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Class Magazine: Pip Pearson
reported that although the members at the last AGM had expressed a desire for an
International Magazine to be produced in 1999, nothing had yet been produced. This was
because the IEC had been trying to establish exactly what the aims of the magazine should
be given that most news is now communicated by e mail or the internet, and difficulty in
finding someone to take on the considerable amount of work involved.
Paul Young (GBR) had recently been in
contact with Strawberry Marketing, which produces the International Magazine for the 470
Class. This company deals with all production matters and advertisers, and just requires
the Class to provide editorial. Based on the evidence of the 470 Magazine the IEC had
agreed to ask Paul to follow this up. Paul had also volunteered to act as editor to
collect and collate material to pass to Strawberry Marketing.
This initiative was welcomed by the members
present and was agreed that the IEC should follow up this offer. Holger Jess stated that
we should aim the magazine at a wider audience and extend distribution - there was no
point in marketing to ourselves.
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Credit Card Payments:
A number of people asked if the Association can register to accept Visa and other Credit /
Charge cards. This would greatly facilitate the payment of international invoices and
entry to Championships. This latter point had been a particular problem at this
Championships, with non French competitors having to pay substantial bank charges. If
championship income is excluded, the International Class’s turnover is too low to be
of interest to most card issuers and the costs would be prohibitive. If championship
income is included it potentially creates other problems. Since the class would have to
collect entries rather than the host club there would be issues of contractual liability,
and in Europe, the addition of VAT to the entry fees.
Another suggestion to boost turnover was
that all membership fees be collected by International and then distributed to National
Associations. Jim Berry (GBR) did not like this idea. The IEC agreed to make further
investigations.
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Open Championships:
Pip Pearson asked for views on the number of boats at this championship and if people felt
that the decision to make championships open was a success. The unanimous view of those
present was that the high numbers greatly enhanced the enjoyment of the event. No adverse
comments were made.
Chris Thorne - International Secretary. Aug 99