Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the DBA held on Wednesday 31 March 2010 at the Isca Centre.
Note : These are draft minutes awaiting approval at the next meeting.

Present David Hugo (vice Chairman, in the Chair, West), John Lankshear (Hon. Treas.), Terence Treeby (Hon. Sec.), Terry Cannon, Keith Ponsford (East), Paul Ainsworth, Pam Ward (South). Jeanine Keith (Tournament Administrator attended for 9.1. to 9.3. which were taken out of order).

1. Apologies Amos Bridgman (Chairman), John Boxall (North).

2. Minutes Minutes of meeting of 30 Nov 2009 were taken as read and signed as a correct record after minor amendments.

3. Matters arising from last meeting

3.1. (Nov 3.1). Andrew Robson is not available until 2011; Ron Klinger’s availability to be monitored.

3.2. See items under 9 re selection matters.

3.3. (Nov 4.3). Duplimate work is currently being shared between Terence Treeby and Tony Allsworth. It is possible that it will also be regularly used by Torquay Bridge Club (who will buy their own boards), with potentially more operators. Plymouth Bridge Club is applying for lottery funding for duplimate and bridgemate.

3.4. (Nov  5.3). Handbook : see item 10 below.

3.5. (Nov 7). Congress : see item 7 below.

4. Treasurer's report

4.1. The Treasurer’s report was presented. Account balances £7085.81 + £3000.00 + £22000.00. Includes congress money before prizes and expenses. Profit of £56 from Devon Teams of 8 and £10 from Devon Pairs after all expenses including entries to next stage tournaments (i.e. close to break-even with no prize money being paid). Isca now costs £150 plus VAT (£175.50 at 15%; £179.25 at 17.5%) per day. Total cost of Western League matches about £700.

4.2. The committee agreed to propose to the AGM that for the year from April 2011 the DBA P2P component remain at 3p; the club subscription will be nil.

4.3. The Treasurer has agreed that we can purchase 100 packs little-used duplimate cards at 89p. We have also (as congress expense) bought 32 new boards for infill / replacement of damages.

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

S5.1. The Shareholder was unable to attend the EBU Shareholders meeting on 9 March. The agenda showed only routine business.

5.2. The 2009 Master point tables were released by the EBU and circulated / notified to clubs and committee.

5.3. We have been required by the Isca Centre to remove our equipment from Isca; this is at present stored by the Hon Sec.

5.4. Tangerine book (short version of Orange Book for club use) available for download from EBU website.

5.5. Draft AGM notices in preparation for election of officers tabled.

5.6. Draft DBA News for new members and staying / leaving clubs tabled.

5.7. Hon Sec to investigate possible sale of unused trophies

6. Section Reports

6.1. North. Not represented.

6.2. South. Petit Congress broke even with 10 tables for each. Would prefer a one day event. Winter Pairs changed venue. Devon Charity Sim pairs raised £1050.

6.3. East. Woolcott teams lost to bad weather; pairs slightly reduced.

6.4. West. Plymouth Congress fixed for 23-24 Oct and Heart Foundation swiss teams 21 Nov.

7. Congress

7.1. 2010 Congress. All hotel rooms sold with several refusals. Entries to date 80 pairs, 52 teams (up from 58 and 42). Advert for £345 in EBU magazine attracted many responses. Newcomers’ Pairs cancelled – no entries.

7.2. 2011 Congress. Pam Ward agreed to take entries; Hon Sec to check with Palace Hotel if they are able to deal with room booking; further assistance needed in pre-congress organisation.

7.3. 2012 Congress. 13-15 Apr confirmed with Palace

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

8.1. EBU revised affiliation list February 2010 shows 18 clubs with a projected P2P income for Devon £1589.

8.2. New master point handbook released 12 March for use from 1 April. A summary has been sent to clubs. A provisional summary as relates to the county tabled. Further discussion in July after end of ongoing negotiations between Hon Sec and EBU. Charity sim pairs affected as 28% of our entry is non-affiliated clubs and Thursday will no longer be viable if regulations remain as released. Dispensation given by EBU to run as at present until 31 March 2011.

8.3. Welcome plans (see also 5.6.). Other counties’ plans tabled for information.

9. Expenses and Selection matters

9.1. Western league 2009-2010 : Tournament Administrator reported. Team of 8 to Somerset proved impossible because of clash with EBU Seniors. Not all selections notified to her in advance of match as requested. Results on website are up to date. Agreed not to send team of 8 to final match. John Lankshear to deputise at fixtures meeting.

9.2. 2010-11 Western League. Diana King (Wilts) is now Chairman. Several dates already confirmed including final matches on Sun 22 May.  Pool of players for all A and B matches suggested for next season. Further discussion at July meeting.

9.3. Jeanine Keith agreed to take entries for all County competitions in 2010-2011.

9.4. 2010 and ongoing Tollemache selection : After consideration of comments following consultation (see Appendix), it was agreed to cancel the trials and revert to a selection committee of 4 people, 2 of whom should be players of standing from different regular partnerships and teams. The committee will be approaching people and names will be announced if they agree to serve.

10. Handbook 2010-2011

10.1. Noted that (i) from 1 April 2010 only events run by affiliated clubs will be able to award master points and be listed in this handbook and on the website as licensed events. These are shown in the listing at the moment; (ii) investigate changing Petit Congress to one day multiple teams event (on the Sunday); (iii) entry fees to county events to be £10; (iv) charity sims 4 events Sep 2010 to March 2011, with new year 2012-2013 staring in May and provisional; (v) John Woolcott weekend may be one week later.

11. Any other business

11.1. Forthcoming AGM and elections discussed : Chairman and Hon Treasurer both standing down at the AGM.

12. Next meetings

12.1. Tuesday 13 July 2010 at Isca at 7.30 pm.

Appendix

Tollemache Selection (Trial Sun 25 Jul and Sun 19 Sep 2010)
Hon Secretary's report on public consultations following the committee meeting 30 Nov 2009.

a.summary of comments received.
The revised proposals were posted on the DBA website seeking comments from committee and members. There have been written comments from 7 members.

6 say that trials are not a good idea (and have been proved unsuccessful in other counties) and by implication want a selection committee. One suggests a maximum of 3 people. Another suggests the DBA committee select 2 pairs and they select the other 3 pairs.

3 say that counties should send their best team based on known results and national standing.

1 says that the format for trial / selection should be put to AGM. 

2 say that the proposal for the actual trials is too vague concerning who selects / allows entry into the trials / judges any other issues.

2 say that cross-imp scoring on day two incompatible with selecting 5 pairs. 

1 proposes that the comments should be posted on the website.

There were other verbal comments and written submissions when we first considered trials that are in line with the above breakdown of comments received this time

Terence Treeby
DBA Hon Sec

Top