Notes on YCBA Pay2Play Meeting at Wetherby Bridge Club
Monday 12th May 2008
The Meeting was chaired by Graham Jepson (YCBA Vice-Chairman). He explained that he was chairing the meeting
as Philip Mason (YCBA Chairman) had been an active member of MDAG (EBU’S Membership Development Action Group)
which had initiated the Pay2Play scheme.
Lesley Millett, YCBA’s new Treasurer, was introduced to the meeting.
Graham Jepson opened the discussion by quoting from a letter from Peter Stocken (EBU Chairman)
“The Board’s Strategy Document is the result of nearly two and a half years of research, data collection, analysis,
extensive consultation and, all in all, some very hard work by a group of people committed totally to the service
of the English Bridge Union. Whilst it would be foolish to think we have got everything right, we do believe that
our projections are sufficiently sound to make the proposals viable and the risks containable. The Board has the
interests of this great game at heart and believes Pay2Play to be a sensible and workable way of financing the
English Bridge Union and one that will ensure a stable base for game’s future development.”
Graham then outlined the need for change and stressed that Pay2Play would be a financially neutral exercise.
The Yorkshire Pay2Play charge would be 33p (EBU 29p plus ycba 4p). This would be a net payment of 20p after the
Master Points charge had been deducted. The EBU annual subscription would cease to exist after 2010 if Pay2Play
were accepted.
After considerable discussion a vote was taken. The number of votes allocated to each club depended upon its
representation at YCBA council meetings (as determined by the YCBA constitution). The total includes votes
received by Graham from clubs whose representatives could not attend.
Result:
48 in favour
21 against
Subsequently the votes of Scarborough, Richmond and Pickering have been received which
results in a final total of:
52 in favour
21 against
The Yorkshire shareholders will therefore vote in favour of Pay2Play at the EBU meeting on 4th June.
Graham Jepson agreed to raise the concerns and suggestions of Yorkshire clubs with the EBU Board.
Concerns:-
1 Club Affiliation Fees- would it be possible to have a lower fee for smaller clubs?
2 EBUTA fees. The EBU Strategy Document is not clear on this subject.
3 Why is it possible for Scotland and Wales to run events more cheaply than England?
4 Has MDAG got it right? Will there be a need for increased fees in the future?
5 Will it be possible to check whether Clubs are honest in their returns?
6 How will rebates be organized?
Suggestions:-
1 Accounts Package- the EBU said it was unable to supply this but surely it would be a valuable service to clubs.
2 Conferences - Working Parties - Discussion Groups
It was suggested that Yorkshire should organize these for the benefit of the clubs.
Management Committee members were delighted that so many clubs had made the effort to attend the meeting and
express their views.