Kelso Bridge Club 44th AGM
21 August 2024 6.00 p.m.
Apologies:
Margot McVie, Avril Ronald, Maureen Wightman, Jean McLaren, Jean Henry, Myra Thomson, Christine Fitz-Gerald, Mark Andrew and David Harris Burland.
28 members present
.
Minutes of the 2023 AGM:
Agreed.
Matters Arising:
None
Treasurer’s Report:
Helen tabled the annual accounts for the year ending 31 July 2024, which had been audited by Rennie Welch. The Club funds stand at a very healthy £5,193.75 which include an amount of £488.56 owed to BABC. The accounts were unanimously approved. The Secretary agreed to circulate an electronic copy to members.
The Treasurer asked if anyone would be willing to act as Deputy Treasurer as next year she is planning to be away for at least six weeks. If anyone is interested please contact Helen.
Annual subscriptions to remain the same £15.00 (£12.00 for SBU and £3.00 for KBC). Payments where possible to be made by bank transfer. The Secretary agreed to circulate an electronic copy to members.
Table money – Helen proposed that “table money” be paid electronically in advance. It is proposed to trail this for the period 1 September to 31 December 2024. Members will have the option of either setting up a standing order, pay by bank transfer or pay monthly by cheque. Helen advised the whole idea of changing is to become cashless and negate the need for her to visit the bank weekly to make deposits. Our Treasurer will collate information on who has paid and how much, using a spreadsheet that can be uploaded onto the Kelso Bridge Club website. Members will then be able to check if they are on track with their payments and make any adjustments necessary.
This proposal was proposed by John Loudon, seconded by Lindy Mastenbroek-Andrew and agreed by the majority of members.
Detailed instructions will be issued to members. The Committee will review this in the New Year and make any necessary adjustments.
It was agreed to advertise in advance the charity nights and which charity it was to benefit so members could choose to opt out that evening.
President’s Report:
John reported that the Club had had a very successful year with play every week apart from the Festive season and the Elections.
He advised Kelso Bridge Club had hosted 2 BABC (Borders Association of Bridge Clubs) events at Abbey Row which had been well attended. Kelso continues to chair the BABC this year. BABC Pairs to be held on Sunday 24 November 2024 and BABC Teams to be held on Sunday 16 March 2025.
The Prize evening had been a very successful event with a buffet provided by an external caterer and drinks provided by the Committee.
Congratulations to all winners of prizes and in particular to Vanessa Wilson and Chris Anthony for winning a national SIMS event.
Anne and Jean had attended a training day for Tournament Directors and it was hoped further training could be provided to enable other members of the Club to be trained to act as a TD.
John thanked the committee for their support and hard work and all the members for continuing to support the Club.
Committee 2024-2025:
The following members were elected unanimously onto the committee:
President: Quentin McLaren
Vice President: Paul Hunt
Treasurer: Helen Todd
Secretary: Shirley Redgrave
Tournament Directors Jean McLaren / Anne Coles
Match Point Sec Brian Saywood
Members: Sheena McPherson, Anne Coles, Lindy Mastenbroek-Andrew
and John Loudon
The Chair was proposed by Sheena and seconded by Lindy and Vice Chair proposed by Cathy and seconded by Brian. The Secretary proposed by Vanessa and seconded by John L and Treasurer proposed by Lindy and seconded by Jean.
Quentin took over the meeting and thanked John for his period of acting as Chair.
Membership update
Quentin advised the Club had 15 new members bringing the total membership to 67 and sadly noted the death of Anne Fingland. He advised on average there were 6 playing tables each night.
Development Initiatives
Quentin thanked Sheena, Vanessa and Richard for their continued support in encouraging new members to the Club. Details of the next round of Gentle Pairs will be issued shortly.
Vanessa commented that no “No Fears Bridge – come along and play” events had been held during the year but hoped these could be accommodated this year as an initiative to encourage new members to the club. It was suggested that when these were organised the improvers should participate in the bridge night but have dedicated tables to play at.
Any Other Business
Quentin advised the club only had 2 Tournament Directors – Jean and Anne and to run an event it is a SBU stipulation that a TD is in attendance. Quentin advised that he hoped volunteers would come forward and training opportunities would be sought.
Playing cards – Quentin advised all cards had been replaced in June 2023 and would be replaced as needed. The “Pass” cards in the bidding boxes would be replaced when required. It was noted these cost 0.30p each.
Leagues – Ken asked whether it would be possible to play in the league and it was noted this was not available at this time. It was suggested that friendly matches be played against neighbouring teams.
It was noted there were 2 BABC events organised for the coming season and the KBC were looking into running a Congress in June 2025.
There being no other business, the Meeting ended at 6.45p.m
Kelso Bridge Club 42nd AGM
August 2023 6.00 p.m.
Apologies: Beth Stark, John and Marian Miller, Helen Todd, Helen Long, Cathy MacPherson.
29 members present.
Minutes of the 2022 AGM: agreed.
