PRESENT:-
1. MINUTES
Approved and signed.
2. MATTERS ARISING
a) Trophies had been purchased to a value of 11,172FF.
b) Bulletin had been expensive to produce (15,726FF.) However it had been useful to publish the Associations Constitution and Rules for the information of members. The Chairman suggested that the officers of the Association should attempt to keep the Bulletin going but in a far less expensive form.
3. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
The year had been seen as a period of decreasing rate of growth, unfortunately shared by other dinghy classes around the world. The increasing cost of boats was clearly a contributory factor. However, there were now 5-0-5 builders appearing in Europe, U.S.A. and elsewhere which would stimulate competition in price and quality of existing products.
4. INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY'S REPORT
In his report, M. Lallemand, having reviewed the growth of the class during his appointment as International Secretary, made the following proposals:
i) If there was to be a Bulletin of the size and type published in Germany, it would be necessary to appoint an Editor, which would, inevitably, make the most of publication prohibitive. It was impossible for the Secretary to take on this responsibility.
ii) The International Secretary should be appointed for a minimum of two years.
iii) The President should be appointed for a minimum of two years
iv) An increase in subscriptions was necessary (see later)
In conclusion, M. Lallemand, at the end of his term of appointment, thanked all those who, over the last seven years, had helped to make his job so interesting.
5. INTERNATIONAL TREASURER'S REPORT
M. Lallemand read a report from M. Alain Preel, who was unable to attend the meeting. M. Preel announced a deficit of 2533 FF. and supported the proposal to increase subscriptions.
6. INTERNATIONAL AUDITOR'S REPORT
Maurice Dobeyn commented on the account to the meeting and explained that the liquidity position showed a surplus of 44,158 FF. This surplus, he advised, was sufficient to enable the Association to fund its normal running expenses for the next year. He accepted the accuracy of the accounts prepared by the International Treasurer, who was also a chartered accountant.
7. REPORT OF CHAIRMAN OF INTERNATIONAL RULES COMMITTEE
Mr. Derek Farrant referred to the policy of the I.R.C. to tighten up on the rules, hopefully without too much aggravation. In the implementation of this policy, the Committee had been much helped by the appointment of Ted May as International Measurer. The immediate task was to tighten up and control the templates themselves and so secure much closer tolerances.
8. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RACES
The World Championship Rules provided that only in extreme circumstances should two races be held in a day. The I.R.C. recommended that there should be at least four races to allow one discard. It would be only in the event of there being less than four races that the possibility of two races a day could be considered. It was suggested from the floor that, to avoid this happening, there could be two lay-days in the Championship. After lengthy discussion the following proposals were put to vote:-
a) "the rules should be changed to provide that there should be two races a day only in circumstances which prevented the completion of four races," and
b) "in every World Championship programme, there should be two lay-days."
Both proposals were carried.
9. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
i. President: Bernt Eppers and Eric Lockeyear offered themselves for election.
ii. Secretary: Michael Nott and Denis Oudard offer themselves for election.
iii. Auditor: Maurice Dobeyn was re-elected.
The election of i) and ii) above would be the subject of a postal ballot, there being more than one applicant.
10. HON. TREASURER
The Rules provide for the Treasurer to reside in the same country as the International Secretary. In these circumstances no appointment could be made. A motion that the two appointments be combined was defeated on a vote.
11. LOCATION OF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 1980 AND 1981
In the absence of any firm proposals, the British Association were asked to arrange the Championships and, despite some reservations, Hayling Island Sailing Club was considered a suitable location for 1980.
The American Association suggested locations on the Californian coast for 1981 and this was agreed for more detailed investigation.
12. SUBSCRIPTIONS
It was proposed, and agreed, that the subscriptions payable to the International Office should increase from FF 14 to FF 22 and the registration fee from FF 86 to FF 130, effective 1.1.80
13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
i. On a vote is was agreed to remove the restraining wire from the luff of the jib, subject to ballot.
ii. On a vote, it was agreed to continue with gate starts for World Championship events.
In conclusion, Rob Napier proposed a vote of thanks to Dennis Surtees and Alain Lallemand for the hard work they had both undertaken during their periods of office and to Dennis for his excellent chairing of the meeting.