LOWESTOFT BRIDGE CLUB Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of LowestoftBridge Club held at the Bloodmoor Community Centre, Carlton Colville on 11th May 2009 at 6. 50pm Apologies for absence Arthur Day, Barry Learner, Terry Strudwick, David Thompson, Paul Whittley. Minutes of A.G.M. held on 8th May 2008 The minutes of the 2008 A.G.M. had been displayed at the club for three weeks but had not been duplicated. The chairman read aloud the Any Other Business section of the minutes. It was proposed by Marie Yapp that the minutes were a true representation of the meeting and should be signed. This was seconded by Denyse Ffitch. The proposal was carried. Matters Arising Lowestoft Trophy: Alec Hillier pointed out that the Lowestoft Trophy was still being hosted by the club even though a decision had been made at the 2008 AGM for Norfolk to be asked to make other arrangements. It was explained that the committee had re-considered this, and had decided that the club should continue to host the competition. Babstan Trophy: The agreement at the 2008 AGM to abandon the handicap system used for the Babstan Trophy had also been re-considered by the committee and, in the absence of an alternative, the decision had been made to continue the competition as before. This will be discussed by the new committee. AGM decisions: Alec commented that in both cases the committee had over-ruled the wishes expressed by members at the AGM and hadn’t passed this information on to the members. Chairman's report The Chairman thanked the departing committee for their hard work, with particular thanks for the contribution made by Jan Jay, now retiring after many years as secretary. She thanked the new committee for volunteering their services. Thanks were also given to the members themselves for continuing to support the club with their attendance on club nights. Treasurer's Report The treasurer had tabled the end of year accounts prior to the commencement of the meeting. He reported that although membership was down attendance had shown an increase on the previous year. The club was still solvent, the financial situation being helped by the generous donations from Paul Grant and others following the death of Sue. The EBUs Pay to Play scheme would affect the club, probably causing an increase in Table Dues of about 25p a night. Pay to Play would have to be discussed and ballotted on by the club later in the year. Robert thanked Lou Claydon for auditting the accounts. Trevor Crisp queried whether it was necessary to hold a reserve as high as £1811, Robert replied that it was a healthy reserve, sufficient to cover unexpected expences, for example an increase in rent or the purchase of tables. It was proposed by Janice Cluer and seconded by Gill Phillippo that the accounts should be accepted. This was carried unanimously. Election of Officers and Committee Nominations for the committee were: Chairman Janice Cluer Secretary Felicity Hillier Treasurer Robert Shreeve Committee Members Arthur Day, Richard Duckett, Bob Hasell, Gill Phillippo, Bridget Shreeve, Marie Yapp. It was proposed by Gerry Moore and seconded by Philip Wills that the nominated officers and committee members be elected en bloc. The proposal was carried unanimously. The outgoing Chairman handed over to the incoming Chairman, Janice Cluer. Presentation of Trophies The Chairman then presented the trophies for the 2008/2009 season to: Miller Vases Gaye Pocock & Sylvia Carver Babstan Trophy Terry Yapp & Marie Yapp Flitch Cup Alec & Felicity Hillier Caister Fare Cup Gaye Pocock & Robert Shreeve Waddington Goblet Phyl Howard Chicago Cup Terry Yapp and Marie Yapp Challenge Bowl Gaye Pocock & Sylvia Carver Gorleston Salver Jan Jay & Dora Rose Chairman's Salver Phyl Howard Maggie Higgins Trophy Robert Shreeve John White Trophy Robert Shreeve & Bridget Shreeve, Marie Yapp & Sheila Bultitude It was noted that the Maggie Higgins Trophy had disappeared whilst at the St Mark’s Centre, and that enquiries continued to be made to find it. EBU Pay to Play Janice Cluer said that the implications of the EBU pay to Play scheme would have to be considered by the club, and that she wanted everyone to read the relevent documents before the decision whether or not to affliate was made. She asked that copies of the documents should be printed and given to every member. Felicity and Robert briefly outlined the contents of the scheme; the committee would consider how best to ballot the members. Gerry Moore suggested that the club would have to go forward with the EBU otherwise the club would fall away. Any Other Business Trophies: Bridget suggested that the trophies should no longer be presented but put into storage, certificates being awarded in their place. No decision was made. Peter Howlett thanked Bridget for her work as Chairman. There being no other business the meeting closed at 7.15 pm. Minutes of an Extraordinary General Meeting held on 25th June 2009, at St Mark’s Centre, Oulton Broad, at 6.50 pm. Thirty two members of the club were present and there were apologies for absence from Mac Taylor, Letty Browning, Gerry Moore and Evelyn Smith. The chairman, Janice Cluer, said that the meeting had been called to consider the proposal that “Lowestoft Bridge Club will maintain its affiliation to the English Bridge Union and will accept the terms of the Pay to Play scheme which comes into effect from April 2010”. Janice said that all members of the club had had the opportunity to read the EBU documents relating to Pay to Play. She felt that the club should join the scheme; not to join would result in a loss of members and diminution of standards, also the club would no longer be able to play in simultaneous pairs or county competitions. She said that the committee were unanimous in their support for the proposal. There were no comments from the floor. The proposal was put to the club and was accepted by thirty one votes to none, with one abstention. The chairman then signed the Application to Affiliate. The meeting closed at 6.53 pm. |