PBC AGM minutes

	MINUTES of the PATCHAM BRIDGE CLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Tuesday, 10th May 2011 Present were Peter Langston (Chair), Doris Strauss (Hon Secretary), Roy Greenbaum, Martin Haigh and Ian Macgregor Committee Members, plus 95 members. 1. Peter Langston opened the meeting by welcoming all present. 2. Apologies for Absence had been received from John Burton, Anne Myers, Alan Piper, Joan Piper, Janet Potter, Evelyn Ransom, Stewart Ross. 3. The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 6th April 2010 were approved. 4. Treasurers Report. Ian Macgregor thanked Joan Hootman for carrying out the role of Treasurer and for Evelyn Ransom and Doris Strauss for finalising the Accounts and John Wrapson for the Audit. Ian reported a profit during the year of £79.20 with funds of £10849.51 and issued vouchers of £1474. The increase in payments to EBU were noted as a result of pay to play, however it was recognised that individuals no longer paid to be members of the EBU. The Accounts were adopted. 5. Chairman’s Report. Membership had increased by 15% over the year to 322. Members had done well in County Competitions and some of the successes had been reported in the EBU Magazine. New events including the Presidents Trophy and Stratified Simultaneous Pairs had been introduced as well as matches against neighbouring Clubs. Ian Macgregor had run successful events in aid of MacMillan Nurses, Martlets Hospice and St. Dunstans. It was regretted that Ian was not seeking re-election to the management committee. A tribute was paid to Alvin Noah who had passed away during the year. It was recognised that no progress had been made during the year in reviewing the Wednesday Simple System. However Ken Ingate and David Peters were putting together a proposal to be submitted to the members who play on a Wednesday. Martin Haigh is attending an EBU Teachers Training Course and Stewart Ross is running a Seminar on Computers and Bridge playing and teaching. Recognition was paid to Sylvie for her e mail communication and partner search services and to Ron and Brenda for the efficient scoring services especially while Brenda has had to spend so much time supporting her husband. It was hoped that Alan would be back with us soon. In summary it had been an excellent year membership and events on the up and no increase in table money. 6. Election of Chairman. Roy Greenbaum took the Chair and after considerable debate Peter Langston was appointed with 70% of the vote. 7. Appointment of Officers. Doris Strauss was appointed Hon Secretary and Evelyn Ransom Hon Treasurer both were unopposed. 8. Committee Members. After an election Claude Fleurent, Roy Greenbaum, Sonny Katz and Janet Potter were duly appointed. 9. Constitution Resolution. A Resolution was passed changing the Constitution to enable the AGM to be held any time in April. 10. Resolution. 'A chairman to be able to remain in post for a maximum of three years, there should also be a post of Vice Chairman. If the Chairman is unable to fulfil the post for any reason the Vice Chairman automatically steps into post. The Chairman like the rest of the Committee are obliged to offer themselves for re-election annually.' It was agreed this should be referred to the Management Committee for further consideration. 11. Resolution. 'The meeting either amend the constitution and then properly elect a Referee, or proceed directly to such an election.’ It was agreed this should be referred to the Management Committee for further consideration. 12. Resolution. ‘Have a paper vote where selections can be handed to individuals prior to meeting as not all members are able to attend.’ It was agreed this should be referred to the Management Committee for further consideration. Meeting closed at 7.50pm. pdf format for printing ↑ Back to top ↑
	Tuesday, 6th April 2010 Present were Peter Langston (Chair), Doris Strauss (Hon Secretary), Joan Hootman (Hon Treasurer), Roy Greenbaum, Martin Haigh and Jackie Hinden Committee Members, plus 32 members. 1. Peter Langston opened the meeting by welcoming all present. 2. Apologies for Absence had been received from John Burton, Ian Macgregor and Sylvie Richards. 3. The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 7th April 2009 were approved. 4. Matters Arising. Sylvie Richards has decided no longer to be on the Committee therefore the Secretarial duties would no longer be split. However Sylvie would continue to be responsible for electronic communications and partner seeking. 5. There being only one candidate for each post the following appointments were confirmed: - Chair Peter Langston, Hon Secretary Doris Strauss, Hon Treasurer Joan Hootman. 