Cheri Bjerkan

USBF Board member Cheri Bjerkan was honored recently with Chicago’s (Unit 123) Harmon Wilkes Award.  The Award recognizes a unit member who displays outstanding sportsmanship and who contributes to  the preservation and development of duplicate bridge and the maintenance of its good reputation.  Congratulations, Cheri!

George Jacobs was unanimously elected by the USBF Board of Directors as President at its meeting on January 16, 2013. George will serve for two years, through the end of 2014, in accordance with the USBF Bylaws. Here's George's statement about what he hopes to accomplish as president and how you can help.

To all USBF members
 
I am honored to be named the new President of the USBF.
 
There are many other folks who have blazed a trail for me and done a wonderful job. Particularly I would like to acknowledge the leadership of Joan Gerard, who has worked tirelessly in all areas of bridge and has been our President for the last two years. She is leaving the board better than when she came. Thank you, Joan.
 
I have one main focus and that is to make sure that the USBF works in tandem with the ACBL and the WBF. There will be a complete sharing of ideas, finances, and goals. We want to make this the best possible forum for the athletes of the United States to train, compete fairly, and have the best opportunity to win multiple World Championships. We are here to serve you, our members, and assist you in enjoying the whole process of competition.
 
We support four different areas of bridge championships; Juniors, Women, Seniors, and Open. We arrange the schedule to allow you to compete in multiple events. We have committees of over 100 caring players and administrators who work as volunteers to establish and fine tune conditions of contest. There are numerous other committees for all sorts of purposes. Browse the site and see if you might like to serve on one and let me know.
 
There are different ways in which you can directly support the USBF. Make sure you are an ACBL member. Join the USBF. Encourage friends to join as well. Even if you do not actively compete as an athlete, we still need your input. Participate in one or more of our events. It is great experience, with wonderful hospitality and camaraderie. Serve on a committee, volunteer as a Vugraph operator, act as a hospitality host, offer to chaperone, mentor, train, coach, captain  or sponsor a Junior team. This year there is one more special opportunity that is available; the USBF is allowing our tournaments to be named.  For a fee, you can name any of the 4 Trials after a loved one or someone special to you in bridge; whether alive or deceased, for years to come.
 
We have a marvelous cast of characters making up our board who are all enthusiastic and hard working. Some are elected, some appointed, but they all share the same vision; making your USBF a special place for you to belong.
 
I thank you in advance for your active participation as a member, your financial support, and for your input.
 
Warmly, George Jacobs