Below is your monthly update from the EBU. Please note there are a number of important topics covered in the below. This email is also available on the EBU website, along with all past EBU Updates.
AGM Minutes
The AGM was held on Wednesday 30th November at the Royal National Hotel in London. The minutes from the meeting are now available to view.
Updated reports of master points
We now have a new Year to Date Ranking report for master points, which is updated on a monthly basis. It can be sorted by the type of master point – total, local, blue, green – and can be shown for each county alone.
At the same time the other existing reports have also been updated so that they can be sorted on the type of master point too. We hope that these changes might lead some counties to have their own master point races, with prizes based on various types of point, which may encourage those who primarily play in club games rather than those that offer green points.
When the end of year reports for 2022 are finalised we are intending to give free entries (one per person, not transferable) to the master point winners from each county in each category and to all the club winners, for our new Online One-Day Green-Pointed (OODGP) events.
Update from the Competitions Working Group
The timetable for the Online One Day Green Point (OODGP) events, stating in April, have now been added to the EBU calendar. Please check the dates and let us know if there are any clashes with planned county events. The current dates may be flexible if we are notified of issues early.
If you have not done so already, please consider advertising the new National Teams League to your members. There is still time for teams to enter, with entries closing on 11th Jan.
As a reminder, the first two weeks in February is the qualifying period for the National Pairs. Please let your members know and encourage them to participate in this great event.
Request for Clubs
We have the list of affiliated with charitable status. To ensure this list is kept up to date, if your club holds charity status, please let us know via email to jonathan@ebu.co.uk.
Diary "Opt In" - Check with New Members
Please check with any new club members that they are aware of the EBU diary and that they will need to "opt in" to receive their copy in September. Members can do this by either logging in to My EBU or calling us on 01296 317200.
Bridge Warehouse
Currently on offer in the Bridge Warehouse:
Jannersten Bidding Boxes - Set of 4 - Just £25
Jannersten Bidding Buddies - Just £24
Orders will be sent out Monday to Thursday between 9am and 2pm.
Train to become a bridge teacher
Have you or any of your club members ever thought about becoming a bridge teacher? Why not join one of the upcoming Club Teacher Training courses run by English Bridge Education & Development (EBED). For 2023 the course dates are:
Ipswich and Kesgrave BC: 16-17 Feb
London (Young Chelsea BC): 23-24 Feb
Horsham BC: 22-23 April
Solihull (West Midlands BC): 20-21 May
The 2-day courses give aspiring bridge teachers the skills to teach bridge effectively. As an EBU affiliated club, you are eligible for discounts or concessionary places. If you are interested, please contact Mark on 01296 317 218 (mark@ebedcio.org.uk).
Club Director Training
EBED also offers training to help you become a club director. Courses will be taking place in Surrey, Essex, Kent, Devon and Cheshire, between January and April. Dates for Darlington will be announced shortly. See the director training calendar for details. For more about these courses visit the EBED website or contact mark@ebedcio.org.uk
Directing Courses – delivered online
For those wishing to gain an introduction to face-to-face directing at their club EBED is offering the “How to run a club duplicate” session delivered over Zoom, 13-14 February.
Also, you can be trained to use the EBUScore scoring program via an online session on 11 January or 27 March, details of EBUScore Training.
More online training offers are to come, including “Judgement rulings for online bridge”, and “How to direct on BBO”.
For any queries related to director training courses, please contact Mark on 01296 317 218 (mark@ebedcio.org.uk). All our current dates are listed on the TD Course Calendar and are bookable through My EBU, or by phone (call Lisa on 01296 317 217).
Clubs Celebrations
If your club is celebrating an anniversary or special occasion, let us know, email sam@ebu.co.uk.
Social Media and Blogs
Please let us know if you would like to suggest a blog article that can then be shared across social media. There is no cost for this, and we welcome your ideas.
If you would like to write a blog, please email sam@ebu.co.uk.
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