ISCRYA
First District Meeting

11am-1pm Saturday March 15th, 2003
Milford Yacht Club

Meeting Notes

INTRODUCTION

Great to see many friends.

I would like to thank the 20+ members from our fleets for contributing time and energy to the health and welfare of our district, at the 2003 First District Meeting.

Also great to see our membership with so much passion for the Star Class, and efforts to keep the prominence of the Star Class in our future.

2003 SCHEDULE

Junior Districts
Shooting for 10-15 boats.  July 13.  Sunday before the Districts.
No Entry Fee.  BBQ.  Previous winners not eligible.  Boats sailing the Junior Districts can store their boats at Sandy Bay or somewhere local for the week -- Limited Basis.  First-come, First Served.  Contact joe@guestchambers.com. 

Districts
July 18, 19, 20.  Everything on schedule. Should be another great event.  Going to shoot for 2-2-1 race schedule.  Stay tuned for NOR from CA fleet.

Multi-class regatta (Marblehead NOOD) New England Championship -- Two day.  July 26, 27.  This is VERY important for exposure.  We are guaranteed a start if we get more than 6 boats.  Peter Costa reiterated that it will be a black eye on the class if we show up with less than 12.  Its the weekend after the districts.  Marblehead is equidistant between Rockport and Winthrop.  We can accommodate boat storage between the two regattas, and we should be able to work out enough housing for interested parties.  Local sailors interested in housing guests, please let me know.

Should be a fun regatta.  Slightly different sailing, i think they'll shoot for 3-4 shorter races per day.  Chance to interact and show the classic nature of the star class to hundreds of sailors from other classes.

College -- Oct 11, 12, BH.  Sailors in this event are required to sail a star two days in their local area before Labor Day.  Fran Charles has a list of interested college sailors in your area.  He will be calling fleet captains to help find rides for these sailors.  This is an excellent opportunity for growth of the class, your fleet, and to get hot-shot sailors involved with our fleets!!!!!  Rumored interest from International teams!!!!

Tri District Series -- Looks like It's gonna happen.  D12 Aug 9, 10 Sunapee Open, D1 Sep 20, 21 Nutmegs (MID), and D2 Sep 27, 28 Fall Windup, TAYC.  More details to follow.  Thanks to Larry Parrotta and Barbara Vosbury from District 2 and John Chiarella from District 12.

Other Regatta Notes
MID.  100 Anniversary of MYC.  Alan Pritchard announced that MID & Milford Yacht Club are planning Friday night events including a band before their three regattas.
Skippers Choice, promotion regatta.  BH on May 18th others invited.  Very successful event in the past with several participants joining the fleet.
MID is also having a skippers choice promotion regatta in July.  I urge CLIS members to grab a rookine and join in the fun.
BH Secretary's Cup/Make-A-Wish/Mars-Venus event.  Peter Costa and Gary MacDonald reported that the regatta is a great time, great cause, and has raised tons of money for these kids in the previous years..
Bill Watson mentioned that CLIS is thinking about a clinic, perhaps before the Bedford Pitcher.  I think this would be a great opportunity for all!!!!  Stay Tuned.
Guy Gurney is responsible for awarding the 2003 Nash Trophy.  Bedford Pitcher, and Nutmegs.

2004 DISTRICTS, HB

George Kalfa and Larry Cole reported that the 2004 districts will be July 9, 10, 11, Seawanhaka on Long Island.  Going to try for a 2-2-1 race schedule.

MASTERS TROPHIES NAMES

The trophies for the highest placing Master at the First Districts and the Annual Masters regatta both had been called 'Atlantic Coast Masters'.  Gary MacDonald and Jack Button debated the issue with contributions from other members of the district..

A motion passed with the following solution, appropriately based on original trophy gifts, and names.

The highest placing Master at the First District Champs will receive the Atlantic Coast Masters Championship (MacDonald Brothers) Trophy.
From here, forward, the Annual Masters regatta will be called by the name that's on the trophy.  "Alan R Burtis Masters" regatta (or something similar).  Gary will supply David Bolles with the exact wording so he can properly engrave the trophies for the 2003 regatta. 

Thanks to all for contributions to the discussion, and coming up with an amicable and appropriate solution.

2003 & 2004 WORLD CHAMPS
     IGC MEETING AT MIAMI

There are a lot of things going on with the class regarding the 2003 worlds. 
the 2003 worlds is NOT a gold star. 

It seemed like a lot of information I remember from folks after the IGC meeting at Bacardi cup was either incorrect, I didn't remember it correctly, or there was blind faith that the information and the letter from Riccardo http://www.starclass.org/artman/publish/article_3.shtml were true.

Bill Watson furnished us with an update from Nelson from the USSailing meeting.

below excerpt from and email i received from Nelson Stephenson after the USSailing meetings.

The US Sailing Meetings were interesting with a lot of support for the Star Class.  Unfortunately .... the Star
Qualifications being the last criteria used by US Sailing and even then subject to available slots and approval of
ISAF for the "extra" entries beyond 6.


So it appears the above letter from Riccardo and the class (according to several in our district, and outside) may be more lip-service than actual fact.

