AGM 2015
Published June 2015ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
11 a.m. on Sunday 14 June 2015 at the Isca Centre,
Draft minutes awaiting approval at the next AGM.
Present:
M.Hamon (Chairman), G.Simnett (vice-Chairman), T.Treeby (Hon. Secretary), V Peters (Hon. Treasurer) and about 26 members.
Apologies:
R.Morgan, R.Carter, J.Pellow.
2. Minutes
of 2014 AGM were approved and signed.
3. Matters arising
Appropriate action on any matters has been taken by the committee and reported in minutes.
4.Chairman’s Report
The Chairman acknowledged numerous section representatives and officers were leaving their post(s) after lengthy service. He gave particular thanks to: (North) Brenda Martin (standing down after nearly 20 years), Carol Ritzen and Richard Carter for the Congress, Neil Marsden for the Graphic Cup; (West) Ros Morgan for reviving the league; (East) Keith Ponsford (standing down after long service), Bob Blackmore and Terry Cannon for the league and congress; (South) Tim Walton, Pam Ward and Paul Ainsworth (all standing down or doing less after long service) for the league, Winter Pairs and DAA Sim Pairs.
At County level the Chairman thanked: Carol Ritzen and Andrew Leslie (also standing down) for Andrew Robson and Michael Byrne seminars; Ruth Edmondson, Don Pearson and Robin Barker for bridgemate seminar; Robin Barker for directing expertise; all committee and sub-committee members including vice Chairman George Simnett, Tournament Administrator Jeanine Keith, Hon Treasurer Vivien Peters and Hon Secretary Terence Treeby.
The Chairman highlighted numerous gaps in administration which, if not filled, will compromise the schedule of events available.
5.Presentation of prizes
Western Morning News for Devon Teams : S Lindfors, J. Grant, W. Hamilton, P.Wood
The Devon Teams Plate : G Simnett, M Smith, G Clements, J Pietrzycki, M Cisek
Devon Pairs (Julia Chadwick) : S Lindfors, A Maddocks
Devon Winter Pairs ladder winners : M.Orriel and J.Pietrzycki
The Kevin and Ann Slee Trophy (Victor Ludorum) M.Hamon
Swiss Teams trophy was presented at the end of the event to D Pearson, N Maseey, A Leslie and B Golding.
6.Treasurer’s Report
The accounts showed an effective surplus of £668. One-off expenses included £264 towards the Michael Byrne seminar, £700 towards the Andrew Robson tour, £668 for extra duplimate boards and £800 towards the Tollemache qualifier. The 2015 Congress (spread over two accounting years) raised £3300. The accounts were accepted (proposed C.Hamon, seconded B.Smale).
7. Election of Chairman, vice-Chairman, Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Secretary
Michael Hamon was the only nominee as Chairman (proposed by George Simnett, seconded by Terence Treeby); George Simnett was the only nominee as vice-Chairman (proposed by Mike Kelsey, seconded by Geoff Clements); Terence Treeby was the only nominee as Hon. Secretary (proposed by Tim Walton, seconded by Geoff Clements); Vivien Peters was the only nominee as Hon. Treasurer (proposed by Marion Kelsey, seconded by Geoff Clements). All were elected with no votes against.
8. DBA P2P Component
The committee proposed to the AGM that P2P from April 2016 will have its first rise to 4p from 3p; the club subscription will remain at zero and the Devon part of direct membership remains at £3. Noted that this will still leave Devon among the cheaper. A discussion followed. An amendment to leave the rate at 3p was proposed by J.Whitlam, seconded by B.Smale. The amendment was defeated with 2 votes for. The original motion was then passed with 2 votes against. Items raised in the discussion (non affiliated clubs, funding for encouraging younger players, reserves too high) were referred to the committee.
9. Any other business
The Hon Secretary, on behalf of the committee, listed current and forthcoming job vacancies : Congress organiser(s) (ideally now but Apr 2016 at the latest; Education sub-committee to replace Andrew Leslie and to organise any future Andrew Robson or Michael Byrne sessions tour from NOW (or July meeting); East section Chairman and second committee rep; Youth Officer; representative on EBU Counties Working Group; Treasurer from June 2016; Tournament Administrator from June 2016; duplimate organiser and operator.
The meeting closed at 11.35 am.