The Canadian Bridge Federation (CBF) is a
Canada-wide bridge organization recognized by the American
Contract Bridge League (ACBL) and the World Bridge Federation
(WBF). Membership in the CBF is purchased along with ACBL
dues. As well, Canadian bridge players may purchase a CBF
membership separate from the ACBL.
The CBF organizes and runs three multi-level national events:
the Canadian Open Pairs Championships (COPC); the Canadian
National Team Championships (CNTC); and the Canadian Women's
Team Championships (CWTC). These events begin at the 'grassroots'
level and, through a variety of playdowns, eventually designate
teams and pairs to represent Canada in international competition.
As well, the CBF runs the Helen Shields Rookie Master Trophy
event, The Erin Berry Rookie-Master Pairs, the CBF Charity
Fund, the Junior Development Fund, the Erin Berry Memorial
Fund for Youth, and publishes a magazine (Bridge Canada) three
times a year.
The CBF is divided into 6 geographic zones. Look in the Library
for more information about the CBF Zones or click
here ::>
The CBF Board administers five separate funds:
• Charitable Fund: The charitable
fund takes in monies raised through ACBL charity games held
in Canada. These monies are then used exclusively to assist
national and regional Canadian charities. The Zone Directors
act as trustees for the Charitable Fund.
• International Fund: Revenue for
the international fund comes from varying sources: CBF International
Fund Regional (introduced in 2004), from ACBL International
Fund Games held in Canada by clubs and Sectional Tournaments
and surtaxes on Canadian National Final entry fees. These
monies are used to provide financial support to our international
representatives.
• General Operating Fund: Supports
the day-to-day running of the organization which entails the
following costs: a salaried manager, or “CBF Executive
Assistant”; a CBF office; publication of a national
bridge magazine (Bridge Canada); annual meeting of the CBF
Board of Directors; cash prizes for some events at Bridge
Week; providing Internet Vugraph of our CNTC-Flight A two
day final; and other minor expenses.
• Junior Development Fund: Revenue
for the Junior Development Fund is derived mainly from Junior
Fund games held at clubs throughout Canada. These funds are
used to run the Junior Program which selects, trains, and
subsidizes junior teams to represent Canada in the various
University, Youth and Schools Team World Championships. In
addition, the Junior Development Fund is used to support grassroots
events that help bring more young players into bridge.
• Erin Berry Memorial Trust Fund: Erin
Berry, who was one of Canada’s up and coming young players,
was tragically killed in a car accident in 1998. This fund
was established in 2001 as a trust fund set up by Erin’s
father, Larry Berry. The Trust Account is meant to help Juniors
19 or younger with expenses incurred to attend bridge events.
The Memorial Fund will be used to help subsidize Youth Category
Canadian players, who are members of the CBF, for bridge related
activities. In no case will any individual receive more than
75% subsidy to the bridge activity.
Historically, both the international and general operating
funds have experienced a seemingly perpetual financial crisis.
The future of the international fund is uncertain; the addition
of new sources of revenue in recent years has helped but we
are still a long way from being able to give adequate financial
support to our Canadian representatives. The general operating
fund improved greatly with the implementation of individual
membership fees. However, in recent years the decline in members
paying the CBF yearly membership fee (only about 50% of Canadian
ACBL members pay CBF membership fees) has again put pressure
on this fund.
To learn more about the CBF, or read excerpts from the magazine,
select from the links above. |
