CALL TO ORDER: 0925, October 12, 2000

MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Ansfield (LMPHRF), Karen Barnes (PHRF-LE), Craig Brown (TPYC), Larry Bulman (STC), Bruce Campbell (PIYA), John Collins (PHRF-NE), Bill Doelger (Multi-Hull Council), Bruce Eissner (YRUMB), Buddy Garapick (PHRF-LE), Bryce Griffith (Lake Tahoe PHRF), Bill Keith (SFBAYPHRF), David Kilponen (FSA), Gene McCarthy (LMSRF), Ken Morrison (RHORC/HPHRF), John Osmond (SMYRA), Matt Pedersen (SASC), Robert Thomas (CBPHRF), Bob Warnecke (LMPHRF), Talbot Wilson (Gulf YA/PYC), John Winder (CCA),

GUESTS: Ernie Bain (Area J), John Burnham (Sailing World), Dick Hampikian (AMERICAP), Rob Mock (GRSC) and Dan Nowlan (USSA)

REPORT OF OFFSHORE DIRECTOR: Dan Nowlan reported on the state of the Offshore Directorate. Offshore revenues continue to shrink with the decreasing number of IOR/IMS certificates issued each year. Expenses have been to the minimum, but costs will continue to grow with inflation. US SAILING has been subsidizing Offshore for a number of years and that trend must be turned around. The Offshore Director briefed the Council on a number of ideas contained in a plan he s preparing for the Offshore Committee. A detailed copy of his report is attached.

The minutes of the meeting of March 24-25, 2000 were approved,

Communications: The Offshore office mailed almost 800 invitations to join NOC earlier this year. Ken Morrison reported that only two responses had been received from the mail out and one of those was subsequently withdrawn. The problem is finding individuals in clubs or sailing organizations that are interested in representing their Club in the NOC forum. We are pleased to announce that Don Brettman has been designated as is the representative from the New Buffalo Yacht Club and Boyce Griffith haws been designated as the representative of the Tahoe Yacht Club. We are also pleased to introduce David Kilponen who has replaced Don Sorenson as the representative for the Florida Sailing Association.

Dan Van Heeckeren and Matt Pedersen, our Web Liaison members, were absent; however there were a number of comments on this subject. It was suggested that we add a list of member organizations to the website. Dan Nowlan will prepare a list for the website. Craig Brown noted that a number of previously proposed website activities have not materialized. These include a major events calendar and the crew list directory. Dan Nowlan suggested that if we can obtain copies of racing calendars from local organizations, he can post these to the website. Craig Brown promised to have a U.S. major events calendar on the website by the Fall meeting next year.

Bruce Eissner reported on the following ISAF issues:

1) Advertising Code. The new advertising code is expected to be adopted at the November meeting of ISAF. The major policy change is the removal of authority from event organizers for determining advertising classes within their events and placing it in the hands of the individual classes. The policy contains some reference that may permit the MNA to determine advertising levels for handicap classes. The Offshore Director is conducting a survey of Clubs and YRAs to determine how they feel about the expected new policy.

Motion was made, seconded and passed to adopt the following resolution:

"Be it Resolved that the National Offshore Council supports the position of the US SAILING ISAF Delegation to have the ISAF Advertising Code provide that handicap classes will default as Category A."

2) ISAF-ORC Marriage. John Osmond reported that the ISAF-ORC marriage is going to happen at the ISAF meeting in November. The proposal is that the ORC be integrated into ISAF as the Offshore Racing Committee. The new ORC will have expanded responsibilities that include more than just the IOR and IMS rules. There will be some merging of the present offshore committees of both ORC and ISAF. ORC has requested that they be permitted to continue to levy classes for revenue.

