Selsdon Bridge Club
Minutes of the AGM held at 7:15 pm on 8th September 2016 at Sanderstead Methodist Church
1. Members Present
A total of 37 members were present, the meeting was chaired by Roger Whittaker, Chairman.
2. Apologies for Absence
Received from Christine Attwood, Simon Desorger, Chas Fellows, Jill Fielder, Catherine Hendon, Vic Long, Roger Metcalfe, Andy Poole, Paul Skinner.
3. Minutes of the 2015 AGM
The minutes of the 2015 meeting were agreed having previously been posted on the notice board.
4. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
5. Chairman’s Report
Thank you everyone for coming this evening and for supporting your Club, not only this evening but throughout the year. Thank you too, to all those who participated in our questionnaire. I’ll be reporting on your responses later in the meeting.
To begin with, I would like to thank the committee and the officers for their hard work during the last twelve months. We have several people standing down this year as well as those coming off the committee by rotation. Jeremy Fitzpatrick is standing down as deputy chairman, Roger Fellows as Tournament Director and Denny Wade as Match Secretary. I believe both Denny and Roger have been on the committee for around 30 years. May I take this opportunity to thank each of them for their hard work over the years – we shall miss you all. Steve Irwin was co-opted back onto the Committee during the year and has taken on the role both of Website Officer and Membership Secretary. Thank you, Steve.
I would also like to thank Christine for looking after the Stewards / Host list, and I would like to thank Kay for keeping us supplied with drinks and biscuits during our bridge evenings.
I’m pleased to report that both our subscription and our table money will remain unchanged this year – that’s £5 subscription and £3.00 table money for members and £4.00 for guests. Steve will be responsible for collecting your annual subscription, which is now due, and he will also be taking the opportunity to check and up-date the information we hold on members. Liz is also here with her camera if anyone does not have their photo on our website (or would like a newer version)
Selsdon were runners up in the Wanborough Cup earlier this year – but I’m not aware of any other successes – please let me know if I have missed anything.
Membership of the Club has been steady this year with one or two new members. Sadly, Beryl Absalom passed away during the year, and two or three members have notified me that they will not be attending the Club in future as they have moved away.
Our equipment is in pretty good condition, but please let me know if you feel anything is not up to scratch. One request, please do not move the “Pass” cards to another box if someone runs out – we have spares.
During the year, further decoration work took place at the Sanderstead Methodist Church including new doors.
In September last year, the Church celebrated its 60th Anniversary with a “Community Exhibition”. Selsdon Bridge Club participated with members playing throughout the afternoon and evening. Visitors to the exhibition who wanted to try their hand were invited to sit in. I would like to thank everyone that took part and hope you had an enjoyable time.
Our calendar for the coming months is available on the website. We have the Surrey Simultaneous Pairs in a week’s time, The Club Pairs Challenge the following week, the next round of the IFE Cup on 6th October, and our Pairs Championship on 17th and 24th November.
Finally, (and I appreciate this is becoming a regular feature of agm’s) three quick requests:
1 Please would you put aside your post mortems of the previous hand when your new opponents reach your table.
2 If there is a problem at your table, please would you call the director politely and not try to solve the problem yourself.
3 Please regard the clearing away at the end of the evening as a shared task and do your part before leaving.
Thank you
May I wish you all an enjoyable and successful season.
6. Responses to Questionnaire
We received 24 written responses to the questionnaire plus verbal comments from 5 further members. I will give you a quick summary of the responses:
Are you happy that the Club stays as is, or would you like to see it change?
- Generally happy but almost half would like more members.
The committee agreed that the membership is currently stable and growth is not critical.
- One member suggested that rather than spending effort to recruit more members we should encourage existing members to come more often.
The committee agreed that they should circulate more and welcome people who don’t attend regularly, perhaps enquiring why we hadn’t seen them recently and encouraging them to come more often.
Steve has since analysed members’ attendance.
Set out up to three attributes of the Club which in your opinion might make it attractive to new members
- Seen as friendly / welcoming. Steward system popular. Location generally seen as good with good facilities and parking.
Set out up to three attributes of the Club which in your opinion might make it unattractive to new members:
- Using small room is not popular.
I have spoken to the Church but they insist they need the larger room for polling days
- Asking members to perform steward/hosting duties is a deterrent for new members.
Members should not be pressured to perform steward/hosting duties.
- Visitors/new members not always made welcome.
Committee members and stewards should look out for visitors/ new members, make them feel welcome and introduce them to me or the director who should announce their presence and introduce them to the room.
- The hall is often too cold.
