Oxfordshire Bridge Association
Management Committee Meeting held on Monday 8th September at 7.3 at the Oxford Bridge Club
MINUTES
Present: Keith Sadler (Chairman)
Alan Wilson (Treasurer)
Mary-Ann Sheehy (Secretary)
Brenda Harris
Frank Harris
Peter Stevenson
Ina Merriman
Norman Nicolson
Geoff Nicholas
Jean Squires
Clive Keep
Gordon Carroll
Brian Claridge
Sandra Claridge
Peggy Manual
John Simpson
Esme Alden
Maxine Henry
Nick Smith
Geral Pfeifer
Apologies for absence: Stephen Brown
Ron Brown
Peter Baxter
Alison Nicholson
The Minutes of the following meetings were approved and signed without amendment:
OBA Management Meeting 7 April 2003
OBA Extra Meeting 12 June 2003
OBA Special Meeting 1 July 2003
It was noted that the Minutes for the AGM had not yet been received from Pat Rhodes Fisher.
Matters arising:
a. Brenda Harris distributed the finalised questionnaire for competitors in County Competitions. She asked that Directors of those competitions be requested to distribute the questionnaires and make an announcement at the beginning of the competition requesting completion and then collect them and leave them for Brenda at the OBC. Directors Please Note
b Auditors had not yet been appointed at the AGM. Alan Wilson recommended that K. Jali be appointed auditor. This was proposed by Frank Harris and seconded by John Simpson. The meeting approved the proposal.
Reports from other meetings:
a. Brenda Harris reported on two EBU Delegate meetings:
8 Jan 03: Main points were:
Road shows had been a big success. The development plan had been a major part of the road shows.
As a result of feedback possible that changes will take place in the event structure i.e. national events delivered locally to increase participation.
Bridge for All students increase temporarily and artificially the EBU membership which has now decreased from 29000 to 26-27000, without BfA, but maintained at 29000 With BfA.
Ebu were reviewing all constitutions to ensure no conflict.
Treasurer’s Report: loss for the year. Marginally down on budget.
4 June 03: see attached report
Solicitors Hammonds to be appointed to undertake the re-structuring of the EBU: 2 entities to one. Only one council in the future but sub-committees remain the same. A report on this was to be distributed in advance of OCT 1 Council meeting. None had been received.
Membership renewal 11329 same as 2002. Difficulty arising from renewal form in second EBU mag sent to Club Secs. Often discarded unopened.
Alison Nicolson reported on Youth working party.
As a result of online cheating problems David Martin of L&E had resigned from running On line Bridge. Thematter to be reported on fully.
A proposal to make an economy by not producing August issue of English bridge was defeated.
Treasurers Report had produced a 5 year plan and budget. General impression is not enough members to support financially all the functions of EBU.
David Burn (Law and Ethics) was proposed doing away with level 1 and 5, for 2 to remain the same and levels 3 and 4 to be changed. Concern regarding newcomers attending EBU events not being able to recognise a system. No Standard English.
b. Sandra Claridge reported on the EBU County Secretaries Meeting held in June:
She said that it had been a disappointing meeting, very little interaction between secretaries or between secretaries/Ebu. There had been a presentation regarding sport funding (EBU not eligible) and a presentation on Mini bridge.
c. Keith Sadler reported on the OBA/OBC meeting which had taken place on 22 July:
Main purpose had been to find out about the situation regarding the lease of the OBC premises. The lease ends next year. Property is owned by University College who have intimated that they are considering selling the property. No decision had been made and OBC would hear in September. There had also been a discussion regarding the ventilation in the premises which it was believed might be the reason why the Sunday competitions were so badly attended. Keith Sadler raised the question whether there was anything practical which could be done about this. Other matters discussed were: Duplimate machines (Stephen Brown will run with this) Availability of premises for Wessex league matches. Prospective Tournament Directors should contact Stephen Brown in advance of attending any training courses.
Also Peter Stevenson reported that OBC had taken legal advice regarding the rights and options of the OBC and the premises. Consideration was being given as to what action should be taken by the OBC should University College decide the sell the property (or part of it).
John Simpson had pointed out that the matter of ventilation/air-conditioning had been looked into closely at time of building the extension. Only way to cool the place would be via ducting and the noise would be such that many would not be prepared to tolerate it.