U.S. Offshore Championships

1) The Chairman reported that the 2000 U.S. Offshore Championship Regatta held at Long Beach Yacht Club from 5 to 8 October. Eleven teams were entered representing 10 Areas of US SAILING and the US Naval Academy. The sailing was completed; however, there was a problem in the final award of prizes. Ken Morrison reported that he was Chief Judge for the event. The Race Notice for the event posted on the US SAILING web site a year ago contained a statement that there would be a crew weight limit of 1400 pounds. There had been no crew weight limit in this event in the past, but some Area J women were putting together a team and requested that a crew weight limit be imposed so they might compete more fairly with the men. It was noted that no change was made to the crew numbers provision limiting the crew to 7 members. When the women’s team did not materialize the crew weight limit was removed for the Area J selection series and it was intended that the race notice for the U.S. Offshore Championship also be changed. However, the author of the document was transferred to Sydney, Australia and the race notice was not changed. In the mean time, regatta representatives, anticipating the change in the policy, verbally informed a number of Area Directors and teams that there would be no crew weight limit imposed at the regatta. When the crews arrived and asked the question about weigh-in, they were told there would be no weigh-in. On the final day of the event 5 boats protested every other boat in the regatta for violating the crew weight limit. As a result the Jury requested that the Race Committee conduct weight checks and found that two boats exceeded the 1400-pound maximum. Protests were then filed against the two boats that included the first and seventh placed boats in the regatta. The protest was a very complex one and the Jury is referring the protest to the US SAILING Appeals Committee asking them to review the findings before announcing them as final. The material is being furnished to the Appeals Committee and it is hoped they may reach a decision as soon as possible so that the prizes may be awarded. Bruce Eissner commented that this was a bad reflection on the NOC and that action must be taken to prevent any further occurrences of this nature by having more control over the race notice and sailing instructions for the regatta. This points up the need for a separate Offshore Championship Working Group as earlier recommended by the Chairman.

2) Craig Brown reported that the USNA has agreed to host the championship in 2001. e He also announced that the USNA has received a grant to purchase more of the Navy 44 sloops that will bring their total numbers to 24. This may allow for a greater number of teams in the future. The Chairman reported that the working group for 2001 would include himself, Bill Uniak from LBYC and Larry Dawes representing the USNA.

Rating Rules – Deferred to the continuation of the meeting on October 14, 2000.

1) Crew Lists: Paul Ansfield noted that the crew list project was put on hold until funding could be obtained or volunteers to manage the site could be found. The lack of volunteers with the web building skills needed for this project has been the main reason for the delay. John Winder, Chairman of the Newport to Bermuda Race advised that their webmaster has prepared a crew list data base and he will be happy to put him contact with Dan Nowlan to see how he might help on this project. Discussion ensued on how the crew list might aid in membership development for US SAILING. Dan Nowlan noted that such a crew list must also include information on an individual’s training on Safety at Sea and CPR. Action is being taken to find a sponsor for the crew list.

How can the NOC improve their communications to offshore sailors in the United States? This question was deferred until the meeting is reconvened on October 14.

Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee Report is attached. Motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the proposed slate. As a result, the following nominations were approved:

NOC Executive Committee: Craig Brown ('01), Bill Doelger ('01), John Osmond ('01), Karen Barnes ('01), Paul Ansfield ('02), Bruce Eissner ('02), Larry Bulman ('02), Ken Morrison ('02), Bruce Campbell ('03), Matt Pedersen (03), Bill Keith (03) and Talbot Wilson ('03),

USSA Offshore Committee: Craig Brown, Bill Keith, John Osmond, Karen Barnes, Bob Warnecke, and Bruce Campbell.

USSA Board of Directors: Craig Brown ('01), John Collins ('01), Ken Morrison ('01), Bill Keith ('02) and John Osmond ('02).

NOC Officers: Chairman Craig Brown, Secretary Ken Morrison

RECESS/RECONVENE: The meeting was recessed at 1200 on Thursday,
October 12, 2000 and reconvened at 1300 on Saturday, October 14, 2000.

DELEGATES: The Council confirmed the 18 delegates to the US SAILING Annual General Meeting.

APPOINTMENTS: The following appointments were approved:

Craig Brown to the USSA Nominating Committee

Talbot Wilson to the General Services Committee

Larry Dawes to the Championship Committee and as Coordinator for the 2001 Offshore Championship at Annapolis.

It was noted that Brad Dellenbaugh has confirmed the dates for the 2001 Offshore Championship to be in the week following the US SAILING Fall Meetings.

CREW LISTS: Paul Ansfield reported that the crew lists project should be active on the Web in a couple of weeks if he can secure sponsorship funding of $2,000. Paul feels that he will be able to accomplish this.

ISAF ADVERTISING CODE: Craig Brown put forth some broad new concepts that would enable US SAILING to leverage the ISAF Advertising Code. Bruce Eissner voiced the position that US SAILING must not send a signal that they intend to move in and take potential benefits away from the members. It was generally agreed that as soon as the ISAF Advertising Code is final, we should inform our constituency clubs what the new policies will mean to them. It was suggested that we should call individual clubs and explain this on a personal basis rather than rely only on a written policy announcement.

PROPOSED DUES INCREASE: Motion was made, seconded and carried to support the recommendations of the General Services Committee. If adopted, we should explain the rationale for the dues increase by the website and by individual letters to the clubs.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 1346 on Saturday,
October 14, 2000.