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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/26/2006 : 12:35:17

At last night's officers meeting I was informed that every one except me is planning to step down at the end of this term. If I am the only remaining officer I will vote to send each member a check, dividing up the money, and shut this whole thing down! No on wants to happen so we need YOU.

Right now we are short a Secretary. This person takes minutes at the monthly officers meeting and deals with membership inquiries. Please someone step up and help us out for the end of the remaining term.

We are also short or very soon will be short a Treasurer. I think we are going to hire J.B. to do the bookeeping. So the new officer will be more of a "CFO". Working on fund raising, attracting sponsors, and the like. I know there are some high flyers out there who could do this.

Next year will will need the following

new Chief Measurer
Capri 25 Chief Measurer
Vice Commodore
Secretary
Treasurer/CFO
Commodore if anyone wants to do it.

Also we need a club to host the next Nationals!!!!

Its not hard. If you are posting a lot, asking many questions, getting useful answers, and enjoy this association then you are going to be getting a letter from me asking you to volunteer!

Please note you must OWN A C25 or 250 to be an officer, Capri 25 owners have to wait one more year for any position EXCEPT Capri 25 Chief Measurer.

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398

Edited by - on

coach
Navigator

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USA
231 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 06:40:11

If members had any idea of the crap that the officers have to put up with...they would be smart and think twice about running for office. I can't believe how much time I had to waste because of rude and inconsiderate members. Getting screamed at by members because they did not receive their member information quick enough. They were just lucky they lived over 500 miles away or they would have been a nine hour drive away from an a** whoopin'!

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 07:25:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by coach
 If members had any idea of the crap that the officers have to put up with...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
At times that's true, Kris, but your tenure was most especially difficult due to the changes to the website and the increased interest in the Members Only area. Of course, there will always be people that do not take care in how they communicate with others, and when they come in quick succession it's easy to get burned out. Long-time members will recall how many times that I have vented over the issue of being cordial and remembering that the officers and staff are volunteers with families, jobs, and most importantly, feelings.

On the other hand, it can be EXTREMELY rewarding to know that you are a critical member of a team that not only keeps this Association moving forward, but also keeps it from shutting down entirely. That may not be as apparent now as it was a few years ago when Clif was running the whole damned thing by himself, but it is still true today. If there is no one to run it, then it will cease to exist by default. That is the point of Jim's post, STEP UP OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES. The current officers have served and served, and are now done, period. It's time for new blood, new enthusiasm, and fresh ideas. Please don't hesitate to serve, because the rewards truly do outweigh the irritations, even if it doesn't seem so at times.

FROM THE ASSOCIATION'S BYLAWS:

Responsibilities of the Officers [bracketed comments added here]:

COMMODORE: The Commodore shall preside at any Association or Officers Meetings, approve any annual reports or official actions of the Officers, appoint special committees as required, rule on procedure and jurisdiction, authorize expenditures and perform other functions as may be warranted for the proper management of the Association. The Commodore shall also fix the date of any Association or Officers Meetings (Article VI), and shall coordinate Association activities with other Catalina Fleets and yachting organizations.

[Not exactly a time-consuming role to fill, but critical nonetheless, as this person provides the leadership.]

VICE COMMODORE: The Vice Commodore shall, in the absence of the Commodore, preside and perform the duties of the Commodore, and such other duties as specified by the Commodore. The Vice Commodore shall serve as Chairman of the Nationals Organizing Committee (“NOC”) and, as such, shall solicit bids from the Fleets to host the Nationals for the following year (Article VII).

[Slightly greater time involvement especially during the Nationals site selection process, but certainly not overwhelming.]

SECRETARY: The Secretary shall, in the absence of the Vice Commodore, preside and perform the duties of the Vice Commodore. The Secretary shall maintain the minutes, records and membership register of the Association, as reasonable. Furthermore, the Secretary shall be responsible for providing for the posting of the minutes, calls for meetings and nominations, and distribution of ballots, as set forth in the other sections of this document. The membership register of the Association may be reviewed by any Officer upon request being made of the Secretary.

