MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETING 15th AUGUST 2007

ATTENDANCE:   

Steve Knight - President

Mel Lee – Vice President

Kay Thorpe – Secretary

John Digby – Treasurer

Graham Boardman – Executive Officer

 Pat Hannan – Assistant Executive Officer

 Marion Jehu – Committee Member

 Jenny Gleeson – Committee Member

TREASURER’S REPORT:

John mentioned that we have finished the first quarter of the year and had £14,744.10 in the club account. Membership was at 62 compared to 68 the previous year. Attendance averaged 26.7 on Wednesdays compared to 25.9 previous quarter and 18.9 on Fridays compared to 19.5 previously. We tended to run at a slight deficit each year but this was not a serious problem so far.

It was discussed that the difference in table money between members and non-members was not enough to encourage players to become members and would be brought up at the next AGM.

It was requested by member Chris Wright that the accounts given at the AGM are posted on the web site. This will be done.

LETTER FROM MEMBER BOB KNIGHT:

Please read the letter Bob has submitted to the website in which he queries the amount of the club account being held and suggestions for possible uses to the club’s benefit.

Christmas Party – it was discussed and agreed that the club would provide the usual Christmas party at no charge to members but non-members to pay cost.

Card Tables – it was discussed and agreed that we would contact the council to request we purchase 6 card tables for the upstairs room that be stored on the premises.

Bidding Boxes/Cards – it was discussed and agreed that the boxes would be sorted so as to eliminate ‘tatty’ cards and boxes and that we keep replacements at hand.

Alternative Venue – it was discussed that previously, during the Save the Children’s rummage sale when no bridge can be played at the Hugh Ripley Hall, we had provided an alternative venue that was poorly attended. This would be looked into again and the members advised on the outcome.

Christmas Party:

It was agreed that the date for this event to be Wednesday 2^nd January 2008 at 6:30pm for 7pm and prizes would be as previous years. This would be provided at no charge to members but attending non-members to pay at cost.

MASTER POINTS:

It was agreed that master points would be sent directly to the EBU rather than paper slips given to the members when the booklets currently used for this run out.

PROGRAMME/BOOKLET:

It was agreed that Steve would publish this as the previous year. John advised that he had the current member’s contacts and a list was posted on the board for members to check that their details were correct.

EBU CHANGES:

As members have been informed by the EBU the changes EBU plans to implement in 2010, it was discussed favourably as to whether the club would absorb these fees to be taken at the table and the matter would be put to the members at the next AGM.

MEMBERSHIP:

Mel brought up the fact of declining members to be discussed with possible solutions to increase membership. It was noted that most bridge clubs experienced the same situation with very few younger members. A suggestion was agreed that the younger players, possibly under 18yrs, who wished to become members be given complimentary membership.

Various forms of ‘advertising’ such as articles on the club in local publications were considered and would be looked in to.

It was felt that the most effective means of increasing members was to offer classes in bridge playing. This is a possibility Steve would consider.

 

As there was no further business to discuss, Steve closed the meeting and agreed the minutes would be posted on the website as well as the club bulletin board.

 

Ripon City Bridge Club

A friendly club