Minutes of the LADIES STANDING COMMITTEE meeting held on Tuesday, 7th February 2012 at Ellersly House Hotel, 4 Ellersly Road Edinburgh EH12 6HZ at 1.15pm Present Claire McLaren (President), Fiona Hardie (Junior Vice-President), Sadie Anderson (Honorary Treasurer) Brenda Urquhart (Aberdeen), Liz Boswell (Ayr), Anne Templeton (Dumfries), Lillian Carnegie (Forfar), Mary Robertson (Greenacres), Margaret Pottie (Inverness), Morag Wellman (Kinross), Marion Fraser (Kirkcaldy), Lynda Blackwood (Lanarkshire), Susan Fleming (Lockerbie), Joan Wight (Murrayfield), Margaret Hynd (Perth), Isabel Gillespie (Stirling), Kate Adams (Stranraer), Helen Murray-Lyon (Waterfront), Margaret Cairns (Merchandising Officer) 1. Welcome Action The President welcomed everyone to the meeting particularly Sadie Anderson. 2. President’s Update The President reported that she had attended the European Curling Championships and was delighted to witness the girls winning the gold medal, which was the first gold medal for Scotland’s women in 36 years. She also said that she had attended both the Scottish Junior finals in Aberdeen and the Four Nations competition in Greenacres. 3. Apologies received from Jenny Bain (Vice President), Kate Caithness (Honorary Vice President), Marion Pate (Border), Margaret Gibb (Braehead), Sheena Murdoch (Galleon) 4. Minutes of the meeting held on 6th December 2011 After correcting the spelling of Fiona Hardie on pages 1 and 2, and Murrayfield on page 2 the minutes were approved by Marion Fraser and seconded by Morag Wellman. 5. Matters arising · 8/b Morton Sections After a discussion about the way forward with the Morton sections the ALL President proposed that teams required for the qualifying games be reduced to two, while the teams required for the semi-finals and finals remain at three. Those present were asked to discuss the proposal with their centres and bring their decision to the March meeting. · 10/ACOB Joint Meeting Notes The presentation was circulated earlier today after it was discovered the item hadn’t been actioned. 6. Treasurer’s Report The Honorary Treasurer read through the report which has been attached as Annex A. 1 Following her report the Honorary Treasurer announced that she would be standing down at the end of the season and that Gail Munro (Stranraer) had agreed to replace her. The President thanked the Honorary Treasurer for her dedication and service over the past seven years. 7. Correspondence See item 8.f 8. Competitions 8.a Europeans Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams, Claire Hamilton and Kay Adams won the championships. David Murdoch and his team of Glen Muirhead, Ross Paterson, Richard Woods and David Edwards finished fifth overall. 8.b Scottish Juniors Hannah Fleming and her team of Lauren Gray, Alice Spence and Abigail Brown beat Hazel Smith in the final, and will represent Scotland at the World Juniors in March. Jennifer Martin was selected as the fifth player. 8.c Four Nations The women won back the Connie Miller, while the men retained the Tom Ballantyne. In the mixed competitions Scotland beat Ireland to win the Marshall Millennium, but lost the Welsh Stone (Big Bertha) against Wales. It was noted that the Irish Curling Federation has requested that the 2013 event is hosted by Scotland as they are in the process of developing a new ice facility near Dublin. 8.d Henderson Bishop Margaret Pottie updated saying a Civic Reception is to be held on the Monday night and that transport would be arranged from the Craigmore Hotel. She also said that the Craigmore Hotel was fully booked, and recommended the Kingsmills Hotel. It was agreed that the President would arrange for the Cherrystone to be CM/BU sent to Inverness, and that Brenda Urquhart would bring the Henderson Bishop Trophy to the Joint meeting on 16 February. 8.e Morton Trophy Marion Fraser updated saying that everything was in hand. It was agreed that the President would contact Marion Pate with regards to CM the trophy. 8.f Women’s Tour / Women’s Competitions · Prize money An email had been received from a centre asking for an explanation as to why no prize money had been awarded when it was advertised that it would be. The President informed the committee that according to Judith McFarlane no prize money was awarded because sponsorship for the tour fell through. · Continuation of the Women’s Tour The President stressed the importance of having a Women’s Tour, and ALL 2 proposed that the committee consider including existing competitions, like the Sadie Anderson in future tours, possibly in a different format. She asked those present to bring back details of possible competitions for consideration to the next meeting. It was noted that Judith McFarlane would be invited to the March CM meeting to discuss ways to move forward with the Women’s Tour. 9. LB Business 9.a Merchandise Report Margaret Cairns gave an update that included the following points:- · £250 in sales since November · Sales table will be at the Morton Trophy final in Kirkcaldy. Still waiting for confirmation regarding Henderson Bishop final. · Outstanding money and unwanted stock to be returned as soon as possible. A discussion took place regarding whether existing stock should be replenished or new lines should be introduced. New merchandise ideas included selling a small range of jewellery, to selling a range of small items for about £5, such as key rings, tape measures and pens. It was agreed that the committee would investigate the jewellery option, ALL and that ideas for new merchandise would be looked into over the summer. 