Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the DBA held on Monday 3 October 2011 at the Isca Centre.

Draft minutes awaiting approval at the next meeting.

Present: Andrew Leslie (in the Chair), Terence Treeby (Hon Sec), Martin Read (Hon Treas), Terry Cannon (East), Bruce Foster (West), Paul Ainsworth (South), George Simnett (co-opted).
In attendance : Jeanine Keith (Tournament Administrator), Dick Andrews (Regional Club Rep for 8.6 only).

Apologies: Nigel Richardson (vice-Chairman), David Hugo (West), Pam Ward (South), John Boxall, Denis Davey (North), Keith Ponsford (East), Howard Kent-Webster (invited to attend).

1. The Chairman noted the passing of Louise Solomon and Amos Bridgman and extended the County’s sympathies to their families.

2. Selection of Chairman from 4 Oct until AGM; selection of vice-Chairman for same period.
Howard Kent-Webster was co-opted as Chairman until the next AGM (proposed T. Cannon, seconded T.Treeby).
Nigel Richardson resigned as vice-Chairman and committee member. The co-option of a replacement as vice-Chairman was deferred until the next meeting.

3. Minutes Minutes of meeting of 4 July 2011 were taken as read and signed as a correct record

4. Matters arising

4.1. (July 11.1.) Calendar and Rule Book printed and circulated.
(other matters are dealt with in separate agenda items and are not reported here.)

5. Finance

5.1. The Treasurer reported that we have spent £1450 on our share of bridgemates at Honiton and Newton Abbot and £711 on printing for calendar, rules and congress. Current account balance £1966, one year bond £22963.  Congress income starting to come in. Arrangements were in place to borrow section funds to cover cash flow until the bond matures in February.

5.2. Duplimate : the existing machine (about 2003) was still not functioning correctly following the recent £590 repair. It was agreed to replace with a new machine subject to an adequate allowance for trade-in and for the now redundant repairs bill. It was anticipated that this would bring the price below about £2400. The Hon Sec was authorised to go ahead subject to clearing the final estimate with the officers.
It was agreed to buy 100 packs of cards as part of the ongoing replacement.

5.3. Bridgemates : Number provided with help by county : Newton Abbot 20,  Honiton 10, Exmouth 16. Non-county-paid available for hire from or at Exeter BC : 25 Mark I and 25 Mark II. It was agreed to purchase for DBA a terminal, software (for the county computer) and 15 units for £2084.40. This will enable DBA to run stand-alone events put us in a position to run larger events and the 2012 Congress using in-county equipment.

5.4. The Hon Treasurer was asked to review rates for use of the county’s duplimate and bridgemates and also directors’ rates for DBA events.

6. Secretary’s report and correspondence (including Shareholder’s report on EBU matters)

6.1. (July  1.6.)Terence Treeby and Andrew Leslie were confirmed as EBU Shareholders. Following the extension to 3 shares Nigel Richardson agreed to be the third. These have now been registered with the EBU. T Treeby will attend the October meeting (AGM) this week on behalf of all 3.

6.2. EBU Blue points starting 1 January 2013 (see also 8.6.).

6.3. EBU letter re future of BGB etc.

6.4. It was confirmed that the DBA policy on subsidising equipment applied only to affiliated clubs.

6.5.Request from Toorak Hotel for bridge holiday there from 21 to 25 May 2012 approved.

7. Section Reports

7.1. East. League running with 8+8+7 teans. Woolcott brochures out soon.

7.2 South. League has 7 in top division plus multiple teams for 4 in B division. Winter Pairs starts this week. Sim Pairs 6 clubs each of Sep and Oct. Sep raised £240 for Air Ambulance.

7.3. West. Plymouth Congress arrangements in hand.

7.4. North (tabled). League has 2 divisions 6+5. Entries welcome for both events at Filleigh. Increased profits at 2011 North Devon Congress.

9. Sub-committee Report

8.1. Tournament Sub-Committee [Jeanine Keith (Tournament Administrator), Terence Treeby, Martin Read]
The draws for the Devon Teams (WMN) took place at Torquay on 15 September with a reduced entry of 15 teams. The Devon Inter-Club Knockout Teams of 4 finally attracted 8 entries. 
Isca booked for 3 DBA events at last year’s rates.

8.2. Education Sub-Committee [Andrew Leslie, Carol Ritzen, one vacancy]
(July 9.4.) Draft itinerary for Michael Byrne for 12-15 Dec 2011 tabled; final details to be confirmed and circulated soon.
Sub-committee to investigate director training possibilities.
Updated list of bridge tutors now on website.
Sub-committee to investigate demand for minibridge in schools and Youth Officer.

8.3. Selection Sub-Committee [Warner Solomon, Ruth Edmondson, David Hugo, Terence Treeby]
Teams  for the Tollemache qualifier and A teams the Western League until December have been selected. Remaining selections to follow soon. Somerset match A lost 8-12 as a team of 8, B and C won comfortably.
Devon finished 5th in the B division national final of the regional leagues. Other regions are much stronger – no Western League teams did well.

8.4. Congress Sub-Committee[Pam Ward, Marion Kelsey, Terence Treeby, Mike Kelsey, Bruce Foster].
Brochures and posters printed and circulated. Directors confirmed. Other arrangements in hand. Agreed to advertise again in EBU December magazine (£360 + VAT in 2010).
Application made to EBU for 12-14 April 2013 dates.

8.5. Conduct and Disciplinary Sub-Committees : nothing to report.

8.6. EBU Regional Club Committee (taken out of order) Report from Dick Andrews tabled and presented. He had surveyed affiliated clubs with limited response. EBU encourages counties to have a Youth Officer. EBU will be running sim pairs events previously run by eCats from April 2012. Blue points to fit between black and green from 1 Jan 2013. National Grading Scheme expected to be running early in 2012. New members appreciate the magazine.

9. Any other business

9.1. It was agreed to change to rule for walkovers in leagues so that the new rule 2.5. reads
Walkovers
Should a team be unable to field four eligible players then the match will be conceded to their opponents.  The conceding team will be awarded 0 VPs and their opponents will receive the maximum of:
(a)  12 VPs.
(b)  One half of the total of:
20, plus the average number of VPs scored by their team in all matches played, minus the average number of VPs scored by the conceding team in all matches played.

10. Next meetings

10.1. Wednesday 30 November at Isca at 6.30 pm preceded by the draw for the Devon teams Plate.

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