I have spoken to Eddie Taylor of the Church who addressed the heating problem and also showed me how to turn on the heating if it is off. Since then there were more issues with the boiler/thermostat which has been fixed. It was pointed out that the new windows should help to keep out the cold. I recommended that we take no further action at the moment except to show other members how to turn on or increase the heating if necessary.
- Play is too slow / finishes late
Roger Fellows has alerted directors re slow play and explained that some members are concerned. Steve will give warnings on the website for special events that may finish after 10.30, e.g. To3, Teams Championships.
- Aggressive summoning of director and directing.
At Selsdon we believe that it is right to call the director in a friendly manner rather than try to solve the problem without calling the director.
Do you think our limited recruitment efforts should be focused on higher standard players / similar level players / beginners and less competent players?
- Keep standard up – maintain level ‘as is’
The committee agreed we should take no action for the present regarding recruitment but rely on word of mouth.
If the Club offered an additional weekly duplicate, would you be interested in attending? If so, please state whether you prefer daytime or evening and the day or days you might be available.
Committee voiced mixed responses. Many said they would consider playing if a daytime session was available. Also, many said that members who wished to play during the day already did so at other clubs.I have checked with the Church and at the moment, there are no additional spots available here.
Would you be happy to merge with one or more other club for purposes which might include increase of membership base and provision of further playing opportunities?
Committee agreed to take no action for the moment but maybe in the future on an opportunistic basis.
Would you be prepared to pay more table money in order to fund a recruitment drive?
There was no consensus and at present there is no plan for a recruitment drive.
How long on average does it take you to get home from the club after a Thursday evening session?
What is the longest amount of time you would be prepared to travel on a regular basis in order to play at a bridge club?
If you are willing to do so, please state below your address or postcode:
N/A as already have a pretty comprehensive list of members and addresses.
Please state below what other bridge clubs – if any – you are a member of:
These can provide useful contacts for future recruitment.
Is accessibility of location by public transport a factor which influences your decision to play at a bridge club (whether daytime or evening):
- The majority of members drive and were more concerned with parking arrangements.
The idea has been canvassed that the club might be renamed in order to identify it with a wider geographical area than Croydon. Do you think such idea worth considering?
- Divided opinion
- Members mainly open to change but many concerned Selsdon identified with high standard of play and might lose this pulling factor if change name.
Name will not change this year but Committee to keep under review,
Please add such further comments as you wish to assist the Committee in formulating plans to develop the club.
Tony proposed that we do EBED sim pairsinstead of EBU ones (EBED stands for English Bridge Education and Development – which is the national charity for the promotion and development of bridge).This matter will be discussed during the coming year – Tony will inform the committee regarding EBED.
Tony proposed Selsdon run a special event at a week-end, e.g. Swiss Pairs.– Watch this space.
Tony and I will discuss contacting Bridge Teachers to see whether they have students good enough to join Selsdon.
7. Treasurer’s Report
Copies of the Treasurer’s Report were circulated.
There has not been much change in the last year and finances remain sound.
Subscriptions and table money will remain unchanged for 2016/2017
8. Election of Officers and Committee
The following were duly elected: Roger Whittaker – Chairman. Annette Roberts – Secretary. David Elvin – Treasurer. Steve Irwin – Membership Secretary and Website Officer. Tony Cherrett – Tournament Director. Committee Members – Roxanne Day, Pat Hore and Tony Redshaw.
9. Presentation of Prizes
Prizes and Trophies were presented:
| IFE Cup |
1st |
Rosemarie Thompson & Eddie Richart |
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2nd |
Tony Cherrett & Steve Irwin |
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| Memorial Bowl |
1st |
Roger Fellows |
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2nd |
Christine Dyer |
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| Pairs Championship |
1st |
Roger Hitt & Roger Whittaker |
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2nd |
Christine Dyer, Robin Clarke |
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| Mixed Pairs |
1st |
Christine Dyer, Robin Clarke |
| (The Fred Hobden Cup) |
2nd |
Christine Atwood & Roger Fellows |
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| Teams Championship |
1st |
Tony Cherrett & Steve Irwin, |
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Roger Sugden & Dave Norman |
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2nd |
Christine Dyer & Robin Clarke, |
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David Dawson & David Elvin |
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| Teams of Three |
1st |
Tony Cherrett, David Elvin, Steve Irwin |
| (Rosemary Fellows Salver) |
2nd |
Annette Roberts, Roger Fellows, Chas Fellows |
10.Any Other Business
Frank Willson sent best wishes to Chas Fellow for his operation the following day.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 7:36 pm.