Minutes of the 46^th Annual General Meeting of the KSSA

Chipstead Sailing Club on the 17^th November 2007

Present:           Martyn Styles, Commodore in the chair

                         Committee Members: -

Frank Catt, Jamie Blair, Michael Smailes, Tim Turnill, Dave Ellis, John Martin, Debbie Thomas,

                         Members and Guests: - There were 45 attendees/members.

 1.            Welcome by the Commodore

 The meeting was opened by the Commodore who welcomed everybody and thanked Chipstead for hosting the training earlier in the day and for allowing the KSSA AGM to be held in their clubhouse. Martyn remarked that most of the sailing in 2007 had been a mixed set of events with varied weather conditions, making training and sailing exciting and rewarding.

 Martyn presented County Sailing Colours to Stephanie Wicken, congratulating her on a successful year both with KSSA and on the national circuits.

 Martyn made a presentation to Steve Restall for his many years of support to KSSA, both as a parent and as Team Manager. The presentation was also made to his wife Judy for all her help in the many years organising and helping. The assembled wished them good luck in their future exploits.

 2.            Apologies for Absence

Don Hall, Moya Large, John Weavers, Charles Burnup, Elena Setterfield, Jon Rowe, Richard Maltby

3.            Minutes of AGM Meeting 18^th November 2006

The minutes of the 45^th Annual General Meeting held at Chipstead Sailing Club on Saturday

18^th November 2006 were approved.

 4.            Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

 5.            Commodores Report

The Commodore gave an outline report of the sailing during 2007. There had been much variety in the sailing by members of KSSA during the year.

 ·         Thanks were given to the Executive Committee for their commitment to the running of KSSA in 2007. Thanks to Paul Turnill who as young peoples representative has stood down to take a place at university

 ·         There had been 9 different events, with 35 days of sailing. The County Topper Team Racing event had been transferred to Westbeare. The commodore thanked Whitstable Yacht Club for hosting the 6 Committee meetings during the year. Thanks also went to Bough Beech Sailing Club who hosted the KSSA Annual Regatta in September, where the Chairman of Kent County Council attended and presented The Chairman’s Trophy and the first Sailing Awards.

 ·         Turnouts have been average throughout the year, with the exception of the Annual Regatta which topped all records with 68 participants. Numbers would have been greater at other events but for the clashes with Zone and Class training. We need to encourage as many as we can to swell our numbers. The provision of a new leaflet has improved exposure in the county. The Littlefield Trophy memorial race giving KSSA the opportunity to give something back and £60 was raised for the Kent Air Ambulance. The event was won by Paul Turnill, giving him the unenviable job of being the Race Officer for 2008 at the Sandwich Bay weekend. Another excellent weekend of training, racing and team bonding.

 ·         Special thanks go to a number of helpers - Marion Smailes for her support as our First Aider. Jenny Catt and Fiona Blair for on shore support on sailing days

 ·         The Commodore reminded all of the resources available to KSSA in a joint initiative with Downs SC, in which there are equal shares in ownership of two RIBs

 ·         Jon Rowe and Tim Turnill have masterminded the promotion of KSSA and produced a number of promotional goods. Jamie Blair had completed the sourcing and delivery of KSSA ties and scarves

 ·         Martyn confirmed the intention to organise a Kent Youth Sailing Forum, which would be a half day ashore event discussing the merits of KSSA in the training programmes of all Kent clubs. The event has the support of Andy Hooper (RYA Development Officer), Paul Wren (RYA SE HPM) and Stuart Bishop (RYA On Board Development Officer) The provisional date is 29^th March 2008 – location to be confirmed

 ·         Congratulations to Paul Turnill who was awarded the Chairman’s Cup for 2007. His continuous support both at sailing events and in helping the young sailors has been invaluable.

 ·         Thanks to Mike Smailes for his work in handing over the position of Principal for KSSA to Anna Irwin. Together they have maintained our position as RTC within the RYA system (with some help from John Weavers

 ·         Martyn offered sincere thanks to: -

Our Web Master Frank Catt for the Website

Kent Schools Sports Council

Kent Sports Development Unit

RYA

NSSA – providing KSSA nationally with three events.

 ·         Martyn reminded all present of the Memorial awards – Ernie Large and Nesham Driver. This year we had received no applications. Martyn urged all the members of KSSA to put forward applications for 2008.

