Rugby and District Bridge League

at Lane End, Merttens Drive, Rugby at 10.00 a.m.

Present:

    N. Bainbridge;  J. Carrington;  C. Cooper;  S. Downton;  J. Drake; 

1.         Apologies

L. Edwards

2.         Minutes from Last Meeting

Taken as read and passed unanimously.

3.         Matters Arising from last Meeting

See 4 – Review of Actions.

4.         Review of Actions

(i)        09/13/01

L. McClean had resigned from the Committee, another signatory would be needed for the Bank Mandate.  C. Cooper to be added to the list of
S. Downton and J. Carrington.  S. Downton to arrange a date for all three to visit the Bank.

(ii)       09/13/03

Completed.

(iii)      09/13/05

To be arranged when convenient for JD and CC.

(iv)     09/13/06

Ongoing.

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(v)       09/13/07

J. Drake had spoken to Terry Bradbury and had been assured everything was in hand.  S. Downton disagreed and said nothing had changed;  Terry Bradbury was not prepared to delegate.  Jim Shoesmith had an issue with Terry Bradbury as he could not agree a date.

N. Bainbridge suggested wording for a letter to T. Bradbury and this was agreed.

J. Carrington suggested that, as from the start of next year’s League season, it was made a requisite for all teams to nominate a vice-captain.  This to be on the agenda for the AGM in July 2014.

This raised the question of how much leeway should be given to teams for late play of Cup matches..

(vi)      09/13/08

Nicky will adapt her document to Word for the website.

(vii)    09/13/09

N. Bainbridge has arranged a free Workshop for Convention Cards for
7^th November 2013 and will circulate Clubs with details.

(viii)   09/13/10

On going.

(ix)      09/13/13

J. Drake had approached John Pyner and he has agreed to act in the event of any appeals.

(x)       09/13/15

J. Drake, N. Bainbridge and C. Cooper to meet to update the Rules, Constitution and Code of Conduct .

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(xi)      09/13/17

Not yet completed. 

(xii)     09/13/18

This had been wrongly minuted.  J. Carrington had asked for projections from J. Drake at the last meeting.  J. Drake replied that he felt the League was working well and is evolving.  Nothing needs to be done at the moment.

5.         Treasurer’s Report

No change from last month - balance is £570.75.

          N. Bainbridge suggested we should draw up a budget for next year. 

It was suggested that we should invest in some tables;  J. Drake suggested that it may be better to hire a venue to play matches.

J. Drake suggested, and it was agreed, that the League should hold a reserve in the Bank of £500.

There was a suggestion that we could arrange another competition with a money prize.

It was agreed that whilst there should be three signatories on the Bank Mandate, only one signature was needed for cheques.

6.         Correspondence

None apart from emails from Wendy Pattinson and John Bolton – see item 7.

7.         Convention Cards

N. Bainbridge had circulated a draft response to John Bolton regarding the use of Convention Cards and would put comments into the Newsletter which she will be issuing shortly. 

J. Drake would reply to John Bolton and Wendy Pattinson, using Nicky’s draft.

J. Drake said that players are expected to follow the Rules and we have the right to penalise players who do not use Convention Cards.  There is a potential problem with experienced players not using Convention cards, especially when playing against inexperienced players.  It was noted that most Clubs insist on the use of Convention Cards.

J. Carrington agreed we should encourage players to use Convention Cards.

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8.         Computer Dealt Hands

There had been a query about the use of computer dealt hands.  If one team offers computer dealt hands for the match, the opposition are always given the option whether they wish to use these hands or to deal the hands on the night.  It was decided to let Team Captains decide if they wished to accept the computer dealt hands.

9.         League Status

Everything proceeding well.

10.   Conduct Committee

          Nothing to report.

11.      Rules and Constitution

This to be dealt with by J. Drake, N. Bainbridge and C. Cooper, bringing these together with the Code of Conduct.

12.      Job Descriptions

These to be left for now.

13.      Promotions / Relegations

It was decided that if there are six teams in each division, then there would be one team promoted and one team relegated in each division.

14.       Any Other Business

As Lynda McClean had resigned, one more Committee member was required. 
C. Cooper to approach Hugh Williams as it was felt that a player from outside the Rugby area would be appropriate.

The meeting closed at 11.35.

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