THE CONSTITUTION

of The Dickleburgh Bridge Club 2014

Name
The name of the Club Shall be the “Dickleburgh Bridge Club” hereinafter referred to as “The Club”.

Objective
The purpose of The Club is to

Promote Contract Bridge in Dickleburgh and District
Encourage the development of new players (not beginners)
Ensure an enjoyable Bridge meeting

Management

The Management of The Club shall be vested in the Executive Committee consisting of not more than five members including a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and two further Committee Members, all to be elected annually, after being proposed and seconded at the Annual General Meeting.

The Committee shall have power to co-opt, in an advisory capacity only, not more than two additional members.

The Quorum of the Committee shall be not less than three, including the Chairman.

Casual vacancies occurring in the Committee, including the office of Secretary and Treasurer, shall be filled as soon as practical by the Committee.

In the event of an equality of votes the Chairman of the Committee shall have the casting vote.

The Committee shall meet whenever summoned by the Secretary or Chairman at least three times a year and at least fourteen days notice shall be given to each member of the Committee.

The Committee shall have power to make such regulations as are not inconsistent with these rules as they consider fit for the proper conduct and management of The Club.

The Hon. Secretary shall be responsible for recording the minutes of proceedings of the Club and Committee. He/she shall keep the Club Minutes and a register of all the Members.

Membership

Membership is open to any member of the public who has adequate knowledge of bridge to co-operate with and promote the objectives of the Club.

A member may introduce a guest who can visit up to three times in any season.

Finance

The Subscription for the year, which shall begin on 1^st October, shall be £5.00 or such sum as the Members at the General Meeting shall decide.

The Hon. Treasurer shall keep correct books of the financial affairs of The Club which shall be duly audited annually by an Hon. Auditor.

The Club shall keep a Bank Account and cheques drawn against the Club funds must bear a signature of the Chairman and either the Treasurer or Secretary.

General Meeting

The AGM of the Club, of which at least 14 days notice shall be given to Members, shall be held in the month of October on a date and time fixed by the Committee.

At all business meetings of the Club the quorum shall not be less than one third of the whole number of the Members of the Club.

General Rules

No alteration in, or addition to the foregoing rules and Constitution shall be made except at an Annual General Meeting and then only if carried by two-thirds majority of the Members present and voting.

No responsibility of liability shall attach to the Club or the Committee in respect of the property of any member or guest.

Members and their guests are responsible for their own safety at all times when handling any Club property and should make themselves aware of all fire exits.

In the event of the Club folding all assets to be given to a charity decided upon by the current members.

Acceptance of Membership of the Club is deemed to be acceptance of these rules.

Dickleburgh Bridge Club (some tidying up to be done)

Minutes of the Dickleburgh Bridge Club AGM held on Friday 2nd October 2015

at Dickleburgh Village Hall commencing at 13:10.

In attendance were: Chairman – Freda Richards; Treasurer – Terry Turner and Committee Members: Maggie Campbell and Lyn Williams with 23 other members.

Apologies were received from Howard Yates, Secretary and 9 other members.

Minutes of last years’ AGM were not available for approval. Chairman confirmed these would be produced for approval at an Extra- ordinary AGM to be called in the new year.

Chairman’s Report: Freda hoped the Club would grow in numbers and good bridge players could be encouraged to come along. She thanked the Committee and all those who helped with the running of the Club, especially whilst she had been away.

Treasurer’s Report: Terry reported that the Club were in funds to the amount of £1,799 at the end of the financial year. Extra expenditure was due to the weekly fee paid to Mr and Mrs Leeder for setting up the hall. He reported that the Club currently had 51 Members.

Re-election of Committee: All Committee Members had agreed to continue and were duly voted in.

Signatures. Currently the Chairman and Secretary are the signatories and it was confirmed that the Club’s Treasurer should also be a signatory. Arrangements would be made for Terry Turner to be a signatory.

Partners. After some discussion the Members agreed that the Club would continue to run a Host system for players who did not have a partner. Freda would discontinue arranging partners over the telephone. After a request for volunteers 5 members offered: Francis Chinkin, Terry Turner, Lyn Williams, Margaret Stewart and Chris Fowle. It was noted that Chris could not practically act as a host due to transport restriction. The Chairman thanked the 4 volunteer hosts. 

It was confirmed that the Annual Membership fee and Table money should remain the same - £5 Membership and £1.50 table money.

The Annual Anniversary Party had been arranged for Friday 9^th October. At a previous committee meeting it had been agreed that the cost of this should be funded by the Club this year. Arrangements had been made for the purchase of the food and setting up of the hall. Party to start at 13:00.

It was noted that we would hold our usual pre-Christmas drinks nearer to Christmas.

AOB. It was noted that we do not usually have AOB but it had been included: Sue Birrell asked if we could start play at 13:30 and not 13:45. There was a unanimous vote to adopt this.

Meeting closed at 13:30hrs and play began.