Members’ Forum at the Nationals

On Monday 31st May (4-6 pm) we will be running a 'Members Forum' at RPCYC. This is your chance to discuss the future of the class and ensure the MCA committee are aware of your thoughts. To help us structure the Forum, please email me any topics in advance, also if you wish to attend to ensure we can accommodate everyone.

Simon
simon.lovesey@skillsware.co.uk


Southern Area Rep

Hi Simon

Obviously no AGM at the Nationals this year, when will it be? Will proposals be sent to all members, as this seemed to be a bone of contention at the last AGM, as some members don’t use this site. Perhaps as a cost saving E-mails could be sent to all members who enter an addy on the membership form.

Paul

Paul

AGM scheduled for Sunday 29th August, 8.00 pm at the Inlands, details will be in the Year book which should be with you shortly.

Good idea about using e-mail, we should be making more of this as a communication medium.

The idea of holding a Members' Forum at the Nationals is to give everyone the chance to discuss the future of the class without the formal constraints of an AGM, more of a brain storming session.

Southern Area Rep

To get the ball rolling here are some initial thoughts, in no particular order :

<ul><li> Training</li><li> Class management and organisation </li><li> Proposed new rig and other rule changes </li><li> Class promotion </li><li> Training and squads</li><li> Major events (local and international) </li>
</ul>

Southern Area Rep

I think it is great that the mirror is attracting so many juniors into sailing at a high level but we are not just a junior boat and i think the association should remember the many adults who sail mirrors. Many of us sail single handed and I think all championships should encourage single handed sailors by having a special event for them. Please remember when you have the forum that single handed sailors will be under represented because we have not been included in the championship.

That looks like a good agenda. Class Management - why not have local area committees to support the Area Reps (it's too big a job for one person to do properly) by recruiting members from the principal Mirror clubs in an area and they organise their area completely for events, training, recruitment,sponsorship and publicity.
Rig and Rules - why not have a technical committee of knowledgeable experts who can look at the comprehensive development of the dinghy to improve and modernise it; try and bring its cost down and look at alternative builders of grp hull, suppliers of wooden kits and equipment.
Class Promotion - lets look at a business plan to market the class and the boat; obtain long-term sponsorship (like our competitors have)
build the membership; get the class active in key clubs and maintain continuity so a clubs class doesn't die when a particular group of sailors moves on.
Training and Squads - Could each area appoint a dedicated coach to develop training with key clubs? How about a Youth/Masters "squad" to keep sailors competitive after the junior squad and have Youth and Masters competitions within the various championships. Let's look at how Open Coaching works as far as the average club sailor is concerned.
Events - Could we modernise the area championships by making them a national series with a proper sponsor. How about introducing winter team racing or winter race series where appropriate - it could work well in the South zone.
Overall - Are enough members interested in taking part to help revitalise the class? A lot of people doing small things achieves more than a few being overwhelmed by trying to do too much. As Lord Kitchener might have said "YOUR CLASS NEEDS YOU" so please turn up at Plymouth and air your views and be prepared to participate.

Mandy

Single Handers will be represented at the Forum, I have competed in the last two Single Handed Nationals, and frequently sail single handed at our club. There may be other part time single handers there as well.

Single Handers regularly compete against crewed boats up to Open Meeting level. Assuming sufficient interest, there is no reason why we cannot investigate parallel events alongside the various class championships, how many single handers would participate ?

Personally I think single handers are an important part of the class, and as my crew is getting too big finding myself more involved in this area.


Southern Area Rep

Have members got their 2004 Year Book to inform them what is going on in the Class?
I haven't got mine, or sticker, or card yet and my cheque was cashed back in February?
Any other similar experiences?

Hi Alan

We received our stickers and card in February I beleive, but as yet no year book. We are having to rely on the website as to major events and their closing dates.

Paul