Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the DBA held on Wednesday 8 July 2009 at the Isca Centre.
Note : These are draft minutes awaiting approval at the next meeting.

Present Amos Bridgman (in the Chair, North), John Lankshear (Hon. Treas.), Terence Treeby (Hon. Sec.), Titch Glenday, Keith Ponsford (East), Jon Dixon (West), Paul Ainsworth, Pam Ward (South).

New Committee Amos Bridgman (Chair, North), David Hugo (Vice-Chair, West),, John Lankshear (Hon. Treas.), Terence Treeby (Hon. Sec.), Terry Cannon, Keith Ponsford (East), Jon Dixon, Jack Thompson (West), Paul Ainsworth, Pam Ward (South).

1. Apologies John Boxall, Terry Hammett (North), Terry Cannon (East), David Hugo (West).

2. Minutes Minutes of meeting of 8 April 2008 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

3. Matters arising from last meeting

3.1. (Apr S5.5.) The EBU Shareholders voted for a 2-way system which allows effectively allows Devon to retain the present system of self-financing for one-day events.

3.2. (Apr 8.4) The AGM voted to accept the listed constitution changes in preparation for Universal Membership. A revised constitution has been submitted to the EBU for approval at a July meeting and copies have been distributed as advertised in the handbook. NOTE from April 2010 Hon Members to get a voucher for DBA tournaments.

3.3. (Apr 8.5) The AGM voted to accept that from April 2010 the DBA P2P component will be 3p; the club subscription will be nil; and, if relevant, the county element of the EBU subscription will remain at £3. This has been confirmed with the EBU.

3.4. (Apr) The AGM voted to reject the committee’s proposal that, if a disqualification occurs and if prize money is involved, that the distribution of that money is at the discretion of a quorum of the committee’s in accordance with any appropriate Laws.

3.5. (Apr 7, 8, 9 and 10) See separate ongoing agenda items.

4. Treasurer’s report

4.1. The Treasurer’s report was presented. Account balances £3985.83 + £22723.05. In 60 days the larger (Scottish Widows) amount will be transferred to a higher-paying Lloyds account.

4.2. The final cost to DBA of Andrew Robson’s visit was about £700. Agreed to investigate a repeat with either Andrew Robson or Ron Klinger.

4.3. DBA has 508 confirmed members at present.

4.4. Agreed that duplimate charges remain at 11p per board but with a minimum charge of £5.

4.5. Agreed to provide refreshments and hot drinks for both teams at Western League matches at reasonable cost. Sections asked to investigate suitable venues.

5. Secretary’s report and correspondence (including S shareholder’s report on EBU matters and T Tournament Secretary business)

T5.1. The AGM voted to reject the motion proposed by Jean Whitlam that in any future event the Runner Up is declared the winner should the first team be disqualified.

5.2. The AGM accepted the motion proposed by John Lankshear that the Chairman and vice-Chairman will in future be elected, with an amendment that it would be for a maximum of 3 consecutive years, which can be extended if approved by three-quarters of those attending.

5.3. The AGM voted to reject the motion proposed by Jean Whitlam that the information she requested as to how the clubs in Devon responded which gave our County the mandate to use both its votes in support of the EBU’s new strategy, is released immediately to those who wish to see it and that in future, any such general information requested by DBA members and affiliated clubs should be made freely available.

5.4. EBU County contact return and Dimmie Fleming form will be completed now the new committee is established.

S5.5. (report on Shareholders’ meeting of 4 June 2009). (i) UM progress reported (see 8); (ii) 5-year Business Strategy updated; (iii) suggested that counties approach U3A groups locally as there is no national contact; (iv) Club Committee is proving a good link between the clubs and the EBU; (v) National Grading scheme was explained; Hon Sec will include outline in next club newsletter; (vi) Hon Sec to be “phone a friend” for Devon scorers using Scorebridge; (vii) Tournament committee report.

5.6. The county may need a Scorebridge licence as a convenient way to submit Master Points after April 2010. Hon Sec to investigate need and cost.

5.7. Correspondence tabled and noted. Agreed to provide AGM agenda in advance in future.

6. Section Reports

6.1. West . No comment. 

6.2. South. Pairs competition combined with AGM worked well.

6.1. East. Currently 28 teams for July; expecting 35 to 40.

6.4. North. Two Barnstaple teams have reached latter stages of NICKO and Silver Plate

7. Congress

7.1. Report on 2009 Congress tabled and accepted.

7.2. Letters re incident during swiss teams at 2009 congress : agreed that Director had done all possible at the time.

7.3. (Apr 7.3). 2010 Congress. (i) contract signed and returned for Toorak; (ii) EBU has permitted green points on all 3 days. Agreed to change Fri and Sat to 10 round swiss pairs and cancel the 2010 one day swiss teams; Hon. Sec to investigate changed requirements in terms of directing, scoring and boards.

7.4. (Apr 7.4) 2011 Congress. Enquiries by Chairman ongoing.

8. The future of the EBU and DBA (Strategy document and Bidding For The Future)

8.1. Clubs have been regularly updated by the EBU; members have been updated via the magazine and the website. Clubs have all now had a P2P infopack including contract and are encouraged to complete the forms as soon as possible. The IT systems are almost completed and clubs will soon be able to practice uploading data and results. Hon Sec to be “phone a friend” for Devon scorers using Scorebridge which can be used both for membership data and (very simply) uploading the results needed for the EBU to calculate P2P invoices, the EBU to issue master points and the EBU’s National Grading Scheme to make its calculations. Hon Sec to prepare a report for clubs.

8.2. Shareholder report on National Grading Scheme.

8.3. EBU consultation document on revised Master Point scheme.

8.4. Within Devon it is known that some clubs are discontinuing affiliation. DBA agreed that clubs should be encouraged to at least try it for a year before withdrawing from EBU support.   

9. Expenses and Selection matters

9.1. (Apr 10.) Western league : Peter Bowles thanked for his efforts as Selector for a number of years. Jeanine Keith is firmly in control of fixtures and allocating selections for 2009-2010. Correspondence has established that the director who did not arrive on the final day in May 2009 was not from Devon; many of the other counties present on the day have been contacted informally to explain.

9.2. The AGM voted not to change the entry qualifications for the Devon Club Teams of Eight, but to require that future entries are done via a club official.

9.3. The AGM passed the motion proposed by Jean Whitlam that the 8 out of 15 rule be scrapped immediately.

9.4. The AGM voted to accept the motion proposed by Warner Solomon  that the 2009 Devon Tollemache selection be performed by a Selection Committee and not a trial. The meeting agreed to approach people to be on a Selection Committee. Agreed that they should select 5 pairs for the 2009 Tollemache. Agreed they should propose a format for  a 2-stage for Tollemache selection for 2010, the two stages to be in July and Sep 2010.

9.5. Hon Treas is taking competition entries; demarcation of other competition responsibilities to be agreed with Tournament Administrator.

10. Handbook 2009-2010

10.1 (Apr 10.1). The final calendar with AGM amendments circulated and agreed. Hon Sec to post to clubs enough for about 80% of membership to allow for dual members. Charity for Sim Pairs to be Devon Air Ambulance.

10.2. 2010 AGM will be moved back to the old date of 20 June to avoid clash with Pachabo.

11. Any Other Business

11.1. Hon. Sec. Was thanked for his work.

12. Next meeting

12.1. Wed 16 Sep at Isca at 7 pm preceded at 6.45 pm by the draw for the Devon Teams (WMN).
12.2. Mon 30 Nov at Isca at 7.30 pm preceded at 7.15 pm by the draw for the Devon Teams Plate. 

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