SCOTTISH BRIDGE UNION
Trustees Newsletters
Chair Newsletter September 2023
Dear Members
Welcome to the new season. Although bridge is played all year round, the Scottish calendar traditionally “starts” in September. Lots has happened since I last wrote to you.
Mempad Upgrade
Mempad consists of a membership database and a Masterpoints system. A necessary major upgrade was done over the summer and has now been completed. This involved an enormous amount of work by Bill Whyte and his team, for which we are very grateful. There is a definite “new look” to the site and feedback so far has been positive.
Website
Those regular users of the website will notice . . .
Chair Newsletter June 2023
Dear Members
Hopefully, members have been enjoying the warm spell of weather when not playing bridge. I know that some clubs will have closed for the summer, but many are now back playing in the clubs throughout the year. As usual, it has been very busy behind the scenes.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM on 23rd May was attended by 68 members and we received a record number of 129 proxy votes. There were lots of questions and discussion, and the minutes of the meeting can be found on the website.
Finances
Although our financial position remains strong, the changed . . .
Chair Newsletter February 2023
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 . . .
December newsletter from the Chair of Trustees
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 . . .
September newsletter from the Chair of Trustees
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 . . .
July newsletter from the Chair of Trustees
Dear Members
It’s been a very mixed summer with changeable weather, political upheaval, continuing Covid infection and travel chaos. Thankfully bridge allows us the opportunity to play online, or to play face to face meeting friends we haven’t seen for a couple of years. Since I last wrote to you there’s been a lot happening behind the scenes.
AGM 24 May
The last meeting of the “old” organisation and the first AGM of the new SCIO took place on 24 May. In addition to the usual formalities and the election of three new trustees Neil Archibald, Gavin Easton and Mike . . .
April Newsletter from the Chair of Trustees
Dear Members
As the weather starts to warm up it’s great to hear that many clubs have started to get back to playing face to face bridge. Feedback so far has been very positive, with the social interaction being so important for many of our members.
AGM 24 May 7.00 pm
Advanced notice of two AGMs has recently been issued to members. The first meeting will be the final one of the old organisation; the second meeting will be the first AGM of the new SCIO.
Nominations are invited from members interested in joining the Board of Trustees. A nomination . . .
March newsletter from the Chair of the Trustees
As you will be aware the SBU is now a corporate body and a recognised Scottish Charity. Instead of the SBU Council, we now have a Board of Trustees guiding the SBU. Alan Goodman is the chair. Here is his first newsletter.
Dear Members,
As we move into Spring, I hope that this finds you well and that you are continuing to enjoy your bridge, whether online or F2F. As the new chair of the Board of Trustees, I plan to write regularly to members keeping them informed of what’s going on in the organisation.
SCIO is now operational
As of 1st March, the . . .