MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE OF THE NSOA HELD AT RTYC ON MONDAY 12TH NOVEMBER, 2007 AT 5PM
Present: David Wines - Chairman
Lou Bibby - Hon Secretary
Sally Everett - Hon Membership Secretary
Malcolm Blackburn - Chairman Technical sub-committee
Max Evans - Chairman Championship sub-committee
Pete Richards - Editor Squibble
Mike Barsby
David Pearce
Colin Norman
David West - Hon Publicity Officer - by invitation
Apologies: Peter Jackson, Dawn Russell, Jill Fleming, Sandy Bremner, Tony Saltonstall, John Good, Richard Hinsley, Chris Pope, Gillian Guinness, Fred Campbell, Steve Warren Smith, Andrew Porteous, Robert Marzetti and Peter Johnson.
Following the long list of apologies the point was raised about Club representation on the Committee. Every fleet can appoint a representative to have a place on the NSOA General Committee and the rules permit a fleet rep. to send someone in their place if they can’t attend but obviously the envoy would not be allowed to vote. There is a distinction between fleet Captains and fleet rep‘s. which can be confusing for the Membership as sometimes they are the same individual. It was agreed to discuss representation at 2008 AGM - it was noted there is a power to co-opt anyone onto the Committee for 12 months - rule 5 (f) of the Class constitution. It was unanimously resolved to co-opt David West onto the Committee with immediate effect.
Minutes of the last Meeting held on 14th May 2007
The Minutes were approved and duly signed by the Chairman.
Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
National Championship Sub-committee Report
Max Evans reported that another first class championship had been held in Abersoch hosted by SCYC in June 2007. The 2007 Nationals proved that one race a day worked very well and was a good example of why this format will not be changed in the near future.
2008 Nationals - 22nd - 28th June - Lowestoft. Plans were running smoothly and it was agreed to emphasize the fact it is the 40th anniversary of the Class in 2008.
Max reported that the Royal Western Yacht Club had sent an offer to hold 2011 National Championships in Plymouth. It was agreed this was a very popular venue and the class would like to return to Plymouth. Max said as a Class we are often spoilt for choice with the list of host clubs and venues wishing to hold the Nationals. It was resolved to write to RWYC thanking them for their kind offer, enclosing a copy of the Nationals blueprint and informing them they would receive formal notification in June 2008 of whether their offer was accepted once the championship committee had met in May 2008 as all other applications to host future nationals needed to be carefully considered. At the present time Holyhead YC and the Royal North of Ireland YC have also bid to host the next available Nationals.
It was reported that it had been announced at the 2007 AGM that the next 3 years National Championship venues were confirmed as follows:
2008 Lowestoft
2009 Weymouth
2010 Dun Laoghaire
East Coast Championships May 2008
Colin Norman reported that preparation was well under way for the above event - a one page flyer advertising the event would be included in the Christmas Squibble.
Hon Treasurer’s Report
Andrew Porteous’ report was circulated amongst the Committee and is annexed to these Minutes.
Key points of the ensuring Committee discussion were:
Sally Everitt had done an excellent job in collecting subscription arrears.
Build fees for new Squibs currently take us up to no 852.
The new deck mould which must be acquired in 2008 is expected to cost in the order of £4,000 plus VAT.
The Committee was fully supportive of David West’s advertising campaign.
The website was now in house thanks to Sean Clarkson. The Chairman undertook to discuss the website and related IT matters with Sean with a view to formalizing his involvement and to report back at the next meeting.
Against the background of predicted expenditure in his report, Andrew proposed raising the Subscriptions in 2009 to a realistic level of £25 and £20. The Committee's view is that the proposed new rates would still offer excellent value for money in comparison to other class associations. In veiw of the large administrative burden involved, the Committee was keen to ensure that the level of increase should be sufficient for the foreseeable future. The Committee agreed the proposed new rates which will now go forward for approval by the membership at the 2008 AGM.
The Hon. Sec. was asked to minute the fact that the Treasurer had prepared an excellent financial report and to record the thanks of the Committee to the Treasurer.
Hon Membership Secretary’s Report
Sally reported that there were 439 paid up full members with 53 full members with subs. outstanding.
Sally reported that there was a problem with the membership database not being up to date on the website as it was managed separately to her database. This means Members can not update their own details on line.
It was agreed that the Chairman will contact Will Bibby and Sean to see if this problem could be resolved.
Sally was thanked by the Committee for doing a fantastic job.
Marketing Committee
David West was welcomed to the Meeting in his capacity as Publicity Officer having been unanimously co-opted onto the Committee.