[Traditionally, the second highest time-commitment position due to the need to handle member inquiries and to manage the balloting process, but normally not very time consuming, either.]

Fleet development manuals may be obtained from the Secretary, and contain valuable information for consideration in the formation of a Fleet. The minimum requirement for the sanctioning of a new Fleet is the participation of three Regular Members of the Association; although an Officer review of the Fleet By-Laws for the applicant is desirable.

[When was the last time we processed and initiated a new fleet?]

TREASURER: The Treasurer shall, in the absence of the Secretary, preside and perform the duties of the Secretary. The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of the Association, as reasonable. Furthermore, the Treasurer shall receive dues and fees, deposit and disperse funds, prepare financial statements, and generally conduct the financial affairs of the Association. The financial records of the Association may be inspected by any Member, in good standing, for any reasonable purpose and at any reasonable time upon thirty days written notice to the Treasurer. All check expenditures shall be authorized by the signatures of any two of the following: Commodore, Vice Commodore, or Treasurer. A petty cash fund may be established by the Treasurer by a vote of the Officers (Article VIII, Section B).

[Traditionally the highest time commitment position due to the bookkeeping responsibilities. However, the current officers (sans the Treasurer) propose to outsource the bookkeeping responsibilities and transform the Treasurer role into a higher-level executive-type position. Therefore, the time consumption will become much more manageable.]

CHIEF MEASURER: The Chief Measurer shall maintain the Design Class Rules, serve as Vice Chairman of the NOC, and serve as Chairman of the Class Racing Committee (“CRC”). The Chief Measurer as NOC Vice Chairman shall, in the absence of the NOC Chairman, preside and perform the duties of the NOC Chairman. Furthermore, the Chief Measurer shall make evaluations, presentations and recommendations to the Officers regarding significant or controversial changes or rulings related to the Design Class Rules or the Rules of Racing. The Chief Measurer or designate shall administer and interpret the Design Class Rules and shall supervise the measuring, recording and inspection of all sails and boats (including compliance with class rules) at Nationals.

[Racing and class rules guidance are the focus, and actual measurement of sails is not necessarily required.]

CAPRI 25 MEASURER: The Capri 25 Measurer shall maintain the Design Class Rules in conjunction with the Chief Measurer. The Capri 25 Measurer shall, in the absence of the Chief Measurer, preside and perform the duties of the Chief Measurer, and such other duties as specified by the Chief Measurer.

[It's a new role in a different class, so it's yours to develop.]

Edited by - Sea Trac on 04/27/2006 07:49:06

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 07:53:18

I will volunteer for secretary.

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 08:09:49

Thank you for stepping up, Kevin! I have emailed the other officers and we will be in touch with you via email as soon as Jim returns from winning the Newport-Ensenada Race.

We still need a Treasurer and Capri 25 Measurer, as well as candidates for all the positions for the upcoming elections in September.

If you are hesitant to self-nominate, then email one of your forum buddies and ask them do it for you. Also, this activity doesn't need to be conducted on the forum, you can send an email to any of the current officers.

Edited by - Sea Trac on 04/27/2006 08:36:45

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 08:35:35

I would consider volunteering. However if any member screamed, or gave me any grief, I would probably tell them..........
So I would probably not be a good candidate.

Therefore I propose an association rule that we do not need any member who will abuse our officers. They can go out and buy a jetski

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 08:57:26

There's no requirement that you attend out-of-town meetings or events, although it's always fun to do so if you can. You can hold any office from your own home, communicating via telephone and computer. As for complaints, they come mostly from newbies who think the national association is supported monetarily by Catalina Yachts, and they think that if they yell, Catalina Yachts will send us a wheelbarrow full of money and a couple of secretaries to improve our service. Sadly, that's not true, and the complainers usually understand it when you explain it to them. If they make their complaints on the forum, you can count on the rest of us to explain it to them. Oh, and also our officers don't retire with a golden parachute at the end of their year of service. All they get is our gratitude, and the satisfaction of knowing that they helped ensure that all our members have access to the cumulative knowledge and creative ideas of our members for another year, and that we all have a place where we can enjoy our morning chit-chats.

