Stourbridge Institute Bridge Association

Minutes of Committee Meeting 13th January 2016

Present: Linda Wright, Georgina Lineker, James Taylor, Sally Johnson,
               Glo Jackson
 
Apologies: Barry Brice, Margaret Hanson, Gavin Tringham

Minutes of the committee meeting of 11th November 2015 were approved

Chairman’s Report
Chairman Report to January 2016 Committee Meeting
I apologise for my absence and have asked Linda Wright to chair the meeting and deliver this report.
Following our last meeting I contacted John Macriner representing Kingswinford Bridge Club regarding our offer to purchase their stock of unused playing cards.  It turns out that Kingswinford Bridge Club has now decided to continue into the new year and while its long term future is uncertain the present position is that they do not wish to sell the cards.
The feedback I have received from the Ian Thompson training session has been very positive both from our members and also those from outside who attended.  I believe we made some profit from the event, though that was not the prime reason for holding it.  I would propose that we hold another such event later in the year.
I shall leave it to Georgina to report upon the results of the 2015 Evening and Afternoon Order of Merit competitions and the 2015 Improver competition.  Announcements of the results should be added to director announcements.
It was disappointing that the 2015 Pairs competition had to be postponed.  I would ask that Georgina send us all an email as to possible Saturday dates when the postponed competition may be held and that we all email by way of reply dates we and our partners can make from the dates put forward.  I make this suggestion because I believe those who showed interest for the cancelled date were mainly made up from Committee members and their partners.  Before finalising the date I also think it would be sensible to take availability soundings from pairs who have attended in the past. 
I note that the next Committee meeting will be on 9th March and on that evening we are also due to have the annual Committee dinner.  I assume the Social secretary will book the venue and therefore suggestions as to where that might be should be made to her.
Finally, I set out below a copy of the Bridge Section Report which I have sent to the Institute’s Secretary for inclusion in the Institute’s Annual Accounts and Report.
Bridge Section Report
Players from the bridge section have continued to represent the club in various county competitions in the last 12 months, including county leagues, grand prix teams, county matches and various pairs events.
Successes have included the win by Georgina Lineker and her partner of the County Ladies Pairs Championship and also the win by Georgina and Ian Lineker of the County Veterans Pairs Championship.
During the course of the year members of the bridge section held two Saturday social bridge sessions followed in each case by a meal in the evening.  These events were very much enjoyed and it is hoped to hold similar events in 2015.
We also organised a training afternoon where those members attending received expert improver tuition from a leading county player.
As in previous recent years the biggest concern of the bridge section is falling numbers, though the decline has not been as great as was the case in 2014.  It is also the case that bridge clubs generally are suffering similar problems.  We have lost members for a variety of reasons.  Such reasons include ill-health and sadly in some cases death.  As part of our efforts to attract new members we invited the bridge playing group from Stourbridge Tennis Club to one of our evening sessions.  A good number attended and the feedback was that they enjoyed their visit and in fact two of those who attended have now joined the Institute and are attending the bridge section regularly.

• Following the positive feedback for Ian Thompson’s tuition session it was agreed that another session should be arranged for later in the year 
BB to contact Ian re dates – possibly September
• There was also very good feedback from the Christmas Party and it was decided that we will use the same format next year.
• Championship Pairs
o The committee opted for a known free date - Saturday April 16th- rather than risk the function room not being available later.  GJ to phone Carl
The same requirement of 5 tables for the event to go ahead
Food from SISC
GL to put the event in the announcements diary now and a notice on the board at the start of March
o JT to email members

Vice-Chairman’s Report
• LW to book the committee meal at the Bell  - Wednesday March 9th at 7pm
• GJ to check that Saturday March 12th is available for the social bridge event
LW to put a notice on the board then MH to book Vesuvios when numbers for the event are known.
JT to email members

Secretary’s Report
• Correspondence/Emails
o The latest EBU Club Management Focus newsletter is available
o National Grading Scheme – anyone acting as host can opt out
o EBU Sim Pairs – every club holding a heat is entered into a prize draw: the leading pair also.  Currently we do not participate in EBU Sim Pairs
• County News
o The County can provide a list of members who have been absent for a year or more and a list of guests to the club. JT to download the lists and email to the committee

Treasurer’s Report
• The handover from JT to SJ is almost complete
• In order to change signatories for cheques all signatories need to sign the appropriate form. JT to contact David Banks. LW & SJ to replace DB & MD as signatories.

Media Co-ordinator’s Report
• JT has creatied a link from our website to that of SISC
• Results of the 2015 Evening and Afternoon Order of Merit competitions and the 2015 Improver competition to be emailed to members
• It was decided that minutes of committee meetings should be stored on our website

Rotas
     Rotas are on the calendar
 
Competitions Secretary’s Report
Forthcoming events
• Friday January 22nd                        Multi-teams
• Sunday February 14th                      Club Representative Pairs at Cutnall Green
The top pairs from the Evening Order of Merit and the Championship Pairs to be invited to take part, working down the lists if pairs are not available. GLto check
• Tuesday February 9th                        Ladies and Mens Pairs Championship
• Friday February 26th                         Individual Champioship
Mike Heard to direct.
GL to put a notice on the board and an entry in the announcements diary
• Saturday March 12th                           Social Bridge (2pm) and meal
• Friday March 18th                               Teams Championship

Resources Co-ordinator’s Report
• Cards
Cards ordered by MH to be paid for by SISC
• Raffles
Next Tuesday’s raffle to be organised by GL and LW

Any Other Business
• Once again the committee expressed gratitude to Peter Adams for all the time and effort he puts into Bridgemate and our computer

Date of next committee meeting
• March 9th, 7pm at the Bell