Stay Tuned....  I'll try to get this all sorted out.

RESOLUTIONS DRAFTED BY D1 FLEETS

Resolutions are due May 15th.  See STCR18.

David Bolles and others have been working hard on several resolution, and David distributed them at the meeting.

We started a lengthy discussion (which carried over into lunch).  The gist:  while we need to create and support new resolutions for our class rules, it is as important (if not more important) to get the ISCYRA officers/IGC to adhere to our existing STCR which have apparently been selectively disregarded.  What is the most effective way to do this?

Because resolutions are fleet based, and the meeting had already gone past 2 hours, we tabled additional discussion of specific resolutions, class officers for during/after lunch, and an email discussion.

Because resolutions are fleet based (per STCR 18.1), David will continue ironing down the resolutions with his fleet, circulate throughout the district via email for discussion and comments.  When other fleets create additional resolutions, I will manage the information to make sure we as a district send out a unified message so our resolutions complement each other.  While it is not a STCR requirement that the district or fleets communicate with each other on resolutions, i think it is very important that we nail down each fleet's resolutions, and send a unified message so these resolutions will have the maximum impact at the annual meeting, and if they make it on the ballot, at the annual vote.

CLASS OFFICERS

Officer nominations as per STCR 13.  Forms and dates determined by Central Office.

There was a lengthy discussion about the current officers, future officers, and what action should our district have.
Currently, the positions up for election in 2003 are International Vice President, and International Treasurer.  There was some discussion of nominating our membership.  I support fleets' efforts to nominate qualified candidates for these open positions.

There was also talk about STCR 11.1 and the four year term that will start in 2003.  Does this mean that the President who was elected in 2001 has a four year term, or a one year term.  The thought is, that if we think we can nominate someone willing who is capable of position, we will pursue the technicality of the recently amended 11.1, and other ways to challenge the office of the ISCYRA President., otherwise it's a moot point.

CEDAR POINT WINS US SAILING'S 2002 ONE DESIGN CLUB AWARD

Congrats to CLIS and to Cedar point, and thanks for hosting two great regattas for us in 2002. 
http://cedarpointyc.org/uploads/CPYC_One_Design_Award.html

OTHER NOTES AND ITEMS OF BUSINESS

I am stepping down as District Secretary at the end of this year.  I have enjoyed my post, and feel i have contributed positively to the general health and energy of the District. 

However, I don't foresee myself having the time and energy to commit to the role of DS that i have in the past several years.
I would like to see people show interest, and toss around ideas and plans how to make this district better.  If you have interest, or questions, feel free to get in touch with me. 
Interested parties and fleet members of interested parties should re-familiarize yourself with STCR 13.

I also propose that the District officers' duties be separated in a manner similar to the following. 
e.g.
The District Secretary concentrates on managing upwards:  taking the voice, opinions, and ideals of the District to the class, and following through making sure our voice is heard, and making sure the District is properly informed of the happenings within the class.  Communicating with our Continental VPs, IGC and ISCYRA officers, and disseminating information to Fleet Officers.  Working with fleets on developing resolutions, voting, and adhering to STCR.

The Assistant District Secretary concentrates on managing downwards: concentrating on District schedules, District growth, fleet growth, clinics, regatta promotions, and communication and interaction of the fleets within the District.

Next District meeting will be Friday July 18th at Rockport.  If we have a long Friday of racing like we did at CLIS last year, we will postpone until Saturday, July 19th.

REGATTA SCHEDULE AND OTHER DATES

May 15       Resolutions must be submitted.
May 18 Skipper's Choice (BH)
June 14, 15 Arms White (MID)
June 21, 22 Ned Hay (CA)
July 13 2003 First District Junior Championship (CA)
July 18, 19, 20 2003 First District Championship (CA)
July 18, 6:00pm 1st District Meeting
July 26, 27 New England Championship/Marblehead NOOD
Aug 2, 3 Secretaries Cup/Make-a-Wish (BH) Mars-Venus
Aug 9, 10 D12 Sunapee Open (TRI DISTRICT SERIES)
Aug 23, 24 Alan R Burtis Masters Championship
Sep 6, 7    Nathan Hale (HB)
Sep 13, 14 Bedford Pitcher (CLIS)
Sep 20, 21 Nutmegs (MID) (TRI DISTRICT SERIES)
Sep 27, 28 D2 Fall Windup (TRI DISTRICT SERIES)
Oct 11, 12 New England Intercollegiate Sloop Champs (BH)
November/December Election of New First District Secretary, Vote on Resolutions, and elect Class Officers

Special Trophies:
New England Champion Trophy at Marblehead NOOD
Nash Trophy (Bedford Pitcher, Nutmegs)
Alan R Burtis Masters Championship
Tri-District Series (Sunapee Open, Nutmegs, Fall Windup)

CONCLUSION
I have enjoyed my Term as District secretary, and will continue to work hard throughout the rest of my term communicating with the district and working for better sailing, a better District, and a better Star Class.

I think i got everything.
That's my story, and I'm, sticking to it.
My email box, and telephone lines are open if you have any concerns you wish to discuss.

See you on the water.
s.
sbraverman@starclass.org
781-874-0506