Matters Arising: none
Proposed Alterations to the Constitution:
- A change to the club objective – adding the words “develop” and “friendly”.
- 2/3 majority of “those present” at an AGM to agree an increase in fees.
- To change the AGM from April to August – to bring in line with SBU and our playing calendar.
- The retiring president to serve an extra year on the committee to share his/her experience with the new president.
All changes were agreed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Club funds stand at a very healthy £4,452.93 (£700+ more than in 2022). unanimously approved.
President’s Report: John reported on the Club’s response to a challenging season which had seen a drop off in member numbers and a Christmas party cancelled due to bad weather. The drop in numbers was being tackled with a proactive development initiative (see later item). The response to bad weather was to organise online bridge and to use the annual dinner and prize giving as a special celebration, held at the golf club and subsidised by the club, to thank members for their support.
Kelso takes on the role of chair for the BABC (Borders Association of Bridge Clubs) this year. More details later.
In the new season the club hopes to develop more people to set up the computer and train new Tournament Directors. The latter being an urgent requirement.
John thanked Margo and Vanessa for their sterling service on the committee.
Development initiative: We were able to welcome twelve developing players to the club – all had undertaken lessons and were looking to improve their play. They were welcomed and integrated into the club on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. It is hope that at least five will join the club this year.
Committee 2023-2024:
The following members were elected unanimously onto the committee:
President: John Loudon (serving a second term in the absence of a vice-chair in 22-23)
Vice President: Quentin McLaren
Treasurer: Helen Todd
Secretary: Shirley Redgrave
Tournament Director Jean McLaren
Match Point Sec Brian Saywood
Members: Sheena McPherson, Anne Coles, Lindy Mastenbroek-Andrew
There being no other business, the Meeting Ended at 6.45p.m
Kelso Bridge Club 41st AGM
September 2022 6.15 p.m.
Apologies: Beth Stark, Lindy Mastenbroek-Andrew, Barbara Pavey, Mary Millar, John and Marian Miller, Jon Bridger, Janet Kyle, Helen Todd, John Urquart.
27 members present.
Minutes of the 2020 (virtual) AGM: agreed.
Matters Arising: none
Treasurer’s Report: Club funds stand at a very healthy £3 873 (£1050 more than in 2020) the surplus has been generated from our participation in Bridge Base Online tournaments.
Membership Subs 2022-3: We await news from SBU re their subs for the coming year. We agreed that Kelso Bridge Club subs would remain at £3.
President’s Report: Sheena reported on the Club’s very speedy and successful response to Covid restrictions, in contrast to many other Scottish clubs who are sadly struggling to survive. Our members responded very positively to playing online competitions and thanks must be given to Jon, Vanessa and Jean for organising. Sheena also commented on the sad demise of a number of valued members.
A vote of thanks and token of our appreciation was given to Sheena for a very successful presidency.
Proposed Committee 2022-2023
President: John Loudon Proposed. Sheena M, Seconded Quentin McLaren
Vice President: Vacancy
Treasurer: Helen Todd Proposed: John L, Seconded: Sheena M Member: Shirley Redgrave Proposed Vanessa W Seconded: John L
Member: Sheena McPherson Proposed: Vanessa W, Seconded John L
Vanessa Wilson will continue as Secretary, Margot McVie, Jean McLaren and Brian Saywood will continue as members.
Our thanks to Jon Bridger for his leading role on the committee over the last few years.
Proposed Alteration to the Constitution: The committee proposed a change to the constitution to reflect actual practice and the need to demonstrate inclusive practices.
Current 2022
MEMBERSHIP
4. Application for membership shall be made in writing to the Honorary Secretary.
Candidates for admission to membership shall be proposed and seconded by two
members of the Club and the election of members shall be by a simple majority of
the Committee of Management
PROPOSED
MEMBERSHIP
4. Membership of the Bridge Club shall be open to all. Any application for
membership will not be unreasonably refused (Committee will adjudicate). Applications should be made via the club secretary.
Proposed Jean McLaren
Seconded Sheena MacPherson
After a brief discussion the AGM agreed unanimously for the alteration.
Kelso Bridge Club Sessions: 50 members responded to the questionnaire regarding potential changes to our playing sessions. A small majority voted for one afternoon session instead of an evening – but the number was not significant (17). A small number also voted for online bridge. (A full breakdown results can be found on the club website) It was agreed therefore that we would continue with two evening sessions for now as long as we attract sufficient participants. We also agreed that the Committee would be happy to support anyone who wished to organise a trial of afternoon sessions at Abbey Row in addition to evenings. (We would book the room, promote the event etc)
Teaching Sessions: Frances Breustedt proposed holding a Short Evening Course to teach Basic ACOL at Abbey Row. The meeting agreed that we should encourage this initiative and support Frances with resources, booking of Abbey Row, publicity etc.
No Fears Bridge: Andrew Wilson asked if we would continue to offer a version of No Fears (now called “Open Evening”) in the forthcoming programme. We agreed to do so.
The Meeting Ended at 6.55p.m
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