6.            Annual Sailing Reports

The Team Manager’s Report

Debbie Thomas provided a summary of the major events within the NSSA programme. The team scored well at the Championships despite only a small team, as well as the Regatta at Plymouth. In the Laser fleet Paul Turnill finished 3^rd. Daniel Aldiss was awarded a position on the Sceptre trip.

The Winchester Club Trophy was awarded as with the mandate to a Kent sailor who sailed well and provided the best effort. This year it was awarded at the main prize giving to Hannah Fagg.

Topper team racing at Delph provided some light airs racing. KSSA entered two teams, finishing 2^nd and 3^rd.

The combined team sailed at Spinnaker in the RYA Youth Team Racing and provided some very creditable sailing.

2008 will see the NSSA regatta at Carsington, Derbyshire and the May Championship will be at Farmoor, Oxford.

Match racing will feature again in 2008 at Queen Mary Reservoir in First Class 8 racing cruisers.

Thanks went to the Team Captains and to the many adult helpers without whose support the team could not have been managed so successfully.

Debbie thanked all the helpers for their commitment in assisting in transporting, coaching and generally looking after the Kent teams whilst away.

(A copy of the report can be found on the KSSA website http://www.kssa.co.uk)

7.            Treasurers Report

A report was handed out and the Treasurer gave a full explanation of the accounts. From the report it is evident that the expenditure had been managed to give a break even position without drawing on reserves.

Martyn noted that a budgeted amount of money had been spent on the promotion of KSSA, and included the purchase of ties and scarves.  

The Treasurer announced that the method of collection of subscriptions would change for 2008. A new system has been proposed to the Executive Committee and approved. This will involve a levy being added to the entry fee for each event. There would, however, be a review of event fees. Both items were recorded to the attendees and put to the vote. Proposed by D Ellis and seconded by Mrs D Styles. The vote was carried so this will be adopted in 2008.

The accounts have been examined by our auditor and agreed as a true representation of the accounts.

8.            Election of President

Jim Jeffery has been proposed by the Executive Committee. Jim has been involved with KSSA for many years, particularly at the Sandwich Bay event. Those attending agreed and Jim was duly elected

9.            Election of Vice Presidents

Derek Crouch, Jack Aisher, Don Hall, Moya Large, Charles Burnup will all be asked to continue as Vice Presidents.

10.          Election of Commodore

Martyn Styles was proposed as Commodore and elected

11.          Election of Flag Officers and Committee

The following were elected: -

Vice Commodore: Tim Turnill. Rear Commodore: not appointed

Hon Treasurer: Frank Catt.  Sailing Secretary: Not Appointed. Hon. Secretary: Jamie Blair.

Committee nominated at the meeting: Mike Smailes, Elena Setterfield, Dave Ellis, John Rowe, Anna Irvin, John Martin, Mark Fagg, Clare Hansell, and Lee Goody

Team Manager: Deborah Thomas

Co-opted member: John Weavers, Stuart Bishop

Young Members representatives: Stephanie Wicken

Event support Team: All parents and guardians are always welcome.

12.          2008 Sailing Programme

In order to maintain a level of continuity the committee has drawn up a programme for 2008: -

19^th April                      Opening Splash                                  Wilsonian SC

10^th May                      Sea Training                                        Downs SC

17^th May                      Topper Team Racing                          Redoubt

14^th June                     Junior Training Regatta                      Dover WSC

5/6^th July                     Coastal Training/Regatta                    Sandwich Bay

13^th September           KSSA Autumn Regatta                       Herne Bay SC

11^th October                Autumn Training 1                              Downs

25^th October                Autumn Training 2                              Medway YC

8^th November              Autumn Training 3                              Bough Beech SC

21^st November            Autumn Training 4                              Chipstead SC

NSSA Events

24/25^th May                 Championships                                   Farmoor SC, Oxford

20-25^th July                 Regatta                                               Carsington Reservoir, Derbyshire

4/5^th October               Topper Team Racing

13.          Any Other Business

·           Martyn reminded all members of the RYA Zone event to be held at Bewl on 27/28^th September. The stepping stone to Zone training under the RYA and possible entry to the National Youth Squads.

·           SE Zone Junior qualifiers were being introduced – use RYA website to get more information

·           Martyn asked all to consider buying a tie or a scarf as Christmas presents

The meeting was closed at 17.05 with Martyn making a presentation to Chipstead for allowing use of their clubhouse and facilities. He also wishing everybody a safe journey home, a good Christmas and asked all to be proactive in 2008 on and off the water to improve performance and set goals for the coming year.