Minutes of ISSA Annual Meeting September 25, 2004 at Annapolis YC.

Attendees:

Larry White

Kevin Baker

Scott Boye

Don Shea

Bill Campbell

JP Fasano

Tim Hogan

Ted Kaczmarski

Steve Gay

Tom Monkus

Bill Schneider

Andrew Cole

I.          Minutes of the Last Annual Meeting and March Meeting:

Review and discussion

Move to adopt Scott Boye, 2^nd Bill Campbell, unanimously approved

II.                President’s Report:

Discussion of central office and transition. Central office in Chicago with John Vandemoer has changed with his relocation.  Much of the activities are again working out of Larry’s house in Niantic.  John Vandemoer believes he can continue in his current role as Sec/Treas, fulfillment responsibilities, and work with Bill Campbell’s group.  Tim points to two major function of ISSA consists of:

(1)   Operations: financials, printed material, national regattas and training

(2)   Communications: between districts, donors & grants

Each district operates differently as people and facilities go through changes.  Northeast and Midwest in particular are going through changes.  Chris Clement is available to rejoin the board.  Larry and Tim to define the organization chart.

III.             Treasurer’s Report

We have secured an accountant in E. Lyme, who for a reasonable fee has been doing ISSA’s books to the check writing level.  Grants and donor contributions are expected to remain consistent with current group: Vanguard, up for renewal; West Marine declined direct cash contribution but continues with new school discounts for 2004, 2005 not decided. Sail America grants continue.  Revenue has grown gradually as membership has increased.  School count 333 in 2003-2004.

No dues increase proposed for fee structure. Each district charges different rates to support districts. Bill Schneider is concerned that the costs of membership may be prohibitive for new teams.  Tim charges $100 member and venues charge $25 per team.  Calendar is up for grabs, you fight for it.  Tom points to good relationships with college venues in southeast.

Bill Campbell motion to accept the President’s & Treasurer’s report was unanimously approved.

IV.              District Reports:

a.       NESSA – Kevin Baker reports:

NESSA is continuing to grow in small markets as well as in local leagues, whose championship regattas are also increasing.  In June Roger Rawlings resigned as President of NESSA, and Jim Terkelsen became the new acting President.  Jim’s replacement as vice president of NESSA will happen at NESSA’s annual meeting in November.  Membership should be over 75 to 80 high schools.  NESSA is evaluating locations for the 2006 Baker Trophy. 

b.      MASSA – Bill Schneider reports:

Last spring MASSA elected a board of directors and adopted provisional by-laws.  MASSA defined three leagues: Northern League consisting of teams in New Jersey, Long Island, NYC, Westchester, and Rochester. George Linzee is heading up the Northern League. The Rochester group is somewhat challenged geographically to compete with other MASSA teams, and a new "Great Northern League " may be formed.  The Central League, headed by Stovie Brown, is based in Annapolis.  Randy Stokes continues to manage the Southern League and the Virginia ISA based in the Hampton and Norfolk, VA area.  Registration remains consistent at around 50 teams.

c.    SAISA – Tom Monkus reports:

Hosting upwards of 16 regattas, SAISA breaks out into Northpoint regattas for teams in the Carolina’s and adjacent SAISA states. Southpoint regattas are held for the Florida teams.  The NOR is nearing completion for the International Team Racing Invitational which will be held on Dec 16^th through 19^th at Eckerd College ( this regatta has since been indefinitely postponed).  Jensen Beach, FL is the proposed site for the 2005 Baker.  The compatibility of the 420 fleet here was discussed and will be assessed ( 12 420s have been requested from Vanguard to com[plete the fleet].  While no fall back location is currently planned, Charleston was discussed as a possible site should Jensen Beach become an issue.     

c.     MWISA – Don Shea reports:

The Midwest district is moving forward smoothly through several personnel transitions, most notably, the departure of John Vandemoer  to St Mary’s.  Joe Quick is taking over for Chris Mitchell and John Vandemoer in Chicago, and Joey Harris at Grosse Point provides opportunity for moving forward.  The district’s re-written by-laws are working quite well, and enrollment is growing in Wisconsin and Michigan.  The Cressy qualifier drew 47 sailors, the largest in MWISA history.  The 2004 Cressy forms will be published shortly, and the Midwest is considering locations for the 2006 Mallory.

c.   SEISA – Steve Gay reports:

The district expects substantial growth in 2004-05 as parents of junior sailors are more interested in high school sailing as a precursor to college sailing.  The Gulf area has been challenging, however, the return of Chris Clement in New Orleans to an active role in ISSA and Southeast will strengthen the area measurably.

d.  PCISA – Tim Hogan reports:

The PCISA continues to blossom in its three areas of concentration, southern California, northern California, and Hawaii.  The southern group is firing on all cylinders with gold and silver fleet regattas as well as JV events.  Northern California is undergoing transitions and organizational issues, and Hawaii continues to grow.  Hawaii will host the 2005 Cressy over Thanksgiving Weekend.  Aloha!

e.   NWISA – Scott Boye reports:

Key new areas in the NW are developing interest in high school sailing, and 4 new high schools participated in the NW Cressy qualifier this fall.  Williamette HS represents the first Portland OR team for ISSA in some time, and schools in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia are showing interest in NW high school sailing.  ISSA has previously welcomed teams from north of the border into its roster.  NW is working closely with Sands Point Community Sailing Center, and they are looking at purchasing sails for their regattas.  Sailing clinics in Orcas and Bellingham are used to recruit new sailors and teams into the district.  

