Welcome to Club Management Focus.
Welcome to the Summer 2016 Edition. I hope you find this issue a source of much important information. I'd like to draw your attention to a few items.
I hope your club will enter the NICKO this year. Details of entry and the closing date are in this issue and we have responded to some comments about making the event more truly representative by tightening the eligibility rules.
We want to be able to contact our members. You will see in this newsletter a plea to keep your membership database up to date not only making sure you have a complete list of members but also their details are updated as and when they let you know (which I am sure you encourage).
We introduced EBUScore a year ago. It is growing in popularity and we have sold copies to unaffiliated clubs in England and also overseas. If you are an affiliated club it is not only free but support is also, for the time being free. so consider taking advantage of this benefit of affiliation.
Finally does your club have enough directors or is it the same person all the time? Most clubs rely on volunteers. There are relatively few judgement rulings, it is more someone to help authoritatively with the technical problems such as a revoke or bid out of turn that is needed. Perhaps your club might consider funding a member on a course or, if you have the facilities, hosting a course? There is a discount for all courses booked via an affiliated club.
Jeremy Dhondy
Chairman, English Bridge Union
August 2016