US SAILING's First One-Design Symposium A Success
Over 30 presenters addressed the group on various topics.
 
  "This is a "must" for all Board of Directors of classes. I would encourage classes to build this into budgets somehow." Candace Porter, Sailor

   Saturday's party was held at Christie's in Newport.  Katie Richardson, Carol Cronin, Skip Whyte and Meg Gaillard shared their stories from Athens.
 Photos from the athlete's perspective
 were truly inspiring.
 The party was a hit!

Dana Paxton and Carol Cronin (pictured above) discussed
 how to create great newsletters and how classes can obtain sponsorship for their events. 

"You all put on a great symposium! Many thanks for all you hard work. It was a real kick in the pants for me and an introduction into the wider world of One-Design sailing."
Charles Bluffington, Flying Scot Sailor

"Congratulations on a super seminar." John Burnham, Presenter

John Burnham (not pictured) lead a great  discussion on Fleet Building. Charlie Shoemaker shared some ideas while Jerelyn Biehl took notes. Photo by Linda Wright

"GREAT job this weekend! I was really impressed by the group that attended our newsletter and sponsorship sessions. Everyone had great ideas. They were really an enthusiastic and smart bunch." Dana Paxton, Presenter

"It was a great event!" Joni Palmer, Presenter

 Tom Hubbell presented sessions on running clinics for fleets
 and Greg Fisher presented sessions on boat speed and on measurement.
 Both participated
 in general discussions as well.
Photo By Linda Wright

Ideas the participants came away with. . .

• Ways to keep it fun for the bottom of the fleet.

• Increase email communication

• Utilize resources at US SAILING more.

• I have 10 excellent ideas! Some: Put "rules" column in newsletter, roundtables at regattas for "ask the experts" etc.

• Rewarding good sportsmanship to encourage better ethics; usefulness of clinics

• Running clinics - getting sponsorship.

• Gained a reference point on issues our class has: dues amounts, class vs. fleet membership, "Fun" or social factor.

• How to keep fleet active - recruitment

• 1. Insurance coverage. 2. Communication.

• Insurance. New Rules. Ethics

• Try arbitration. Parent class/youth class combined regatta. Website ideas gathered from participants in breakout. Try recreational sailing.

• Great info on racing rules, clinics.

• How to put together a good fleet newsletter

• Juniors are older than I thought - up to mid-20's.

• Fleet & class management & communications. Running regattas.

• Coach TCA Program, Burgee Program, ethics program, Programs for online publication of newsletters. Include wives/crew  in email dist list.

Photo by Linda Wright

Dave Perry and Dave Rosekrans captivated the audience with a discussion on sportsmanship
 and ethics. The group came away with many ideas on how to keep the game fun.