The 2006 Annual Meeting was held at the Pelican Point clubhouse and brought to order by Commodore Karen Litz.  Karen announced that there were 27 members present which constituted a quorum for the conduct of business.  Karen introduced two new members, Rob Malburg and Pete Phillip.  Karen noted that this meeting concluded BYRA’s twentieth anniversary year.

The minutes of last year’s meeting had been emailed by Secretary Loretta Manning to all of the members for review and were approved.

Ellen White was in charge of education and reported that a member had covered a rule during each skippers’ meeting.  She thanked all who participated.

George DeMestro said we had a good year with lots of fun and he thought the food was great.  There was a round of applause.

Jeff Moorefield said we had good wind during the two seasons and didn’t have to postpone any races.  Participation totaled 33 boats racing at different times.  Jeff reminded everyone that in order to qualify for the championship a boat must race 16 out of 20 races.  Only three spinnaker boats, one A class boat and three B Class boats qualified.  He felt that having one race committee for the day worked out well.

Marty Minot reported that Sunfish participation was down and the fleet had lost quite a few members.  He said if anyone wanted to try their hand at Sunfish racing they could borrow a boat.  He plans to continue the Junior Sunfish Fleet.

Warren presented the Treasurer’s Report which is attached to and made a part of these minutes.  Thanks in large part to a donation from SunTrust Bank and a savings on our insurance rate Warren will be able to transfer $1,350 to the reserve fund, bringing it up to $2,863.  Warren announced that he had received word the prior evening that SunTrust will donate $2,500 for the spring regatta.  He suggested that some of the money could be used to lower the boat registration charge, lower the dinner charge and buy better trophies.  Warren has not received any information about a sponsor for the fall regatta.

Bob Boe suggested that a framed photograph be presented to the SunTrust representatives at the regatta.  Members felt this was a good idea which will be pursued.

Warren said that BYRA membership cards were available if anyone wants one.

Karen thanked the officers for their service in 2005.

Old business.

George DeMestro requested a review of Sailing Instruction Section 6 Item E – Regatta/Series Scoring.  He felt that if a boat raced less than five times in a series its score should be deleted and the score for qualifying boats adjusted. John Breckenridge presented the motion, seconded by George. After discussion Karen called for a vote and the motion did not pass.

Karen presented the slate of officers for 2006:  Commodore-Ellen White; Vice Commodore- John Breckenridge; Rear Commodores-George and Holly DeMestro and Sandra and Bill Cox; Fleet Captain-Glenn Cliborne; Sunfish Fleet Captain-Marty Minot; Treasurer-Warren Ibaugh; Secretary-Loretta Manning; Member-at-large-Bob Boe; and Past Commodore-Karen Litz.  The slate was approved by acclamation.

Karen turned the meeting over to newly-elected Commodore Ellen White.

New business.

Glenn Cliborne presented a draft of the 2006 schedule.  After the Zahns have approved the schedule it will be posted on the website and members notified.

Marty provided dates for Sunfish races and these are included in the schedule.

Glenn said he tried to avoid using the same race committees that had served in 2005.  He felt that using one race committee for the day worked out well.  Glenn wanted to know if the members wanted to call back the Rasmussens for race committee again.  Edgar said he felt that had done a good job last year and reminded members that hosts were needed to house them.

Alvin Bennett said he would prefer not racing two weekends in a row and start racing in March instead of the first two weekends in April.  Bob Gearhart made a motion to start racing March 25, seconded by Karen.  Ellen called for a vote and the motion did not pass.

When questioned about why we did not race in the summer Glenn said there usually was no wind and the power boats caused a lot of wave action.

Bob Boe volunteered to serve as a race committee this year and Warren Ibaugh said he was usually short on crew and asked Bob to serve with him.  Bob agreed.

Jon Arps asked if the Zahns always approved the schedule.  Glenn said that it wasn’t usually a problem unless there was a conflict with an activity they had planned for the marina.  Jan wanted to know if it would be possible to get a schedule to the members earlier, perhaps November.

There was a suggestion that if it was not necessary to use June 3 as a makeup race that we could add an 8^th race but still count only five races.  It was noted that in some years a whole day of racing had to be cancelled due to lack of wind and it would be better to reserve the extra day for makeup.

John Breckenridge suggested that instead of discussing a rule at the skippers’ meeting that we have technique training instead.

The Pelican Point Open has been held in coordination with Celebrate the Lake the last couple of years but has been poorly attended.  John will look into getting a sail maker to give a seminar.

Everyone seemed to like the wine tasting event and there was discussion about trying to get a winery to send representatives to the next event.

Pete Phillip wanted to know if anyone would be interested in racing Lasers.  He suggested that Lasers start with the Sunfish and run simultaneously.  He felt we might get some racers from VISA who might join BYRA.  There would be no trophy expense this year.  Marty said that would not be a problem and those guests would need to sign a waiver but it would be worth trying.

Karen Litz said she wanted to thank Jan Arps and his assistant for maintaining the website.  Jan said if anyone had any pictures to send them to him.

Glenn said he would like for the club to consider using the sponsorship money to purchase a bigger chase boat.  He said some race committees were apprehensive about using the small chase boat in heavy wind and waves.  With the Board’s approval he will look into getting a larger boat.  A new motor may be required.

Jim Hull mentioned that sometimes the race finishes were really tight and suggested the purchase of a camcorder.  A comment was made that sometimes equipment is lost overboard and suggested that the chase boat be used to view the finishes from the pin line in addition to viewing the finishes from the pontoon.

Sherman Cravens said that on race day sometimes there was a problem with guest docking.  He said there was no room to anchor and he didn’t like walking over someone else’s boat with out permission.  A suggestion was made to call Tom Hardy at the marina to find out if there were any unused slips that could be used by a guest during the skippers’ meeting.

Jan Arps said he felt that scores needed to be calculated on a computer and that programs were available for that purpose.  It was noted that manual calculations were usually prepared by the race committee on the pontoon boat so that scores would be immediately available after the races.  However, scores are not final until checked by the fleet captain. Glenn said he uses an Excel Spreadsheet with handicaps already loaded.  Everyone does not have computer skills to use a scoring program.

Loretta Manning said it was difficult to call a boat over when there was no identification.  Jan Arps made a motion to require that sail numbers be displayed.  The motion was seconded.  Ellen called for a vote and the motion was approved.

The rule will be added to the Sailing Instructions.

Ellen announced that lunch was available and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Loretta Manning, Secretary