June 2016 Meeting Minutes
Published June 2016Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the DBA held on Thursday 2 June at the Isca Centre.
Draft minutes awaiting approval at the next meeting.
Present: Michael Hamon (Chairman), Terence Treeby (Hon Secretary), Vivien Peters (Hon Treasurer), Jean Whitlam, (East), Paul Ainsworth, (South), Neil Marsden (North), Ros Morgan (West), Ann Slee (Tournament Administrator). Jean Harrison (East) and Elizabeth Nunn (North) were welcomed as new members.
1. Apologies: George Simnett (vice Chairman), Geoff Clements (South).
2. Minutes of meeting 27 March 2016.
2.1. The draft minute 7.5c was amended to “7.5c. (Oct 7.5) The committee was minded to impose playing-within-county qualifications for Tollemache selection from 2016 onwards, to be discussed at the March meeting. It was agreed to propose to the AGM that the aim for the Tollemache qualifying round is to send best possible qualified team from among players who live in and support bridge in the county.* Given the history of this topic it is intended members at AGM will participate in discussion / editing / approval of this proposal acknowledging this narrative was chosen as numerical thresholds have been rejected in the past.” The minutes were then accepted and signed as correct.
3. Matters arising.
3.1. (Oct 3.1.) (Mar 7.5.c.) Shortly after the March meeting the wording in bold was recognised as flawed and an email vote agreed to change it to send the best possible qualified team from among players who actively support bridge in the county.”
3.2. (Mar 3.1.) No further information on possible affiliation of Spreyton, Noss Mayo or Twixt Moors (Winkleigh and Chulmleigh).
3.3. (Mar 3.3) Correspondence from EBU regarding County leagues was circulated to committee.
3.4. (Mar 4.3.). Free-to-enter playing session, possibly flighted to allow a balance in playing standards (Hon Treasurer to organise with advice from Hon Secretary): no offers or progress.
3.5. (Mar 4.4.) Replaced county printer for £60, ink £58.
3.6. (Mar 4.5.) One bridgemate repaired and 5 new ones added for total cost £690.
3.7. (Mar 4.6.) Discussion deferred on possible future replacement of duplimate and county computer.
3.8. (Mar 4.7.) Andrew Robson (20-23 Mar 2017). An outline costing was tabled. It was agreed to use the same procedure as in 2014 (clubs responsible for all matters at their venue) and that the Treasurer would calculate a charge per club allowing for a central subsidy of £1000. Check whether accommodation and other expenses are included in the fee. Headline charge to be £10. Deferred until July meeting.
3.9. (Mar 5.3.) Rule D6 re THE DEVON CLUB TEAMS OF 8 CHAMPIONSHIP has been amended.
3.10. (Mar 7.3.a.) Agreed Victor Ludorum rule regarding county or section events has been amended.
3.11. (Mar 4.8.) Revised directing and duplimate rates to Dec 2017 were circulated and approved.
3.12. (Mar 8.1.) Agreed to change the qualifying period for the Devon Pairs Final to “3 weeks to 1st Sat in Feb.”
3.13. (Mar 7.4a.) Michael Byrne seminars at Bovey Tracey Golf Centre have been reduced to a single date on Sat 9 July. Detailed arrangements are in hand. 16 players have paid; it is possible to take 4 more.
3.15. (Mar 7.3.b.) Agreed by email in Feb 2016 to charge 50% for under 25 players in the Devon Pairs Final this year, and to review the policy for all events for future years. Review to be done when setting 2016-17 entry fees. Deferred until July meeting.
3.16. (Mar 7.3.c.) 2016-17 calendar v1 circulated and posted on website. This changes from provisional to final at the July meeting when we also need to confirm entry fees for 2016-17. Deferred until July meeting. Agreed to leave Devon Teams (WMN) entry at £30.
4. AGM Preparation
4.1. (Mar 4.9.) Committee motion put to AGM for the P2P rate for 2017-18 to remain at 4p; the club subscription to remain at zero and the Devon part of direct membership remain at £3.
4.2. Annual accounts for AGM circulated to committee and noted. It was emphasised that the snapshot bank balance on 31 March included 2016 congress income and that congress expenditure will show in next year’s accounts. It was noted that, additionally, sections have approximate surpluses North £7000, East £3000, West £3000, South £1100.
