Inshore Committee Past Meeting Minutes (10/17/2003)
The Inshore Committee met at the Adams Mark Hotel in St. Louis, MO on Friday October 17, 2003. Chair Tom Hubbell presided and Secretary Clark Chapin was present. The following members were also present:
|
Tom Hubbell, Chair |
*Bill Munster |
Patty Lawrence |
*Deb Schaefer |
|
Clark Chapin, Secretary |
*Brad Dellenbaugh |
*Jerelyn Biehl |
*Vick Sodaro |
|
James Appel |
Sue Epstein |
Carol Barrow |
Hugh Elliot |
|
Ted Beier |
Ding Schoonmaker |
*Mike Segerbloom |
Lee Parks, Staff |
* denotes absent
Others present included Betsy Altman, Betsy Beddow, Bill Stump, Tom Jacobson, John Strassman, Larry White, Tom Leweck, Susan Daly, Dick Hanneman, John Ross, Joni Palmer, and Jack Sheahan
Call to Order and Introductions – Tom Hubbell
Tom Hubbell called the meeting to order at 1:07PM CDT. The members and observers present identified themselves.
March 2003 Minutes -
- Clark ChapinThe minutes from March 2003 were approved as posted on the web site.
Reports of Officers and Staff
Chair -- Tom Hubbell
Seamanship Initiative
Tom Hubbell reported that the grant request will be developed by a grant writer to solicit funds for the development of the materials. Two items are envisioned: A CD explaining the importance of seamanship and safety and a book with a similar approach but a different style. A short three minute teaser CD would be a promotional item. Tom reviewed the business plan. A Coast Guard grant is being pursued to cover the development costs.
Sportsmanship Video
Tom reported that the sportsmanship video process is not currently active because of US SAILING’s financial situation. The Committee discussed the scope of a video and some of the projected costs. By some estimates, the costs for a 20 minute video can run as high as $1,500 per minute. Ted Beier offered to ask a local production company to estimate roughly the costs involved.
Publications
Tom Hubbell had no report.
Reorganization of US SAILING and Inshore
The Committee discussed the concepts of reorganizing US SAILING including significantly reducing the size of the Board of Directors and looks forward to the new President and Executive Committee pursuing these ideas.
Secretary/Web Liaison -- Clark Chapin
Clark reported on the state of the web page and the plans for future development
Inshore Director -- Lee Parks
Insurance for small boats and clubs.
Lee reported that the revamping of the insurance program has been successful in that the Burgee Program has seen a lot of growth. Regatta Liability has seen less use, but it is less comprehensive.
Lee described the new Small Boat Insurance Program. A "small boat" is one without an auxiliary engine. In addition to the Olympic classes, twenty classes will be covered originally.
The next program will be for large boats along with a big boat finance program.
Budget
Lee Parks reported that this budget process has been very difficult due to increases in several cost areas, a fall off in corporate contributions, and other factors. The incremental cost of just keeping the staff at Portsmouth ranges around $100,000 per year. The Junior Olympic program will be continued next year.
Championships
Lee reported that the new online registration process will be used for all of the championships in 2004. The costs for using the system have not been finalized.
The Committee passed the following resolution:
The Inshore Committee’s preference is that the online registration system be treated as a service to its members rather than as a revenue generating activity.
ISAF Issues – Ding Schoonmaker
The Committee discussed an ISAF proposal for the event organizer with agreement with ISAF to select the PRO and Jury for major international events. This is in response to non-American cases where National Authorities attempt to block the selection of a PRO or Jury by the organizing authority.
Another proposal requires international classes to separate their measurement rules and their rules for championships.
As a note, it is important that classes update their bylaws regularly to remove too rigid or outdated requirements that can cause races to be abandoned.
Racing Rules Issues
There were no rules issues discussed.
ODCC
Patty Lawrence reported on the October 16, joint meeting between the ODCC and CSA and the topics to be discussed at the October 18, meeting. There was a great interest in serving the needs of neophyte sailors and developing a set of simple, "Racing 101" materials that cover how to get a boat around a race course. Joni Palmer said that Training may well be working on a "Start Racing Right" course book. She urged the Committee to coordinate with Training over the content of these materials. The accessibility of the training materials on the web site was discussed.
Other New Business
There was no new business
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00PM. The next meeting of the Inshore Committee will be on Saturday March 20, 2004 in Mobile, AL.
Clark Chapin
Secretary