SBU News

Dear Members

As we start to get back to some form of normality, it is pleasing to see that more members are now back playing live bridge, but equally importantly that online bridge is still meeting the needs of those members who are unable to access live bridge. The challenge for us all is to offer an appropriate balance between live and online bridge so that the wide, and often conflicting, needs of our members can be met, and clubs can remain in good health..

Review of SBU's international activities

Feedback from members has suggested that they would like Scotland to have a strong international presence. This is now part of SBU’s Strategic Plan and is in the context of poor results over many years, particularly in Open competitions. A Group was established by the Board to review all aspects of international activity and make recommendations for change. A summary of their findings and recommendations is attached as an Appendix to this Newsletter. We’re indebted to the Working Group, Stirling University and the contributions from players and administrators around the world.

Director of Selection

A key recommendation of the International Review Group is the appointment of a Director of Selection. The role is outlined in the Appendix and further details are available on request. If you may be interested in applying for this role, please get in touch with Neil Archibald (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by the end of February.

Getting more youngsters playing bridge

We are very fortunate to have members who already introduce bridge to youngsters in their local community. However, we desperately need more volunteers to get involved. Please get in touch with Education (Marina Evans) if you think you could help, or you have contact with teachers and schools that may be interested.

Mempad Development

A significant amount of work will be undertaken over the next few months to undertake an essential upgrade to our current Mempad system. Although the system incorporates our membership database, it’s primary and more complex function is to administer our Masterpoint system. The Board considered alternative systems but concluded that upgrading the existing software is the most costeffective solution. Concurrently we will also consider how we can improve our emailing system to members, which is a known weakness of the current system.

Masterpoints Scheme

With the advent of online SBU competitions and a different bridge landscape post Covid, we need to reconsider the purpose of the Master Point Scheme and to what extent it meets the needs of the SBU and its members. Considerations will include the allocation of red and black points, and whether the current rankings and bronze/silver/gold designations are fit for purpose. A Working Group chaired by Anne Coles is addressing the many questions, and will produce a set of recommendations to the Board in due course.

Allegations of Cheating

It is very disappointing that allegations of cheating are still being reported. Although we are actively reviewing our disciplinary processes and sanctions, members should be aware that the Trustees will not tolerate behaviour that is spoiling enjoyment for the rest of our members. Further communication will be issued reminding members what constitutes cheating and what is expected from members.

Alan Goodman

February 2023

Appendix: Report from SBU International Review Group (IRG)

Scottish Bridge News 130

There is a Café Bridge Trip to Scotland (Dunkeld and Plockton) on the week of 23rd October.

Dear Members

It’s great to see that many clubs are now back playing live bridge, enjoying the social interaction that was sorely missed during the pandemic. For many clubs, survival is dependent on playing live bridge. In addition, the demand for online bridge remains strong and needs to be satisfied. As I’ve always said, SBU remains committed to supporting clubs because a network of thriving clubs across Scotland is critical for the future of our game. This has created challenges in offering an appropriate balance between live and online bridge so that the wide, and often conflicting, needs of our members can be met. This remains a challenge for both SBU and clubs.

Member Services

Members Services is experiencing significant change resulting from the decision of both Bill Whyte and Alison Carmichael to retire from their positions. Both have given tremendous service over many years and their contributions have been greatly appreciated. Their roles will be taken over by Anne Coles, Ann Binder, and Marc Shearer. Any queries and advice on Masterpoint allocations and the granting of event licences should now be sent to Anne Coles at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Further contact details will be issued in due course - please bear with us during a period of transition.

Operations Lead and Club Support Manager

It has proved difficult to attract a new General Manager from within our membership, and we are extremely grateful to Joan Forsyth who has acted in the role on an interim basis. We shall now extend our search outside our membership, and in the interim Marina Evans has agreed to lead the Operations Team. She will also manage an exciting new position of Club Support Manager. This position has been created in recognition that SBU needs to be more proactive in supporting clubs, many of whom we know are struggling to survive and flourish.

New Treasurer

We welcome Laura Cooper, who has a wealth of commercial finance experience, as our new Treasurer. She will take over in January, and work with Karen Birt who has been our bookkeeper for the last few months. I’d like to thank Scott Macdonald for his dedication and commitment to the role over the last couple of years.

Communication and Marketing

We are very conscious that we need to improve our communication with members by using our website, social media etc more effectively. We know what is needed, but desperately need a small team of volunteers to help deliver our plans. If you feel you can help, please let me know.

