1.     Call to Order.

Stan Betts, ODCC Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:47 AM on Friday 23-Mar in the Adams Mark Hotel in Charlotte, NC. 

2.     Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the October 2000 meeting were approved as circulated.

3.     Introduction of Members

The members each introduced themselves and the classes they sail.

4.     Staff Report

Lee Parks reported on activities in Portsmouth.  She noted that the info-fax will probably be phased out within the year because so many people are getting the information from the web site.

5.     ODCC Seminar on Saturday.

Patty Lawrence reported on plans for Saturday’s Seminar at 5:00 PM.  Panelists include ISAF President Paul Henderson, Greg Fisher, and Tom Hubbell.  The general topic will be programs for grassroots sailors.  She asked for ideas for future seminars.
Clark Chapin suggested a seminar on sail measurement.

6.     Announcement of ODCC Awards

Stan Betts reviewed the ODCC Award process.
Leadership: Keith Graham
Regatta: Alamitos Bay Yacht Club
Creativity: Kent Marvenkovic
Service (Gardiner): Chuck Maschal
Club: Not awarded.

An anonymous donor has funded the awards.

7.     ODCC Web Site.

Dick Martin and Mark Lobo were not present.

8.     New Starting System – Class Flags

The need for class flags under the new rule 26 was discussed.  Several classes and their individual fleets have an urgent need for class flags under this new rule.  Stan Betts pointed out that a class might need multiple flags for masters, juniors, women, or other subgroups racing the same boat.  He suggested that each class develop a uniform flag or set of flags for their fleets so that people that compete at various regattas will not be faced with varying flags.

Dick Goodman noted that all orders that his company has received thus far are from race management personnel, rather than from classes or fleets.

Clark Chapin warned that when choosing colors to differentiate different sub-groups, classes or fleets should avoid using red and green since 4% of the male population is red-green colorblind.

Dave Perry noted that describing the “class flag” in the sailing instructions are key to avoiding competitor confusion.

Patty Lawrence suggested that we quickly compile a list of recommendations regarding class flags and both disseminate them to the classes and transmit the information to the Council of Sailing Associations and the Race Management Committee.

Recommendations:
Classes prefer the use of the class insignia rather than numerical pennants or flags.
Red and green should be avoided to differentiate sub-groups because of color blindness problems.

9.     Pros and Cons of Hailing OCS Boats

The primary rule-of-thumb is to do what the competitors want.  The issue of using small VHF handheld radios was discussed.  This was a HOT topic on the ODCC list server this last winter.  The net result was that the sailors want to be informed, but that informed by radio was not preferred because of prohibitions on electronic equipment in many class rules.
Dave Perry observed that above a certain level of competition, hailing OCS boats leads to requests for redress and general headaches, but it’s not clear exactly what that level is.

10.            ISAF Advertising Code

Stan Betts recapped the discussion at the Board of Directors meeting regarding the new Advertising Code.  With the exception of Olympic Classes, one-design classes will be Category A by default.  Organizing authorities may limit advertising in club and invitational events to Category C.

Means Davis made the comment that if clubs limit the advertising at their events, they may exclude competitors.  The Council passed the following resolution:

11.            Fleet Captain’s Manual Update

Chairman Betts asked for a volunteer to be the revision coordinator for the Fleet Captain’s

12.            Class Management Handbook Update

Clark Chapin described the new article for the Class Management Handbook entitled “Class Budgets.”  If no objections or notes are received by Clark Chapin by 1-May, it will be transmitted to Dick Martin for posting on our web page.

13.            Election to Fill a Vacancy on the Board of Directors

The Nominating Committee submitted a list of three names.  Greg Fisher was elected to fill out this term.

14.            New Business

14.1.        Race Management

Stan Betts said that all sailors should encourage their local race officials to attend the Race Management Seminars to improve the level of race management at all levels: local, regional, and national.  This will be particularly important with the change in starting system that the new Racing Rules.  The Council passed the following resolution and will send an appropriate press release and announcement to the one-design classes.

14.2.        Coach-TCA

Tom Hubbell described a Thistle Class teaching and coaching program that keeps sailors interested and excited about racing that involves a seven-day course around the six-day mid-winter regatta.  The course has been in existence since 1997.
Each day involves a mixture of lectures and other activities both on and off the water.  Central to the “fun” aspect of the program is almost mandatory attendance of the social events each day.
He emphasized that holding the course during a regatta legitimizes participation by the sailors.
One recognized expert, 10-12 coaches, a suitable regatta and venue are required.  The course has evolved into a book entitled “Sailboat Racing with Greg Fisher.”    Tom recommended using a local person to set this up and offered the use of the materials.  Keith Graham noted the success that Seattle has had in duplicating this experience on their local scale.

15.            Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM on Saturday 24-Mar.  The next meeting of the One-Design Class Council will be on Thursday October 18, 2001 in St. Petersburg, FL at the Hilton Hotel.

 Clark E. Chapin

Secretary Pro Tem