ACBL Educational Foundation Learn Bridge in A Day? Seminar Application In an effort to support the growth of bridge in local units, districts and clubs, The ACBL Educational Foundation (Ed Foundation) has created a grant program to provide funding and support to those interested in presenting the Learn Bridge in A Day? (LBIAD?) seminar created by Whirlwind Bridge. LBIAD? is designed to introduce the mechanics, scoring and basic bidding of bridge to potential bridge students. The goal is to provide, in a four to five hour time frame, a quick and stress free introduction as a person s first exposure to bridge. Perfect for classes up to 150 attendees, this event will also provide an excellent opportunity for growth to your local clubs, bridge teachers and bridge organizations. The Educational Foundation is offering 10 opportunities, during the period of September 2013 through December 2014, to qualified applicants. Selection will be awarded to those areas that show an understanding of what is needed to conduct a successful event including a willingness to promote, staff, and provide the necessary support and follow up functions for the seminar. The goal of the grant program is to support the growth of bridge across the entire geographical reach of the ACBL. As such, consideration will be made to avoid geographic concentration of grant winners. The Ed Foundation will provide the following to the area hosting the event: A Whirlwind Bridge teacher/trainer who will conduct the seminar and who will provide additional training to local bridge teachers interested in presenting the seminar at a later date. The Ed Foundation will absorb all costs associated with travel, lodging and food of the Whirlwind Bridge teacher(s); and Up to $500.00 in matching funds to offset the expenses of holding the seminar. Example: If the club/unit/district spends $800.00 to hold the seminar the Educational Foundation will re imburse the club/unit/district
$400.00. If the club/unit/district spends $1,100.00 to hold the seminar the Educational Foundation will reimburse the club/unit/district $500.00. A description of possible costs associated with the seminar is described in the attached document. The club/unit/district is free to charge participants an attendance fee or may elect to offer the seminar at no charge to participants. From experience in areas throughout the country, a charge between $20.00 to $30.00 has seemed to work extremely well. The number of participants is unlimited, but the Administrator must have a sufficient number of volunteers on hand to provide an exceptional learning experience for the participants. The minimum required is one volunteer for every two tables. Whirlwind Bridge s recommendation is one volunteer per table. The Educational Foundation reserves the right to cancel the seminar (with 30 day notice) if less than 24 participants are expected to attend. The presenting organization is required to notify the Educational Foundation (within 30 days of the seminar) by e mail or telephone if the number of participants expected to attend falls below 24. Criteria that need to be considered when hosting a LBIAD? are listed below and detailed in the Grant Application: 1. Budget: A. Location; B. Advertising; C. Supplies; D. Refreshments; E. Printing; and F. Student manual. 2. Facilities: A. Safe; B. Comfortable and well lit;
C. Ample free parking; and D. Location central to target audience. 3. Equipment: A. Tables and chairs; B. Lapel Microphone; and C. Computer, computer projector & screen. 4. Marketing: (Remember to check ACBL s co op advertising requirements.) A. Personal recommendations are the most effective form of advertising enlist your local bridge membership, relatives and friends to pass the word along to: i. Tennis Teams; ii. Golf Teams; iii. Book clubs; and iv. Bible study groups B. Posters, flyers and other material to advertise the event: a. Enlist someone with good design talent to create the marketing material; b. Enlist your local bridge membership to help distribute flyers as they go about their day; i. Hairdressers; ii. Manicurist; iii. Doctor s office; iv. Restaurants; v. Community centers and libraries; vi. Where they work; and vii. Local Businesses. C. Put ads in newspapers: i. Community newspapers; ii. Community calendars; and iii. D. Put announcements in Social media: i. Facebook: a. Create a public event; and College and school newsletters and/or newspapers. b. Post a comment about the event and ask friends to share. ii. Twitter; and
iii. LinkedIn. E. Contact local radio check out ACBL s canned radio spots that can be modified with your message. F. Make sure local bridge teachers and clubs know it s in their best interest to help spread the word by encouraging their students and players to help advertise: i. Publicize upcoming classes and newcomer games; and ii. Supply LBIAD? class attendees with contact information for all local teachers and clubs (VERY IMPORTANT!). G. Schools and PTA s talk to schools, colleges and PTA s about the seminar and ask permission to leave flyers or a poster. 5. Administration: A. Identify an Administrator to coordinate efforts listed in the proposal to act as the primary contact for the Educational Foundation and Whirlwind Bridge prior to, during and after, the seminar and to coordinate with local clubs and teachers. B. Graphic design volunteer for all advertising media and signage (see Marketing). C. Volunteers: i. One volunteer per table (or minimum of one per two tables) during the LBIAD? Class; ii. Registration immediately before the class begins; iii. Refreshments; and iv. Door prizes (not required, but a nice touch to lend a party atmosphere). D. Registration: i. Prior to the event, collect Name, Phone # and email address; ii. Send a reminder 2 5 days before the event takes place; iii. At the event check people in, register new participants, accept payment (if you are charging) and issue name tags; and iv. Compile a spreadsheet with all contact information for participants. E. Printing: i. Registration cards; ii. Student Manuals (expected cost $10.00 per manual); and iii. Peripheral information (such as signage).
