YORKSHIRE CONTRACT BRIDGE ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the AGM of the YCBA held at Bradford Bridge club on Friday 15 June 2007 at 7.15 p.m.

Present: P. G. Mason (Chair), G Jepson (Vice Chair), H Barr (Treasurer), J Latham (Secretary)
and 45 other members were present.

1. Apologies for Absence
A Bond, E H Bond, C Close, D Close, E Crebbin, P Foster, J Hanson, D Page, R Page, B Stones and C Walker

2. Minutes of the 2006 AGM (previously circulated) and Matters Arising
The minutes were approved and signed and there were no matters arising.

3. Chairman’s Report
3.1 The Chairman presented his annual report highlighting:
-The overall continuing stability of membership levels
-The generally well-supported competitions and Annual Congress
-The fall in numbers participating in Simultaneous pairs competitions noting that in 2007/2008 the previous
system of holding the events on Thursday nights will be re-instated.
The slight reduction in the number of Yorkshire League teams
-The great success of the newly-formed Northern Bridge League with Graham Jepson deserving enormous praise
for his work in its initiation.
-The advent of some new events i.e. the League Clubs event and the Handicap teams of 4 at the instigation
of Graham Jepson and Derek Adams respectively.

Other specific thanks were accorded to:
All members of the Management Committee
Ted Bond for sustaining his contributions as Yorkshire League and Membership Secretary
Les Brown for collating and editing the Bulletin
Cedric Cockcroft in respect of promoting Youth Bridge
Robin Jepson for producing information for the EBU magazine
Ted Latham for organising the Golf Clubs event

The Chair was warmly thanked for his work over the year with special reference to the compilation of the Yorkshire League
fixture list.

4. Honorary Secretary’s Report
The Honorary Secretary indicated that she had nothing to report that was not covered elsewhere in the agenda.

5. Tournament Secretary’s Report
A report was tabled which reflected broadly similar numbers taking part in YCBA competitions other than the downward
trend in Simultaneous Pairs participation.

6. Honorary Treasurer’s Report
A brief report, explaining some financial pressures, together with detailed audited accounts for the year ending 31 March 2007
were circulated. 7. Membership Secretary’s Report
A report was distributed which provided a tabulation of numbers together with a set of explanatory notes showing broadly
comparable levels between 2006 and 2007.

8. YCBA Subscriptions
In the light of the Treasurer’s concern about dwindling reserves, the Chair reported a proposal from the Management
Committee that the subscription level be raised from £2.00 to £2.50 for the forthcoming season. Peter Stocken proposed
an amendment that the increase should be to £3.00 and after considerable discussion this was agreed.
Giles foster suggested that the subscription level should be subject to annual review and this was also agreed.

9. Election of Officers and Management Committee 2007-2008
The following were nominated:

Chairman Philip Mason Proposed by Graham Jepson
 (Malton) Seconded by Stuart Davies
 
 David Duddell Proposed by Liz Reese
 (Garforth) Seconded by Frank Dixon

Philip Mason was duly elected.

The following were elected unopposed:

Vice Chairman Graham Jepson Proposed by Philip Mason
 (Sheffield) Seconded by Pauline Cooper
 
Honorary Secretary Janet Latham Proposed by John Foster
 (Harrogate) Seconded by Jill Foggitt
 
Assistant Secretary Rob Turner Proposed by Phil Godfrey
 (Sheffield) Seconded by Ted Latham
 
Tournament Secretary Stuart Davies Proposed by Rob Turner
 (Bradford) Seconded by Steve Pollard

There were no nominations for Honorary Treasurer. Helen Barr agreed that she will continue to perform the necessary functions without holding
the title pending a replacement being identified. Helen was thanked for her excellent work as Honorary Treasurer.

8.2 Election of Management Committee
The following nominations were received:

Judith Biles Proposed by Chris Close
(Keighley) Seconded by Diane Dean
 
Peter Foster Proposed by Philip Mason
(Doncaster) Seconded by Pauline Cooper
 
Phil Godfrey Proposed by John Dennis
(York) Seconded by Chris Laverack
 
Ian Rodger Proposed by Noreen Mayo
(Bramhope) Seconded by Ted Latham
 
David Waxman Proposed by Janet Latham
(Sheffield) Seconded by Ted Crebbin

As under the YCBA Constitution only four places exist, Phil Godfrey withdrew rather than have an election held and the
remaining candidates were therefore returned unopposed. It is intended that Phil Godfrey will be co-opted to the Committee.
At this point Philip Mason expressed his thanks to members for their support over a considerable number of years.

10. Appointment of Auditors
Brown Butler and Co was re-appointed.

11. Date and venue of AGM 2008
The date and venue of the 2008 AGM was agreed as 13 June 2008 at Doncaster Bridge Club - starting at 7.15 p.m.

12. Any Other Business
It was suggested that a review of the YCBA Constitution is timely. A discussion took place about some issues, notably the
question of whether Council members are representatives of, or delegates from their clubs, and the question of whether to await
developments within the EBU prior to taking action. The matter was referred to the Management Committee for further consideration.

13. Presentation of Trophies
Trophies were presented to the winners of the Kath Grimoldby Trophy and for the twelve divisions of the Yorkshire Leagues.
York A were congratulated on winning the Regional Final of the Garden Cities Trophy with the hope that they do well in the National Final.

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