1.
Call to Order.
Stan Betts, ODCC Chair, called the meeting to
order at 9:47 AM on Thursday 18-Oct at the St. Petersburg Hilton in
St. Petersburg, FL.
2.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the March 2001 meeting were
approved as circulated.
3.
Introduction of Members
The members each introduced themselves and the
classes they sail. The attendance list is Attachment 1.
4.
Championship-of-Champions
Dick Goodman noted the cancellation of the C-of-C
regatta and solicited classes or clubs that can line up 20 boats (plus
a spare or two) to host the rescheduled event in the near future.
5.
Staff Report
Lee Parks reported on activities in Portsmouth.
6.
Internal Revenue 501 (c)(3) Status for One-Design Classes.
Jack Caldwell introduced Marc Soss, who is an
attorney in the Sarasota office of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. and who
has experience in the tax status of non-profit organizations. His
presentation is contained in Attachment 2 and he can be reached at
msoss@becker-poliakoff.com.
Patty Lawrence noted that if a class is a
501(c)(3) organization, then a member may donate a boat to a class and
receive a tax deduction for the value of the boat. The boat can then
be given to juniors. With some care, the boat may be sold, as long as
the proceeds go to the purposes of the organization.
Mary Huntsman recommended that a club or
organization could form a sub-organization or entity to meet the
requirements without conflicting with other club activities. Jack
Caldwell noted his experience in setting up the Finn Foundation.
Colin Park said that the Lightning Class uses its
501(c)(3) status mostly for cash donations to further the purposes of
the class.
Clay Mock urged that classes use the services of
an experienced attorney in this area.
Clark
Chapin suggested that the material within the Class Management
Handbook be reviewed and updated as the next update to the
Handbook. Marc agreed to review and contribute to this revision.
7.
New Starting System – Problems & Ideas
Stan Betts asked about experience with the new
rule 26.
Mary Huntsman said that the Lightnings were not
experiencing any difficulties. The classes noted about an even split
between flying the warning signal with the start of the previous class
or having a delay. Many groups use an “attention signal” to warn
competitors that the 5-minute signal is imminent.
Some competitors have noted that flags are harder
to see than shapes. The need for class flags if there are a lot of
classes was noted. In addition, a rolling restart can create
confusion between the restarting class and the subsequent starters.
8.
ISAF Issues
8.1.
World Championships
Ding Schoonmaker described a proposal to limit
“world championships”. A counterproposal would allow International
Classes to have some other champions (women’s, junior, etc.) in
addition to their “world champion” Each year. The proposal includes
language that continental championships must have a majority of the
Member National Authorities (MNA’s). This is a problem for the United
States because we are grouped with the Caribbean and Central America,
for a total of fourteen countries. A workable solution would be to
change the wording to a minimum of two MNA’s.
The
Council supports changing the wording to require that “participation
in continental championships be open to all eligible competitors
within the area,” without a minimum number of participating MNA’s.
8.2.
Optimist Class Age Limits
A proposal has been made that the age limits for
the Optimist Class be reduced from 15 to 13.
The
One-Design Class Council opposes the proposal and believes that the
classes are best equipped to determine their own eligibility
requirements.
8.3.
World Championship Entries
A proposal has been made to process all world
championship entries for International Classes through the National
Authorities.
The
One-Design Class Council opposes the proposal and believes that the
classes are best equipped to determine their own eligibility
requirements.
9.
Women’s Sailing
Joan Thayer introduced Doris Colgate and Diana
Smith of the National Women’s Sailing Association. The NWSA is
seeking support in three areas:
·
“NWSA proposed as a voting organization of US SAILING
Ø
NWSA to remain autonomous but be considered the Women’s
voice of US SAILING.
Ø
Women’s representative to the US SAILING Board of
Directors to be named by NWSA and the Women’s Sailing Committee.
·
The Women’s Sailing Committee of US SAILING will
continue to coordinate and initiate women’s competitive programs.
Ø
Brings competitive woman’s voice to the Board of NWSA
Ø
Continues to operate as currently, but as an adjunct to
NWSA
Ø
NWSA’s Board shall include representatives appointed by
WSC
·
US SAILING and NWSA will mutually promote and support
women’s and children’s programs across the country.”
10.
Kinetics and Rule 42 in One-Design Classes.
Stan Betts asked whether classes were
encountering problems with the kinetics rule and its enforcement. The
Laser Class is considering establishing wind limitations similar to
the 470’s. Dick Hanneman noted problems at youth championships,
driven by collegiate and high school sailors. Both Dick and Joni
Palmer noted how Americans are severely disadvantaged in world events
because of the prevalence of kinetics in other areas.
Clay Mock suggested that the materials for judges
on rule 42 and its enforcement be updated and distributed with the
mailing to the judges to improve the uniformity of conformance within
the United States.
11.
Bylaw Changes
The
Council voted to direct their delegates to the AGM to support the
proposed Bylaw changes.
12.
Communications with Class Associations
12.1.
Class Newsletter Articles
Patty Lawrence solicited members to write
articles that can be sent to all the class newsletters. A list of
topics will be sent to all meeting attendees. The articles should be
short (a few hundred words, maximum) and direct people to further
resources. The articles will be distributed electronically using our
list of the classes.
12.2.
US SAILING Website and Calendar
The Council discussed the usage of the US SAILING
Calendar and website.
13.
Fleet Captain’s Manual Update
Clark Chapin noted that the Manual needs someone
to perform an update similar to what was done with the Class
Management Handbook, but he cannot handle the updating to both.
Volunteers were solicited.
14.
Nominating Committee
Dick Martin reported for the Nominating
Committee. The following persons were elected:
