Member Survey Results
Thank you to everyone that answered the survey. We had 156 responses – and most had favourable comments and suggestions. We give you a few quick stats from the survey:
MP Level of Respondents
75% of Respondents (and by extension, the membership) having less than 1000 MP
- 19% 0 – 50 MP
- 27% 51-300 MP
- 30% 301-1000 MP
- 15% 1001-2500 MP
- 10% > 2500 MP
Note - rounding results in 101%
Desired or Intended Playing Frequency (Per Week)
- 1-2 43%
- 3-4 45%
- 5-7 12%
- >7 1%
Note - rounding results in 101%
LINKED games & TEAM games: The response indicated substantial enthusiasm for these games. As such, we are making some changes to the current schedule. We have already added a Sunday LINKED game and have modified a couple of existing LIMITED games with a LINKED Open game.
More opportunities for OPEN players and more opportunities for more points for ALL players.
BBO has been enhancing their virtual system to accommodate TEAM games. MObridge is planning a trial SWISS TEAM GAME for March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day. If successful, a TEAM game will be added to the regular schedule.
TEAM LEAGUE: Enthusiasm for this was mainly from the higher MP levels. We will follow up to determine how ACBL & BBO plan to implement this. Stay tuned for more.
SPEEDBALL pairs & IMP scored games: The response was less than overwhelming. Hence, no plans to add anything here.
Some of the comments received included concerns about the timing of games, the time allotted per game (6 minutes too short for some), number of games per session, cost of the online games, limited games point count, and more. We will continue our review of this input and determine how/if we can accommodate these requests.
Thank you again for your participation and input.
The Directors’ Corner
During the game, when calling the Director, make sure to use the 3 bar option, typing the reason for you call in the space provided, as opposed to private chat with the Director. Director Calls using this option allows the Director to come right to your table (as opposed to having to find you, which is the case when you use chat) and it stays in the Director Call List until the Director can get to your call (They do sometimes get more than 1 Director Call at once). Using this feature does save time with no chance of your “call” being lost in chat.
The Directors can’t stress enough how important it is for you to be registered for your game at least 5 minutes ahead of start time (10 minutes would be ideal). And if you do register earlier, make sure you are back at Registration at least 5 minutes before game start time (again, 10 minutes would be ideal). Last minute entries quite often change the setup, and sometimes without enough time to do so. There have also been situations where players have been removed from our listing (BBO glitch) ... time is needed before game start to help out in such situations. Unlike at the Club, where the game setup can be entered after game start, on BBO it MUST be set before game start. Hopefully, if this happens to you, the Director has enough time to help out.
The Directors have also noted that it’s rare they find a pair playing in our Virtual Club without a completed Convention Card. This is was not the case a few months back. Well done MObridge players.
You may have noticed that the Director is now listed in the game’s opening comments.
President’s Message - February 2021
We have now completed 10 months of ‘suspended operations’! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but it looks more like a pin hole. As I write this update, we have 3% of Canadians vaccinated at least once, but only 0.3% have received both doses necessary for full vaccination. Not nearly enough but a start. This is a critical measure for our readiness to resume in-person play, since many of our members want to be assured of a safe environment, the indication being 100% of all attending the game.
We continue to monitor the situation so the club can open safely and in a timely manner. Eric Pinto and his team have been working hard to understand the options and determine the safest environment and appropriate timing. At this time, we have more questions than answers. Many factors are beyond our control and are dependent on decisions by others.
We do control the game offerings we provide, both virtually and in-person. This is a unique opportunity to establish a program that reflects the wishes of our members. We have a legacy schedule with origins from the Rayner days and a second much different virtual schedule. Our objectives are:
- Establish a schedule that provides a playing option for all members every day that we are open
- Start and end at a consistent and predictable time
- Have a structure of games that facilitates growth of capabilities
Shortly you will receive a questionnaire aimed at determining the preferred days and times. Please help us to set up the best schedule possible!