The 2005 Mallory will be held at Port Angeles, WA, on May 14^th & 15^th  using a fleet of 24 Vanguard 15’s.  Port Angeles is approximately 2-1/2 hours by car from SeaTac Airport in Seattle.  Renting a van may be the best mode of transportation to the site. The local chamber of commerce is organizing hotels in the area which have 3,000 rooms.  Local sailing conditions are regularly calm in the morning with wind building to 12 to 20 knots in the afternoon.  Air temperature will be around 60° F and water temperature around 40° F. Friday, May 13^th will be a practice day, and the fleet may be available earlier in the week for teams arriving before Friday. A complete suit of new sails has been purchased by NWISA for the regatta.

V.                 National Goals for 2005:

While the ISSA is growing in membership and functionally very smoothly, developing a strategic plan for the ISSA in preparation for the transition of its senior leadership is a primary objective.  The strategic plan will identify for each of the ISSA’s operating functions and departments, where the organization is currently, where it is going, and how it is going to get there. The strategic plan will identify the ISSA’s goals and objectives for the future. 

Tim Hogan identified the importance and need to find new technical help who will replace Derek Webster and will manage some of the ISSA’s computer-based functions including the on-line registration.  Tim referred to Lisa Jenkins from San Diego as a possible candidate for this function.  Regarding ISSA’s on-line registration, last year’s data entry was completed from paper forms.  Larry has a disc for 2003/2004 registration, however, there is no format for transitioning from school year to school year within the current system.  Tim proposed we use Derek in the short term, and evaluate Lisa’s capabilities with regard to computer and other administrative functions for ISSA.  Bill Schneider offered to head an email group to capture and work on computer glitches including the website and registration.

Andrew Cole’s work continues on several fronts in two major ISSA objectives for 2004-2005..  First, trade marking ISSA’s logos and intellectual properties for pursuing various licensing and/or consumer products opportunities is moving forward favorably.  Andrew also continues negotiating with the Naval Academy’s progress in designing and completing the ISSA display case and the development of a satisfactory Memo of Understnading. 

VI.              Transition:

Larry plans to continue in service for the 2004-2005 school year.  Nancy Healy is not planning to continue for the full year.  A committee was formed to organize the transition and includes Tim Hogan, Kevin Baker, Bill Campbell, Andy Cole, John Vandemoer, Don Shea, and Tom Monkus.

VII.           RRS 42:

Historically, ISSA’s follows the lead of ICSA in procedural rules.  Regarding kinetics, Bill Campbell moved to have the ISSA follow the ICSA ( ISAF ?) model for kinetics.  Ted Kaczmarski seconded, and the motion was passed.

VIII.        Updating the ISSA Procedural Rules (PR’s) & Simplified Race Management:

Bill Campbell will publish a rough draft of the updated PR’s by Thanksgiving.  While we don’t usually change PR’s mid-year, Bill pointed out that the changes are not significant and should not represent a problem if they were adopted prior to the spring 2005 season.  Bill will check with Mike Segerblom regarding ICSA changes.

Bill Schneider pointed out that the verbiage of ISSA’s bylaws should be reviewed and changed in section I. Eligibility 1.2 Competitors  “Eligible according to the standards of the school”.  The issue regards the standards ISSA accepts for a sailor’s representation of his/her school.  Bill will propose a wording change to this section for board approval.

IX.              Guidelines to Championships:

Previously Roy Williams and Roger Rawlings have been active in this area.  Bill Campbell and Tom Monkus will take this responsibility and work with Roy and Roger.  A CD disc is available on guidelines from ISSA.  Publications will be sent to board members from central office.

X.                 Coaching Improvement:

Coaching improvement and associated clinics have been managed by Roy Williams and Roger Rawlings, and moving forward Bill Campbell will take the responsibility for this department.  ISSA will continue with components of US Sailing Level III training.  Kevin Baker suggested that elements of Pat Healy’s presentations on coaching would make an excellent addition to training materials.  John Vandemoer will present the coaching improvement component at NSPS.

XI.              Judges and Umpires:

Need to expand the ranks of certified judges and umpires available and knowledgeable to the ISSA rules and regattas.  Responsibility falls on districts to recruit new judges.

XII.           Trophies and Artifacts:

Andrew Cole continues to work on the agreement – memo of understanding - with the Naval Academy on the ISSA display at the Crown Center installation. A rendering has been submitted to ISSA without dimensions or final design specifics.  ISSA has contributed $15,000 so far, but it is withholding additional available funds until the memo and design specifics are finalized.

