Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
October 3 2005
The meeting was called to order by Commander Katharine
Law at her home at
1909. A quorum was present.
Present:
Commander Katharine Law
Lt/C Tom Fota, ExO
Lt/C Michael Fontaine, SEO
Lt/C Nancy Renzi, AO
Lt/C Barbara A. Goddard, Secretary
Lt John Isaksen, Member at Large
P/C Bob Hubbard, Member at Large
Lt Dick Barck, Member at Large
Absent:
Lt/C Trish A Carlin, Treasurer
Lt Karen Glaze, Member at Large
Minutes: The minutes of the 12 September 2005 meeting were accepted
as published.
Announcements:
Commander Law announced that the ocean Sail Fleet race would
occur on Saturday, 15 Oct, and the Cruiser Navigation Contest on
Saturday, the 22nd, which would be hosted by SDSPS. She also noted
that the District 28 Fall Conference--also hosted by SDSPS--would be
held on 7-8 October at the Holiday Inn on Sports Arena Blvd. Commander
Law noted that the event conflicted with the Ensenada race, in which
several of our members participated.
OFFICERS' REPORTS
Commander Law reported that, although there were fewer
than a quorum at the September general members meeting, the speaker
arranged by AO Nancy Renzi was fascinating. Jody Westberg, of the
Marine Mammal Rescue project at SeaWorld, presented a powerpoint
program which she supplemented with items used for feeding and to
test the health of the distressed animals, which are referred by
organizations and the general public. The aim of the project is to
rehabilitate the animals--whales, seals, sealions, dolphins and even
some manatees--and return them to their natural habitat, and is
supported entirely by Anheuser-Busch. Although few people
attended because of a conflict with a Southwestern Yacht Club event,
those who came enjoyed it immensely.
The next general members meeting will be on 18th November, with
a program presented by the Education Department, which SEO Mike
Fontaine is organizing. Bob Hubbard has agreed to offer his
presentation on the Vessel Examiners program, worked up for the
Instructor Development course just completed.
The commander also reported that the number of non-renewing
members was now down to 26. Finally, she noted that an 0600 coop
charting event will precede the Saturday meeting and encouraged
people to meet at Denny's on Rosecrans. The Ship's Mail deadline
is 15 October.
ExO Tom Fota reported the District figures for vessel
safety checks: 77 for Balboa (all done by Wes Heusser, their commander);
SDSPS (69), Phoenix (54), and San Luis Rey (7). The commander
volunteered her newly acquired boat for a VSC, but it needed to be
equipped first.
SEO Mike Fontaine submitted a written report and pointed out
that the class schedule for 2006 was completed and had been
distributed to all the instructors. The Boating course, taught by
Dan and Trish Carlin, was starting that very night at Southwestern
Yacht Club, which explained Trish's absence from the ExCom meeting.
There were eight students who passed the Instructor Development
course taught by Karen Glaze. Junior Navigation was underway and
was expected to be completed by November. The N course will
probably not begin until after the first of the year. The AP course
was scheduled to start on 7 November for the students now taking the
Piloting course. Engine Maintenance was underway with two students.
Mike Fontaine noted that we will need an instructor for the
Marine Electronics course scheduled for the spring. He brought up
the subject of whether there should be a minimum number of students
before a course were given. Should there be a minimum, and--if
so--how many? Dick Barck felt it should be left to the discretion
of the instructor. Mike and Bob Hubbard believe that the advanced
grades should be taught every year, but perhaps the electives should
be deferred if only one or two people sign up. It is difficult for
the instructor if there are so few students. It was the sense of
the group that instructors should have the option of deferring
elective classes if there were too few students. Frequency of
classes to be given needs to be considered. The consensus was that
it be incorporated into standing orders that each elective
instructor be able to determine the class minimum, and that the fact
of the minimum should be publicized in the announcement of the
courses and on the website. The new policy will be communicated at
the November GMM.
The percentage of people signing up for membership out of the
Boating classes is worrisome. The commander stated that National
was also worried about this and there had been many discussions
regarding dwindling membership at the September Governing Board but no
suggestions about how to attract larger numbers. Mike noted that,
beginning in 2007, SWYC will be renovating their facility and will
not be able to offer space for our classes. Dick Barck noted that
West Marine had space for classes up to about 15 people, which would
accommodate most of our classes.
AO Nancy Renzi was involved with the District conference and
reported that 45 people had signed up for the Saturday evening
dinner. She had been in communication with Bill Bridge, who is
heading up the Conference committee. The Friday night Hospitality
Suite at the Holiday Inn is being coordinated by Marie Baer, and Ron
Weiner is organizing the bar. People are invited to contribute food
for this occasion. Bob Hubbard gave directions to the hotel and
noted that the room was on the ground floor. Nancy noted that the
Change of Watch event for 21st January at SWYC is confirmed, and she
is still negotiating the Friday, 13th January, date for the Annual
Meeting.
Secretary Barbara Goddard,who was in charge of the Raffle, had
tickets available for purchase after the meeting, with many
attractive prizes, including a week in Nancy's house in Maine and a
3-hour cruise for six on Dave Weimer's Grand Banks trawler. The
tickets were priced with a view to greater value for buying in
quantity, and there were an unusually large number of valuable
prizes.
Treasurer Trish Carlin submitted a written report on the
squadron's financial status, as of 30 September 2005. The commander
noted that we are about $5,000 under budget after payment of the
District dues. A substantial portion of the overage was
attributable to the fact that the squadron still had inventory of
Boating books.
OLD BUSINESS:
The commander noted that she had discussed with both
Ted Umland and Dave Baer a requirement of having a VSC before
being entered in Sail Fleet races, and she had invited them both
to the ExCom meeting to participate in the discussion about Sail
Fleet policy. Although neither was there, each had agreed that such
a requirement would be a good thing and would not reduce the number
of race participants. Cruiser Nav has this as a requirement, and the
Observer has to note the VSC decal on the boat. Dick Barck
remembers this having been discussed in several prior ExCom meetings
but no action had been taken.
A motion was made and seconded that: "A Vessel Safety Check
shall be a requirement for participating in a SDSPS Sail Fleet
race." The motion passed unanimously.
John Isaksen also brought up the topic of a pre-race entry
form, including a waiver of liability. Katie reported having had a
conversation earlier in the year with the Law Officer, who felt
that, although such waiver might not be legally enforceable, it
might serve as a deterent to litigation. The Cortez form is
available and should be looked at. The issue was tabled and will be
considered at the November meeting.
As a second issue of old business, the commander indicated
that Merit Marks are being prepared and thanked people for their
input in this important squadron activity. She has forwarded the
recommendations to Chet White, who is compiling her submission to be
forwarded to the Chief Commander.
NEW BUSINESS:
Dick Barck suggested that there be a discussion
at the November ExCom meeting and on a continuing basis regarding the
issue of recruiting new members.
The meeting was adjourned at 2009. The next meeting will be held at
the commander's home at 1900 on Monday, 7 November 2005.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara A. Goddard, P
Secretary