CHAIRMAN’S CHAT

JANUARY 2012

 

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all members.

I explained in my last Chat that we have been exploring how we might improve the financial position of the Club and the Committee has made a number of decisions which I need to tell you about. First, with regard to free game tickets, it has been decided to retain free tickets for scorers, TDs, duplimators and hosts. However, we are reducing the free game tickets for events by awarding only one pair of free tickets per event, instead of two. With effect from April, therefore, all pairs events will be a one winner movement and all free game tickets will be valid for only six months from the date of issue. Second, we are amending the arrangements for the purchase of tokens. The discount for purchasing 20 will be removed and that for purchasing 30 reduced. The revised rates wef 30 January will be - purchases in multiples of 10 at £35 per 10 and £100 for 30. These two decisions will assist the Club in funding necessary renewals and investment in equipment.

The Committee has also considered how to make the transition from the Improvers+ Section into the main Section somewhat less daunting. We are introducing a weekly “Simple Systems – No Fear” pairs event open to all members who might like to play without the complexities of advanced bidding systems. This would run on Tuesdays from 3 April and would be run as a separate parallel section using the same boards as the main section. All players would be free to join either event on a Tuesday at their choice. In order to respond to concerns about the handicaps and whether they truly reflect the range of success and ability of all players, we are to amend the handicaps so that the maximum handicap per pair will double from 5% to 10%. These revised handicaps will also apply from April and should allow a broader range of members to win free tickets, which are awarded on handicap and not gross results (except for specifically non-handicap trophy events).

There has been some concern expressed that the host system has not been working quite as intended. Thanks again to Anne Mackman for organising the rota which is working extremely well. The guaranteed game scheme was intended to assist those visiting Leeds and those unexpectedly or temporarily without a partner. It was not intended to replace the partner-finder facility we already have in place for those seeking to find a new partner on a longer basis, a facility which will shortly be greatly enhanced through Pianola. In order to preserve the original intention of the host system, the Committee has decided to introduce a regulation that no player should use the host system more than twice per month. Please observe this regulation and use the partner-finding system if you wish to establish a longer term partnership.

I am just off on my annual family trip to Sydney and am delighted to be able to leave the chair’s responsibility in the capable hands of Arthur Selman, the Club’s Vice-Chairman. Please contact Arthur or any member of the Committee if there are issues you wish to raise in my absence

Enjoy your bridge

DEREK FRASER