Stourbridge Institute Bridge Association

Minutes of Committee Meeting 11th November 2015

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

Minutes of the committee meeting of 9th September 2015 were approved

Chairman’s Report
• Once again the Sociable Bridge event was very enjoyable.
It was a shame that only 4 tables played bridge but more came for the meal in the evening
• Ian Thompson Tuition Session  - 2pm to 5pm Saturday November 28th
o 26 people have paid with another 8 possibly attending so we should make a small profit.
o It was reluctantly decided that providing tea and coffee in the interval, for so many people, would be too time-consuming. 
Squash and biscuits will be provided instead (LW to buy and to contact Paolo re the barrier and for glasses and jugs of water)
• The function room has been hired out on Friday November 20th so that bridge session will have to take place in the dining room.  GL to put an announcement in the Diary and JT to email members
• Christmas Party on December 11th
o It was decided that wine, juice and mince/apple pies will be provided in the dining room from 6:30pm. The only charge this year will be table money. Drinks – BB  Food – LW  Christmas music - GJ
As last year we will have a raffle in aid of Mary Stevens Hospice
o An announcement will go into the Diary giving details of the party and requesting items for the raffle (GL)
• Unfortunately Kingswinford Bridge Club is closing and they have bridge items they are keen to dispose of.
It was agreed that we should offer £120 for 120 packs of cards
MH to check the state of cards for Monday afternoon sessions

Vice-Chairman’s Report
• Committee meal to be at the Bell

Secretary’s Report
• Correspondence/Emails
o  EBU licensing and Master Points Handbook available
o Software EBUScore was available to clubs from October 1st but we have no plans to change over
o From 01/01/2016 the EBU rule about the number of boards which should be played for the awarding of master points will reduce from 75% to 70%
o The judicial review of bridge as a sport is on the EBU website
o Healey Cup November 22nd – details on notice board but no entries so far
Treasurer’s Report
• The handover from JT to SJ is now complete
• JT to organise change in signatories for cheques
• Reminder that a member who doesn’t get a game when Host, should pay 50p for the next game

Media Co-ordinator’s Report
• Items have been emailed to members - no complaints
• For details of how to become a member JT to investigate creating a link from our website to that of SISC

Head Director’s Report
• Following some instances of incorrect boards being used an email has been sent to scorers asking them to check that the correct boards are being played
• Two more members have responded to our questionnaire. BB to pass on to JT

Competitions Secretary’s Report
• Forthcoming events
Saturday November 21st              Championship Pairs
     Unfortunately there are fewer than 5 tables for this event
After much discussion it was reluctantly agreed that the event would not go ahead on this date. However, all felt that it is preferable to run the competition over 2 sessions on a Saturday rather than as a one session event on a normal club evening.
The committee unanimously agreed with the proposal put forward by SJ - that we try for another Saturday in April. However if we still have too few tables we will have to run this event in the evening.  GJ to check availability of Function Room in April.

Tuesday November 24th                Multi-teams

Friday December 11th                     Christmas Party (Mary Stevens Hospice Plate)

 Friday January 22nd                        Multi-teams

Rotas
• Rotas are up to date

Any Other Business
• The committee wished to thank Peter Adams for all the time and effort he puts into keeping our computer and Bridgemate running.
 We really are very grateful.

Date of next committee meeting
• January 13th 2016