Chicago Beneteau First 40.7 Fleet

Minutes of Skipper’s Meeting

FEB. 4, 2005

Members, designated representatives and officers present at the meeting:

            Also, Ben Kramer, Secretary/Treasurer

Absent Members:

Meeting Presided by: Ron Buzil

1)         The minutes of the meeting of Nov. 5, 2004 were read and approved.

2)         Flags were awarded to the top three winners of the LMSRF Best Beneteau 40.7 on Lake Michigan for 2004:

3)         Ben Kramer announced the 2004 “With Class” Award to the boat crew that has done the most to enhance the fleet.  This award is voted on by the crews of all the boats.  And the winner is... the crew of Vayu.

4)         An increase in dues was deferred.  Dues were voted on as $20 annually (for now).  Payment  of dues constitutes membership in the fleet and all members are automatically entered in the LMSRF Best Beneteau 40.7 on Lake Michigan competition for 2005.

5)         Ben Kramer gave the treasurer’s report.  There is $225.38 in the treasury.  A financial statement for 2004 was not available but Ben promised it by the end of February. 

6)         Area III report (Jay Muller)

7)         Rules (Jay Muller).  The 2005 version of the fleet rules will be published by March 1^st.

8)         Fleet Building Discussion.  John Baxter of Doyle Sails spoke for half an hour to those in attendance at the meeting, the topic being, “Building the Fleet”.  Some of the points covered by John were:

            K Our class rules are ok.

K        We should raise and use funds to enhance the fleet.  Spend money on events such as parties and on awards.  John suggested annual fleet dues of $200.  John offered to put in $300 from Doyle Sails as a friend of the fleet. 

K        Have a bonafide season series championship.  (We do – the LMSRF)

K        Have a spring and/or fall series. 

K        Send out lots of email with news, photos, reminders, etc.

K        Designate a Technical Committee with final approval power.  Get proposals with reasons, costs, specifications.  A committee will streamline the process rather than bog down general membership meetings.  For changes to the boat, ask if it is a performance advantage.

K        Look into fleet deals from Beneteau and other manufacturers for upgrades to the boats.  All factory upgrades to the boats should be accepted as “one-design”.

9)         Don Hayes was voted as the fleet Safety Officer.

10)       In the spirit of building the fleet, it was decided by vote that, funds permitting, the fleet would hold three parties during 2005 and that snacks and refreshments would be provided for skippers’ meetings.  The parties could include: an early one, possibly at the NOOD or even earlier, a mid-summer party (Verve?), and an end of the season party during which the seasonal awards would be made.  (As a bit of useful information here, the November 2004 Fleet party cost $335.)

11)       To expedite some of the work of the fleet committees were set up with the following membership:

Technical Committee.                                   Chairman Bob Vicker.

                                                                                Members Tom Weber

                                                                                                Jay Muller

            Website Development Committee                                Members Ron Buzil

                                                                                                Peter Nielsen

            Social Committee                                                  Members Brian Hayes

                                                                                                Tory Enerson

            Publicity Committee                                              Chairman Cate Muller

12)       There was some talk of trying to establish a Beneteau 40.7 national association depending on interest in other areas.