Board of Directors Minutes
October 21, 2004
Annual General Meeting in Portland, OR

President Janet Baxter called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time.

 

Directors present were:  James Appel, Janet Baxter, Betsy Beddow, Faye Bennet, Stan Betts, Jerelyn Biehl, Terry Bischoff, Dean Brenner, Norton Brooker, Craig Brown, Jim Capron,  Clark Chapin, Ruth Creighton, Means Davis, Dan Doyle, Peter Durant, Don Durant, Bruce Eissner, Susan Epstein, Art Fox,  Fred Hagedorn, Dick Hanneman, Tom Hubbell, Charles Ivey, Rich Jepsen,  Leslie Keller, Hart Kelley,  Patty Lawrence, Gene McCarthy,  Joe Melino, Clay Mock, Ken Morrison, Bill Munster, Greg Norwine, Joni Palmer,  Bill Ross, John Rudy, Betty Sue Sherman, and Bill Stump. Absent were:  John Amos, Mitch Brindley, Larry Bulman, Paul Callahan, Tom Carruthers, Louise Gleason, Joey Harris, Dan Mangus, John Osmond, Martha Parker, Mark Reynolds, and Adam Werblow.

 

Holly Duckworth Horning of the Portland Visitors Bureau welcomed members.

 

A moment of silence was observed for those sailors who have died since our last meeting, including Jack Elfman, Russell Hoyt, Christopher Reeve and Lynn Stedman.

 

First time attendees were invited by President Baxter to introduce themselves and were welcomed to the meeting.

 

In her opening remarks, President Baxter listed her activities during the past year, which included visiting 30 clubs and community sailing organizations, sailing in 20 regattas (including a win in the Flying Scots skippered by VP Joni Palmer), judging five events, attending club meetings, visiting lofts and spectating at 15 events including the Olympics. 

 

Goals for 2004 included a continued focus on membership and financials, continued upgrading in training and technology, and initial planning for the next Olympics.  She announced that the 2005-2008 Racing Rules of Sailing has been mailed to members.

 

US SAILING Olympic Committee Chair Fred Hagedorn provided a State of the Olympics report noting that US sailors won a gold and silver at the Olympics and that a Silver and Bronze were won at the Paralympic games.  He noted that in many events, US sailors finished in fourth and fifth spots, and in all cases the nation was well represented..  He also challenged US SAILING to make a commitment to our athletes and aspiring athletes to increase both sponsorship and fundraising to catch up to the other major sailing nations.

 

General Services Chair Ruth Creighton reported that membership was growing, but not at a desired rate.  She noted the addition of new volunteers, new marketing materials, new Golden Anchor efforts and new sponsors.

 

She noted the new Events Visibility Program has increased US SAILING participation in boating shows and sailing events; a new Webinar training program for US SAILING Ambassadors implemented which has already produced 225 new members.  Membership Director Mary Weaver distributed awards to persons who have participated in the Ambassadors program.

 

Executive Director Nick Craw reported on preliminary financial results.  Although unbudgeted expenses were in excess of $200,000, the projected surplus for year-end is expected to be $88,000.  He noted that non-dues revenue has increased $300,000 in the past two years through increased sponsorships.  He cautioned that the financial situation with US SAILING remains fragile.  He also emphasized that the organization is highly dependent on volunteers, complimented it on the high caliber of the volunteer organization and urged that it not be diminished.

 

Budget Director Hortensia Hacker will present a final 2005 budget proposal at the Sunday session.  She noted that strategies adopted three years ago are delivering results and that consistency is needed for continued success.  

 

Treasurer Leslie Keller reviewed income and expense items and also noted that while we expect a surplus, the financial situation remains fragile and that the organization has not been able to build reserves.  She commented on the new system’s ability to generate numbers quickly, and expressed some caution based on accounts receivable, especially those outstanding for more than 90 days.

 

Vice President Tom Hubbell presented a power point report on the proposed reorganization plans.  The proposals will be discussed during the balance of the meeting, and voted on by the board on Sunday.  Any changes approved will be sent to the Bylaws committee to begin the process of changing Bylaws.  Those changes would be approved at the Spring 2005 Meeting of US SAILING.

 

Offshore Committee Chair Bruce Eissner announced that Bill Lee will be named the new Committee Chair and that a new interactive offshore training program will be demonstrated at the Safety at Sea Committee session.

 

A working party named to review Article 14 procedures, chaired by Dean Brenner, is proposing procedural, process and scheduling changes for Article 14 issues.  The procedures will be discussed during this meeting, and approved changes submitted to Bylaws for revisions in 2005.

 

The Meeting was adjourned at 9:40 a.m.

 

Dick Hanneman, Secretary

 

Next Meeting, Friday, Oct. 22, 2004, 8 a.m.

 

 

 

 

 

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