To Rule or Not to Rule – 3

In the third of this series on the travails of directing, I would like to draw attention to the support directors need, if we are to attract young directors.

This should have ideally come earlier, but to respond to the vitriolic attack on me in particular and directors in general took a lot more out of me than I would have liked it to.

While most of the people I shared the post and the comments on it specifically tended to agree with me, I must confess to a sense of disappointment that non smokers did not stand up and be counted in the face of this attack.

However, one point that Sandeep Thakral made in his comments on the post did strike a chord with me. He contended that, in order to be a good director, the director needs to be a very good player himself. This begs the question "Why do good players not step up to direct events?"

The answer to that is very simple. They make more money playing (irrespective of results) than they would directing. Even if they took the trouble to read and assimilate the laws and their application.

Indeed, the attitude of all administrative bodies towards directors and their remuneration needs paying attention to.

Director Remuneration

A couple of years ago, it was the case that a BBO operator was paid more than a director. When I asked the BFI president in a published interview why this was the case, he said that BBO operators get lesser opportunities to earn money. Makes me wonder if the federation thinks that offering directorships during events is like working the unemployment queue.

Subsequently, the BFI hiked rates for directors and these are the current rates for the technical staff.

So, what would one rather choose? BBO operator or director?

At a level B event, a scorer would get paid more than a Regional Director.

An assistant National TD, somebody who has proven to have conducted events of the size of say an FNCC independently, gets paid as much as a dealing machine operator. This is not to belittle the job of the dealing machine operator, who has to be extremely attentive and manage time and materials effectively, but are the levels of skill required equivalent?

Why would somebody invest the time to study and apply bridge law for this sort of money? And subsequently subject himself / herself to the abuse of wilful law breakers?

Another factor that the BFI is unable to take into considerations, though, once again, to be fair, it may be a bit strapped in this, is the inability to pay GST. This component (18%) eats significantly into the already meagre emoluments offered to the directors.

At least one senior director I know is consistently refusing to direct tournaments at these rates.

Travel

As per BFI norms, only the Head TD and National TD are entitled to reimbursement for airfare travel to and from the venue. To be fair to tournament organizers, I have always been reimbursed air fare at actuals whenever I traveled to a tournament. But the fact that this exists is a bit disturbing.

Younger directors routinely refuse directing assignments these days if air fare is not granted. Something that the BFI will do well to take into consideration.

Respect towards Directors

We have already seen the vitriol directed at me. While I do not claim to be perfect both in my knowledge and or application of the law, the BFI, in its wisdom, has seen fit to elevate me to the position of a regional director. There is likely to be some reason for that. So to be utterly dismissive about all rulings I make, at the very least,  seems a bit disrespectful. I have had an extremely successful career in my life and I direct to give back to bridge more than the money or any other reason. It takes physical effort. It takes a lot of reading, consultation and analysis.

I can live better without having to put up with such rubbish.

I can say the same of my fellow directors.

You may have noticed that absence of another senior director at several, important, BFI events. Stop and wonder why such things are happening.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I will respectfully submit the following

• Bridge tournaments need good directors
• Directors are human beings. They may make mistakes but they can live without being raked over the coals for each of these mistakes. Especially when they are usually done in consultation with other, senior directors
• They need a reasonable remuneration. It is difficult to define the word reasonable. But it is safe to say I would turn down any assignment other professional assignment for the money I am being given to direct tournaments.
• Their time needs to be respected too. In this day and age, train travel is simply too long for most directors

So please, please take a look at encouraging more players, good players at that, to direct.

 

 

Disclaimer : All opinions are entirely those of the author and are no reflection of the views of the BridgeFromHome Team.