6. There were six candidates for four Committee Member positions. After a ballot Roy Greenbaum, Martin Haigh, Ian Macgregor and Evelyn Ransom were appointed. 7. Treasurers Report. It was reported that a surplus of £1604 was made during the Financial Year. This result was achieved after £500 had been contributed to the Community Centre towards the purchase of new chairs. Additionally there had been an extra Bridge Congress at Deans Place during the year. John Burton was thanked for his subsidy of the Deans Place Congress. The Club funds at the end of the Financial Year stood at £8171. It had been decided not to increase table money despite the increased fees resulting from the introduction of Universal Membership by the English Bridge Union. The Accounts were adopted and Joan Hootman was thanked for her contribution in carrying out the duty and for finalising the Accounts in such a short timescale. 8. Chairman’s Report. Membership had increased by over 10 % during the year to 281. All sessions were well supported but more members on Thursday would be appreciated. EBU Universal Membership had been successfully implemented thanks to the hard work of Ron Robins. The work carried out by non Committee Members Ron and Brenda & Alan Piper, contribute significantly to the success of the Club. With the introduction of Universal Membership all members were able to enter both County and National Competitions. To encourage more participation in County events all regular members would have their entry fees for Patcham Heats paid by the Club. To provide a wider range of events Ian and Peter are looking to start some sessions on Tuesday Afternoon. This will start in May with a team event on the first Tuesday of the month. This should be a good opportunity for members whose bridge has reached a plateau. How the initiative develops will depend on the level of support. Last year we successfully hosted the County’s Autumn Congress and have been asked to do it again this year. Additional participation from Club Members would be welcomed. Barnsgate is booked for 27 June and we hope to finalise an October Event soon. Christmas Dinner is booked for December 15. The Chair thanked his Committee Colleagues for all their hard work. He also thanked all the members who set up and take down the tables and chairs, set up the refreshments and load the dishwasher. 9. General Discussions. The Committee were requested in future years to announce the names of members who had died during the year. Comments were made about extending the use of Duplimate Boards and reviewing the Wednesday System Card. However no decisions would be made without seeking the views of participating members. It was agreed that consideration would be given to changing the Constitution to enable greater flexibility in the timing of the AGM. Meeting closed at 7.35pm. pdf format for printing ↑ Back to top ↑
	Tuesday, 7th April 2009 1. Minutes of the AGM held on April 1st 2008 were approved, proposed by David Orlans, seconded by Jonathan Hinden. 2. Apologies for absence were received from Doris Strauss, Ian Macgregor, Vivien and Richard Harris. 3. Chairman’s Report: Presented by Peter Langston MEMBERSHIP: 2008/9 has been a very successful year for the club with an increase of 11½% bringing the total number of members to 255. BRIDGE SESSIONS: Your Committee feels it important to offer a wide range of bridge – therefore we have introduced the following: The recently launched Friday afternoon session has exceeded all expectations – Thank you Martin. Monday, too, has increased significantly as has the monthly Sunday Teams. Duplimate Boards with hand printouts have been introduced on Thursday. We are also looking into the feasibility of having a handicap result as well as an overall winner for Thursday evening. To avoid disturbing normal events, Simultaneous Pairs and County Events have been introduced on some Tuesday evenings during the year. We are also working closely with Ian Macgregor and hope to be offering heats of the David Pavey Pairs and Elizabeth North Teams to our less experienced members. BARNSGATE: Is well supported and continues to be popular. We are also offering a Bridge Weekend at Richmond in September. COUNTY'S AUTUMN CONGRESS: Patcham will also host this event in September. EBU'S PAY TO PLAY: This does not come into effect until after our next AGM but it is the Committee’s view that the Club’s financial position should enable participation without increasing table money. IN CONCLUSION: Sadly, during the year we have lost a number of members including Pat Bray who contributed greatly to the success of the Club both as a committee member and caterer. I would also like to express our sincere thanks to the following people all of whom help the Club to operate smoothly: Committee Members, Brenda for scoring, Ron for the Website, Alan Piper (Chairman of the Community Centre), the Directors and all those volunteers who set up and clear up afterwards, not forgetting those who serve tea and coffee etc. The Chairman’s Report was unanimously approved. 