Wanganui Contract Bridge Club
                                                                                 Presidents Report 2020
For the second time it is my pleasure to be able to present a report on this last year of our Bridge Club activity.
This year has been very different than previous years, the reason for this being the Covid 19 pandemic, which continues as I write. It has caused a big disruption to our planned programme, many playing nights and days lost and competitions not completed. This club has applied the closures following advice from NZ Bridge. The response to this by members has been varied. As normal we have some who have said we are too cautious and others who have stayed away longer to be safe. At this time we have succeeded in preventing an outbreak within our club which of course would have been disastrous.
The duty of the committee is to manage the everyday operation of the club to the best of their ability for the club members. I can say that our committee has worked hard at doing that over the last year and also coping with the many unexpected things that have happened, and I complement them for that.
Covid has of course has had a big effect on the financial income of the club whilst many of the outgoings remain unchanged.. Most of our income as you will know comes from table money so less playing sessions equals less income. The club does have money reserves and at times like these we know why we run the finances this way.
Many people other than our committee contribute to the day to day running of our club. We have directors who complete study and pass exams who supervise your play, as they are no doubt thinking how they could have played that hand better if they were playing. We have scorers who have to setup the seating and get the correct board rotations and then set up the computer so that the scores can be recorded correctly so that you may get the results and much other information at the end of play. Sometimes it maybe that someone is late and then it takes a little extra time to get set up and underway. It takes considerable effort to understand how to do this and these people should be appreciated for their efforts. And the card dealers. Every week they work through the process of producing all of the freshly dealt boards that we need to play with. Often they have to manage with different computer gremlins which complicate the job. Other people manage the kitchen. Where would we be without our chocolate biscuits at the end of the night. Our club rooms need regular and ongoing maintenance. Most of this is done by club members. One big item completed this year is the replacement of all of the lighting in the main room. This is now all LED, all organised and completed by club members. I think it must be good, I haven't had any complaints about flickering lights since this job has been done. Lots of people will simply get involved and do a job when they see it needs doing and other people talk to me and offer help. I see this as the life of this club. It contributes to the well being and enjoyment of all club members.
This is my opportunity to publicly thank my committee for their service and input over this last year and I do that unreservedly. The more important people are Sherry and Owen. Sherry spends many hours working for the club and goes above and beyond her expected duties and as President I have found my job very easy with her support. Owen has a very good rein on the clubs finances, and this is essential as this year has proven. I am again very lucky to have such great support in this area. We are very fortunate as a club to have them stand again for these positions in the coming year. Not only these two but all our current committee, except John who is working with the learners, are standing for reelection. I think this a sign of how well our club is operating. Les Gould, currently head director and of course a man of great bridge experience is also very important on the committee. Our tournament secretary Sue has worked her way into the job this year although it has been difficult with the interruptions by Covid but she has managed the job very well.
As I mentioned last year in my report, the introduction of new members to the club is very important for the future of the club and Bridge. The two important people managing this area are Graham and John. They have now been working with the learners for some time and they have indicated they are prepared to continue for next year at least. We can see how well they are doing their job by the number and quality of new players who are coming through. Monday night players are having to look at their laurels as some newer Wednesday players are showing them great skills evidenced by their results.
I congratulate all the winners of our club competitions and competitions outside of this club in which they have been successful. Well done!
In concluding I thank all members of the club for their support and courtesy that they have extended to me as President this year.
Neville Parker