4.3. Member’s proposal to AGM reported: (proposed by Jean Whitlam, seconded by Jonathon Jenkins) In view of the fact that there are 1400 or more members of the Association I propose that our County Constitution be amended as follows :-
add to 10b) Annual General Meeting
Any member is entitled to attend any general meetings by proxy, provided that the nomination shall be valid only if it fulfils the following criteria:
*It is in writing and signed by the member.
*Both absentee and the proxy are members of the Association.
*The nomination is notified to the chair prior to the meeting.
4.4. 3 motions to AGM re Tollemache selection etc (one from committee, 2 from members). The Hon Secretary had taken advice from the EBU on how to proceed at the AGM with conflicting and overlapping proposals and potential conflicts of interest. Neil Marsden agreed to chair that part of the AGM and the advice on the conduct of the meeting will be forwarded to him and circulated to the committee.
4.5. (2015 AGM 9). It was agreed that the Hon Secretary would present an update on vacancies to the 2016 AGM under matters arising. Members need to register that in the absence of volunteers bridge events would not continue at their current level. The Hon Secretary was thanked by the committee for his work on their behalf.
5. Treasurer's Report and Financial Matters
5.1. Treasurer’s report covered by 4.3.
5.2. North Devon duplimate replacement: approved replacement of 9-year-old machine for £2345, with old machine kept as spare.
5.3. A member’s suggestion that we consider making some form of payment to event organisers for county events was not supported at this time.
6. Secretary’s Report and Correspondence
6.1. none
7. Section Reports
7.1. South. An invitation to a DAA open day was missed because it came to the Hon Sec when he was away rather than to Paul Ainsworth; it will be repeated. South AGM minutes, accounts and budget tabled.
7.2. East. East have submitted a 2016-17 budget and have a new Treasurer and a new Secretary.
7.3. North. No report
7.4. West. The retiring officers have made or are making, with some helpers, arrangements for the section finances, the Plymouth Congress, the Heart Foundation swiss teams and the West Section league.
8. Sub-committee reports
8.1. Technology sub-committee [George Simnett, Paul Ainsworth, Ruth Edmondson]
No report.
8.2. EBU Counties Working Group.[vacant]
8.3. Tournament Sub-Committee [Ann Slee, Terence Treeby, Vivien Peters].
8.4. Education Sub-Committee [vacant] Carol Ritzen has resigned for family reasons.
8.5 Selection Sub-Committee [Warner Solomon, Ruth Edmondson, Alison Pollok, Ann Slee (liaison)]
Report on Western League annual meeting: The league rules (which this committee had not previously seen) were amended to allow players with up to 75 green points (possibly more with low NGS rating) to play for the C team. Matches to remain as teams of 4 unless agreed otherwise. Western league dates and selection rota circulated (changes: East will select and host Avon; West Cornwall). DBA Rule D14 needs revising.
8.6. Congress Sub-Committee [Marion Kelsey, Terence Treeby, Mike Kelsey, Vivien Peters. Shadow for 2016 Mike Hamon] 2016 Congress report tabled with estimated surplus of about £3082 (compared with £3262 in 2015, £2525 in 2014, £3867 in 2013 and £3440 in 2012). There has to date been no offer to take over the running of the congress from 2017. Terence Treeby indicated that he will not be available for the 2018 congress and was thanked for his work. Brochure and hotel quotes for 2017 will be obtained for the July meeting, and the 2018 dates confirmed with the EBU.
8.7. EBU Shareholders: [Terence Treeby, Dick Andrews, Michael Hamon]
(Oct 7.7) EBU Shareholders 12 May. None of our Shareholders was able to attend. Draft minutes on EBU website. A template for league regulations was presented. Hon Sec will consult with league organisers with a view to seeing whether our regulations need any changes
8.8. Conduct Sub-Committee: [Steve Quinn, Maureen Baser, George Simnett, Keith Ponsford, David Clarke]
No report.
8.9. Disciplinary Sub-Committee: [Michael Hamon, Howard Kent-Webster, Robin Barker, Paul Ainsworth, Ann Slee].
No report.
9. Any Other Business.
9.1. none
10. Next meetings
10.1. The next meeting will be at the Isca Centre at 6.30 pm on Tuesday 12 July. Committee members and sub-committees are asked to send documents for circulation to the Hon Sec by 21 June at the latest.