AKARANA BRIDGE CLUB INCORPORATED
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 9th December 2009 7.20pm

Present: Committee and Club members.
Apologies: Eileen Horsman,Tom, Nick and Stephanie Jacob, Jane Morris, Michael Ware.
(In Stephanie Jacob’s absence, Richard Solomon acted as Secretary.)

Previous AGM minutes. The previously distributed minutes were taken as read.  Proposed Richard Solomon; seconded Anisia Shami; carried unanimously.

Matters Arising.  It was recommended we get plastic bidding cards similar to those the Auckland Club uses.

President’s Report. Douglas Russell presented his President’s Report. In particular, he referred to the passing of two members, Tamar Turnwald and Wallace Gracewood. He also referred to the renovations being carried out by the Auckland Club, in particular the installation of a lift in 2010.
He moved the President’s Report be accepted; seconded Vivien Cornell; carried unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report. Richard Solomon presented the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st October 2009 which showed a surplus for the year of $1020. He referred to an increase in table numbers over the year from 118 in 2007/8 to 130 in 2008/9. The Swiss Pairs was no longer sponsored- hence the loss this year- while the increase in the Rent charge was from increased table numbers rather than a rate increase. The rent rate would not increase while renovations were in progress. Overall, the Club was financially healthy.
He moved acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report; seconded Douglas Russell; carried unanimously.

Election of Officers. Barry Maclean moved that all existing officers and committee members able to do so be reelected; seconded Paula Boughey; carried unanimously. The following were thus reelected:
President:               Douglas Russell
Vice President           Tony Morcom
Secretary               Stephanie Jacob
Treasurer               Richard Solomon
Committee             Owen Camp, Susan Humphries, Nick Jacob, Barry   McLean, Glenis Palmer, Trevor Robb.
Douglas Russell then asked for nominations for the vacant Committee position.
Mark Hangartner was moved by Barry MacLean; seconded Michael Cornell;
                      Passed unanimously.

General Business
Trophy Board (formerly Northern Club). Douglas Russell reported that
The Auckland Club was happy for Akarana to use this Board as long as the existing names are retained on the Board.

Slow Play. Douglas Russell referred to the issue of players feeling uncomfortable and unable to do anything about slow play. Two suggestions were made:
            i A “name and shame” policy in respect to those pairs who fail to finish matches. This suggestion had a small majority in favour from those who voted.
           ii     Michael Cornell suggested a system where a record is kept of those pairs who fail to finish matches and that after a couple of warnings, pairs be fined vps. This suggestion attracted large support amongst those who voted.
               The Committee will consider both proposals for 2010.

Tickets for Table Money. The suggestion was made to adopt the system used by the Auckland Club by which players could buy tickets in advance to save the problems of paying and having the correct change every night. Although it appeared that this system was not used very widely at the Auckland Club, the AGM agreed that this system could be tried in 2010.

Table Money and Subscription rates. Richard Solomon proposed that table money and subscription rates remain as per 2009…seconded Trevor Robb. Although the Club was in a sound financial position, a $1 reduction in table money would certainly produce a loss in the next financial year where the Committee had ear-marked more expense (the trophy board, cards, Christmas tournament and possibly supporting international players). Any increase in the subscription rate would not be attractive to the second club members who would be less happy to pay a higher rate.
The proposal was carried unanimously.

Competition Winners.  
Akarana Swiss Pairs.  Duncan Badley – Paula Boughey.
Akarana Party Tournament.  Mary-Ellen Newton – Michael Ware.
The following trophies were presented:
Club Championships. Richard Solomon, Denis Humphries, David Dolbel,
                                  Jonathan Westoby.
Most Improved Player. Nicola Westoby.

Bidding Boxes. Mary-Ellen Newton queried whether the club would use bidding pads rather than bidding boxes. However, this suggestion did not receive any support.

Next Year. The first tournament in 2010 will be a Butler Pairs event, starting on Wednesday 3rd February and will run into the first Wednesday in March to cover the period when the Gold Congress takes place.

THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8.10 PM.