Minutes of Annual General Meeting
Michael Sheridan Room, Ballater - Tuesday 18 October 2019 - 6.30pm

Present:   President, Ian Ritchie, Secretary Freda Nimmo, Treasurer Anne Ritchie, Committee Member Maggie Gibson
and 22 Members

1.     Apologies

Julia Chambers, Jennifer and Graham MacMillan, Gay Wisely, Margaret Napier

2.     Minutes of the AGM on 16 October 2018

Taken as read, proposed by Derek North seconded by Noel Callaghan

3.     Matters Arising

Janet Riddler asked if a new Bank Account had been opened in Ballater.  Ian replied no as BoS seems to have a very difficult system for operning an account.   Funds are being banked at the Post Office which seems to be improving.

4.     Presidents Report

Ian thanked everyone for attending and confirmed we had had another good year of bridge.   He thanked Freda for taking over the task of scoring, and posting the results to the Website which has taken a weight off himself and Anne, and also for her work as Secretary.   He thanked Anne for her work as Treasurer and also keeping him on an even keel.  He thanked Maggie for her work with the catering.   He also thanked his son Alan who helps him set up the tables and chairs on a Tuesday evening.  Ian also mentioned Ian Wisely who is sadly missed.   He thanked Derek and Rosemary North for their assistance in setting up the tables when he and Anne were unavailable, and for collecting the table money on those occasions.

The Improvers Class on a Thursday rarely have 4 tables now, which is the required amount to cover the cost of the rent of the room, and there is now a question as to whether this is worthwhile or should we change it to the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month?

This developed into a lengthy debate from members as to the cost, the commitment of setting up and clearing away and the benefit to the Club.   Anne Robson said she woulld be willing to teach if this was required.   Elizabeth Thorburn sugested the 1st Thursday of every month.  There was a vote taken and it was decided to try the 1st Thursday of each month at 2.00pm and Anne Robson would offer a short talk, then some set hands showing certain topics to those who are interested.  This was agreed and to commence on Thursday 7 November 2019.

5.     Treasurers Report

Anne asked if there were any questions on the accounts which have been produced, and reported the Club was basically stable.   As mentioned the numbers have dropped on Thursdays and the Club was subsidising the rent of the Hall on most of these days.   She mentioned the sale of one of Joe Campbell's books and thanked Linda Hill for donating lots of biscuits.  Cheaper disposable cups have been sourced, but it was suggested members should bring their own cups.

Angus Davidson asked about two items on the Accounts, Shorts/Overs??   This was explained as the monies collected but not yet banked.   The second question was on the item of £66.00.   There was no explanation given on this.

Accounts adopted by Derek North and seconded by Maggie Gibson.

6.     Presentation of Prizes

The Winter Cup - Moorside Trophy 2018-2019 - (Average 10 best scores)

Rodney Heslop & Julia Chambers - 61.58%
Derek North & Rosemary North - 61.13%
Jim & Elizabeth Thorburn - 60.18%

The Winter Salver - Handicap Trophy - 2018-19

Anne Veitch & Anne Irvine - 52.27%
Ian & Anne Ritchie - 52.08%
Noel Callaghan & Isabel Harvey - 51.35%

The Summer Cup - 2019 - (Average 10 best scores)

Bill & Evelyn Farren - 70.14%
Jim & Elizabeth Thorburn - 62.28%
Derek & Rosemary North - 58.46%

MacRobert Trophy - Summer Handicap - 2019

Bill & Evelyn Farren 55.56%
Joy Harvey & Sonia Wolfe-Murray 54.39%
Peter & Linda Hill 52.38%

7.     Subscriptions

It was felt there was no reason to change the current position ie subscriptions £5.00 and table money £2.00 and visitors £3.00.   Jim Thorburn suggested having an Annual Fee instead of table money.   Thihs lead to a debate from the members as to whether it should be yearly fee or seasonal fee, and how much it should be.   The members discussed how it had worked and not worked at other clubs in Deeside.   No decision was made on the subject and it was left that the situation should remain as it has been in the past.   Anne said it would be helpful if members brought the exact money.

Proposal by Derek North - Seconded by Rosemary North

I propose the Club take a two week break at he end of the summer season, and also at Christmas and at the end of the winter season.

A vote was taken and it was decided there would be one week break between the winter and summer season and this would be 22-29 September.

Proposal by Sonia Wolfe-Murray - Seconded by Gilly Davies

I propose the position of a Director, and therefore this becomes the fourth member of the Committee, I propose Janet Riddler.   Ian Ritchie asked if Janet was prepared to do this and she replied yes.   The President then accepted the proposal.

Proposal by Janet Riddler - Seconded by Julia Chambers

Tea, coffee and water to be available for players as and when they want it until 9.30pm when refreshments should be cleared away by any available member.   OR  The tea break be discontinued.     

Maggie Gibson agreed with the first proposal.   She also suggested small anti-bacterial hand sanitizers be placed on each table, which she was willing to donate.

This was discussed at length and it was decided the tea break would remain as it is at present and one large pump dispenser of anti-bacterial sanitizer be placed on the refreshment table.

9.     Election of Officers

Ian Ritchie, Anne Ritchie agreed to stand for office in their current roles for one more year, but suggested membeers think about replacements for next year.   Freda Nimmo and Maggie Gibson agreed to stand for office in their current roles.

There was a vote of thanks from Bill Farren.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.20pm