XIII.        Communications:

After decades of service to ISSA and most recently as publisher of the ISSA newsletter, Jeff Spranger has retired.  ISSA now seeks a director of communications who will take over the newsletter editing along with other functions. 

The newsletter, which was unanimously supported by all districts’ representatives at the last ISSA annual meeting, currently is mailed to 2,800 recipients.  All addressees are on floppy discs.  Printing and fulfillment is outsourced in Newport, RI.  Revenue from ads cover most costs.  Printing is $1,700 per issue.  Mailing house charges $250 per issue.  Bulk mail permit has been temporarily moved to Newport, RI.

Kevin Baker agreed to edit the newsletter and accept the director of communications position during the transition period. 

XIV.        National Sailing Program Symposium (NSPS):

Kevin Baker will present ISSA’s component on starting a new sailing team and league.  John Vandemoer will present the coaching seminar component at NSPS, which will be held in Miami in January 2005.

XV.           Regatta Reporting:

PRO’s are responsible for reporting regatta results to district and ISSA  communications director as soon as possible after the conclusion of all major regattas.

XVI.        Video Project:

All districts are needed to provide pictures, videos, and written scripts describing their districts for the new ISSA video - long version, which will be approximately 20 minutes.  Ted and Kevin agreed to collaborate on the development of the new ISSA video.  Thanks in advance to Ted’s wife whose production company be helpful in completing this project.

XVII.     75^th Annual Regatta:

CPYC has been pursued to host the 75^th annual ISSA regatta in their Atlantic fleet, a fixed keel boat which is the original boat sailed in the first ever ISSA regatta at Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Greenwich, CT.  Larry has been in contact with commodore, and Kevin has been in contact with the fleet captain to pursue the event.  The fleet captain wants high school sailors to be the principal crews for the regatta.  The possibility of making fixed keel sailboat racing an annual event within ISSA.  Currently, CPYC is considering dates to hold the regatta in spring 2005.  Descendants of Commodore Mallory, who founded high school sailing, have been approached to participate in the 75^th Annual Regatta. 

XVIII.  International Team Racing Regatta

The NOR is needed for the International Team Racing Regatta which will be held at Eckerd College.  Scott Norm will be the regatta chairman, and Don Becker will be the chief umpire. This regatta has been indefinitely postponed.

XIX.        ISSA Open

The ISSA Open will be held at the Coast Guard Academy during the same weekend as the Cressy.  Parents of the E. Lyme HS sailing team will be the regatta chairs, Mike Horn will be the PRO, and Nancy Healy will handle registration.  The ISSA Open has attracted teams from multiple ISSA districts. 

XX.           Additional Projects:

a.       75^th Anniversary History Project - on hold for the time being.

b.      School Sailing Recognition – pending.

c.       Alumni Cooperation – needs implementation. JP and Don are developing a method on the website for HS sailors to register as alumni.  Bill will help with protection software for registration system.

d.      Fund Raising Initiative– needs implementation.  Goals to be defined in the ISSA strategic plan.

e.       ISSA Merchandise Project – Don to explore licensing opportunities and will work with Kevin to explore designing and producing products for sale at retail.  Andrew will examine the legal implications for ISSA to wholesale products under its mark to raise funds.

XXI.        Old Business – New Business

No old or new business issues were presented. 

XXII.     Awards and Recognition:

Roger Rawlings was spotlighted for his years of dedicated service to ISSA as representative from NESSA, vice president of ISSA, and secretary/treasurer of ISSA.  The commensurate ISSA award will be delivered to Roger at the earliest convenient opportunity.

Betsy McClintock was awarded the Jeff Spranger Award for her years of dedicated service to ISSA in various capacities.Jeff Spranger was awarded the President’s Award for his tireless support of ISSA over 50 years as former president, newsletter editor, and advisor.

XXIII.  Nomination and election of school year 2005 Board of Governors

Larry White nominated the slate of Board of Governors, which was seconded by Tim Hogan.  The members unanimously voted to elect the slate as nominated and listed below:

            Vice Presidents Tim Hogan and Ray Teborek

            Secretary                      John Vandemoer

            Treasurer                      Nancy Healy

            NESSA                        James Terkelsen

            MASSA                       William Schneider

            SAISA                         Thomas Monkus

            SEISA                         Joanne Kolius

            MWISA                       Donald Shea

            NWISA                       John  DeMeyer

            PCISA                         Ted Gazulis

At Large:                      Kevin Baker, Scott Boye, William Campbell,

Wayne Cutler, J.P. Fasano, Guy Fleming, Steve Gay,

John Vandemoer Gervais, Ted Kaczmarski, George Linzee,

Shawn Ryan, Lawrence White

The next annual meeting of the corporation will be held on the last Saturday of September 2005.  The next district scheduled to host the annual meeting is the Northwest.  Kevin identified that traveling to the Seattle area is challenging.  The possibility of holding the next meeting in Chicago, which is more centrally located for all governors, was discussed.  No decision was made at this time confirming the next location. ( Since set in Seattle, details tba)