Forget Mr Trump - we have our own crisis

Trouble in NZ Bridge has been brewing these last few months. The trigger was a short passage in the minutes of the Board meeting of 14th of July and circulated on 30th of August. They included the following item:

The Infamous Resolution 65/2016

This simple statement made a lot of people worried. At the WB Regional Conference Board members Karen Martelletti and Alan Turner (Treasurer) were asked for clarification: Alan the more so as his opposition to the motion was recorded. Their explanations, although clear, would seem to have failed in soothing anxieties. This has proven to be so all over the country with possibly every Regional Committee recommending clubs to voice their opinion in words of writing to the Board.

Roll forward to the AGM of the NZ Bridge on 29th September when delegates from many clubs raised strong concerns in General Business. Once again the responses from the Board did little to allay concerns, the meeting running out of time before, it was felt, full discussion had taken place.

Then, on 4th November, the covers were thrown wide open with this e-mail penned by Alan Turner:

Hi Alister (National Secretary)
I have attached an Open Letter that I would like you to send to all the above.
I continue to have grave concerns for bridge in New Zealand.
I wish to share my concerns with all stake holders in NZ Bridge.
Regards
Alan Turner

You can read Alan's letter in your Downloads by clicking here.

Serious stuff! But ... as is often pointed out - there are two sides to every story. It is in the spirit of open-mindedness and with the perception that the Board may well have been restricted in making less than fulsome response that we share with you the rejoinder from NZ Bridge over the name of Arie Guersen, Chairperson, and four other members of the Board.

Look at those names. All hard-working respectable identities of our game. Pillars, every one. As a personal concern and as an attendee of the AGM, it is regrettable that no-one stood up and thanked them for all the great things they have been and are still accomplishing for Bridge. Had the meeting not finished in such a rush I do believe someone should have done so.