Stratford Chess Club: Minutes of 2019 Annual General Meeting held on 30th April

 Present: R.Lawrence, P.Bennett, A.Grimes, G.Blissitt, P.Stiff, R.Dobedoe, B.Larkin, P.Davies, R.Buxton, P.Snodgrass, J.Spenser

Apologies for absence: R.McNally, P.Drury, M.Dullenty, S.Henderson, D.Gardiner, S.Payne

Minutes of 2018 AGM were accepted as being a true account.

Matters arising

The issue of the club venue would discussed as a separate Agenda item.

Team Captain reports

1. RD reported on behalf of Team A that they had finished 3rd in the league behind strong teams. It had been a steady year with everyone scoring at least 50%.

2. PD reported that Team B finished 4th with 14 points.

3. PSt reported that Team C had been beaten to the top spot by Shirley. BL had scored 80% and

nobody scored below 50%.

4. RB reported that Team D had had a strong start and, at times, had been above the C Team in the table. Indeed, they had beaten the C Team once and drawn the return fixture! With a very good team including new players, the team had finished 3rd.

5. AG won the U100 KO tournament beating PSt (who was also a finalist in the U125 Individual KO). We also won the Team U120 KO Cup for the 2nd year in succession.

Club venue

PSt provided a review of the history of the move to Tiddington in the summer of 2018 together with a review of facilities there. It was reported that there was a new management team in place at the venue who were looking to revise the arrangements that were agreed when we changed venue but the club had taken action to address these demands. Some grant funding had been obtained to help meet costs.

Treasurer’s reports

PD presented the year’s accounts advising that the club had made a small profit but that this was only because we had received a discretionary grant.

A substantial increase in subscription for the chess club was needed due to venue hire charges now being payable and this increase was agreed by a unanimous vote.

There would be pre-season registration in July in order to collect annual membership subscriptions.

The club was aware that the chess equipment was now dated (some of it had come from the defunct Chipping Campden Chess Club which had itself inherited equipment from the long-defunct Evesham Chess Club!).

Chess Club Constitution

RB outlined the proposed constitution which was agreed and adopted by a unanimous vote. A copy would be made available on the club’s website.

Equality and Diversity Policy

PSt outlined the proposed constitution which was agreed and adopted by a unanimous vote. A copy would be made available on the club’s website.

Election of committee

Secretary – PSt

President - RB

Treasurer/Membership Secretary/Data Controller – PD Child Protection Officer – RD

Trophies Officer – SH Press Secretary - SP

Summer tournament

This would be postponed as the club registration evening in July would determine whether or not this was viable.

Pre-season social

This would be postponed as the club registration evening in July would determine whether or not this was viable.

Teams and team captains for the forthcoming season

A Team – RMc. Other team captains would be PSt, PD and RB depending on the next grading list.

Any Other Business

RD would look into liaising with local schools with a view to increasing our membership at a junior level.

The meeting closed at 8.50pm.