Minutes of a committee meeting held in the Comrades Club on 1st December 2009
Present: Alan Grunwald, Alan Parker, Lyn Morton, Arthur Jones, Keith Robbins, Avis Roberts
Apologies: Stan Powell, Gaye Kyle
Keith Robbins pointed out that Ed Scerri’s talk scheduled for March 20th 2010 was being organised by Stan Powell.
The meeting thought that Krys Kazmierczak’s talk in September which centered on increasing club membership had little or no effect. (See Future of the Club in AOB)
Lyn Morton stated that the current financial position was sound with about £800 in hand. We had continued to charge £2 per head for each session even after paying off the Bridgemate loan. Currently we were saving some money by not having curtain cards in duplimated boards supplied by the OBA.
The 'A' team had played their first match against Oxford University and lost 16-4.
The 'B' team had played 3 matches losing 2 but winning their latest match against Wallingford 'D' 20-0.
The running of the OBA heat at Wantage on October 24th posed problems in that only players who had not played in another club’s heat could be eligible to proceed further if they were successful. The idea of splitting the field into two sections was rejected owing to the fairly small number of tables in play. Problems of issuing master points at different levels in the same heat were apparent. Our committee decided to defer any possible alteration to the format until after the next OBA committee meeting at which this competition would be discussed.
We are scheduled to hold a heat of the National Pairs on 21.1.10. We will charge everyone £2.50 plus table money and issue points at national level i.e. same arrangements as last year.
Keith Robbins proposed that officers of the club should be limited to three years in office. The committee did not support this idea so we would maintain the status quo.
Keith Robbins pointed out that there was no mention of a Laws and Ethics committee in the club constitution or also appeals procedures against official scores and director’s decisions. One way of overcoming this problem would be to issue an appendix to the current constitution which would appear on the current club website.
As a further issue it was suggested that the committee, if they thought it to be desirable, could propose the name of a club member to be granted the status of becoming an honorary life member. Such a move would need to be approved by the AGM in May 2010.
Currently there was a vacancy for a committee member. It was suggested that this could be publicised at the next Thursday meeting. (There is only one committee meeting prior to the AGM in 2010).
A talk arranged by Stan Powell would take place on Saturday 20th March 2010.
This event was being organised by Keith Sadler who would spend the usual amount on prizes. Catering would be done by the Comrades Club. Alan Parker was asked to ensure that not too many pastries were provided and that maybe some salad dishes should be included. Money raised by the raffle would be spread evenly between the IAC and a local cancer charity.
It was agreed by the committee that players should draw for starting positions on Thursdays.
Alan Grunwald would take calls on his mobile ( 07768 277637 ) if anyone was delayed by unforeseen circumstances and therefore being unable to arrive by 7.30
There was a discussion about the future of the club. Numbers had dropped somewhat during the year and we would like to have 1.5 – 2 more tables on a regular basis. Numbers at Faringdon B.C. by contrast had risen so that they normally had 9 – 11 tables.
Various reasons for this difference were suggested:-
Alan Grunwald would address players about these topics prior to start of play on December 3rd
Committee meeting – Wednesday 7th April 2010
AGM – Thursday 6th May 2010
Alan Parker ( Hon. Secretary)
7th December 2009.