2026 AGM

The 2026 AGM took place on May 27, 2026.  We had 18 tables attending.

Welcome to the New Board of Directors

Claude King              President
Diana Noel           Secretary
Maria Renzella     Treasurer
Peter Barber
Mel Norton
Judi Kokis

Board Update for 2025/26 (given by Catherine Griffin)

I think the best way to tell you want has happened over the last year is to go over it category by category as a lot has happened.  
 
Table count
Calendar year 2025's table count of 3695.5 was up  28%  or 800 tables over 2024. F2F led the way with an increase of 900 tables or 48% over 2024.  Virtual games remain the same.  The 2025 table count does not include the sectional tables of 90 nor the unsanctioned games on Wednesday afternoon.

For the first quarter of 2026, the table count of 1324.5 was up 10% or 117.5 tables. F2F games increasing by 19% or 174 tables over prior year.  Virtual games are down but we have increased the limit from 299 to 499 which will hopefully attract more players. 
 
Membership
Membership is at 251 today versus 210 last year at this time.  For 2026, we have 34 new players joining.
(We have raised the non-member playing cost to $14 per game which has sold a few more memberships as well).
 
Education
Education was an important area for 2025/26.  Our beginner lessons have been flourishing under Danielle and Ingrid. 
It was then the clubs' duty to turn them into members: Programs in place to keep new players include:
Our unsanctioned game for newcomers on Wednesdays is doing very well.
Our limited games for newcomers and intermediates have been doing very well and continue to grow.
We have our mentor/mentee program back on track with about 50 mentees going through the process since September 2025.
Our seminars for newcomers and intermediates are doing well and have had a lot of positive feedback.  Thanks to Danielle, Martin and Sally for doing the seminars.
Our last rookie/master game had over 40 rookies sign up. Which is outstanding!
 
Special games
We have had overwhelming response to some of our special games.
We have had 2 John Rayner memorials.  All of which were well attended.
Our monthly Sunday games have been a bit hit or miss but we are going to continue planning them.
Our Christmas party was a lot of fun with great attendance.
In August last year, we had a special game and dinner to celebrate the member club, as we know it, being 10 years old.  We had to turn away people for this event.
 
Charity
Last June the club raised $2k for Alzheimer's at the longest day game.  This amount was matched by a member.  Contributions totaled to the Alzheimer's Society was $4k.
We have sent money, and food donations to the food bank.  At least 3 trunk loads of food and $1k.
We continue to give to various charities during our charity weeks.
We hope to highlight our charity work more in the upcoming year.
 
Sectional
In November 2025, this club held it’s first sectional.  We were full with 90 tables participating over the 2 days. We learned a lot and have another sectional planned for this November.  We made about $2.5k on the event.
 
Other items of note
Our lease is up in March 2027.  The team has done some due diligence but moving to a new space looks increasingly hard.  Rents are high and the requirement for a lot of parking is hard to find.  We have filed our request to extend the lease and are waiting on a response.
We spent a bit of money trying to make the club function better and be more attractive.  We purchased a new dealing machine, 3 white boards, filters for the air purifiers, and cleaned up the washrooms.  We have a list of other things that need to be fixed up that the board will be tackling soon.
 
Financial 
Our results for the 2025 were above expectations due primarily the increased table count.  A more detailed review will be posted in the members only section of the website under 2026 AGM.

On a personal note I want to thank everyone for the support you have shown this year to myself, the Board and the club in general.  I am happy to retire on a positive note.  I am looking forward to the rest and hopefully will see you at the bridge table or on a cruise ship!

Catherine Griffin
President 2025/26

Awards

Bob Beecroft award - Awarded to the person who played the most games in 2025 at the Club- Louis Daigneault

Barbara Sims award -This award is presented in appreciation of an outstanding contribution to our members' enjoyment of bridge.- Catherine Griffin