Live Issues
d. Duplimate machines. Stephen Brown was going to run with this together with Bill McCarthy and Stephen Coltman. Frank Harris proposed that a member from OBC should join the Sub-Committee on Duplimate Machines. This was agreed and the OBC would inform Stephen Brown of their candidate. Action OBC
e. Wessex League Update Brian Claridge that all team captains had been notified about the meeting to organise the matches on 8 September. The turn out had been extremely disappointing. 40 teams had entered. There was a long discussion about the structure of the Wessex league. 5 divisions. Should there be more teams at the top or more at the bottom? There had been a discussion some time ago on this. And the OBA had voted in favour of more teams at the top. This does cause problems however, with relegation/promotion. There was strong support for changing the system to weighting the lower divisions, being flexible about the number of relegations/promotions in those divisions depending on numbers and keeping the top two divisions’ relegation/promotion rigidly. Norman Nicolson felt strongly that this would produce a more stable situation KS reported that the feedback had shown some interest in Wessex League participation if all matches involved less travel. A north/south split for the county was to be considered.
Conclusion: Brian Claridge and his Tournament Committee would review the whole matter and bring recommendations regarding a new structure to April meeting for detailed consideration.
f. OBA Constitution. The EBU have been calling for a copy of our Constitution. There is work outstanding. KS reported that work would be done on this. One feature of the Constitution was the existing sub-committee structure which KS felt would need to be reviewed. Significant work will have been done on this.
g. Officers Reports
Jean Squires reported that 800 brochures had been posted. She had got the labels from the EBU based on previous year’s data. Some people will have been missed therefore. The EBU requires that the Prospectus is sent out individually. She also reported that she would be going to a Membership Secretaries meeting later this month. Issues that will be include whether we are doing enough to attract junior members. Gerald from the University reported that some come through the University but never a large number. Stowe School is registered. It was reported that at Nettlebed junior school there is a large club and mini bridge is going very well there. KS reported that in Bristol the LEA has taken a leading role in introducing minibridge in schools. We have no equivalent links with the LEA here. Generally agreed that we must make huge efforts to look at how to boost membership of newcomers. We have 3 events for newcomers. Should there be more?
Chairman’s Update
h. EBU Shareholder – Sandra Claridge (the Secretary being away at crucial moment)
i. Green Point Event in Oxfordshire. We have proposed 18 June. Herefordshire is having one on 19 June and may object. We will hear soon. Also need to put in for 2005 soon. KS will need a committee to run the Event. Last one was cancelled through lack of support in running it. Volunteers welcome.
j. Goodish response to questionnaire. Report at next meeting.
k. Review of OBA. KS said that following on from the questionnaire he wanted to provide a proforma for Clubs to discuss at their meetings and complete and return. The topics would include the strengths and weaknesses of the OBA and how to go forward. A proforma will be forwarded to Club Secretaries.
l. DATE of APRIL OBA Management meeting This has been changed to 1st April 2004 7.30.
Review of OBA Strengths and weaknesses.
This was a brainstorming session:
Strengths:
Tuesday Duplicate running and directing
OBA Competitions on Sunday
Wessex League
Improved publicity
County team
3 newcomers events improvement on none
Bridge for All new initiative
Best teas at county competitions
Oxford Times Column
Approachable management
Increase in number of clubs across the county
Areas for development
Attendance by delegates at the OBA meetings
School field work
Entry in county competitions to be encouraged
New competitions
Lessons in evening or Saturday mornings to attract the workers
Annual Report
Encourage affiliated clubs who at present have no delegates to participate e.g. Chipping Norton, Woodstock, Faringdon, Wantage
Prize giving to be made more eventful
Correspondence
Ron Brown had written to say entries to President’s Cup and Chester Cup was at present very low 7/5 respectively.
An invitation to participation in Warwickshire Teams competition had been received. Nick Smith said he would welcome any volunteers to play in these type of events.
AOB
Gerald Pfeiffer reported that he was the University’s Delegate and wished to receive all correspondence.
Alan Wilson reported that it had previously been agreed to replace cash prizes with mementoes. Table money at these county events had doubled to take care of the increased costs. Alan Wilson sought a volunteer to purchase these mementoes. Keith Sadler said that faut de mieux he would undertake the task.
Sandra Claridge suggested that perhaps a way to encourage middle/weak players to participate in the County events would be to have a sort of Victor Ludorum for relevant differing levels. Much interest was expressed in this suggestion and further consideration is to be given to it.