Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the DBA held on Wednesday 4 July 2011 at the Isca Centre.
Draft minutes awaiting approval at October meeting.
Present Andrew Leslie (in the Chair), Terence Treeby (Hon Sec), Martin Read (Hon Treas), Bruce Foster, David Hugo (West), Paul Ainsworth, Pam Ward (South), John Boxall, Neil Marsden (North), George Simnett. In attendance : Jeanine Keith (Tournament Administrator).
1. Composition of new committee and sub-committees.
1.1. Nigel Richardson was elected at the AGM as vice-chairman, Terence Treeby as Hon Secretary and Martin Read as Hon Treasurer. There were no nominations at the AGM for Chairman. In accordance with the DBA Constitution 7(g), the committee co-opted Andrew Leslie as Chairman until the close of the September meeting (proposed David Hugo, seconded Neil Marsden).
1.2. Section representatives are now Terry Cannon, Keith Ponsford (East), John Boxall, Denis Davey (North), Paul Ainsworth, Pam Ward (South) and Bruce Foster, David Hugo (West).
1.3. In accordance with the DBA Constitution 7(g), the committee co-opted George Simnett as an additional committee member (proposed Andrew Leslie, seconded Pam Ward).
1.4. It was agreed to form sub-committees for (a) Tournaments[Jeanine Keith (Tournament Administrator), Terence Treeby, Martin Read], (b) Education [Andrew Leslie, Carol Ritzen, one other], (c) Selection [Warner Solomon, Ruth Edmondson, David Hugo, Terence Treeby all to continue] and (d) Congress[Pam Ward, Marion Kelsey, Terence Treeby, Mike Kelsey, Bruce Foster]. It was agreed that the remit would be:
DBA Sub-Committees - General
All sub-committees will be formed or re-formed each year at the first DBA committee meeting following the AGM. Their role is to assist the DBA committee carry out its business. Their responsibilities will be as specified below and each will report to the DBA committee as required or as necessary. If there is no central committee member on the sub-committee then the report will either be by a member being invited to a DBA committee meeting or a brief written report to the Hon Secretary.
Terms of reference for individual sub-committees were agreed as follows:
Tournament Sub-Committee
Responsible for organising and running such County events as scheduled by the central committee and published in the calendar. The committee includes a Tournament Administrator who is specifically responsible for (a) taking entries, (b) (where relevant) keeping the venue and director informed of numbers, (c) co-ordinating results of knock-out competitions and (d) co-ordinating the Western league selection schedule.
For events at a fixed venue, the sub-committee is responsible for booking the venue, arranging a non-playing director, arranging for scoring (either by the director or by a separate scorer or negotiating hire or loan of bridgemates), ensuring adequate stationery, and sending the results to the website and to the Hon Secretary. The sub-committee is also responsible for all publicity and recruiting of entries.
Education Sub-Committee
The Education sub-committee is responsible for carrying out the DBA’s policies on education and training.
Current policies include the training of approved teachers associated with each affiliated club; events aimed at introducing newcomers to duplicate bridge; events aimed at improvers and events aimed at near-county standard players and above.
Selection Sub-Committee
The Selection Sub-Committee is responsible for selecting the Devon team for the Tollemache qualifier and also selecting the A teams for all the Western League matches. They are also responsible for advising sections on players they consider worthy of selection for B and C teams in the Western League.
Congress Sub-Committee
The Congress Sub-Committee is responsible for all aspects of running the annual Devon Congress subject to the hotel contracts and entry fees being approved by the central committee and the Hon Treasurer.
1.5. The Constitutional requirement to form Conduct and Disciplinary Sub-Committees was discussed. It was agreed that the existing members (since 2005) of the Conduct Committee [Steve Quinn, Maureen Baser, Bill Ellis, Geoff White] would be joined by George Simnett. It was agreed that the Disciplinary Committee would consist of David Hugo, Robin Barker, Andrew Leslie, Paul Ainsworth and Ann Slee. Their remits are as in the constitution.
1.6. Terence Treeby and Andrew Leslie were confirmed as EBU Shareholders.
1.7. Martin Read was confirmed as Membership Secretary.
2. Apologies Nigel Richardson (vice Chairman), Terry Cannon, Keith Ponsford (East), Denis Davey (North).
3. Minutes Minutes of meeting of 23 May 2011 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.
4. Matters arising
(all matters are dealt with in separate agenda items and are not reported here.)
