Morpeth Bridge Club

 

 

 

 

 

MORPETH BRIDGE CLUB

 

Minutes of a Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 4th May 2010.

 

Present:           Sue Davies (Chairman), Alistair Kemp, Aileen Bryant, Clive Ringrose, Otto Meth-Cohn.

 

Apologies:       Norman Gray, Moyra Booth.

 

1. Previous Meeting

 

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

 

2. Matters Arising

 

a)       Blog for EBU web site.  OMC has prepared something, but it requires more substance. SD needs access to the club’s history, which is kept in the chest that Eck Ritz has. SD to produce blog, but there is no urgency to do it.

b)       Caretaker has been given his Christmas present.

c)        Storage cupboard – OMC noted that the existing cupboard belongs to the Christadelphians, and is in use. We therefore need our own. AK to clarify position with John Kingcome. OMC noted that there was another cupboard in the kitchen that we could use for cups, orange juice etc. OMC to check out.

d)       Players who go outside to smoke need to be told to keep the outer door closed, in order to keep out the cold, and also deter outsiders from wandering in. CR noted that the screen seems to have disappeared.

e)       Lights are being switched off, and the latch dropped, when we leave. Directors to be advised to check these before they leave.

f)        County status nights – NEBA decided last year that these would be reviewed annually, OMC noted that our county night did attract some people to the club, so it may be worthwhile trying to preserve it.

g)       AB proposed that we should still charge table money on the night of the AGM. This was agreed. AK noted that the free night was a throwback to when the AGM lasted much longer, and the number of boards to be played was curtailed.

h)       Teams of 8 – SD noted that there was still a lack of communication. We should announce to the club that as a consequence of P2P everyone was eligible to play. It was noted that some clubs pay for catering costs, and travelling expenses. There was little interest in adopting the former, the committee are happy to continue the current arrangement of players bringing food with them. There was some agreement for reimbursing travel costs, although OMC suggested waiting to see how our finances are this year. CR noted that it would be difficult to administer, and there would be anomalies. It was agreed to put this idea on hold.

 

3. AGM Matters

 

a)       Janet Springett had suggested that for our Pairs Championship night we could have more tables, and more boards. If we had an extra table, for an all play all result we would have to play 26 boards.

b)       A number of members prefer a two winner movement. CR noted that he had written to the EBU regarding this subject. They have advised that for over 15 tables, you shouldn’t arrow switch. To provide two winner movements every week would necessitate changing our movements. It was agreed we would do two winner movements if at all possible.

c)        Table money to be reviewed in September. Visitors to be charged an extra £1.

d)       SD to make announcement on next club night. OMC noted that we should reiterate to members that they are saving their EBU subscription. CR noted that if members are not at the club when announcements are made then they may not find out. It was therefore agreed that any announcements, and the committee minutes, should be put on the web site. We should also put onto the web site that all members are now eligible to play in NEBA matches.

 

4. NEBA/EBU Matters

 

a)       Draft programme – draft NEBA calendar has been issued. AK/SD to produce club programme  in June.

b)       CR noted that some months ago it was evident that the scoring program had to be modified for P2P, so he contacted Stephen Brown. He contacted him again recently, and was advised that the EBU would not let him test until 18 March. Currently Terry Pullan sends off a file monthly to EBU for master points. An error with teams points awards was discovered, and the problem was referred to Stephen Brown. A new program should be available in a few days, it is not clear if this includes P2P elements.

c)        SD suggested that we need some control over members leaving, particularly if someone passes away. CR noted that if a member simply moves away, it is nothing to do with us. It was agreed that this was not our responsibility.

d)       Existing member details are available from EBU web site, but we have nothing for the new members. SD to ask Mary Kingcome to advise when she receives something. 

e)       There is at least one member who wishes to remain anonymous. We have to ensure that all information sent to EBU uses their pseudonym.

 

5. Committee Jobs

 

a)       John Kingcome has passed on the directors rota responsibility to CR.

b)       OMC will look after the stationery, he will need to speak with JK.

c)        Christmas Party – SD to speak to MB. AB offered her assistance if required.

d)       AK to continue to organise hall hire for Christmas Party, as well as normal evenings

e)       Website – CR is looking to revamp the site. 

f)        NG to continue with Teams of 8, and organisation of the Swan Trophy.

g)       Club weekends – NG is organising another November weekend at the Cally Palace. Ali Ritz is willing to organise another weekend for early 2011. To be reviewed in September.

 

6. Any Other Business

 

a)     It was noted that there are no spoons in the kitchen, although they may be locked away. It would be appreciated if anyone could provide any that they had spare.

b)     SD referred to the incident last year when an experienced visitor had upset a club member. As this person has not returned to the club, SD has not needed to speak to her.

 

7. Date of Next Meeting

     

Tuesday 7th September 2010 at 7.30 p.m., to be held at Sue’s house.