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USBGF - For the Future

Posted By: Rich Munitz
Date: Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 4:10 a.m.

In Response To: USBGF - For the Future (John McDonald)

"So why do they have to be separate entities ?"

Firstly, let's be clear. The USBGF is an entity (an actual organization); the ABT is not.

The ABT is quite simply a national master points system that loosely ties together a bunch of independently operated tournaments in which the directors in order to call themselves an ABT event must adhere to a few standards.

Bill Davis created the ABT as a way of creating interest and drawing people to events. He maintains the ABT master points and calendar on the chicagopoint.com site. But the ABT is not an organization.

Unlike some of the national federations in other countries, the USBGF does not run tournaments. We are therefore in no position to tell directors what to do and in no position to require anyone to be a member or pay a fee in order to play. Directors decide of their own free will to participate in the ABT. Directors will decide of their own free will the extent to which they wish to partner with the USBGF. The USBGF does not compete with the ABT - in fact both seek the same goal. The USBGF is here to aid tournaments, to serve the players, to improve the enjoyment of backgammon and to bring new players into the game. So is the ABT. Both can operate in parallel with mutual benefit. It is like the police department and the fire department. Both important, both serve the public. They are different but they work together.

Like Phil said in his post, the USBGF is for the players and supported by the players with their memberships. Players should not become members just to get stuff. They should become members to be good citizens of the backgammon community and to help something they love thrive and bring in a new generation of players.

Once the USBGF's online membership system is available (soon), I will announce it here.

I support the organization with my time as a USBGF Director. I do it to support the game. After winning the LA Open, I immediately donated $1600 to became a USBGF Gold Founding Sponsor. Backgammon is like my child. I love it and want the best for it. I do not ask what I will be given in return.

There will in fact be some really great benefits coming. But like with marriage, sex is a great benefit, but not the primary reason you should want to join.

Messages In This Thread

• USBGF - For the Future
  John McDonald -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 12:28 a.m.
  • USBGF - For the Future
    Bob Koca -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 12:41 a.m.
    • USBGF - For the Future
      Chiva Tafazzoli -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 12:51 a.m.
      • USBGF - For the Future
        phil simborg -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 2:20 a.m.
        • USBGF - For the Future
          Marv Porten -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 2:58 a.m.
      • USBGF - For the Future
        Perry Gartner -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 4:41 a.m.
      • USBGF - For the Future
        mfic -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 7:21 p.m.
    • USBGF - For the Future
      John McDonald -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 1:40 a.m.
      • USBGF - For the Future
        Rich Munitz -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 4:10 a.m.
        • USBGF - For the Future
          Rich Munitz -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 5:04 a.m.
          • USBGF - For the Future
            Chiva Tafazzoli -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 10:44 a.m.
          • USBGF - For the Future
            Stick -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 11:43 a.m.
          • USBGF - For the Future
            Barry Silliman -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 6:21 p.m.
      • USBGF - For the Future
        Perry Gartner -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 4:25 a.m.
  • USBGF - For the Future
    Christian Munk-Christensen -- Tuesday, 20 July 2010, at 10:18 a.m.