Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the DBA held on Wednesday 23 July2008
Note : these are draft minutes awaiting approval at the next meeting

New Committee: North nominates the Chairman (Amos Bridgman) and two other members (John Boxall and Terry Hammett); West nominates the Vice-Chairman (vacant) and two other members (David Hugo and Jack Thompson) (in addition to the Treasurer John Lankshear); South nominates two members (Pam Ward and Tim Walton); East nominates two members (Terry Cannon and Keith Ponsford) (the present Secretary Terence Treeby has never represented a Section).

Present Amos Bridgman (in the Chair, North), Terence Treeby (Hon. Sec.), John Lankshear (Hon. Treas.), Terry Cannon (East), John Boxall, Terry Hammett (North).

1. Apologies Keith Ponsford (East), Titch Glenday (East sub), David Hugo, Jack Thompson (West).

2. Minutes of meeting of 7 May 2008 were taken as read and signed as acorrect record.

3. Mattersarising from last meeting

3.1. (May 3.2.). West subsidised seminar early in 2008 – section progressing but nothing fixed yet. Committee to consider (a) how we can help teachers start teaching and (b) a package whereby a prominent teacher (e.g. Andrew Robson) is available within the county to all sections over, say, a 4-day period. Secretary to report at next meeting.

3.2. (May 3.3). Vacancy for Tournament Secretary not filled. Hon Sec and Hon Treas named to share taking entries. Keep looking for a volunteer. 

3.3. (May 3.4). Ann Slee’s last deadline was in June for the August magazine.  A replacement is now urgently required.

3.4. (May 3.7). July swiss teams Exmouth. Profit approximately £490 from 33 teams. Date for 2009 is Sunday 19 July. Agreed to use Isca centre subject to agreement on final details.

3.5. (May 4.2). Duplimate : agreed to replace 400 packs cards now and to try to stagger future replacements.

3.6. (May 4.4). Accepted at AGM that the County part of the EBU sub stays at £3 for 2009-10.

3.7. (May 5.1). Bridgemates : a later offer to 30 June for £70 plus VAT each (reduced from £100) if shared with clubs. Agreed to continue renting from Isca when needed.

3.8. (May 5.10). EBU March minutes. See shareholder’s report below.

3.9. (May 8.) Strategy report in separate item.

4. Treasurer'sreport

4.1. The Treasurer’s report was presented. Account balances £2152.37 + £25284.72. EBU list shows 503 paid-up members plus 61 BfA plus 28 clubs. (Last year’s figures 585, 48, 35). EBU to be asked how many unpaids are being chased and how.
4.2. The Committee was concerned that a disproportionate part of the entry fees paid by DBA for Regional and National events was being paid for players who did not support County events. The following were agreed and will appear in the 2008-2009 Handbook

(a) The County will pay the entry fees of any player representing the County in the Corwen, Pachabo and Garden Cities Trophies provided that the player concerned has played in at least 8 of the 15 Victor Ludorum events.
(b) Only players who have played in at least 8 of the 15 Victor Ludorum events will be considered for selection for the Tollemache.

5. Secretary's report andcorrespondence (including shareholder's report on EBU matters)

5.1. (EBU Shareholders meeting 4 June and associated minutes etc).

(a) (arising from 5 Mar) (i) a pilot tv program has been made and will soon be released to YouTube and hopefully sold to a digital channel; (ii) P2P club contract will be for 1 year with right to terminate by either side on 3 months’ notice.
(b) (Strategy) see separate item below.
(c) (Board May) to follow
(d) (Laws & Ethics) (i) new laws from 1 August, free copy to affiliated paid-up clubs, others £10 from EBU or free download. Laws ordered 20 June + a few spares. Summary sent to clubs by Hon Sec. Note : several of our clubs had not paid but many / all [just Sidmouth unannounced at 21 June] caught up after a reminder from Sec (who should have issued that?) (ii) Orange Book changes 1 Aug to be announced after L&E meeting early June.
(e) (Tournament) (i) Blackpool Easter 2009 moving to Palace Hotel, Buxton; (ii) new venue for Jersey; (iii) National Newcomers suspended 2009, relaunching 2010 [see handbook item]; (iv) draft calendar no longer circulated – counties etc need to check website.

5.2. Lists updated (a) committee (b) club contacts (c) club summary

5.2. Enquiry from teacher in a Plymouth school passed to Mike Amos at EBU.
5.3. EBU Youth news from Mike Amos –  still no Youth Officer for County.
5.4. Contact list to EBU NOW, no nominations for Dimmie Fleming Award
5.5. AGM minutes posted and circulated. Any actions listed in appropriate section.
5.6. 2009 Congress contract returned. Agreed to (a) include DBA Newcomers Pairs and (b) continue discounted offers for less experienced DBA members.

5.7 2010 Congress venue. Probably 9-11 or 16-18 April (Easter 2-9 April) [EBU calendar not yet posted]. Provisionally reserve Toorak but investigate alternatives.
5.7. Computer seems to be working(including swiss pairs) with new printer.
5.8. Victor Ludorum wooden base missing for 10 years. Agreed to obtain new base for recent winners whilst still seeking the old one.

6. Section Reports

6.1 Sections were reminded to submit accounts and AGM minutes to Treasurer / Secretary as required by Constitution.

6.2. East. Titch Glenday is the new Secretary; swiss teams reported above; league starts October.

6.2. North. Duplimate now fully stocked and operational. League starts October.

6.3. West. No report.

6.4. South. (Not represented) AGM minutes and accounts filed. Committee agreed that Sims charity would be Dame Hannah Rogers Trust.

7. Handbook 2008-09

7.1. Copies circulated. Final corrections noted for printers very soon.

(i) 600 copies.
(ii) In the absence of  a Tournament Sec, Hon Treas will take entries after Devon Teams / Devon Pairs day.
(iii) Notes to be reworded in view of 4.2 above.

8. EBU Strategy Document

The Shareholders voted to accept the motion before the EGM with 52 votes in favour, 31 against, 2 abstentions and 1 absentee. The Secretary circulated a summary of the state of play which was not discussed this month.

8.1. (May 8.2.) Financial implications for Devon, from which we deduced that the Devon P2P could be 3p. Some counties are talking of 4 to 9p. (extra costs : paid officers, more expensive room hire)

8.2. (May 8.4.) Hon Sec reported that there were some suggestions and reservations that were appropriate to be considered at the implementation stage and these were held over to the next meeting.

8.3. (see separate strategy document 10) (see EGM minutes for detailed comments) Board has set up Project group (chair Sally Bugden) and Club Committee (chair Graham Jepson.

9. Any other business

none

10. Next meeting

10.1. Wed 23 Sep at 7.30 preceded at 7.15 by the Devon Teams draw.

10.2. Tue 25 Nov at 7.30 preceded at 7.15 by the Devon Plate draw.

Documents

1. Minutes of last meeting previously circulated.
2. Fifth draft of 2008-09 handbook (attached if this is sent by email)
3. Discussion paper / report on implementation of P2P.
4. EBU minutes etc tabled and / or available on website.

Top