4. Presentation of Accounts and Report: The Club continues to be in a healthy financial position with a current surplus of £2325.00. This is an increase of £835 on the previous year and is, in essence, due to higher attendance and a reduction in the room hire. The introduction of vouchers has been a great improvement and our thanks to David for helping to initiate this and to Martin and Roy for ensuring its continuance. The healthy bank balance will ensure that table money will not be increased and, although Pay to Play will not be introduced until 2009/10 we should be able to implement this without any additional costs to members. Our funds are in safe hands and thanks to Joan’s perseverance Interest on the bank account has also accrued. 5. Election of Committee Officers and Members: Jackie Hinden has decided to step down from the position of Secretary but wishes to remain a Committee Member and to also produce the Newsletter. Our grateful thanks to Jackie for all her hard work and the fact that she will continue as a Committee Member. The secretarial role will now be undertaken jointly by Doris Strauss who will be the telephone contact and liaison with the EBU and SCCBA and Sylvie Richards who will be responsible for all letter and e-mail communication. All the current members offer themselves for re-election and Ian Macgregor has been nominated to join the Committee. There are seven positions but by splitting the secretarial role there will be eight members thus filling the position previously held by Pat Bray. The above was approved - proposed by Claude Fleurent and seconded by John Burton. 6. A.O.B.: Pat Bray Trophy – This was discussed in some depth but a decision made to leave this in abeyance. However, it was suggested that the club hold a charity event in aid of the Martlets Hospice. Several other options were discussed including holding a special Afternoon Tea Bridge Session in honour of Pat. Consideration will be given to the above but as we are a Charity based organisation there may be limitations on what we are able to do. Wednesday Evening Bridge – Discussion took place regarding the Convention Card and the subject of Simple Systems and what was/not allowable. This evening is primarily directed at people who wish to play simple systems and as an introduction to Duplicate Bridge. The Chairman felt that any decision to change the Wednesday night format should be instigated by the players – this was generally agreed by the ‘floor’. It was also pointed out that Tuesday is available for County events and more serious players as is Thursday evening. Meeting closed at 7.30pm. pdf format for printing ↑ Back to top ↑
	Tuesday, 1st April 2008 1. Minutes of the AGM held on 13th April 2007 were approved, proposed by David Orlans, seconded by Claude Fleurent. 2. Apologies for absence were received from 6 members. 18 members were present. 3. John Burton presented his Chairman’s Report: "COMMITTEE MEETINGS: During the past year the Committee of Patcham Bridge Club (‘PBC’) has met regularly and, in accordance with the Constitution under which the club was created, has supervised the activities of PBC in the interests of PBC members. RETIREMENT OF THE CURRENT COMMITTEE: As usual, in the course of this AGM after dealing with any questions arising from the activities of PBC and the Committee, the current committee will retire in accordance with the constitution and the election of officers and members of the Committee for 2008/2009 will take place. DIRECTING ON WEDNESDAYS: Recent changes in my work commitments have been causing increasing problems with my availability to direct on Wednesdays so, to avoid throwing even more burden on Martin Haigh, PBC decided to initiate a rota system so that the directing for Wednesday evenings is shared in the same way as for Thursdays. The plan is that otherwise Wednesday evenings should remain as they are, especially that players are guaranteed a partner. MEMBERSHIP: Membership remains at a healthy level but members will be aware that during the year we have sadly lost a number of our members. PBC FINANCES: As can be seen from the accounts, PBC remains financially healthy. SCORING OUR BRIDGE EVENTS: Once again, PBC offers special thanks to Brenda Piper for scoring our events so promptly and accurately – reminders though to write names LEGIBLY and score accurately, otherwise a difficult job becomes even worse. CATERING: Members of PBC thank Pat Bray and