Strategic Plans

An essential element of good governance is to have both strategic and operational plans. Our new Strategic Plan will be published on our website before Christmas. It allows members to see what the organisation is trying to achieve over the next 3 years. It’s a great read when you get bored with the TV over Christmas!

Affiliation Agreements

In September I reported that we have had a lot of feedback regarding the difficulty some clubs are having in meeting the stated requirements. There have also been questions relating to the clause on affiliation fees. Because we don’t want unnecessary obstacles for clubs continuing to be affiliated, we have made changes. This won’t affect clubs who have already signed their Agreement. We shall be writing to clubs as soon as possible.

Awards

Congratulations to Liz McGowan who was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to bridge over many years. Liz is the first Scot to be awarded an honour for services to bridge. It was a pleasure for me to attend the ceremony with Liz and her family. Paul and Alex Gipson have been awarded the “Best Bid Hand” for 2022 by the International Bridge Press Association. That is an extraordinary achievement given the number of hands played across the world in international competition. As regular teammates of mine, I’ll be expecting very high standards from them next year!

Vote of thanks

Thanks to my fellow trustees, the operations management team and the scores of volunteers who give up their time to support the running of the SBU, the districts and the clubs. It’s been a great effort during a very difficult year. With the success of the Summer Academy, the Play and Learn weekend in Perth, and a resurgence of teaching across the districts, it’s great to see a significant number of new people learning and playing bridge. Thank you and well done to all the teachers. It’s important that we build on these successes next year. Best wishes to you and your families for a very happy Christmas and a great 2023.

Alan Goodman

December 2022

Read the Scottish-Bridge-News-issue-129-November-2022.pdf

Contributions to the Monthly News should be sent to the editor:  Liz McGowan.

November-2022-Bidding-Panel-Problems

You are always South, playing with an excellent first-time partner. You had time to agree only a basic system:
5-card Majors, 15-17 No-trump,
2/1 forcing to game,
1C/1D = 3+
(not that it will help much here).

Please send your replies to Liz McGowan.

Closing date = 20 November 2022

Scottish Bridge News SBN128 September 2022

Dear Members,

We live in challenging times but it’s great to see so many clubs now getting back playing face to face. It’s understandable that numbers are lower than pre-pandemic, but there’s strong evidence that numbers are continuing to grow. We are committed to supporting clubs to the best of our ability and believe that having a network of thriving clubs across Scotland remains critical for the future of our game. Since I last wrote to you there’s been a lot happening.

Meeting with club representatives

We held four online meetings with club representatives to share ideas and to help us resolve any issues together. The feedback from clubs about Affiliation Agreements, SBU run online competitions, and the role of the districts was particularly helpful, together with a sharing of experiences relating to the sustainability of individual clubs. I hope the club representatives found the sessions as useful as did the trustees.

General Manager

Janet Unsworth has given up her role as General Manager. She undertook the role on a voluntary basis because she had always intended to travel extensively over the summer months. Her current plans are to do more travelling over the next year or so. We are grateful for all the hard work done by Janet. We are now looking for a new General Manager, which will be a remunerated flexible part time post. I’m extremely grateful to Joan Forsyth who has agreed to act in the role on a short-term interim basis. Please get in touch with me or Joan for a chat if you may be interested.

Treasurer Vacancy

We welcome Karen Birt our new bookkeeper. We are still looking for a volunteer to fulfil the role of treasurer. I’m sure we’ve got lots of retired accountants within our membership who can easily fulfil this important role, expected to take no more than 3-4 hours per week. Please contact Sarah Gunn (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you may be interested.

Safeguarding Policy

We’re delighted that Alex Hunter has agreed to become our new Child Protection Officer, taking over from Lorraine Findlay who did an excellent job in that role for many years. She has lots of relevant experience and, with help from Joan Forsyth, has produced a revised policy that can be viewed on our website. Familiarisation with this document is essential because Safeguarding and protecting children is a fundamental responsibility of us all.

Affiliation Agreements

We have had a lot of feedback regarding the difficulty some clubs are having in meeting the stated requirements. There have also been questions relating to the clause on affiliation fees. Please be assured the Agreements have been introduced as a means of good governance, and we would wish there to be no obstacles to clubs continuing to be affiliated. Any specific concerns should be discussed with Bill Whyte (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Best wishes to all our members for a great season ahead. P.S. Please note the SBU Saturday Swiss Pairs on BBO will pause this coming Saturday 17 September, but we look forward to welcoming players back at 7 pm on Saturday 24 September.

Alan Goodman

September 2022

Edition 127 - July 2022