Meeting Minutes

Y-Knot Executive Committee

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Date: March 31, 2004
Location: Umbrella offices, Schenectady
Present: Rebecca Stanley, Michael Peluso, Ron Byrne, Spencer Raggio, Chuck Thorne, George Painter

1. Boat Repair/Equipment
a. George is committed to getting boats repaired and in good operating condition. BJ Henry and Bill Ranni have been paid to do some repair work on the Martins. Rebecca has a contact who could do fiberglass work. George will use Yankee Yachts if other options do not surface soon.
b. It is a priority to get at least one working auto helm for this season. Who ever uses an auto helm (Michael, David, …) should make recommendations to George. George is inclined to buy one from Steve Alvey. Some voiced reservations on the Alvey auto helm from the recent FL racing, other reservations with the homemade BJ auto helm. George will go with a new Alvey auto helm unless other options are presented soon.
c. With recent mouse-eaten damage to a set of Martin sails, we need to buy a new set. It was suggested we get two sets in order to have a spare on hand
d. Spencer described his experience with a new Martin rear seat joy stick rudder attachment and it was agreed that we need these and four turbo kits (spinnaker set-ups) to equip all four Martins
e. We need to have more comfortable seating for the Rainbows and we will have two seats for each of the four Rainbows
f. Repairs need to be made to the Freedom’s tiller (it hits the legs of the captain in the seat) and some adjustment needs to be in place for this season
g. All the boats need working tiller extensions

2. Y-Knot Committee Goals for 2004
a. Fund Raising
1. Raise $25,000 for sponsorship of clinics and regattas
2. Start a new event to increase awareness and raise money
b. Publicity/Public Relations/Outreach/Membership
1. Publish two newsletters, Summer and Winter, to be distributed in the spring and fall/winter
2. Outreach to groups for open sailing (day sailing) clinics
3. Produce a program brochure, this needs final approval from George before printing
4. Cooperate, as apparent or assigned, with everyone to meet their committee goals
c. Finance
1. Compose the yearly operating budget, with a spending plan for all funds, for presentation to and approval of the board
2. Monitor and report to the board the status the operating budget
d. Program
1. Create and implement a day sailing and racing component to all clinics
2. Create and implement a volunteer and staff scheduling and training design for clinics
e. Regatta
1. Register over 20 boats in an organized and excellent annual fall regatta
2. Expand race diversity to include a turbo-equipped race
3. Add an educational and entertainment component to the program
f. Community Sailing
1. Attain a membership of 30 people
2. Produce a education and operational manual with levels of certification following preexisting material from US Sailing

3. Events - Help is needed for all of these events, contact coordinator
a. NYS life Styles Expo in Albany, April 15 and 16, Rebecca is coordinator
b. Assistive Technology Expo for People with Disabilities, May 13, Michael is coordinator
c. Sagamore Regatta, (Y-Knot is a fund raising recipient), May 29, Spencer is coordinator
d. Americade (Rotary Club Motorcycle Raffle, Y-Knot is a fund raising recipient, June, Chuck is coordinator

4. Clinics
a. We need the following signs for clinics
1. Y-Knot Sailing, for down the Pilot Knob Road
2. Y-Knot General Parking, for the front gate
3. Y-Knot (wheel chair symbol) Parking, for front gate
4. Y-Knot (wheel chair symbol) Parking, for near the cross walk
b. We need to send an annual appeal letter with a listing of the clinics, a way to sign up (web and phone), and a highlight of volunteer opportunities and how to specifically help
c. Should change the Chingachgook voice mail to include” if you want to register for any programs, press 0 and leave a message, also in the directory to list Y-Knot program press 0
d. Need a system to sign up for clinics as a participant or volunteer on the web site
e. Bottled water will be donated (Chuck) or purchased by the Camp and be made available at all clinics (George will arrange for)
f. We need a complete inventory of all Y-Knot equipment (radios, etc), George will have done
g. Rebecca wanted an Open House Clinic, we decided on May 23

5. Regatta – no Report

6. Community Sailing
a. Set the member prices for next year, $150 individual, $200 family

To Do, Responsibilities:
Rebecca, FAQ for general information, fiberglass work on Martins?
Spencer, get banners made, George to give final ok, before printing
Chuck, banner rack for booths
Ron, Clinic operations volunteer roles and tasks, one page