NCBA Committee Meeting Minutes – Wednesday 27th November 2019
Present: Toni Smith (Chair, TS), Ian Dovey (Treasurer, ID), Keith Spencer (County TD, KS), Mark Goddard (County Captain, MG), Graham Brindley (GB), Pravin Tailor (PT), Sue Wright (SW), Sue McIntosh SM), Shirley Ashtari (SA), Jane Hall (JH)
Apologies: Chris Frost
- TS opened the meeting by high-lighting the resignation of Clare Batten as NCBA Committee Secretary. The Chair and Committee expressed their gratitude for the hard work and dedication that Clare had contributed to NCBA. Until a new Secretary is appointed TS will carry out the appropriate duties.
- The minutes of the previous committee meeting, (28th August 2019), were accepted as correct. There were no comments or matters arising.
- NCBA Committee Structure/Strategy.
TS raised the issue of a document she had submitted to the rest of the committee in which it was proposed there were a number of sub-committees with defined areas of responsibility.
It was agreed that the County Teams sub-committee appeared to be working well, (see Item 4). The intended Communications group had made no progress. TS stated that she will resurrect the NCBA newsletter; KS and SW are the remaining members following Clare’s resignation.
A new Communications sub-committee will have to be created in the next financial year after the AGM.
The number of committee meetings to be held in each year was discussed. The question was asked if these meetings should be linked to EBU and Midland County Working Group calendars. The consensus was that four (4) meetings each year should be sufficient.
ACTION: TS will propose dates for 2020/21 NCBA meetings (4 off).
- County Teams.
A sub-committee comprising MG, PT and SM were now responsible for organisation and selection of the County Teams. SM gave a summary of the planned selection procedures, training/practice schemes and results to date.
Results so far had been encouraging and MG made the point that the work done by PT and SM with the County B and C teams made his role easier.
The consensus of the Committee was that the strategies outlined by SM are acceptable. SM asked if there should be a dedicated budget with regard to County Teams matters. It was agreed that if the sub-committee compile a plan and costing of intended 2020-2021 activities, the issue of a budget would be addressed at a future meeting. SM said she believed that some Counties had some sponsorship, (for example, via advertising), and wondered if NCBA could do this.
ACTION: MG/BP/SM to produce plan with estimated costs for 2020-2021 season.
- EBU Shares.
The County hold 2 EBU shares, which are held by nominated persons on the NCBA Committee. These entitle NCBA to attend and vote at EBU meetings. Following the resignation of C Batten as Secretary it was agreed that Keith Spencer (KS) will become a nominated shareholder, (TS is the other).
ACTION: TS to inform the EBU of the new nominee (KS).
- Treasurer’s Report.
ID stated that the NCBA current account statement of 5th November showed a sum of £6578.
Subsequent to the bank statement, cheques for £445 (payment to Nottingham Bridge Club for 2018-2019 room hire) and £456 (EBU, Tollemache entry) have been issued.
ID also confirmed that agreement had been reached with Nottingham Bridge Club regarding room/facilities hire, effective form April 2019.
- Teams-of-Eight Secretary Report.
JH submitted the following –
“The season has started well with 21 teams, and a number of new captains. As always fixture setting can be a difficult task but full marks to Division 2 captains who have all their fixtures for the season agreed. The outstanding matches in the other two divisions are those in the second half and do not need to be agreed until the end of December. The names of nominated players have to be submitted by the end of December, although some teams have already submitted. One match was amicably rearranged. Results are coming in to me quickly, and the NCBA website updated within a few days. Full results will be input into the EBU score system in due course.”
There were no matters arising or points for discussion.
- NCBA Trophies.
SW had been tasked to locate these items, reviewing engraving and investigating the availability of a display cabinet. She reported that the Silver Salver (awarded to the Mixed Pairs winners) was missing. [Post meeting note – Salver found by KS].
She has been unable to source a suitable display cabinet and suggested a bespoke one may be required. SW will pursue this further but it was mentioned that there is uncertainty as to whether or not Nottingham Bridge Club are content to house the cabinet.
ACTIONS: TS to discuss display cabinet location with NBC. SW to investigate order of magnitude costs of a bespoke cabinet.
- NCBA Events.
There was some discussion regarding future planned NCBA events. GB confirmed there is a Blue Point Event scheduled for 27th February 2020. It was agreed that rather than a Green Point weekend (Pairs + Teams) is re-organised as two (2) Swiss Pairs events; one in May and one in July.
ACTION: GB to determine dates of NCBA Green Point Swiss Pairs Events, (2 off).
- County Night.
The attempts to revitalise ‘County Night’ had been unsuccessful, at least 2 proposed dates being cancelled due to lack of interest. The current agreement with Nottingham Bridge Club is that late cancellation of room bookings will be subject to charge.
The next scheduled ‘County Night’ is 18th January 2020 and will be part of the EBU Sims Pairs competition. MG urged that the committee promote this event as soon as possible in order to make it a success. It was agreed that at the next committee meeting the future viability of County Night be discussed.
ACTION: Committee to determine future viability of County Night, (next meeting).
- Graham Brindley (Events Organiser).
GB advised that he intended to stand down from the NCBA committee at the next AGM. In addition to his Events role, Graham also runs ‘Improver Sessions’, tuition classes and Thursday Lunchtime sessions (in conjunction with NBC). GB reminded the meeting that a Committee member would have to be present at his sessions if NCBA wish to be involved. (KS is currently a member of the Events sub-committee).
ACTION: Treasurer (ID) to investigate potential effect on NCBA income if GB reduces his activities on behalf of NCBA.
- AGM 2020.
The AGM in 2020 will be held on Wednesday 13th May.
- Committee Meeting.
The next NCBA Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday 5th February 2020.
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