9.b European/World Championship Attendance The President confirmed the following would represent the Royal Club in 2012/13 at international competition: · Royal Club President European Curling Championships World Men’s Curling Championship · Ladies’ President World Junior Curling Championships World Women’s Curling Championship It was noted that the above would be reviewed at the beginning of each season. 9.c Junior Vice President The President advised that someone had been approached to stand as Junior Vice. 9.d Notices of motions to be considered at the Annual Meeting It was noted that any motions must be received by 27 March 2012 (six weeks before the Annual Meeting) 9.e LB AGM Notice It was noted that the notice for the AGM would be sent out by email to all SW club secretaries with a copy to LSC reps. The notice will also be posted on the website. 9.f Swedish Curling Association An invitation has been received from the Swedish Curling Association inviting 16 lady curlers to tour Sweden from 1-10 November 2014. 9.g Centre Representatives standing down The following reps will be standing down at the end of the season: 3 Brenda Urquhart (Aberdeen) Anne Templeton (Dumfries) Margaret Pottie (Inverness) Lynda Blackwood (Lanarkshire) Joan Wight (Murrayfield) Margaret Hynd (Perth) 10. Royal Club Business 10.a Board Notes of 15 December 2011 were noted. The President gave an update from the meeting held on 3 February 2012 which included the following points: · Nominations for Vice President / Board: It was noted that the closing date for nominations is 14 February 2012. · New Club: The Board accepted Twynholm Curling Club’s application. · WCF President: A nomination of Kate Caithness for re-election as WCF President has been submitted by Bruce Crawford. · Royal Club tartan: The question of whether the Royal Club should have a tartan was raised and is being investigated by Bill Duncan and the Strathcona Tour team. In relation to the minutes of 15 December 2011, Fiona Hardie asked what the Whistle-blowing Policy was. 10.b Communications Lynda Blackwood announced that she was standing down. 10.c Coaching Notes of 5 January 2012 were noted. 10.d Club & Member Development Notes of 18 January 2012 were noted. 10.e Performance In the absence of minutes Fiona Hardie gave an update that included the following points: · The teams which represented Scotland at the Europeans met their required targets. · Plans are underway for the World Curling Federation to takeover running the European Curling Championships. It was clarified that the Europeans would continue to be a qualifier for the Worlds. Fiona Hardie reported that at the Scottish Juniors a player in a team that was knocked out in the qualifiers competed for one of the teams in the final. After consultation with Nancy Murdoch and Colin Hamilton she was directed to rule C2.(e)(iii) in the Royal Club’s Rule Book where is states that this is allowed. After a brief discuss it was agreed that the ruling seemed unfair and that a letter outlining this should be sent to the newly formed Rules Committee (see note below). Note: At the last Board meeting Pat Edington was asked to convene a Rules Committee to give advice on relevant matters as they arise. The committee is to comprise of the Ladies President, Competitions Manager and two others. 4 10.f Umpires Notes of 5 January 2012 were noted. Margaret Hynd suggested LSC continue to be represented on the committee after she stands down at the end of the season. The commitment is 2-3 meetings per year. 11. AOCB 11.a Operating Manual The manual will be issued once it has been updated. It will also be posted SW on the Ladies Branch section of the website. 11.b Ladies Branch Constitution It was clarified that Ladies Branch did not have their own constitution as they are part of the Royal Club and come under the Memorandum and Articles of Association and Bye Laws of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club. See Bye Law 8. 11.c Lees Painting It was noted that £17,000 had been raised so far. 11.d Apologies Those present were reminded to send a replacement to meetings if they can’t attend themselves.