Summary: Minutes of the 2009 Annual General Meeting
Agenda for the Annual General Meeting of the Sea View One-Design Dinghy Class
SEA VIEW ONE-DESIGN DINGHY CLASS
Established 1931
Minutes of the Sea View One-Design Dinghy Class AGM
held at 11am on Sunday 23rd August 2009
at the SVYC
Present: 11 members, 14 Committee members.
1. Apologies for absence
Elizabeth Windridge, Giles Thomas
2. Matters arising from the last meeting
a. Centreboards: there were a number of sharp edges on some of the centreboards which have been febrelised (blunted) over the winter.
b. Statistics – Gavin Simonds had asked for statistics to be produced and published as a matter of routine on no. of boats starting in August in all fleets for the last 5 years. – Captain agreed to publish on the Website.
These statistics have been produced but not distributed but will be in due course.
c. Late Launching – a new rule was proposed and voted in to discourage late launching and implement a handicap if a boat is launched late. The rule was proposed by Chris Simmonds and seconded by the Caroline Simonds. Adopted unanimously.
Caroline Simonds high-lighted the need to communicate the new rule to all members especially at the beginning of the season.
d. Minimum Weight for boats – the Committee had agreed a minimum weight for boats of 160kg after the boats has been on the water for 2 weeks. Weights will be put into the approx 10 underweight boats, although this has not been done yet.
e. Start time consistency – there was confusion over start times in 2008. In the 2009 season times have been consistent at 5.30pm except for Cowes week (6pm), the yacht club regatta, the night of the dinghy dance and the bank holiday Monday. William Edwards will ask the yacht club regatta committee to change the time of the races in the regatta to 5pm in 2010.
f. Line Starts – a request for line starts was made by some members in 2008. These have been used in July in the 2009 season.
g. Heavy Weather Regulations – Robert Holbrook is drawing up guidelines for the race committee for races on days where there is heavy weather.
h. Financial Transparency – there was a request to publish the accounts. The accounts have been produced for 2008, to be published shortly.
i. 75th Anniversary DVD – the only copy of the DVD made for this event has unfortunately been lost. Members who have paid for the DVD will be refunded. NB Captains note - since the AGM a copy has been located which will be circulated.
j. Safety Boat Cover for the Victory Fleet and for Senior Class Member – a dedicated safety cover has been provided for the Victory Class and for senior members in the 2009 season. The Captain thanked Jamie Bavister and his team for their excellent service.
k. Self Bailers – the rubber seals of self bailers can perish with age. Members were asked to be vigilant.
3. Captain’s report
The Captain reported on four of the stated objectives that he and the Committee committed themselves too at the beginning of his period of office in 2006:
· Improved race management – This has been achieved by appointing initially, Jim Mitchell and subsequently Martin Harrison as our dedicated principle race officers and with the retention of Martin Harrison this season and his commitment to next season and beyond, the standard of race management has improved markedly which is commented on by many within the fleet. The successful use of Mellow Yellow as Class Committee boat in 2006 and 2007 inspired the purchase of Penguin in 2008 and we are now sharing her with the Club for use as our committee boat.
· Standardised Boats – from the gunwale down the top 60 boats have been measured in 12 key areas and, where necessary, standardised. The mast and rigging are the last areas to inspect and this will be done by Gordon Currey over the winter.
· Social – there have been 11 social events this year, all well attended. The Captain thanked all those who worked hard to organise these. It is one of the Class objectives to maintain a vibrant, independent social life for the Class to give it camaraderie and identity, which in turn, enhances the racing as we are a more integrated Class.
· Improved Communication – we have increased the number of newsletters and introduced the use of block email communication. During the winter of 2009/10 we will be launching the Class website
Other points:
Rules observance:
William thanked Willie Callingham for his time spent on rules observance.
Julian Neal has produced a summary of information for umpires.
Points scoring:
The committee decided before the sailing season to use the minimum points scoring system for the 2009 August points cup on a trial basis. The Champion helm cup will be awarded on a maximum point scoring basis.
Noel Dobbs and Gavin Simonds stated that the minimum points system has drawbacks and in their view over rewards the smaller races. The Captain stated that it also encourages people to race in these races. It was proposed by the Captain and Vice Captain that neither system is ideal and that the Committee would meet during the winter to produce an effective system. It was decided to keep with the committee decision to use the low point method for the 2009 season. Members to be emailed for their views.
4. Financial Report by the Treasurer & adoption of Class Accounts
William Ramsay reported on the general financial position of the class as being healthy. The Class Accounts for 2008 were not available for distribution at the AGM will be distributed in September.
The Treasurer stated that the class was once again in a position to make a contribution to the Club and he asked if the members wanted to put forward any ideas on what the class should contribute to.
Noel Dobbs urged the committee not to let the money be frittered away and to think hard about what the surplus could be used for to improve the class.
5. Election of Committee and Officers of the Class
Pippa Walker proposed and Gavin Simonds seconded William Edwards being re-elected as Captain for another year. Passed unanimously.
William Edwards proposed and Andy Christie seconded the re-election of the rest of the committee en bloc. Passed unanimously.
6. Any other business
a. South Africa Trip – Colin Simonds invited members to come to a party at his house on 27/8/09 to discuss the trip. It is now likely to be in Feb 2011.
b. Gavin Simonds – thanked Martin for his excellent race management. Asked for there to be a turning point in races finishing on the line post. Asked Victory fleet to keep clear of start line, look at the possibility of a race on the Wed of Regatta week. Asked to be assured that committee has the succession of the Captain and Vice-Captain in hand.
c. Rule change for tiller length - Andy Christie asked the committee to discuss the proposal to extend tillers to a maximum of 110cm. This will allow sailors to sit further forwards and would be easier to pick up moorings. To be considered during the Winter.
d. Weighing Dinghies – Willie Callingham agreed to approach Paddy and Jane the daughters of the late Ritchie and Ann Thursfield to discuss the Dinghy Class’s use of the trolley that has been used to weigh the boats and to offer to buy it from the family with Class funds.
e. Piers Thomas asked that a list of boats that have the Captain’s permission to be ashore during August is published to improve transparency.