Executive Committee Minutes
April 20, 2004

President Janet Baxter called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. E.D.T.

Executive Committee members present were: Janet Baxter, Dean Brenner, Jim Capron, Ruth Creighton, Don Durant, Bruce Eissner, Fred Hagedorn, Dick Hanneman, Tom Hubbell, Patty Lawrence, Bill Munster, Jim Muldoon, Joni Palmer, and Bill Ross.  Absent were Paul Callahan and Leslie Keller.  Also present were Executive Director Nick Craw and Site Selection Committee Chair Theisen and At Large Director Betty Sue Sherman.

 Ed Theisen led a discussion about Meeting Site criteria for US SAILING meetings.  A consensus emerged favoring the accessibility of major airline hub cities, reasonable room rates (a target of $125), adequate meeting facilities, high speed internet services and a smoke-free environment, as the important criteria for future meeting sites.

 Action Items:

A Motion to hold future Spring meetings in the Newport R.I. area, to reduce organizational costs in connection with this event, was made, seconded and carried.

 A Motion to hold the Fall, 2005, Annual General Meeting and Board of Directors Meeting in Chicago, IL. was made, seconded and carried.

A Motion to approve the minutes from the March 14, 2004 meeting of the Board of Directors in Mobile, AL., as corrected, was made, seconded and carried.

A Motion to approve the minutes from the March 13, 2004 Special General Meeting of US SAILING was made, seconded and carried.

A Motion to approve the minutes from the March 14, 2004 meeting of the Executive Committee, as corrected, was made, seconded and carried.

President Baxter announced that the US Windsurfing Association had agreed that all of its windsurfing team members, would become members of US SAILING.

 Executive Director Nick Craw commented that while membership is up, there was a negative variance in membership during March due to normal renewal cycle interruption early in the year that should be self correcting.  He reported that a contract with Nautica was completed which calls for them to provide apparel for the US Sailing Team, the US Disabled Sailing Team, and the USA World Youth Team in 2004 and for Nautica to be recognized as the official clothing supplier for US SAILING teams.   He also announced that our insurance carriers were investigating the possibility to provide insurance for Windsurfing clubs who have had difficulty obtaining coverage. He also commented that a recent change in telephone carriers will reduce phone service charges by approximately $65,000 annually.

There was no Treasurer's report or Budget chair report.

US SAILING Olympic Chair Fred Hagedorn reported the committee was working to secure several sizeable grants and that plans for the May 18, fund raising event in New York were finalized. The US SAILING magazine will feature Olympic and Paralympic athletes in its July issue.  He reaffirmed the US SAILING position that equipment used in regional events, such as the Pan Am Games, will be selected on a regional basis.

Race Administration Chair Jim Capron announced that a draft of an Indemnification Prescription had been distributed and posted on the US SAILING Race Administration Committee website. A conference committee composed of three Excom members and three Racing Rules Committee members will review the draft..  The proposed Prescription, if adopted, will be included in the 2005-2008 Racing Rules of Sailing to be published in the fall.

Discussion is continuing on a proposed revision of Appendix F. US SAILING Appeals Procedures. A draft version, that is currently in review, will be revised by the Racing Rules Committee to encompass suggestions made by the Council of Sailing Associations and the Appeals Committee to require all appeals to be sent to the US SAILING office for forwarding to the appropriate (Association or US SAILING) appeals committee.

 A request from the Multihull Council to create a separate restricted fund to support the Youth Multihull Championships from funds received from the sale of boats and from the Fast and Fun program was discussed.  A decision was delayed until May.

There was general discussion about the Fall meeting in Portland.  It was agreed to begin the Sunday Board Meeting at 8 a.m. to allow earlier departures from the West Coast.  Executive Committee meeting times will be adjusted accordingly.

General Services Chair Ruth Creighton reported that the One Design Class Council had nominated Clay Mock to be its representative to General Services.  A motion to approve the appointment was made, seconded and carried. 

The General Services Committee will form a working party to review all products and services provided by US SAILING, and make recommendations as to which of these products and services should require membership in US SAILING. 

Executive Director Nick Craw stressed that Race Officers and Judges need to maintain their Membership status in order to remain covered under US SAILING insurance policies.  The policies cover only persons with current Membership and there is no grace period.

 Vice President Tom Hubbell led a spirited and comprehensive discussion on the work being done by the Structure Committee of US SAILNG.  The discussion will continue at the next ExCom meeting.

NEXT MEETING: In order not to conflict with the Olympic/Paralympic Fund Raiser to be held at the New York Yacht Club, the next telephone conference meeting of the Executive Committee will be held on Monday, May 17, 2004 at 8 p.m. E.D.T.

 The Meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m. E.D.T.

 Dick Hanneman, Secretary