F. Supplies: i. Pre dealt hands (one set of four per table); ii. Bidding boxes; iii. Table mats (e.g., Table 1 with N, S, E and W on the sides. (Duplicates are OK.); iv. Pens & pencils; v. Assorted office supplies (tape, scissors, paper clips, etc.); and vi. Minor first aid supplies (aspirin, bandaids, etc.). 6. Continuing Classes and Games: A. Beginner classes must be scheduled for the participants to filter into; B. Newcomer games may be scheduled for the participants to filter into; and C. Participants must be contacted after the event and encouraged to continue learning and playing bridge. 7. Reporting forms will be provided for assembling the following information: A. Feedback from seminar participants collected on the day of the event; B. Feedback from the Administrator of the event including lessons learned (to share with others) and suggestions/questions about program content. Whirlwind Bridge will give the participant feedback to the Educational Foundation and, upon request, to the Administrator of the event as well; C. Provide the number of participants retained as students and/or players (1 month, 6 month and 12 month retention rates) to the Educational Foundation. Given the difficulty in obtaining this information, these numbers may be estimates: i. Report the number of participants that indicate they will continue to play and learn bridge within the first month; ii. Report the number of participants who are still involved in bridge after six months; iii. Report the number of participants who are still involved in bridge after one year.
D. As applicable, subsequent LBIAD? Seminars held as well as outcomes (# participants, feedback, etc.).
Learn Bridge in a Day? Grant Application Form The entire grant application form must be filled out. If you don t have some information that is requested, please explain why. Send questions about the administration of Learn Bridge in a Day? (LBIAD?) to Patty Tucker at patty@whirlwindbridge.com. Send questions about filling out this form to grantadministrator@bell.net. Please Note: We understand that this application covers the full range of items necessary to hold a LBIAD? seminar. While we understand that you may not have finalized your plans we would like you to complete each section as completely as possible. I. General Information: Date of Application Sponsoring Organization Address ACBL Unit and District Unit: District: Project Director Title ACBL Player # Address
Phone Numbers Home: Cell Email Address II. Personal References (three required): These should be people familiar with your educational efforts relating to bridge. Name Phone Email Address III. Program Overview: Date of LBIAD? Location Number of Expected Participants
Planned Charge (if any) per Person $ Target Audience Goal(s) for Program Funding Requested $ IV. Budget Overview: Please indicated the expected cost of each budget item along with any support currently committed or expected. Category Expected Cost Committed Support (amount and source) Anticipated Support (amount and source) Facility Rental Equipment Rental Advertising (Remember ACBL s Co-op Advertising) Refreshments
Supplies Printing (LBIAD? Student Manual and other printed material) Other (describe) TOTALS V. Description of Facilities: Please comment on the following aspects of the location you have selected: Proximity to target audience, availability of parking (preferably free), safety, comfort, lighting of room, maximum capacity, availability of tables/chairs, availability of computer projector/screen, and availability of lapel microphone, etc.
VI. Volunteer Support: Please comment on your plans for the use of volunteers to support your LBIAD?. VII. Marketing Plan: A sound marketing plan is a critical feature for a successful LBIAD?. Please describe your expected approach and any efforts to date - with each of the following marketing opportunities. Be as specific as possible re: number of contacts, results to date, prior success with this aspect of marketing, etc. Opportunity Plans Announcement Flyers: Creating and posting at prime locations or emailed to key
audiences. Personal Endorsements: Using personal contacts to spread the word through tennis teams, golf teams, book clubs, bible studies, PTA groups, etc. Newspapers/Magazines: Placing announcements or ads in local papers, community calendars, college/school newsletters, etc. TV and Local Radio: Placing public service announcements consider modifying ACBL canned radio spots with your message. Local Bridge Clubs: Enlisting the help of teachers and clubs to spread the word by emphasizing the possible growth of players. Schools and PTA s: Promoting the event with key personnel at a variety of schools. Offering to partner with them to teach bridge to parents or students after LBIAD?
Other: VIII. Administration: Who is the overall Administrator for the seminar person responsible to coordinate the event and act as the primary contact for the Education Foundation and Whirlwind Bridge - as well as coordinate with local clubs and teachers? Name: Contact Info: Are plans in place for each of the following?: Table Helpers One volunteer per two tables is a suggested minimum. Who is responsible for getting volunteers?
Registration: Who will be the contact person for students wishing to register? Is a process In place to collect names, phone numbers and email addresses for later contact? Who will be on hand at the event to sign in participants, take payments, and register walk-ins? Who will send reminder emails 2-3 days prior? Refreshments: What plans are in place for light meals or snacks? Are additional volunteers needed to staff this function or possibly provide food/beverages? Door Prizes, etc.: Are door prizes or other give aways planned? Who will coordinate these? Are any payments or other thank yous planned for volunteers?
Printing/Supplies: Who is responsible for designing/printing flyers and registration cards? Printing Student Manual and other handouts? Who is tasked with gathering tables, bidding boxes, table mats, and other seminar supplies? IX. Continuing Classes and Games: What plans will be made to ensure LBIAD? Participants have continuing classes available and/or Newcomer games at local clubs? X. Follow-Up: What is planned for staying in contact with participants to encourage their continuation with bridge?
Who is responsible for collecting feedback from participants and completing the Grant Follow- Up forms? How will you evaluate the success of this event? What criteria will you use to determine if you have reached your goals? XI. Leveraging LBIAD? Over the Long Term: What plans are you considering to sustain the momentum of LBIAD? in your Unit/District? When might you offer the program again? Do you have plans to train bridge teachers in your area so that they might be able to lead a future LBIAD? XII. Additional Comments: Feel free to provide any additional information you feel would help us better understand your plans and goals.
Submitting the Application: Email your application to grantadministrator@bell.net Within two weeks after sending your application, you will receive confirmation that it has been received. The Grand Administrator will contact you prior to the next meeting of the Foundation to discuss the application and to ensure you will be available by phone during the meeting should the Foundation Board have any questions. After the Foundation Board meets, you will receive a phone call and email regarding the status of your application. If the grant is approved, to whom should the check be made payable? Name Address,