174th AGM

WAKEFIELD CHESS CLUB

Minutes of the 174th Annual General Meeting – 7.15PM

July 12th 2010

Present:- Mark Shelmerdine (President), Mike Denison (Secretary), Barry Brian (Treasurer), Peter Shaw, Ian Johnson, Chris Tinker, Alan Holloway, Ben Cuaresma, Keith Brown, Barry Marshall, Dave Pallagrass, Jim Whitaker, David Toulson, Craig Thompson, Mike Wilford, Simon Skinner, Urvi Vani.

Apologies for absence: Claire Way, Sylvie Ahmed
Minutes of the previous AGM July 6th 2009.

 These were read aloud by Mike Denison and were duly approved by the meeting.

Secretary’s Report (presented by Mike Denison)

 The 1st separate Junior Lightening competition was held 14th June 2010 at the club alongside the senior event. The winner was Wasim Ahmed who received a medal from Mr Denison. Further details can be found in the competition secretaries report for the AGM.
 The Sunderland Cup (principally WCC’s junior team event in the Yorkshire League) which had in the previous two years been well supported, had not been a success last season as interest had evidently waned. MD would not be aiming to run this team next season and recommended someone else be found to organise a team.
 MD had obtained some medals and trophies for the junior section, and this included one for “Junior of the Year” which he had presented to Vivi Way in recognition of her regular attendance at the club and good progress.
 MD indicated he had encouraged parents to stay on club nights
and that we currently have 8 juniors with possible others to join
so a healthy membership situation/ outlook.
 Chris Cheffins (Jim’s son) had volunteered to provide a junior lightning trophy
 The toilet key availability issue had evidently now been resolved.
 MD confirmed he was stepping down as club secretary, but wished to continue to help steer junior chess / training activities. MD showed the meeting a shield (David Hardcastle Trophy) which he had been awarded this year from the Yorkshire Chess Association in recognition of his services to Yorkshire Chess. On behalf of the entire club Mark Shelmerdine thanked Mike for his sterling work as our secretary over the past 30 years and this was acknowledged by all present.

Treasurer’s Report (presented by Barry Brian).

 BB presented everyone with a written copy of the accounts for the year ending 31st May 2010. This indicated an opening bank account balance of £711.50 and a closing balance of £751.97 thus indicative of a healthy positive cash flow situation.
 On the basis of the accounts BB recommended no increases in annual subscriptions. This was agreed by the meeting.
 BB agreed to stay on as treasurer given that he would receive support on collecting subscriptions as previously done by MD. Ian Johnson had indicated he would help in this capacity and would discuss the detail later with BB.

1st Team Captain’s Report (presented by Chris Tinker)

 CT presented his written analysis showing the results of each of the ten matches in the IM Brown (YCA 2nd Div Saturday League) competition. With 7 wins 2 losses and 1 drawn match this resulted in an excellent 3rd position.thus narrowly missing promotion back to the Woodhouse Cup 1st division.
 His analysis also included the performance of all the players
(16 in total) who had represented the first team.
Notable performances from David Toulson, Peter Shaw and Barry Marshall were highlighted by CT.

 CT expressed his thanks to all who had represented the first team and to those who had helped out on match days e.g. the drivers.

2nd Team Captain’s Report (presented by Mark Shelmerdine)

 MS circulated copies and presented his report covering Wakefield B teams performance in the Silver Rook (YCA 3rd Div Saturday League), as well as the two evening league competitions entered by Wakefield Chess Club, namely the Huddersfield Examiner Handicap League and the Watkinson Scratch League. Whilst we had many close matches, we finished 7th (of 8) in the Silver Rook and 7th (of 8) in the handicap league. Surprisingly, our best team performance was a very creditable 5th (of 8) in the scratch league.
 A player performance analysis was also included and this showed the top 3 most improved players to be
Mark Shelmerdine (+13) Dean Hepworth (+10) Harris Vaughan (+9)
 MS thanked everyone who had supported him in the Saturday and the evening league matches.
 MS announced that Wakefield had been successful this year in the annual Sherwood Shield match. This is for YCA ≤130 graded players and was originally played between Pontefract, Netherton and Wakefield Clubs, but in recent years only between Wakefield and Netherton. The latter have rarely been beaten so this was an excellent performance by the Wakefield team.
 MS congratulated Peter Shaw and Mike Wilford on their respective section 1 and section 3 individual knockout competition wins.

