Newsletter - 30 October 2020

From the President:

I would like to say thank you to the previous President, Pam, and the outgoing Committee for all the work they have undertaken over the past 12 months. The last 12 months have been particularly hard, the Club was forced to close in March. However, in this case there was a silver lining. The closure of the Club allow the renovations of the bathrooms to proceed and also part of the car park to be resurfaced without any inconvenience to members. Further the Committee undertook the difficult work of preparing the Club house to reopen in our COVID world. That work also entailed preparation, and subsequent updating, of the COVID Safety Plan and Checklist (which I hope we have all read).

As COVID is still stalking our world, it is still important that we follow the advice in the Checklist and maintain social distance both outside and inside the Club and not mingle.  Further, in the kitchen remember only one person at a time and only after ½ hour after play has commenced.

At the AGM held on Monday, all nominees for  the Committee were successful. The nominees and position holders are:

• President: Margaret Kyburz:
• Vice-President: Elizabeth Van Der Hor;
• Secretary: Deborah Milner;
• Treasurer: Lyn Turner;
• Tournament Secretary: Ian Robinson; and
• Committee:
  • Jennifer Yeats;
  • Patricia McDonald;
  • Mary Tough;
  • John Hempenstall;
  • West Savery;
  • Tim Mather;
  • Michele Grant; and
  • Sally Barber.

The new Committee will hold its first meeting on Monday afternoon 9 November.

Cheers,
Margaret

Kitchen Volunteers Required

The club reopened the downstairs kitchen on Monday 12 October 2020. This continues to be on a TRIAL week-by-week basis, testing whether we can operate in a COVID-safe way, as demonstrated by strong member compliance with the arrangements outlined in the Kitchen Reopening Document.

Volunteers are needed at every session to ensure the kitchen is left as it should be. We urgently need volunteers for Friday afternoon in particular. This will only take a few minutes as members are required to place their own cups and glasses in the dishwasher. Please contact Tim Mather to let him know of your availability This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Next week at the Clubrooms

Have you read the latest versions of the CBC COVID-19 Safety Plan and Checklist for Members?

• COVID-19 Safety Plan & Checklist & Checklist (including how to buy vouchers and payment details)

For the week commencing Monday 2 November we have six sessions scheduled at the clubrooms

• Monday morning 10:00am                                                     Bruce Crossman
• Monday evening 7:00pm (walk-in) & 7:15pm (event)            Christy Geromboux
• Tuesday afternoon 1:15pm                                                    Sally Barber
• Wednesday morning 10:00am                                               Ian Robinson
• Thursday morning 10:00am (MP and Imps)                          Jodi Tutty
• Friday afternoon 1:15pm                                                       Bruce Crossman

The Club will endeavour to extend the number of boards played in face-to-face Club sessions back to pre-COVID-19 levels (i.e. 27-28 boards, instead of the present 24 boards). This decision will be at the discretion of the session director.

Red Masterpoint sessions at the Clubrooms

For the months of September to November, each face-to-face session will have one red pointed session per month. Red points will be awarded on:

• Monday Morning                    4th Monday of the month  - November 23
• Monday Evening                    4th Monday of the month  - November 23
• Tuesday Afternoon                 1st Tuesday of the month  - November 3*
• Wednesday morning              2nd Wednesday of the month - November 11
  
• Friday afternoon                     3rd Friday of the month  - November 20

*Please note that on Melbourne Cup Day, 3 November, bridge will be held as usual at 1.15pm

Bidding Boxes

Please remember:

• To place all call cards, including Pass, on the table
• Do not pick up or disturb the bidding cards until after the opening lead has been made

Next week on BBO

For the week commencing Monday 2 November, we have scheduled 5 tourneys on BBO.

• Monday Morning 10:15am                           Bruce Crossman
• Tuesday Evening 7:15pm (imps)                 Stephen Fisher
• Wednesday Morning Novice 10:15am         Barb Toohey
• Wednesday Evening 7:15pm                       Christy Geromboux
• Thursday Morning 10:15am (matchpoint)    Jodi Tutty

Honourary Life Member - Ian Robinson

Ian Robinson has been an active member of the Canberra Bridge Club (CBC) for nearly 40 years. During that time he has served the club as a committee member, director, manager, teacher and highly successful representative player.