5. Report on AGM
5.1. Election of County Club Representative to serve on EBU Regional Club Committee (one club, one vote).
Dick Andrews was the only nominee. Agreed to warmly congratulate him on his election and to invite him to attend DBA committee meetings and / or report relevant matters to the committee.
5.2. The AGM agreed that for the year from April 2012 the DBA P2P component will be 3p; the club subscription will be nil.
6. Finance
6.1. The Chairman expressed the view that we should show a separate development budget to clearly distinguish expenditure on special projects coming out of reserves from normal running income and expenditure.
6.2. The Treasurer tabled his report. Total bank balances £25,343. Mileage allowance to be 30p. Directors’ rates to be reviewed. Future AGM accounts will be inspected by an independent examiner.
7. Secretary’s report and correspondence (including S shareholder’s report on EBU matters)
7.1. EBU County contact return can now be completed. No nominations for Dimmie Fleming awards
7.2. TD courses have been run by the EBU at Exeter. No information available.
7.3. The Chairman reported on the EBU meeting of county Chairmen. Clubs and county are referred to Charity Commission website for information on how to achieve charity status. He reported on various initiatives in other counties. The EBU are keen to recruit new members to their national sub-committees. Chairman of counties taking part in the Western League had differing interpretations of the rules and purpose of the competition.
8. Section Reports
8.1. West. There will be an Introductory Congress (day rate £5) in tandem with the pairs at the Plymouth Congress. Brochures for both were tabled.
8.2. South. The charges for the sim pairs from April 2012 will need reviewing when the new Masterpoint and Licensing Regulations are finalised.
8.3. North. Clubs and the county leagues are struggling at present.
9. Education
9.1. A challenge match / workshop with a County A team and 8 aspiring pairs was held on 26 May at Torquay. The organization needs reviewing for any future events but useful information was learnt by the selectors about those taking part.
9.2. A Bridge Teacher training course for 6 teachers was run at Torquay in June as part of the program of having EBU-approved teachers associated with clubs and was well received.
9.3. Beginners and novice events : North run one of their Filleigh events for the benefit of beginners and improvers. See also 8.1.
9.4. Agreed to confirm a series of seminars with Michael Byrne for 12-15 Dec 2011 and another series with Andrew Robson for 2-5 Oct 2012. Education sub-committee and Treasurer to fix the details.
10. County Competitions (Tournaments)
10.1. The Congress committee are working on arrangements for the 2012 Congress. The Palace Hotel have confirmed the Congress booking for 12-14 April 2013.
10.2. The views expressed at the AGM regarding the Mixed Pairs were discussed in detail. The committee unanimously confirmed its decision (March 9.7.) that it is no longer practical to run this event. Entry fees for 2011-2012 were discussed and agreed. Tournament Sub-Committee to pay special attention to promotion of events.
10.3. The selectors are checking on availability for inter-county matches in 2011-2012.
11. 2011-2012 handbook and 2011 Rule Book
11.1. Agreed to proceed with calendar of cover plus 8 pages and A5 Rule Book. Amended printing quotes for handbook £279.61 +VAT, Rules £218.69 + VAT accepted, which implies reprint of Rule Book every 2-3 years to break even on previous costs. Postage also reduced.
11.2. Rules for inter-club knockout teams of 4 agreed. All players should be Premier Regional Master and below (Devon Teams ([WMN] and the EBU’s NICKO exist for teams with more experienced players). There will be minimal travel in early rounds.
11.3. Agreed that the Devon Club Teams of 8 will go ahead only if there are at least 7 entries.
11.4. There will be some date changes for the Devon Air Ambulance sim pairs from all previous drafts.
11.5. Subject to the above the final versions of handbook and rules were approved for the printers and licence applications approved for listed events.
12. Any other business
None
13. Next meetings
13.0, The draws for the Devon Teams (WMN) and Devon Inter-Club Knockout Teams of 4 will be performed by a quorum of committee members early in September.
13.1. Monday 3 Oct at Isca at 6.30 pm. Agenda items to Hon Secretary by 12 September.
13.2. Wednesday 30 November at Isca at 6.30 pm.