Competition Secretary Report (Presented by Ian Johnson)

 IJ presented his report on the various club competitions over last 12 months. A written report showing details was subsequently issued and a copy will be posted on the noticeboard for those not emailed. The results are summarised as follows :-
Silver King (2009) Winner: Chris Tinker
Silver Queen (2009) Winner: Craig Thompson

Silver King (2010) Winner : Ian Johnson

Silver Queen (2010) : Craig Thompson

Summer Comp (2009) : Winner David Toulson R.Up Chris Tinker

Derek Paffley (2009): Winner Craig Thompson R. Up Alan Holloway and Ian Johnson

Lightning (2010): Winner Peter Shaw R.Up Alan Holloway

Junior Lightning (2010) : Winner Wasim Ahmed R.Up Vivi Way

 IJ indicated that he had enjoyed organising competitions over the past 15 years having taken on the role from the late Canon John Morris and hoped that he had served the club well over this period. He wished Peter Shaw every success as his successor. On behalf of the club, Mark Shelmerdine thanked IJ for his efforts.
Election of Officers
 President – Mark Shelmerdine confirmed he was wishing to step down from this post and focus his efforts on 2nd team captaincy this coming season. He wished to nominate Mike Wilford who was willing to take on the role. This was seconded by Ian Johnson, and the meeting welcomed Mike to his new role accordingly. The meeting thanked Mark for his work as our club President , over the past 3 years.
 Secretary - With Mike Denison wishing to step down, Ian Johnson who had previously indicated his willingness to take on the role was duly elected.
 Treasurer - Barry Brian indicated his willingness to continue in the role providing he received support on collection of subscriptions.
 1st and 2nd team Captains – Chris Tinker and Mark Shelmerdine agreed to continue as team captains and their respective vice captains Peter Shaw and Alan Holloway agreed to support them accordingly.
 Competitions Secretary - Ian Johnson stepped down and Peter Shaw who had previously indicated his willingness to take on the role was duly elected.
 Evening League Co-ordinators - Mark Shelmerdine and Mike Wilford agreed to continue with the organisation of the Huddersfield evening league matches.

Team/ Club Strengthening Proposal

 A policy resolution discussed at a previous committee meeting of “on becoming a member of Wakefield Chess Club all junior members & any new members should commit to representing only WCC in any team events which WCC enter” was discussed and then voted upon.
In favour : 6 Against : 7
The resolution was thus rejected.

Web site status

 MD had previously raised the question on whether Paddy Senior would be carrying on as our “webmaster”.
Subsequently Paddy was contacted and he kindly agreed to
carry on as our “webmaster” albeit in a limited capacity.

Evening League

 The concept of changing our match evenings from Mondays to either Wednesdays or Thursdays, to free up Monday evenings for normal club activities was discussed and agreed. A vote was cast and the meeting decided that Wednesday evenings was best. It was agreed for IJ to follow up discussions with the bowls club.
Note: Subsequent to the meeting agreement was obtained from Mrs Bartle (bowls club secretary). She indicated we should need to pay £5 per extra night used to cover heating/ electricity costs. MS will also supply IJ & BB with information from Geoff Peake once the fixture list is finalised to provide BB with an idea of the extra costs involved.
 MS reported that Wakefield is aiming to enter a single team in all four Huddersfield Competitions this year. The two additional competitions are the rapidplay and team knockout events.
Craig Thompson kindly offered his assistance to MS and MW to help with the extra workload.

Junior Representation in YCA Competition (Sunderland Cup)

 Mrs Urvi Vani offered to help organise if this became practicable, assuming Wakefield entered a team etc….
Note:-
Can Mike Denison and Mrs Vani please liase / agree action, noting that the YCA will need to know soon who is the principal contact at WCC (currently MD).

Child Protection Policy

 After some lively discussion on the subject with various views being expressed Keith Brown kindly agreed to further investigate current requirements / regulations (e.g. by reference to Independent Safeguarding Authority Guidelines) which would be appropriate to a chess club. He would then make proposals to the committee, for consideration of what further action, if any, was required by the club to satisfy regulations.

Meeting Closure.

 MS thanked everyone for attending the meeting and formally closed the meeting at 9.20PM.

IPNJ 15th July 2010.


	[174th AGM]