David reported that despite having an excellent team of volunteers to man the stand at the Earls Court show, he had concerns that the event would end up costing the NSOA a lot of money despite being offered as a free event. It was decided therefore to concentrate on the Alexandra Palace Boat Show, attendance at which, would go ahead as normal in 2008, hopefully using the same volunteers and possibly a few more. David West would inform everyone of the Committee’s decision.
The Chairman thanked David for all his time spent on the above.
Dinghy Show 2008 - Pete and Dave White have agreed to bring a Squib to Alexandra Palace. A new boat, 855, has been offered for the event - which the Committee gratefully accepted. A possible solution to the problem of the steps - which the White brothers had been kindly storing - but for which a new home is required, might be to purchase a trailer in which they could be easily stored and could be towed around the country to wherever they were needed. It was agreed to investigate this solution.
Following lengthy discussion on the merits of attending the dinghy show, the PR value of a Squib presence, the fertile market of dinghy sailors etc it was agreed that the form of any attendance at Alexandra Palace in 2009 would be discussed at a later meeting.
David’s advertising campaign in Yachts and Yachting was unanimously approved. It would take the form of monthly adverts “so and so sails a squib” adopting the drip drip approach of advertising of keeping the Squib in the public eye.
It was also agreed to support our Clubs in advertising the Squib by way of open days etc.
Handbook 2008
Pete Richards agreed to oversee the publication of the Handbook. Lou to provide the usual updates and Sally to supply the database.
Squibble
Pete reported that once again there was a lack of copy. Did the format need re-thinking? It was agreed that the new look was very popular and well received. There was a requirement for someone to be pro-active in generating articles - ideally a roving reporter.
The possibility of changing to an annual publication was briefly discussed and unanimously rejected. The Christmas and Spring editions were a good balance but decent articles were required to fill Squibble.
It was agreed to mention David West’s new advertising campaign to raise public awareness of the Squib and any other copy would be gratefully received.
Pete Richards was thanked for the excellent job he is doing as Editor.
Technical Sub-Committee’s Report
Malcolm’s report had been circulated to the committee:-
In summary -
Superspar masts are now made to class rule specification. All masts at the Nationals were corrected as necessary (some Canopus and Proctor masts were found not to measure as well). The technical committee recommended spot checks at the 2008 Nationals.
Sailcloth - A second batch of cloth for Hyde is awaiting tests and samples have been supplied by the other sail makers for Hyde to test to confirm that Contender are meeting the tighter stiffer specification. Batt have provided 2 jibs for trial - one is polycot, the other standard polypreg. Bryan Riley is in charge of the testing over the winter at Oulton Broad where the two jibs will be subjected to the same sailing conditions on Bryan Riley‘s & Owen Delany’s Squibs.
Class Rules re-write - A first draft has been discussed and a final version is imminent. It is recommended that as only very minor changes are being made - these do not need to be voted upon at the AGM.
Rule Changes - David West proposed that furling be allowed while racing and tabled a detailed proposal. As the issue was one that required to be carefully considered, the Chairman proposed that the matter should be discussed at the next meeting. Malcolm undertook to trial the proposal at SCYC in early 2008, with a view to making a recommendation to the Committee in time for the 2008 AGM.
White Sails - It was agreed it was important to ensure that all Members were aware that the white sail issue had been firmly rejected at the AGM. There was also a strong consensus at the 2007 AGM to prevent re-visiting issues voted on relatively recently.
It was decided that amending the class constitution to reflect the above, would be an Agenda item for March 2008.
Inlands - Rutland - 2007
Thanks were minuted for Rutland SC for hosting another excellent event - despite the lack of wind on the Sunday. Mike Barsby reported that despite some regulars being unable to attend - there was a record number of 58 entries and the Bar had been drunk dry - a first for Rutland SC! The numbers would be increased to 60 next year - 4/5 October 2008.
Irish Forum
On behalf of the Irish Forum, Jill Fleming, who sent her apologies, had tabled three items for discussion.
Representation on the Committee had already been offered to the Irish Forum as previously minuted.
A decision on the issue of payment of ISA accreditation by the NSOA was deferred for discussion at the March 2008 meeting.
With regards to the frequency with which the National Championships are held in Ireland, it was agreed that as a Class we do not want to be tied to venues. Each application needed to be considered on its merits. It was agreed everyone enjoyed travelling to Ireland and the hospitality offered. The point was made, that in reality - the Nationals are held in Ireland every 5 years.
Dates for Future Meetings 2008
Sunday 2nd March - 2 pm - Alexandra Palace
Monday 12th May - 5 pm - RTYC
Monday 10th November - 5 pm - RTYC
Any Other Business
South Coast Championships 2008
Royal Victoria YC will host this event - 5/7th September 2008 - the date to be put on the website list of future events.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.45 pm.
Lou Bibby
5th December 2007