MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL SQUIB OWNERS ASSOCIATION HELD ON 24TH JUNE 2008 AT THE ROYAL NORFOLK & SUFFOLK YC, LOWESTOFT
Present
The Chairman, David Wines welcomed 36 Members to the Annual General Meeting.
Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Dick Batt, Andrew Porteous, Sally Everitt, Steve Warren Smith, Peter Jackson, Ben Bibby, Peter Marchant and several other Members.
Minutes of the 2007 AGM
The Minutes of the AGM held on 27th June 2007 (copies of which had been circulated) were approved and signed.
Proposed: Toby Taylor
Seconded: Malcolm Blackburn
Matters Arising
Sailcloth Trials - controlled trials were taking place and the Technical Subcommittee would be reporting in due course.
Website - recent problems with the website have now been resolved thanks to Sean Clarkson.
VHF Radios - the General committee of the NSOA had recently resolved to permit the carrying of VHF’s at all sailing events.
Masts - The technical committee reported this problem had now been resolved.
Accounts for the year ending 30th April 2008
The accounts were circulated.
Richard Sullivan reported on behalf of the Treasurer that although a small surplus was showing on the accounts, an increase in the subscriptions was recommended because the finances had been affected by increasing costs in all areas. Unless the subscriptions were raised there would not be enough money in the mould replacement reserve fund to replace the hull mould when that became necessary. Costs, including the cost of fibreglass, were rising sharply and this was, in part, reflected in the cost of the new deck mould which had been commissioned at a cost of £5,000.
The accounts of the NSOA for the year ended 30/4/08 were adopted.
Proposed: Tony Saltonstall
Seconded: Gerard Dyson
The Chairman thanked the Treasurer in his absence for his Report and thanked the Hon. Auditor for addressing the meeting with the information.
Subscriptions
Following the recommendation of the Treasurer to increase the subscriptions, the Chairman commented that compared to many other classes the NSOA subscription was very low. The Committee felt that because of the considerable administrative burden involved in changing subscription rates , the increase should be such that the matter would, hopefully, not have to be revisited for some time to come.
In view of this, and taking account of the increasing cost of replacement class moulds, rising production costs of Squibble and plans to further improve the magazine, and other initiatives to promote the class, the Chairman proposed an increase in subscriptions to £20 - Associates and £25 Full Members (and the Euro equivalent).
In reply to a question from the floor on how much money the proposed increase in subscriptions would generate and what the money would be used for; it was stated that on the basis of 630 members, an extra sum of approximately £6,000 per annum would be generated. This money would be required to help fund the essential NSOA activites already outlined by the Chairman, and provide a cushion against inflation.
Proposed: Rob Coyle
Seconded: Richard Sullivan
There were 33 members in favour and 3 against. The proposal was carried by the requisite two thirds majority.
The proposal by the Committee to approve a change to the National Squib Class Rules
The proposal by the Committee to approve a change to the National Squib Class Rules
The Chairman of the Technical Sub-committee Malcolm Blackburn addressed the Meeting. He hoped everyone had read the article in Squibble and had also read the Notice of AGM setting out exactly why the proposed rule change was before the membership. He highlighted the main points of the resolution - circulated to the AGM and went through the reasons for the change.
Malcolm explained that the proposed new rule had been drawn up after carefully examining keels produced from the various patterns used for the Class over the years. No boats would fall outside the new rule unless the keel has been ground down with a grinder - a practice which had always been illegal. It would, however, continue to be permissible for the keel to be faired and smoothed using paint or epoxy.
The RYA have stated that a cast iron keel, being manufactured from a pattern, shall not subsequently be changed. It can be coated and filled as allowed by rule E. 3. 4 (b) and may be covered with non-reinforced paint, resin or plastic coating.
In response to an invitation for questions from the floor, Malcolm was asked whether any boats would fall outside the proposed new rule, and in particular whether he was aware of any boat on which the keel had been modified such that it would not comply with the proposed new rule. In reply he confirmed that there were no boats at the 2008 Championships which did not comply with the proposed new rule.
Tony Saltonstall, the Hon. Technical Adviser, explained that the rule change was important to ensure a level playing field for everyone and make sure the Class remained strictly one design.
Following a suggestion that there should be a time frame for the introduction of the new rule, it was agreed that the deadline for the introduction would be the start of the 2009 National Championship next June.
