a duplicate game at our club -- and if just 25 percent of those first-timers decided to continue playing -- just imagine how many more members we would have.

I enjoyed a week at the Illini Regional in Champaign IL from May 20-26, and I'll be playing in the the Rockford IL Regional from June 16-22 and at the St Louis Regional from August 11-17. Last but not least, I'll be in my hometown, Fort Wayne IN, for the Fall Festival Regional from September 22-28. If you're planning on attending any or all of these regionals, please come up and introduce yourself. Or, if I already know you, come up just to say hi.

If you have suggestions about how to improve bridge in District 8, please contact me by email at dbcarte@verizon.net. I encourage you to also share your suggestions with your Unit representatives on the District 8 Board. You'll find all Board members' names, photos and contact information by clicking the "District Board" link on our District 8 home page: http://district8acbl.com 

Have a wonderful  and safe summer as you travel to our regionals and sectionals as well as any other travels.

   -- Bob