Ian has served on the management committee in several capacities, as President (1984--1987), Tournament Secretary (1997, 2008, 2015--2016) and Vice-President (2017--2020). He was also Tournament Secretary for the ACT Bridge Association in 1984 and part of 1986. Ian is currently the CBC's Vice-President and Chief Director.

Ian was the club's Manager and Chief Director from 1989 to 1993. During that time not only did our club prosper and grow in membership but there was a rapid expansion in the growth of country congresses in the region. Ian's style, enthusiasm and efficiency as director of many of these congresses made a significant contribution to this development.

Ian returned in a voluntary capacity to the role of Chief Director after Sean Mullamphy’s illness in 2017. Of particular note is the way Ian reshaped the role to suit the needs of the time. While the club had a management structure that was serving the club well, Ian addressed the need for more directors to fill the gap created by Sean’s retirement by identifying and encouraging several suitable club members to train and join the club’s directing staff. This development has put the club in a much more flexible position than before.

From his earliest connection with CBC and up to the present, Ian has proved himself as a first-rate teacher, both of beginners and more advanced players. He was particularly active in this role during his earlier time as Manager and Chief Director.

Ian has performed all these roles with diligence, integrity and great enthusiasm, and always with the best interests of the Canberra Bridge Club and its members. He has promoted the game in many ways, including by his support for younger players, beginners, and those wanting to advance in the game. In recent years, with membership of bridge clubs declining all over the world, Ian continues to look for ways to attract new players to bridge and to our club.

We believe that an award of Honorary Life Membership would be a fitting recognition of Ian’s service to CBC and its members.

Update your details and permission to list

As the club will not be producing a 2021 calendar/member list it is more important than ever that your personal details as recorded in Pianola are correct.

You are able to update your details in Pianola yourself - see instructions below. Whilst we encourage members to update their details themselves to reduce the office administration burdons, we understand that for some members this is not possible. If you are unable to update your details yourself please send an email to the office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or "reply" to the email newsletter) to confirm your current details and advise of permission for your phone and/or email to be listed in Pianola for other members to view. 

How to check and update your contact details

1. Log in to Pianola (https://app.pianola.net/) 
2. Click on "My Account" in the drop down menu on the right and then the first Tab underneath is "Personal Details".
3. Update the fields as necessary, and click "save".
4. Then we suggest you check that your Communication Preferences are as you prefer (4^th tab) - this includes reciving general emails and results from the Club.
   
5. Lastly, then your contact permissions (5^th tab). We strongly suggest that you allow other club members to have at least one channel for contacting you. PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY CLUB MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THIS INFORMATION, AND ONLY IF YOU ALLOW IT.
   
   
6. (Optional) While you are there you may also wish to upload a photo of yourself (3^rd Tab). For an example please see Rick Nehmy’s member details.

BFACT Annual General Meeting

The Bridge Federation of the ACT (BFACT) is to hold its Annual General Meeting  commencing at 5PM Monday 16 November 2020. The AGM is to be held at the Canberra Bridge Club. Members will also be able to attend and vote on all matters via Zoom. Further information on Zoom attendance will be provided closer to the meeting.

If you are attending the BFACT AGM in-person, please read the COVID-19 Safety Plan for the BFACT AGM.

All information about the meeting (Agenda, Financial Statements, Nomination and Proxy Forms) are available on the BFACT web site (www.bfact.com.au) under Notices.

Upcoming Events

Griffith Ex-Servicemans Bridge Club Online Swiss Pairs

• Saturday November 14, 2020 10:00 AM - 60 tables
• This event will have two sessions with a 30 minute break for lunch, a 10 minute break for morning tea and a 10 minute break for afternoon tea.
• Cost: BB$10 per player
• All players must be registered users on Bridge Base Online www.bridgebase.com and have registered their BBO Username with the ABF www.abfevents.com.au/forms/signup

Any issues with entries should be directed to the organiser This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (02) 6965 1260.

Results

ABF Online Events

25 October - Open
2nd EW           David Hoffman & Neil Ewart     63.29%

Lighter Moments

 I intend to live forever, or die trying.
 - Groucho Marx

Teacher: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
Glen: I am a lot closer to the ground than you are.

Garfield comic - Copyright Jim Davis