The Board approved the year-end draft financials and is arranging for our accountants to finalize the 2020 financial report for membership review prior to the AGM. Although actuals significantly deviated from our pre-COVID budget, we are projecting a surplus of just over $20,000. The summary below reflects a reduction in revenues more than offset by a reduction in operating costs. Our bottom line is a testament to good management practices and the club’s ability to adjust its business model quickly to unforeseeable challenges.
Financial Summary
Profit & Loss
| Revenue |
|
$171,879 |
|
below budget by $69,537 |
| Expense |
|
$150,171 |
|
below budget by $91,009 |
| Net Income |
|
$21,708 |
|
above budget by $21,472 |
Balance Sheet
| Total Assets |
|
$133,701 |
|
Current assets $131,074 |
| Liabilities |
|
$16,730 |
|
primarily deferred revenue |
|
|
|
|
- memberships and pre-paid cards |
| Total Equity |
|
$116,971 |
|
|
The surplus above has been returned to the members through the elimination of the membership fee for 2021 (500 X $40). There will be no change in game fees at this time.
Our forward planning remains challenging. The 2021 budget was difficult to establish with so many unknowns– predominantly, a reopening date and identifying the restrictions, either government mandated or voluntary, required for on-site attendance. Also, our leasing costs are undefined and will change come September. Your Board is reviewing the options and developing a strategy in this very much different real estate market.
Our budget is based on worst-case scenarios. We modelled different scenarios and decided to base projections on a July 1, 2021 opening date. Further, we have sufficient contingencies and management flexibility to attain a break even result if re-opening is delayed beyond that date.
The Club outreach initiative (telephone calling) is finishing up with a small number yet to be contacted.
The Coffee Chat we ran December 2nd was a great success. Thanks to Jerry Howarth for being a wonderful host. We plan to repeat our chats on a monthly basis and to move it to different games so we may engage a broader cross-section of our membership. The next event is planned for February 16th at 6:30pm before the Open game. Remember to sign up for the game early and join your friends. Look for details in this weekend’s announcement.
Martin Hunter has organized a number of inter-club team events with the South Midland Club near Dublin, Ireland and the Bridge Centre of Niagara. The latest was on January 28th. Eight teams were involved at levels from novice to expert. The matches have been well contested with close outcomes throughout. Many thanks to Martin for making this a great success! Plans are now underway to establish regular virtual Swiss team events. Stay tuned.
We are a community club with a strong history of volunteer support. In this update, I want to particularly thank Rick Wilson who has long been a stalwart of the Club. He manages the website, distributes the weekly eblasts and keeps the Dropbox records current. His ability to execute flawlessly and in a timely manner is hidden from most members, but the Club Manager and your Board understand and very much appreciate the value. Well done Rick! He has been performing thie role for three years and will be stepping down at the beginning of March. We are looking for a volunteer to take on this position going forward.
This month, with regret, the Board received and accepted the resignation of Catherine Colburn as our Club Manager. Over the past year, in addition to the day-to-day operations, Catherine has assisted with giving our website a fresh look and feel and supported the development and distribution of the member survey. Additionally, she introduced and facilitated the use of Zoom technology for our AGM, Board meetings and Coffee Chats. We thank Catherine for a great contribution during a very trying time of uncertainty, changes to our operations and renewal of most of our business processes.
We are pleased to announce that Phyllis Jones will take on the Club Manager duties once again. She was in the position in 2018 and has been a Game Director in the interim. Welcome back.
A reminder that we are planning a virtual AGM again this year on June 21, 2021. There are four Board positions opening up this year and are looking for a cross section of members of diverse talents and bridge experience to contribute to the next chapter of the Club. Please consider doing your part on the Board or as a webmaster. For more information contact Linda Planeta (lindaplanetaon@gmail.com).
Stay safe everyone. See you on BBO. (PINGLIE)
Paul Inglis
President
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