Leverstock LeverstockGreen BridgeClub
Minutes of the 39th AGM held at the Catholic Church Hall,
Hemel Hempstead, on 21st November 2012 at 7.00 p.m.
1. Apologies
Brenda Baldock, Careen Benjamin, Susan Bond, Ann Corlett, Margaret & David Goodwin, John Hart, Jill Katzen, Christine Leek, Mike Minting, Sheila Oxenham, Di Savill.
2. Minutes of the 38th AGM
The minutes were circulated and approved, their adoption being proposed by Maureen Harrold.
3. Matters arising from the last AGM
3.1 Item 3.1 Hall heating: Margaret said the situation is gradually improving and it seems OK at the moment.
3.2 Item 3.4 Financial statement: this was available to those who wanted it but not place on the website.
3.3 Item 10.1 Sims pairs: Pat Jacobs asked why, when a majority voted at the last AGM to greatly reduce the number we participated in to say only 4 or 5, the same number were being held this year. She feels the Committee should not override the opinions of members. Margaret said this vote had been informal and non binding and the majority of the Committee decided to continue with the status quo. The AGM vote had been very close and these events are popular with many and generally get the same support as ordinary sessions. Maureen Harrold had spoken to Tuesday morning people and the majority said they liked sims pairs. Pat Hobson commented that no other clubs in the area hold so many. Gary said we currently run 8 on Wednesdays and 8 on Tuesdays. Audrey Poole suggested we compromise and keep the total number to say 10. Tom Banks asked if it was possible for people to opt out on these evenings and play separately, but although in principle this seemed a good idea, it was agreed it would be very difficult to implement. As this subject was taking up much time and had not even been put forward as a matter for discussion beforehand, Margaret felt enough had been said and that the matter would almost certainly be brought up again by the new Committee.
4. Report from the Chair
4.1 Margaret said this had been a year of ups and downs. There has been some controversy over our policy on offering plenty of simultaneous pairs events, but the Committee wished to continue to do this. Our numbers have been buoyant and our finances are sound.
4.2 For most of this year we have used unpaid directors to run club trophy events, but we have decided to revert to using paid directors and take the burden of extra complexity and playing while directing off our volunteers. Some of our regular directors, particularly on Tuesdays have now retired from the job. We thank them for their help over the years and we have two volunteers to go on a director course to help fill the gap.
4.3 The Club entered two teams in the NICKO last year and one reached the third round. This year we have just one team and they have just won their first match. It was also pleasing to collect cups on behalf of our members at the Herts AGM, in particular for the winners of the Marjorie Lukyn, Bill Kenney and Peter Leary.
4.4 David Fensome arranged another club holiday this year, with Susie Bond directing. Our plan for the coming year is to join an organised holiday at Potters in Norfolk.
4.5 This year we have lost two of our members, Fred Freund and Bill Oxenham, who will be sadly missed.
4.6 Margaret ended by saying that that today she will be handing over the baton after a short three years as Chair. She wished her successor and the Committee well and thanked all the members for making her participation here an enjoyable experience.
5. Treasurer’s Report and Election of Auditor
5.1 Sue Ganney said that we seem to be making more money, especially as the accounts only cover an 11 month period. Although table money seems down, we will no longer be charging for trophies which will be for the good of members as a whole. We will not be putting up our prices and everything appears to be progressing well.
5.2 The accounts were offered for viewing a month ago, and if anyone wanted a copy they were asked to email Sue and they would be sent by email. However, after the complaints made last year, rather surprisingly only one person asked for them and they were also sent to two other members whom Sue knew wanted them.
5.3 Tom Banks enquired whether the hall hire charges would be the same. Sue explained that what we pay is based on the number of sessions and an hourly rate and paid monthly.
5.4 An enquiry was also made as to why we offer free vouchers for only 11 tables on Tuesdays and 14 on Wednesdays and was it because we subsidise this. The reply was that we never have paid directors on Tuesdays and Margaret considers that this a reasonable number for the two sessions.
5.5 Sue said we have not been approached about the rent for this year, but does not think we should pay any more because of the ongoing problems experienced with the heating.
5.6 Our Auditor, John Jackson, has kindly agreed to do the accounts for the forthcoming year.
6. Election of the Committee and New Chair
6.1 Margaret said there have been proposals for three new Committee members:
Gary Conrad – Chairman Proposed by Pat Jacobs, seconded by Susie Bond
Careen Benjamin Proposed by Gary Conrad, seconded by Bob Ainsworth
Andrew Blakesley Proposed by Maureen Harrold, seconded by Jackie Davies
These proposals were not put to the vote as there had been no other applications. All three are willing to stand, and the remainder of the existing Committee have also indicated that they are happy to stand again. Margaret then asked Gary to take the Chair.
6.2 Gary introduced himself to members and gave a brief resume of his previous career and interests. Significantly he is the chief tournament director for both Hertfordshire and Middlesex and was formerly on the Committee of the Watford Bridge Club. His aims are to promote LGBC and support any initiatives to enable it to continue to thrive. His first job, however, was to give a vote of thanks to Margaret for all her work.
7. Selection of Teams for the NICKO
7.1 A letter from David Adcock, with various attachments, had been made available to members at the beginning of the meeting. David was given the floor and made a speech reflecting its contents. The main issues he raised were firstly regarding the way we select teams to represent LGBC in the NICKO (National Inter-Club Knockout Plate) and secondly how we subsidise them. Currently the Tournament Secretary selects the principal team and the entry fee of £70 is paid by the Club. Members may however submit further applications for additional teams, which need the approval of the Tournament Director and the entry fee may be subsidised by the Club.
7.2 David is not happy with this procedure and there then followed fairly lengthy discussion with various members expressing their views. Gary said he will take the proposal back to the committee for discussion, although he feels that the Tournament Secretary should be the person to choose the first team.
8. Any Other Business
8.1 Pat Jacobs asked if we could speak to the person in charge of the hall to ensure we have an outside light. It is on a timer, but it is not always on late at night.
8.2 Maureen Harrold then handed Margaret Ainsworth a gift in thanks from the club.
9. Trophy Presentation
Andrew Blakesley and Maggie Steven presented the trophies as follows:
Andrew Blakesley Cup John Neville, Jackie Davies, Margaret & Bob Ainsworth
Gordon Harris Trophy Stanley Hartland & Eric Groome
BryanElkington Trophy David Goodwin, John Hart, John Neville & Jackie Davies
Sutcliffe Bowl Jane Scaysbrook, John Mathews, Margaret & Bob Ainsworth
Alan Grace Trophy John Neville & Jackie Davies
Festival Trophy Roger Edmonds & Pat Jacobs
Maureen Roberts Cup Tom Banks & Pat Henry
Mike Reid Shield John Neville & Jackie Davies
Tuesday Challenge Shield Jackie Davies
Wednesday Challenge Shield John Wareham
Gary then declared the meeting closed.
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