Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the DBA held on Tuesday 25 November 2008 at the Isca Centre.
Note : These are draft minutes awaiting approval at the next meeting.

Devon Teams Plate Draw. This was made prior to the start of the meeting.
Present Amos Bridgman (in the Chair, North), Terence Treeby (Hon. Sec.), Terry Cannon, Keith Ponsford (East), John Boxall (North), David Hugo (West), ), Paul Ainsworth, Pam Ward (South).

1. Apologies John Lankshear (Hon. Treas.), Titch Glenday (East), Terry Hammett (North), Jack Thompson (West).

2. Minutes Minutes of meeting of 3 Sept 2008 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

3. Matters arising from last meeting

3.1. (Sep 3.1). West has no nomination for Vice-Chairman yet.
3.2. (Sep 3.2). Andrew Robson Mon 30 March to Thur 2 April. The schedule and poster were approved and areas asked for missing details by mid-December.
3.3. (Sep 3.3). Vacancies for Tournament Secretary and second Shareholder still not filled.
3.4. (Sep 3.6). There was no response from clubs to the County offer of help with Bridgemates. Owing to administrative difficulties etc North will not be proceeding.
Keep looking for a volunteer.
3.5. (Sep 3.7). Lapsed members : the EBU list are self-contradictory and in some cases the EBU have sent reminders. Agreed that Hon Treasurer should try to get an accurate list from EBU for 2009-2010.
3.6. (Sep 3.8). Committee to review (a) new expenses rule for the 2009-2010 season ; (b) the selection of teams for the Tollemache from 2009-2010 onwards. Particular concerns identified for these reviews include (i) the double-qualification rule for the Teams of 8 / Garden Cities; (ii) possible use of Victor Ludorum table as a selection aid; (iii) possible credit for Western League or A division sectional league appearances. A full discussion held over until the April meeting. Noted that the 2008 Tollemache team is A. and J. Bailey, W. and L. Solomon, J. Grant / S. Lindfors, A. Slee / R. Lingham with P. Bowles as 9th player / npc.
3.7. (Sep 3.8). Agreed that selection of teams for the Western League from 2009-2010 onwards would revert to each section selecting all 3 teams. Peter Bowles has indicated that he will be standing down as organiser and a replacement will be appointed at the April meeting. (Sep 3.5). The new rota to take note of North’s views on the date and assignment of the match on the first weekend in Jan.
3.8. (Sep 7.x). see Congress item.
3.9. (Sep 8.x). see Future item.

4. Treasurer’s report

4.1. The Treasurer’s report was presented. Account balances £615.05 + £25522.71. Major expenses £750 for Tollemache (£300 entry plus £450 expenses for team of 9) approx 25% of county’s income. (see 3.6 above). £395.25 on subsidising Directors’ courses for 8 members. Suggests prior approval for future courses.
4.2. A letter concerning the Jack and Jill event was discussed.

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

5.1. (EBU) Any club interested in running Directors’ courses for 2009-2010 should contact EBU.
T5.2. Devon Pairs Day had only 19 entries. Three pairs who previously entered had presented their apologies.
5.3. Possible 2-day green point events jointly with Cornwall to replace existing one-day events. Agreed to proceed as per handbook for 2009 and continue discussions regarding 2010. First impressions are that it may decrease the income and any venue west of Exeter would not be a suitable venue for travellers from North Devon or other (eastern) counties. Devon sub-committee of John Lankshear, David Hugo and Terry Cannon negotiating with Cornwall committee.
clubs on their behalf at our expense. Approved by committee.
S5.4. The next shareholder meetings are 11 March 2009, 3 June 2009 and 7 Oct 2009 (AGM). Hon Sec will attend the first two, Chairman the third.
S5.5. (EBU AGM) Financial report; launch of Bidding for the Future (see below); full minutes not yet available.
T5.6. Devon Teams (WMN) is proceeding with a slightly reduced 20 entries.
T5.7. Hon Sec tabled professional posters for (a) Teams of 8 and (b) Julia Chadwick. These will be budgeted via prize fund and hopefully extra entries.
5.8. Western League teams and results are posted on the website. Please could Areas keep Hon Sec informed of their selections and results so I can keep this up to date.

6. Section Reports

6.1. East. Woolcott brochures issues; 23 teams in league.
6.2. North. 2 divisions in league.
6.3. West. New Congress venue praised by players.
6.4. South. Winter Pairs slightly increased numbers; Sim Pairs about the same; Petit Congress brochures issued.

7. Congress

7.1. 2009 Congress being progressed. (a) Brochures circulated. (b) Format now includes Sat pm Newcomers Pairs and 2 other special DBA offers which will need promoting by committee. (c) Professional posters for Congress and special deals. (d) Robin Barker not available Friday – arrangements being made. (e) Hon Sec needs nominated assistant each and every playing session to avoid overwork / inability to react to problems. Chairman Friday; others to be nominated from entries.
7.2. 2010 and beyond. Hon Sec has asserted DBA’s claim with the EBU for week 14 each year (ie the week before Shrewsbury and the National Pairs) subject to not clashing with Easter.
7.3. New Congress organiser will be needed for 2011 Congress.

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

8.1. P2P for the first year 2010-2011 will be 29p (plus 3p for county). Votes to confirm will take place in June 2009 and October 2009. Note : Master Points rise to 40p from Jan 2009 so the increase is reduced slightly.
8.2. In addition to 8.1, there are implications as regards (a) charity swiss teams being run by non-affiliated clubs and (b) and area leagues which will need to be checked in the detail when it emerges from the Project Board.
8.3. Tournament review etc . Modify the 2009-2010 handbook in view of increased membership from 1 April 2010. Consider issuing to all players on publication (cost of increased print run less than a special issue in April). Agreed (a) Mixed Pairs Competition no longer open to separate Men’s or Ladies’ pairs; (b) Pivot Teams of Four discontinued; (c) consideration to be given to a Northern heat of Winter Pairs with identical hands to South, to be scored across the board; (d) possible new competitions for new members for 2010-2011 to be considered at a later date.
8.7. (EBU 17 Nov) Hon Sec to continue as reference for Devon P2P matters.

9. Any Other Business

None

10. Next meeting

10.1. Wed 20 April at Isca at 7.30 pm
10.2. AGM 14 June
10.3. July to be set next time

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