If you decide to give the members a year of service, you won't regret it.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 09:36:17

5 years in and no parachute - gold or otherwise? how about a golden spinnaker at 5 years?

.....

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 11:00:30

Everyone talks about the finger in the glass of water, pull it out and it is as if you were never there. Most of us are like that, however Duane's number should be retired when he bails, his finger will leave a hole.
By the way, I have been Secretary and am now the VC. VC is the shizzle, who ever steps up for my job will be glad they did.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 16:26:39

is shizzle good or bad?

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 18:23:06

I believe I will stay on in an advisory role if needed to smooth the transition. I could be the assistant to the traveling secratary....

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 18:51:01

Honestly, I think the officers should be elected for multiple year roles and not all terms ending in the same year. This is a good way to have no continuity and wipe out a good association unintentionally.
The drama is unnecessary.

Edited by - existentialsailor on 04/27/2006 18:58:39

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2006 : 19:18:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by existentialsailor
 Honestly, I think the officers should be elected for multiple year roles and not all terms ending in the same year.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Excellent point, and good idea! Let's hear suggestions regarding how to phase it in with, say, two year terms beginning with this next slate of officers; meaning some will serve one year or three years and some will serve for two.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 13:32:58

I would be glad to step up for VC provided that we do one of the following: at least one of the current officers stays on board to help the nfew group over the learning curve, or, several of the outgoing officers remain for a period of time as an advisery committee.

In my opinion, the Association would be better served with two year terms and the VC, although I'm not promising anything, should be an automatic candidate for a stint as Commodore.

Edited by - aeckhart on 04/28/2006 13:34:47

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 13:51:28

That's great news, Al. I believe that one of the current officers is likely to serve again next year, which is yet to be determined. However, Duane has said that he'll be available as an advisory resource, and I will, too. Additionally, I believe that Jim and Frank feel the same. We're not going to let things fall apart, but we're unwilling or unable to continue to serve in office.

Having contemplated the institution of a staggered rotation, I think we might be able to work something out like this, assuming that the continuing incumbent becomes Commodore:

Commodore: 1 year term this election, then begin two year terms
Vice Commodore: Begin two year terms this election
Secretary: 1 year term this election, then begin two year terms
Treasurer: Begin two year terms this election
Chief Measurers: Begin two year terms this election

My reasoning for this structure is that the incumbent that becomes Commodore is unlikely to be interested in serving another two years. The Vice Commodore stands in for the Commodore, and often fills in for the Secretary. The Treasurer will have me around this next year, but no guarantees thereafter. Of course, this requires everyone's concurrence and will totally screw up what many view as what should be the natural progression of the officers: Secretary, Vice Commodore, Commodore.

Comments, suggestions, more volunteers...

Edited by - on

AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 14:08:44

Perhaps a dumb question: why does the Association need/require a slate of fleet officers ala a regular sailing club? Why can't it just be a board of site administrators that can be modestly paid for their maintenance of the site?
Also, perhaps I don't understand the amount of work required to maintain the Association. Also, don't quite understand how fleet officers can serve from home computers absent a central Association location, i.e., a yacht club.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 14:52:22

We have the bylaws and constitution posted here and that should answer most of your questions.

However this statement should also answer most of them too.

“This posting board and this website exist because of the International Association and are services offered by them, it is not the other way around!”
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Also, perhaps I don't understand the amount of work required to maintain the Association. Also, don't quite understand how fleet officers can serve from home computers absent a central Association location, i.e., a yacht club.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'll allow someone else to answer that one.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 15:24:53

