Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the DBA held on Wednesday 16 September 2009 at the Isca Centre.
Note : These are draft minutes awaiting approval at the next meeting.

The meeting was preceded by the draw for the Devon Teams. Parts of 9 marked * were dealt with out of order.

Present Amos Bridgman (in the Chair, North), David Hugo (vice Chairman, West), John Lankshear (Hon. Treas.), Terence Treeby (Hon. Sec.), Terry Cannon, Keith Ponsford (East), Jon Dixon (West), Paul Ainsworth (South). Jeanine Keith (Tournament Administrator) was present for parts of 9 marked *.

1. Apologies John Boxall, Terry Hammett (North), Jon Dixon (West), Terry Cannon (East),, Pam Ward (South).

2. Minutes Minutes of meeting of 8 July 2009 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

3. Matters arising from last meeting

3.1. (July 3.2). The revised DBA constitution has been approved by the EBU after correcting two minor errors. Copies have been distributed as advertised in the handbook. NOTE from April 2010 Hon Members to get a voucher for DBA tournaments.
3.2. (July 4.2). Andrew Robson is not available until 2011; Ron Klinger’s availability to be monitored.
3.3. (July 5.4). EBU County contact return and Dimmie Fleming form have been completed. Bob Blackmore has been accepted; it will be announced by the Chairman on Sat 19 Sep and presented by the EBU later.
3.4. (July 5.6). The county may need a Scorebridge licence as a convenient way to submit Master Points after April 2010.County version £90 for one uses up to £180 for 5 or 6 users. Other options to be checked. The county computer is not suitable (too old).
3.5. (July 8.3). EBU consultation document on revised Master Point scheme returned.
3.6. (July 10.1) 2009-10 Handbook posted to clubs enough for about 80% of membership to allow for dual members.

4. Treasurer's report

4.1. The Treasurer's report was presented. Account balances £1111.53 + + £734.37 +£25000.00.
4.2. Tax refund about £127. Surplus from swiss teams £710 (up from £567). Terry Cannon was thanked. EBU subscriptions down from £1900 to £1496.

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

S5.1. EBU minutes available from Board 11 May, Tournament 2 June, Shareholder 3 June : all reported at last meeting. Hon Sec unable to attend October meeting. Chairman agreed to substitute.
5.2. EBU : Rquested 3-day congress 8-10 April 2011.
S5.3. EBU financial report to 31 March 2009.
5.4. County voucher for 2009-10 awarded to Peter Bowles.
5.5. Bridgepads offer from Scorebridge passed to clubs. Offer to pay one-third of costs still available to clubs.

6. Section Reports

6.1. East. 22 teams for league.
6.2. West . No comment.
6.3. South. 12 teams for league. 5 clubs for first sim pairs. Hon Sec to clarify Master Point position.
6.4. North. (not represented). Chairman reported 2 charity events upcoming, plus league.

7. Congress

7.1. 2010 Congress. Brochures now circulated.
7.2. (July 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. (July 8.2). Details of National Grading Scheme now on EBU website.
8.2. (July 8.4). Report tabled showing affiliation intentions of Devon clubs. Of 30 clubs, one has already disaffiliated, 11 are not continuing, 17 are continuing. 2 have yet to reply (one believed yes, one subject to AGM). The affiliated clubs will represent an estimated 1483 to 1683 members (scaled to 80% 1186 to 1346) or 64 to 72% of the present playing membership. There should be 12445 to 13645 playing sessions, leading to an estimated P2P income of £1493 to £1637. (EBU figures Sep 2009). Our initial estimates (strategy-10 23 July 2008) estimated 13557 to 15192 playing sessions, leading to an estimated P2P income of £1626 to £1823 compared with the 2006-07 sub income from the EBU of £1837.

9. Expenses and Selection matters
(* items to which the Tournament Administrator was invited)

*9.1 Western league 2009-2010 : North v East Wales clash with Weston – date has been changedto 30 Jan. Sections are notifying selections 2 months in advance. Final day in May 2010 may be moving to Taunton. Agreed to send team of 8 to Somerset.
*9.1. 2010-11 Western League want teams of 8. Agreed that Devon would withdraw from Western League if this went ahead and organise in-County competition.
*9.3. Devon Teams (WMN) 18 entries (down from 20).
*9.4. Devon Mixed Pairs (Jack and Jill) : 13 tabled (up). Dick Andrews directing, scoring using Bridgemate.
9.5 (July 9.4). The meeting agreed on selection for the 2009 Tollemache; details to be released when the Hon Sec has confirmed availability with players.
9.6. (July 9.4). Discussion on format Tollemache trials in July and Sep 2010 held over.
9.7. The meeting agreed on selection for 2 extra pairs for the Western League match v Somerset; Hon Sec to confirm availability with players.

10. Any other business
none

11. Next meetings

11.1. Mon 30 Nov at Isca at 7.30 pm preceded at 7.15 pm by the draw for the Devon Teams Plate.

11.2. April 2010

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