her helpers for catering so well for our activities, although I would remind everyone that assistance would be appreciated. SUPPORT FOR BRIDGE EVENTS: Bridge events have continued to be well supported each week on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and on Monday afternoons (where numbers have continued to rise steadily), with Teams events on the first Sunday of each month. SEMINARS: Seminars have been held on Sunday afternoons during the winter by Jonathan Hinden & Ian Macgregor, to both of whom PBC offers thanks for all their support. SUMMER OUTING: The annual Summer Outing was held once again in 2007, it was well supported and provided a most enjoyable day out. The bridge event was organised by Jonathan Hinden and Martin Haigh (to both of whom PBC’s thanks), ably supported by Pat Bray. The organisation for the Summer Outing 2008 at Barnsgate Manor is already well in hand, and bookings have already started to be taken by Pat Bray. CHRISTMAS BRIDGE EVENT: The Christmas Bridge Event 2007 was once again greatly enjoyed – and was supported by a substantial number of PBC members and guests. Thanks to all involved in its organisation and especially to the bridge event organised by Jonathan Hinden and the booking organisation handled by Pat Bray. EXTRA DIRECTORS: I again express the hope that members of PBC might consider attending Directors’ Training offered by the EBU – the course can usually be completed in the weekdays of the Summer Meeting at the Metropole Hotel, and additional Directors might prove a valuable asset when existing Directors are unavailable. THANKS TO COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS: Once again I should like to thank all members of PBC Committee for their hard work and support during the year, providing, as it has, the foundation for an even more successful future. Also the Committee thanks members of PBC for their continued support of bridge events as well as for their welcome to new members. PBC seems set to prosper even further in the future. RETIREMENT FROM THE CHAIR: I have been honoured with being Chair of PBC for some years, but I feel that the time has now come for me not to accept nomination for re-election as Chair of PBC. However, I am pleased to say that Peter Langston has accepted nomination to replace me, and I am sure that he will make an excellent Chair to PBC to lead it on to even greater success in the future. I hope you will join me in giving him the fullest support in the future." There were no questions arising from the contents of the Chairman’s Report. 4. Honorary Treasurer’s Presentation of Accounts and Report: A copy of the Management Accounts for the year ending 31st March was given to all members present, and a copy may be seen on the notice board. At the PBC committee meeting held on 28th March Joan Hootman proposed that the club should introduce a voucher scheme to simplify cash handling, similar to that which has proved successful at other clubs. She is looking into the details and planning to implement a scheme later in the year. It was also proposed that the Sunday teams table money should be increased by 50p, with a guarantee of 24 boards to play. These proposals were put to the meeting, proposed by Peter Langston, seconded by Joan Hootman. Both motions were carried. 5. Election of Committee Officers and Members: The officers received only one nomination each, but there were more nominations than were required for committee members, so a paper ballot was held, with the following results: Hon. Chairman: Peter Langston Hon. Secretary: Jackie Hinden Hon. Treasurer: Joan Hootman Committee Members: Pat Bray Martin Haigh Sylvie Richards Roy Greenbaum { These two received the same number of votes, and Claude Fleurent { Claude said he would withdraw as he was out of the country several times during the year. 6. Proposition: The proposal to inaugurate the honorary position of President, to be filled by John Burton (proposed Martin Haigh, seconded Jackie Hinden) was carried unanimously, and it was agreed that it should be a life-time appointment. The new Chairman thanked John Burton for his many years of dedicated service to the club. 7. A.O.B.: Wednesday evenings. Martin Haigh reported that the new system of a rota of directors was working well, and also the panel of players willing to partner people coming on their own. Thursday evenings. Doris Strauss reported that the system of sitouts (N/S on odd dates, E/W on even dates) was not working. It was agreed that the club should keep to this system in principle, but directors must have the authority to ignore the system when it impacts on the smooth running of the movement. 8. The meeting closed at 8.45pm. pdf format for printing ↑ Back to top ↑