The National Association does more than operate this website. It organizes the National Regatta each year, maintains the class rules and amends them when necessary. It helps people who want to form a local fleet, operates the ship's store, pays the bills, collects dues, and pays for all the subscriptions to the Mainsheet, etc. The current officers have been unusually active in developing the association. They decided to allow the Capri 25 folks to become a part of our association, and re-wrote all the bylaws that were necessary to accomplish that, which was a huge job. They reorganized the ship's store. They created all new national logos, and they overhauled the website, to make it more functional. When the mechanism didn't work exactly as hoped, they fielded the complaints. These officers have been creative and pro-active. They didn't have to do all those things, and they didn't get paid for it, but they sensed that it should be done, and just did it. Future officers won't have to do all those things again for many years. The minimum that the officers need to do is collect the dues and pay the bills, organize the national regatta, and help organize fleets. That doesn't have to take a lot of time. The officers can make as much or as little of their jobs as they wish. What matters is that the association continue to function.

Edited by - on

AADIVER
Admiral

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USA
966 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 16:18:17

Thank you, Steve, for a very thorough and concise explanation of the Association. I stumbled into it thinking it was just another sailing site like some of the diving sites I post on, i.e., www.scubadivernet.com and www.diver.net
My apologies for past criticism posts. Your explanation should be posted on all the forums; should generate more enthusiasm for new leadership.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 18:57:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by kevinmac
 I will volunteer for secretary.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Kevin, I have tried to contact you via the forum email. Please contact me about the Secetary's position.

Edited by - on

John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2006 : 23:28:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 The National Association does more than operate this website. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

 
Steve has pointed out one of the great problems facing this National Association.
Just look at the posts that show that many forum members do not know that posting on forum has little or nothing to do with membership in the Association.

The Association determines the status of our boats in the vast Catalina world, see the myriad of Catalina models in the [url="http://www.mainsheet.net/"] Mainsheet Magazine, [/url] and in the even bigger world of One Design Associations.
This forum is merely a place for discussion about our boats. It is a small, but important, part of the National Association.
As Steve notes above, the rules that determine our ability to race as a class is set by the governing body, this continues to evolve and takes not just time, but an understanding of the sailing world.
Our association has the added burden of balancing the cruising nature of our boats vs. the racers because our boats were not built as true racer/cruisers.
The addition of the Capri’s was well considered but we will see a class within the association that has racing as their main objective. This will, IMHO, change the nature of the “Nationals” in ways we cannot foresee.

So… The forum certainly could be maintained by a few web gurus however the officers are charged with a much greater responsibility to see that our National Association determines that the Catalina 25, the Catalina 250 and now the Capri 25’s are seen as legitimate one designs and have a permanent place in the sailing world.

Underlined words are a HOT link.

Go ahead click on the bird.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2006 : 06:38:05

Few quick notes -

John - the 25 and 250 are not one design boats - however I agree with the rest. The Capri 25 is strict a strict one design boat. The second Frank Butler offered a tall rig or a different keel design on the 25's and 250's one design went out the window.

Steve - we didn't decide to bring the Capri's onboard, the membership did via general election last fall

Edited by - on

wmeinert@kconline.com
Past Commodore

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USA
353 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2006 : 07:38:37

I will gladdly put my hat in the ring for Chief Measure for the fleet if no one else can be found. It sounds to me that election time must be near, as we hear this same complaint forum every year

.

Bill Meinert

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2006 : 08:04:14

'Tis the truth!

Currently indicated interest:

Candidates for Commodore - Tentatively incumbent(s)
Candidates for Vice Commodore - Al Aeckhart
Secretary Pro Tem - Kevin Mackenzie
Candidates for Secretary - Kevin Mackenzie
Treasurer Pro Tem -
Candidates for Treasurer -
Candidates for Chief Measurer - Bill Meinert
Capri 25 Measurer Pro Tem -
Candidates for Capri 25 Measurer -

Well, at least we're making some progress. Per the May Mainsheet Magazine distribution, we have 668 active members (Yea!), and a couple of you must have some spare time to donate to a very worthy cause, so don't be shy...please step up and make a contribution.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2006 : 08:04:48

actually elections aren't until the fall Bill, but we thought if we started a bit earlier that we might generate more interest.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2006 : 12:07:09

I am very impressed with the people who are stepping up, you are all excellent candidates.

Edited by - on

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