 During the Covid crisis, our Club, like many, had a serious revenue shortage that threatened its very existence. We were able to withstand those extensive losses due to two main factors, first, previous Boards had wisely reserved a ‘rainy day’ contingency fund that allowed us to continue to pay our bills and second, we made serious financial cuts to our operating budget, including Director fees and the Manager’s salary, in order to survive the lean months.
Previously, when we had a strong, steady revenue stream, the Club carried extensive insurance to protect all its volunteers, Directors, teachers and the Club Manager from any personal liability, that might arise in the course of carrying out their duties. The insurance cost over $2,000 a year, significant for a small club. At the fall ‘22 AGM it was proposed and accepted by the Membership that this insurance be cancelled as a financial saving. It was agreed that the actual risks of sustaining personal injury from playing bridge were minimal and that we all could, as responsible adults, accept those risks collectively and individually.
It was also decided to include a waiver of responsibility, to protect our staff and volunteers, in the conditions of Membership to reflect the lack of insurance coverage.
All present members will be asked to sign the waiver and any new members will be asked to sign on joining. Should any member be unwilling to agree to such a waiver and wish to rescind their membership please notify us of this choice and we will refund their membership fees.
Our new Waiver of Liability form is attached. Please take the time to read it carefully. There are several ways that it can be returned to us:-
1) you can print, read, sign the form and return it to us digitally to info@bridgeontheedge.ca either as a pdf or picture;
2) you can bring the form to the club next time you play and give it to Rahul; or
3) we will have forms available for you to sign at the club on the following days Thursday 16th at 12:30pm and Monday 20th at 9:00am and 12:30 pm.
Our goal is to get everyone to sign before the end of February so let’s all work together and ‘get ‘er done’!
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation with this important project.
Your 2022-23 Board of Directors
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