A member of the Dart Fleet raised the issue of the keels on boats in the mid 200 to mid 400 sail number bracket, which were considered by some to be “slow”. The Chairman pointed out that this was a separate issue to that under discussion, but invited the Technical Sub-committee to investigate.
The proposal was put to the meeting:-
Proposer: John Bibby
Seconder: Adrian Fluker
26 in favour
22 proxies in favour
1 against
1 abstention
It was resolved that the proposal was carried by the requisite two thirds majority.
Proposer: John Bibby
Seconder: Adrian Fluker
26 in favour
22 proxies in favour
1 against
1 abstention
It was resolved the proposal was carried by the requisite ¾’s majority.
The Chairman pointed out that it had been an expensive procedure to post the Notice of AGM to all the Members and that the Committee were looking into the possibility in future of using email and posting a notice on the Squib Website, with a back up plan for those members without internet access.
The Chairman warmly thanked Peter Richards for giving up a weekend to photocopy and mail the Notice of AGM to all members, thus saving the NSOA several hundreds of pounds and in recognition presented him with a small token of appreciation.
Election of Officers
The nominations for the officers remained the same:-
Chairman David Wines
Hon. Secretary Lou Bibby
Hon. Treasurer Andrew Porteous
Hon. Technical Advisor Tony Saltonstall
Hon. Auditor Richard Sullivan
Hon Membership Sec Sally Everitt
Hon Publicity Officer David West
Proposed: Rob Coyle
Seconded: John Bibby
There was a unanimous vote in favour of the officers of the NSOA.
Election of Committee
The following who were elected for a period of two years at the 2006 AGM retire and offer themselves for election for a further two years.
Steve Warren Smith Royal Victoria Yacht Club Fleet
Mike Barsby Rutland Sailing Club Fleet
Lou Bibby Royal Anglesey Yacht Club Fleet
Max Evans Felixstowe Ferry Fleet
Richard Hinsley Burnham Fleet
Colin Norman Medway Yacht Club Fleet
David Pearce Waldringfield Sailing Club Fleet
Peter Horton Lowestoft & Oulton Broad Fleet
The following who were elected for a period of two years at the 2007 AGM continue in office for a further year.
Peter Jackson Weymouth Yacht Club Fleet
David Wines Plymouth Fleet
Peter Johnson Dartmouth Fleet
The following who were elected during the year resign and offer themselves for election for a further two years.
Patrick Nicholls Aldeburgh Yacht Club Fleet
Bob Wilson Royal Tay Yacht Club Fleet
Jill Fleming Irish Forum/Dun Laoghaire
Gerard Dyson Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club Fleet
Malcolm Blackburn S. Caernarvonshire Y.C. Fleet
Proposed: Mathew Anthony
Seconded: Peter Horton
There was a unanimous vote in favour of the new Committee.
Future Championship Venues
2009 Weymouth
2010 Dun Laoghaire
The Chairman reported that the Championship Sub-committee would be reviewing the future offers to host Championships and would make their recommendations to the Committee. The possible venues include Plymouth, Holyhead, Royal Victoria YC, Belfast, Kinsale and Bridlington (once the marina had been built.)
Any Other Business
The Committee were looking at ways to reduce the costs of mailing paper to Members and using the Squib Website (with the assistance of Sean Clarkson).
Alan Johnson said he would prefer receiving a piece of paper and he was sure there were other members like him. The Chairman said that the Committee would ensure that individual members wishes on the matter were catered for in any changes which took place.
Sean Clarkson was thanked for his hard work on the website and he is hoping to have video clips on the website shortly.
Adrian Fluker congratulated the Dart Fleet on building up their numbers.
Dinghy Show 2009 - the NSOA would be attending Alexandra Palace next year thanks to Toby Taylor agreeing to lead the operation. All volunteers gratefully received. Gerard confirmed that No. 11 should be ready for display next year and would be on one of Derek Higgins low slung trailers.
Date of Next Meeting 2009
Weymouth YC to provide a date - probably 29th June.
Happy 40th Birthday to the National Squib Class - The Chairman wished the class a very Happy 40th Birthday and reported that the Class was in excellent shape.
There being no further business the Meeting ended at 18.20 hours.
Lou Bibby
Hon. Sec - 21st July 2008