Merseyside and Cheshire Bridge Association
Minutes of AGM held on Thursday 13th June 2013 at 7‐30 pm at Merseyside Bridge Centre
Those Present : Pat Arthur, Rob Roberts, Geoff Cowie, Bernard Kaye, Dave Flacks, Barbara Serres, Julia Dearing, Ric Dearing, Gareth Thomas, John Hampson, David Stevenson, Liz Stevenson, Dawn Herbert, John Herbert, Jean Keen, Dave Keen, Pauline Rudolph, John Rudolph, Liz Commins, Mark Weeks, John Griffith, Rekha Gatfield, Jill Oddie, Mike Greatbach, Chris Pope, Chris Raymond, Barry Jones, Angus Clarke, Sally Clarke, Paul Roberts, Julian Merrill, Richard Alcock.
1 Apologies. Apologies were received from Bob Pitts, George Eakin, Ted Revely, Al Stephenson, Joan King, Paul Holt and Andy Prothero.
2 The Minutes of the last AGM held on 21st June 2012 were approved 3. Matters Arising : There were no matters arising requiring discussion
4 Chairman’s Report. The Chairman, Paul Roberts, read his report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes and which will be available on the county web site. As suggested at the 2012 AGM, Paul also read out a list of some notable successes achieved by county players in the last year (also attached).
Paul distributed copies of a document from the EBU called “Bidding for the Future,” that sets out their strategy for 2013–2018.
He also gave out copies of a document defining some changes to the alerting and announcing rules, though David Stevenson said that there are more changes in the pipeline. All relevant changes will be put on the web site.
There was a discussion about Paul’s proposals concerning the county selection process. There was general agreement that while transparency and objectivity are desirable, the selection committee, or sub‐committee, should not publish the reasons for their decisions. There followed a long debate about the selection process which was continued later, before the election of the Selection Committee.
Everyone agreed that selecting teams to represent the county is not an easy task. The meeting was divided between those who think that selection should be based on some ranking system based on results and those who think that the current system of members of the committee voting independently is satisfactory. It was felt that it is important that representatives of the clubs should sit on the Selection committee.
For the decisions taken, please see item 7.3 A below.
5 Secretary’s Report. There was nothing to report except that the M&CBA constitution, as modified in line with the EBU’s requirements at the last AGM, has been sent to the EBU.
6 Treasurer’s Report.
The Treasurer distributed the audited Accounts (attached) which showed a profit for the year of £411.
Mike Greatbach suggested that the cash in hand, amounting to more than £12 500 was more than necessary. The surplus could be absorbed by reducing the pay‐to‐play rate from 4p. to 0. Another suggestion was to reduce the entry fees to county events.
The Chairman pointed out that the county has offered to use the reserves to help clubs with their development, but that no proposals have been received to date. He asked Mike Greatbach to make a proposal in writing that the Executive committee will consider at the next meeting.
7 Election of Officers
7.1 The Executive Committee: All being duly proposed and seconded, the following were elected:
Chairman ‐ Paul Roberts
Vice Chairman ‐ John Hampson
Secretary – Richard Alcock
Treasurer ‐ Julian Merrill
Tournament Secretary/Chairman – Liz Stevenson
Membership Secretary ‐ Liz Stevenson
Selection Committee Chairman – At David Stevenson’s request, the election of the Chairman was deferred until the committee members were known (See below ‐7.3A)
County Club Representative – Phil Nuttall
County Youth Officer. In spite of serious efforts, notably by Simon Whitehouse, himself a teacher, no progress has been made in developing the game in schools. There are also no candidates for the post of County Youth Officer and the Chairman asked whether anyone knew of someone who would be prepared to visit schools to try to arrange teaching and/or playing sessions. Help is available both from the EBU and the county but Simon had been met with apathy or antipathy when he had contacted schools. The secretary will write to the EBU to obtain a list of qualified teachers in the M&CBA region.
Other Executive Committee Members ‐ John Herbert, Dawn Herbert, Chris Pope and Geoff Cowie
7.2 Other Officers: all being duly proposed and seconded, the following were elected:
Hon Auditor ‐ Gareth Thomas
Chief Tournament Director ‐ David Stevenson
President ‐ Grattan Endicott
Vice‐Presidents –Jean Keen suggested that Dave Keen should be elected in view of his contributions to the county, notably as secretary to the selection committee. The following were elected : Doris Coltman, Erika Slatcher, Adrian Fontes, Chris Wentworth, Dawn Herbert, Liz Stevenson , Ted Reveley, Jean Keen, Julia Dearing and Dave Keen.
EBU Shareholders – In line with the Chairman’s proposal and with the President’s agreement, the two EBU shareholders will be, ex officio, the Chairman and vice‐Chairman, currently Paul Roberts and John Hampson. The Chairman emphasised that the President, Grattan Endicott, who was previously one of the shareholders does not wish to continue but that he is entitled to attend all shareholders’ meetings by virtue of his position within the EBU.
EBU Bridge County News Editor and County Newsletter Editor ‐ Bob Pitts
Webmaster – Barbara Serres. Jean Keen having expressed her wish to stand down at the AGM, has been working with Barbara Serres to ensure a smooth changeover.
7.3 Election of Sub Committees. All being duly proposed and seconded, the following were elected: