EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday 6 December 2023 at 5 pm via Zoom
PRESENT: Mark Goddard (Chair), Shirley Ashtari, Clare Batten Chris Frost, Jane Hall, Mel Shepherd, Keith Spencer, Julia Staniforth, and Sue Wright.
- WELCOME AND APOLOGIES
Mark welcomed everyone to the meeting. The apologies of Dave Treharne and Roger Stock were noted.
- MINUTES OF LAST MEETING HELD ON 6 SEPTEMBER 2023
The minutes were agreed as a correct record.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
- 2023 EBU Tollemache Entry/2024 Presidents Cup Entry
The team had performed well finishing ahead of Yorkshire, Worcestershire, Essex and Somerset but not within reach of the top six to qualify for the final. An entry to the Presidents Cup competition would be considered at the next meeting.
- Training Seminars/ Feedback on Re-Introduction of a Wednesday Evening Event
Seminars had been held in September and October attended by 20+ delegates with much positive feedback. Mark agreed to run further seminars on the last Wednesday of the month commencing at 8.00 pm starting in January 2024 with some focusing on defence.
It was agreed to commence a Wednesday evening session on Realbridge starting in January from 7.15 p.m. initially free of charge.
- Storage of trophies and insurance provision
The offer from Woodborough BC to utilise a cupboard to store the trophies was greatly appreciated. The club had offered to arrange insurance for £5k from its own insurers and it was agreed that NCBA would meet the cost. Jane was asked to provide details to Roger for reimbursement.
- Review of Mixed Pairs and Priday Cup events
The Mixed/Open Pairs had attracted six and a half tables and the Priday Cup 6 tables with both events had been well received. The winners of the Mixed Pairs had accepted the prize of a free entry to the Midland Counties Mixed Pairs competition on 5 January 2024 and it was agreed to contact the winners of the Priday Cup to offer a free entry to the next 9 High event or J High if they were no longer eligible for the 9 High. Sue agreed to contact the winners to ascertain if they would wish to partake in an online event.
- County Club Conference
Julia would contact clubs to seek views on issues that clubs would like the county to discuss and if there was any interest in arranging either an online or in person meeting.
- 23/24 Teams of 8 update
Jane reported that there had been no issues or concerns to date.
- ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TEAMS OF FOUR AND JOURNAL CUP COMPETITIONS
It was agreed that the teams of four event as a qualifier for the Pachabo would take place on the 28 January 2024 on Realbridge commencing at 2.00 p.m. The top two teams would then arrange a head to head play off on a mutually agreed platform which would permit the award of green points.
The Journal Cup (qualifier for the EBU Corwen Trophy event) would take place on Sunday 17 March 2024 at Nottingham BC commencing at 1.00 pm to facilitate a two session event of at least 36 boards with tea between sessions. Keith was asked to confirm his availability to direct the event as soon as practicably possible as the required equipment would need to be arranged.
Shirley agreed to advertise, take entries for both events and book the catering. Julia would book Nottingham BC. The increase hire rate of £100 per day that applied from 1 January 2024 was noted.
- ONE DAY GREEN POINT EVENT ON SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2024
It was agreed to progress the holding of a one day at Sponden commencing at 1.00 p.m. Clare reported that she had negotiated room hire of £12 per table including required stationery, the bar and catering would be available for purchase on the day. Ken Smith and Keith Spencer would arrange to prepare the boards and Keith would be the named director for submission of the entry form which Julia would complete and submit to the EBU. The entry fee would be £20 per player which would break even with an entry of 10 tables assuming director costs did not exceed £400 and included prize money based on the recommendation of 17.5% of entry fees. It was agreed that if 20 pairs had not entered by three weeks before the date the event should be cancelled.
- ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE AGM
Discussion took place on possible dates for the AGM. Sunday 12 May was a possibility but was the day after the Garden Cities event, 19 May would be suitable unless Derbyshire one day Green Point event was taking place. It was proposed that enquiries be made as to whether the accounts could be made available for 28 April and the AGM be held on this date at Nottingham BC.
The AGM would commence at 2.00 pm with bridge commencing at 3.00 p.m. tea provided at around 4.30 pm and further bridge ending no later than 7.00 p.m. Bridge and tea would be free to those attending the AGM. Those attending the AGM would be expected to print their own documents.
- TREASURERS REPORT
Roger had circulated a report denoting details of income and expenditure since the last meeting outlining expenditure to date of around £1.5k to cover costs of Realbridge, EBU Shareholder expenses, EBU competition entries, website licence and county competition costs. There are outstanding payments for the Priday Cup and further costs for competitions and possible director courses scheduled. The only income received relates to league of 8 entry fees amounting to £297. Following the withdrawal of a team in division one a donation of £7 has accrued in lieu of a refund.
- WEBSITE MATTERS
The addition of an online entry form for competitions had worked well and Sue was thanked for providing this. It was agreed that for future events not administered by NCBA there would be details and a link to the appropriate website.
- EBU MEETINGS AND CORRESPONDENCE
- County Chairs’ Meeting on 20 September 2023
Mark had attended the meeting and minutes were available on the EBU website. The main issues discussed were the role of Board members, funding for junior bridge and the planning of a Festival of Bridge which had subsequently be agreed to take place on 9-15 September 2024.
- EBU AGM
A report had been circulated denoting elections of EBU officials and fees and charges applicable from 1 April 2024. Keith confirmed that he had been given Derbyshire’s proxy votes and Julia was asked to forward the report from the meeting to Jim Parker. It was confirmed that a county director’s course was being arranged and dates would be available in the very near future. David Dunford and Clare had expressed an interest in attending and it was agreed the county would fund two places with the proviso that following qualification they would direct at least one county event in the following year.
- REPORT FROM MIDLAND COUNTY WORKING GROUP/INTER COUNTY LEAGUE ISSUES
Copies of the minutes of the meetings had been circulated. Keith raised the issue of lack of use of cameras and microphones in county matches and asked if MCWG were taking any action.
- AOB/ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the South Nottinghamshire Teaching Initiative had now disbanded.
Consideration would be given to designating a trophy for the one day green point event.
12) DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Wednesday 6 March 2024 at 5.00 pm on Zoom.
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