What’s what at the EBU

I have had a fair amount of comment stating that the workings of the EBU are not well known. So here are a few facts.

The EBU is a limited company. Each county holds shares in proportion to its membership ranging, I think, from one to four.

The HBA shareholders, holding one share each of £1 but not marketable, are currently:

            Myself

            Bernard Eddleston – our hon, treasurer

            Mike Minting – our hon. Tournament Secretary

Shareholders are able to vote as necessary at three meetings a year one of which is the AGM. In particular, shareholders elect the EBU chairman and board as and members of committees as and when nominations are received at the end of their predecessors term of office.

The chairman is Peter Stocken. He has been chairman before and was not going to stand until persuaded to be nominated at an AGM.

The general manager and company secretary is Barry Capal. His predecessor was something of a flawed diamond and Barry’s arrival has injected a breath of fresh air into our contacts with the EBU. He replies to anyone’s questions and comments almost before we have thought of them and demonstrably has a mind of his own.

The chief Tournament Director is Max Bavin who runs his part of the business very effectively.

The long-time membership secretary is Eileen Maunder who has a very demanding job which she does uncomplainingly.

There is a fairly new treasurer, Mike Hill, who apart from playing with me in the past in the London Business Houses league, is chairman of the LCCBA.

There are obviously committees - Laws & Ethics, Tournament, Selection (for representative events.

The Chairman, Treasurer, all Board members and members of the various committees are volunteers. So a lot of people give their time freely on our behalf.

A Membership Development Action Group was set up to explore ways in which change could come about. A leading light is Sally Bugden and another, John Carter who is chairman of Hants CBA, took the trouble to visit my golf club to observe our particular type of events. They have had meetings with every county and many clubs to find out what people think and explore the art of the possible.

This group is the architect of the strategy proposals, not the subject of this note. Whatever you think of it, those involved have put in a huge amount of work with little thanks and deserve our appreciation for that.

Today’s plagiarism: Ask not what bridge can do for you . . . . .

Nuff said. Browse through the EBU website www.ebu.co.uk to learn about the rest of the organisation.

Best wishes  Mike Hancock