From the Committee

When last year's committee decided to include a Concession renewal category it was intended to be for only those on Full Commonwealth Pensions and it was anticipated that the take up would be modest. The inability to simply discriminate between Full and Part Commonwealth Pension entitlements has been one factor in a much larger than expected take up of this Concession.

At the same time our preliminary discussions with the Northern Beaches Council have suggested that we will need to contribute financially in order to secure a lease on any adequate premises when our current lease expires in three years. This puts additional priority to building up our retained surpluses.

As a consequence of both these factors, the Committee decided on 22 January to withdraw the Concession membership category immediately for new members and from 31 January for renewing members. We trust members will appreciate our reconsideration of this decision, which was not taken lightly.

We are revising the club's constitution to ensure it is still appropriate for our association. We would expect to bring it to a special general meeting of the club in the first half of this year after which, if it is accepted by members, it will need to be ratified by the NSW Department of Fair Trading.

Any member who is keen to review the revised constitution and contribute to this process before the special general meeting is invited to contact David Farmer by email on austega@gmail.com or phone on 0415 715 743.

Now updated with our target climate range! A highly experienced director once confided that the hardest part of the job was the air conditioning decision. We seem to have our fair share of different opinions.

The committee discussed what could be done and concluded that we can never make everyone happy. Not only do different people feel the temperature, humidity and air movement differently, but the temperature and air movement can also vary within the clubhouse (and of course is dependent on which doors and windows are open).

To reduce but not eliminate the perhaps inevitable arguments the committee has adopted the following approach:

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For those that have not yet scrutinised their 2018 diaries closely we highlight our four year long competitions - so that you can join one that suits. Check the details are in your diary - including in the Special Events section at the back of the diary, but in brief:

• Padman Trophy - first Tue Nights from Feb to Dec (2nd in Nov) - open - 2017 winners David Farmer / Cath Whiddon - convener John Rogers
• First Wednesday Rookie Individual - first Wed from Mar to Nov - <10MP (as at 1 Jan) - 2017 winner Peggy Fisher - convener John Rogers
• Sloman Cup - first Thu from Mar to Dec - open - 2017 winners Alan Davies / Vivien Eldridge - convener Alan Davies
• First Friday Rookie Individual - first Fri from Mar to Nov - <20MP (as at 1 Jan) - 2017 (when it was <50MP) winner Sue Evershed - convener David Farmer

This is in addition to the ten great individual, pairs and teams competitions played over a number of weeks within a particular month - see the diary for details and plan the ones that suit.

Looking for a way to help the bridge club communicate better? The Communications Team has some vacancies right now - maybe one of these would suit you:

1. Club Noticeboard Coordinator - Overall coordination of the club's noticeboards to make them as efficient a communication channel as possible - needs someone with a good visual layout sense, good organisation and interpersonal skills, and comfort with using emails and displaying and printing PDFs (including in colour).
2. Club Template Coordinator - Overall coordination of the club's stationery templates including bringing them up to date with the club's design guide - needs someone with a good visual layout sense, good Word and Excel skills, good organisation and interpersonal skills, and comfort with using emails.
3. Graphic Artist - Contribute to the design of ads, signs and banners as required - needs someone with graphic layout flair/experience, access to any necessary software, and comfort using emails.
4. Website Team Member - Edit and add material to the website as needed as part of a team - needs someone with comfort using computers and editing photos, with good organisation and interpersonal skills, with comfort using emails, and ideally the ability to respond to time critical needs - training/support provided.

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December was another busy month for Peninsula.

I went to New Zealand In November and had a wonderful 2 week trip. Whist I was cycling and kayaking, the new committee was working very hard to take on their new roles and ensure the continuing smooth operation of the Club. Renewing fees and distributing diaries began in December, and we are set for another year of bridge. 

A highlight of December was the Christmas party, which I was very sorry to miss. The room was full to capacity and a great time was had by all. Thanks to the many helpers and organisers, who together make these events possible. Thanks in particular to Gayle King who has come on to the committee this year and did a marvellous job of organising the event.

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We rely on busy volunteers to sell our prepaid vouchers (PPVs).

On the whiteboard at the south end of the room is a list of the currently trained PPV volunteer sellers. Directors are able to ask any of these people to sell PPVs at a session of bridge. If none of these people are present, directors are able to sell PPVs too. The list is updated as the need arises so the one posted on the whiteboard is the most recent.

PPVs are $7 each if paying by cash with a special price of $65 for ten only if purchased by card/EFTPOS.

If there are any questions about PPVs please contact Cassandra Mitchell on ppvs@peninsulabridgeclub.org.au or 0421 764 300.

Welcome!  Please join us for a friendly game of bridge at minimal cost in our top quality facilities on the beautiful northern beaches of Sydney (convenient parking and wheelchair access available).  We offer:

• Regular duplicate bridge sessions and events six days a week (and some evenings)
• NSWBA tournament events with green, red and gold masterpoints
• A wide range of bridge education classes and workshops at all levels

                Sarah Young,  President