SYLVAN LAKE SAILING CLUD
DIRECTOR’S MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 29, 2006
Agenda:
1) Call to Order. The meeting of the Sylvan Lake Sailing Club Board of Directors was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by the President, Jim King. Present at the meeting were, Jim Barkley, Barry Tee, Jim King, Chris Watson, Dennis Ethier and Rick Howard. Allan Fisher and Graeme Strathdee were tardy arriving at 7:10ish.
2) Reading of the previous minutes.
The meetings were not available, nor are they likely to become available. Jim Barkley motioned to proceed with the meeting which was seconded Dennis Etheir.
3) Treasurers Report.: Jim Barkely
Current account balance is at $16,987.77 with no outstanding receivables. A donation of $400.00 was received from Total Combustion Inc. for the Solstice Regatta. They have indicated that they would also like to donate for 2007 Solstice. Total donations of $2,730.00 were received for the 2006 season.
Donations and sponsorship totaled $4,250.00 for the season. Based on expenses, if we did not have these, we would have lost money on the season. The increase in membership will ensure that we don’t run a deficit however, we need to do a better job of giving the sponsors and those giving donations the recognition they deserve.
Jim raised questions regarding the society, the act and why we are a non-profit society given it costs about $100.00 per year. It was suggested that Tom Chapman may have the answers. Tom was not in attendance and therefore, the question was tabled for discussion at the next meeting.
Chris Watson motioned to accept Treasurers Report as presented, seconded by Barry Tee.
4) Old Business:
Nothing was noted from those present that were on the previous Board of Directors.
5) New Business:
Committee Reports
i) Harbour Master: Tom Chapman
Tom was not in attendance and no report was filed prior to the meeting.
ii) Sailing Committee: Graeme Strathdee
Last season it cost each boat owner(s) about $850.00 in fees. To reduce the cost per unit factor an additional night is being considered. The ideas are that it would likely be Monday and it could be a white sail night as a means to introduce new people to sailing as well as perhaps bringing in coaches for the odd night to help crews.
The Sailing Committee is going to address “committee boat management” and on water safety. The club needs to look at a broader scope for the committee boat members. The additional training would be to ensure that not only the race course and the race itself is run efficiently, but that issues regarding on water safety and weather criteria are addressed as well.
There maybe some changes to the races, but the committee will be working with Allan on the changes and how they will affect the schedule. An example is there may be at least one long distance race rather than the normal pursuit race.
iii) Membership & Communication: Allan Fisher
The committee would like feed back regarding last year’s schedule. Was it too much, not enough, or just right?
There was a lot of discussion about the level the club would like the Solstice Regatta to go toward. For example should it remain more of a fun event as it was last year or should it be more structured and become part of the Alberta Cup.
I went to make coffee…so missed a bunch. When I got back there was discussion about the “Memorial Cup” which would happen on the August long weekend. It would be a fun day with stuff for everyone. Crews would have to sail, possibly a leg with a Laser, or row, do tricks stand on your head…you get the picture. At the end of it all you’d sail back to the marina and the first boat that successfully docks their boat has to pour the beer. This may be a bit exaggerated, but like I said, I went to make coffee. If it’s wrong, talk to Allan.
iv) Judges Committee: Rod Reikie
Rod was not in attendance and no report was filed prior to the meeting.
v) PHRF Committee: Don Ulsifer
Don was not in attendance and no report was filed prior to the meeting.
vi) Solstice Regatta: Doug Stewart
Doug was not in attendance and no report was filed prior to the meeting.
vii) End of Summer Hummer: Barry Tee
Barry had nothing to report at this time.
viii) Dinghy Division: Joan Moore
Joan was not in attendance and no report was filed prior to the meeting.
ix) Promotions Committee: Chris Watson
Sponsor was previous handled by Tom Chapman. This year Tom and Chris Watson will work together. They will identify the sponsors earlier, they will be on the schedule, or event in which they sponsor and everyone will know who the sponsors are. There must be emphasis on the sponsor and ensuring they get the recognition they deserve.
x) LAMB Committee – Steven Johnson
Steven was not available, so report was presented by Rick Howard.
The committee met in November, areas of interest were targeted and each committee member was assigned tasks to pursue over the coming months. A meeting of the committee is tabled for the spring as it was felt that other than information and lobbying little would be accomplished over the short term.
In very short order it was discovered that there is the potential for a new 224 slip marina which may be located on the north side of the lake, just west of Birchcliff. Approval and development of this marina is very much in its infancy. Through discussions between the land owner and representatives of LAMB it was discovered that the marina may be more imminent should the developer have the support of the Sylvan Lake Sailing Club. A letter of intent from the sailing club was requested as support for the project, which was forwarded to the board by Rick Howard. The board’s decision was to table the request until Tom Chapman can report on the terms and conditions of the existing lease with Marina Bay.
The board was very impressed with the proposal presented which includes the use of a secondary residence (Yacht Club) which includes a garage (for storage) and tennis court for club use. That said cautious optimism should be exercised as there are still a lot of issues at hand before the marina will have permits as well as those we may have with Marina Bay.
6) Round Table:
Joan Moore and Nancy Smith have indicated that they would like to get people together to establish training for future sailors in an attempt to increase the size and activity within the Dinghy Fleet. The idea is to bring dinghies from the Northern Alberta Sailing School, along with a coach for week weekend clinics. We need someone to co-ordinate the initiative until parents of kids involved with the sport are available to run the club. Barry Tee suggested that, if after a two year commitment the Dinghy Fleet is still not running on its own then we as a club let it go. One option is to look at having the Sylvan Lake Recreation Department promote the initiative.
We have five or six boats that we know we can have in the water. Maintaining the boats is a lot of work, but the boats are functional. With them located at Camp Woods the boats are at least being used by the Boy Scouts, while providing a launch and storage facility for the club. There was talk about having Fiber-Werx build a mould and providing new hulls that might be easier to sail and cheaper to build, such as an Optimist.
Chris is looking for some of our trophies which have gone missing. Allan will put a notice in the news letter asking those who have them to please contact Chris Watson.
ASA and CSA have both increased fees to $10 per member. The associations will be invoicing the club in January $20 per member.
There was discussion regarding the Hummer and how we can get more interest and participation throughout the province as well as perhaps Montana, BC and Saskatchewan. One way may be to take over the Alberta Cup. There was also discussion about the format of the Hummer, which may result in some of the format used in the Montana Cup being used here.
7) Tabled:
Next meeting there will be more discussion about the potential marina and the clubs involvement once Tom Chapman can comment on our current commitment.
8) Next meeting: January 10, 2007 at 7:00.
Barry Tee motion to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by Allan Fisher.
Meeting adjourned 9:10 p.m.