Attendance
Attendees: Jim Farmer – President, Nancy Zangerle – Vice-President (holding proxy for District 12), Reid Stava – Technical Chairman, Tim Winger – Governor’s Representative/District 6, David Anderson – Finance Chairman, Eric Faust – Executive Director (non-voting), Groves Dinning – District 1, Harry Benson – District 3, Paul Scalisi – District 4, Russell Cook – District 7, James Howard – District 8, Eric Nelson – District 14, Tim Oelschlager – District 15, Todd Warnygora – District 18, Eric Sanderson – District 19, Wayne Clough – District 20 (holding proxy for District 21.). Attendance represents a quorum and over two-thirds of possible votes.

Call to Order
J. Farmer called the meeting to order at 0930.

Introduction of Attendees
Each attendee gave a brief introduction.

2002 Minutes
The Minutes of the 2002 meeting were reviewed.
Motion: N. Zangerle made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded and approved.

President’s Report – Jim Farmer
J. Farmer acknowledged and thanked the many people who have helped and contributed throughout the past year, particularly the District Governors. Membership levels have held steady this year. 2003 will mark the first year in recent history without losses in membership numbers. The World qualifying events throughout the year helped keep membership up this year. The district membership contest for a new set of spinnaker sheets will run through the end of the year.
The President gave a report from the IJCA meeting in Holland, noting that Rudy Wolfs has become the new IJCA chairman. Jim was optimistic that he could develop a strong working relationship with Rudy. On the whole, relations with the IJCA have been better this year.

Executive Director’s Report – Eric Faust
Review of U.S. Class membership for 2003 shows the Class is on track to post its first increase in membership since 1997. This is due to the boost from qualifying regattas for the 2004 Worlds. There was general discussion of market forces and challenges facing continued membership growth.
Financial Report: The U.S. Class has operated within its budget for 2003 leaving the Class with a small projected net income for the year. Several questions were answered regarding the 2003 finances. N. Zangerle noted that the prior period depreciation expense did not appear on the balance sheet presented. E. Faust agreed and explained that this was and administrative error and it would be corrected.
The budget for 2004 was presented with a description of how the options for magazine production would effect the Class financially. If the USJCA produces its own quarterly magazine, the USJCA would have approximately $8000 more net income in 2004 as opposed to producing only two magazines and purchasing two IJCA magazines as we did in 2003.
There was also some general discussion of the Class finances with regards to future goals. D. Anderson pointed out that the Class intends to operate with positive cash flow each year, but the goal is not to make a profit as with a typical for-profit corporation. He also said that moving into our second year of Class operations, he was becoming more comfortable with the budget process. W. Clough stated that prior to splitting with the IJCA, the U.S. Class had accumulated about $100,000 in savings with annual membership levels comparable to this year. J. Farmer also noted that the IJCA had failed to carry out its constitutional obligation to submit and approve a 2004 budget during the World Council meeting in Holland.
Motion: E. Nelson made a motion, “That we approve the financial statements as presented, pending the correction to the reporting of the depreciation of the fixed assets.” The motion was seconded and approved.
Royalty tags sales are on track with expectations. Although the USJCA has sold 725 tags to date, we only realize revenue for the sails purchased and delivered in the U.S. Through an arrangement with the IJCA, royalty tag income generated from sails delivered outside of the U.S is forwarded to the IJCA. The IJCA distributes the income to the individual NJCA.
Regatta attendance has been good throughout the year, highlighted by an 85-boat fleet at the Silver Anniversary Regatta in Newport, Rhode Island. Major event planning for 2004 is progressing well: Midwinters in Tampa, Nationals in Annapolis, and Worlds in Noroton. E. Faust gave an update on the Midwinters and T. Winger gave a status report for the Nationals.
Motion: R. Cook made a motion that was seconded and approved, “To accept the Executive Director’s report into the minutes.”

District Reports
Each District Governor in attendance gave a brief report on the activities in his area.

New Business
2005 Midwinters
Motion: H. Benson made a motion, “To stay with the Board’s original decision to hold the Midwinter Championship in Tampa, Florida in 2005, provided Tampa accepts.” The motion was seconded and approved after several options were discussed. The Board agreed to explore other options for the 2006 Midwinters including Texas, Tampa and Miami.

2004 World Championship
N. Zangerle had previously contacted the Event chairs before the meeting and provided a report on the status of the 2004 Worlds planning in Noroton, CT. Things are generally on track, with Jury and RC commitments in place. They are targeting 70 boats as a breakeven. There is a small committee and they may benefit from additional assistance. The Board agreed to form an informal committee consisting of H. Benson, N. Zangerle, R. Stava and W. Clough to assist the Worlds organizers. This committee will focus attention to charter boat availability, general organization, measurement and sponsorship.
The Board also agreed to draft a letter to the IJCA requesting an allocation of additional 2004 World Championship berths to the US (and Canada) in the event that additional berths were to come available. (Those allocated, but unused, by other NJCAs.) The purpose is to achieve the host’s targeted participation level.
E. Faust raised the issue that one of the U.S.’s most experienced J/24 sailors, Tim Healy, did not qualify for the 2004 World Championship because his representation of the U.S.A. at the Pan Am Games conflicted with J/24 Nationals. There was discussion and debate regarding the IJCA’s ability to award discretionary berths.
Motion: N. Zangerle made a motion that, after debate and amendment, was approved: “That the USJCA draft a letter requesting that the IJCA consider awarding a “discretionary” berth for the 2004 World Championship to Tim Healy based upon his gold medal performance in the Pan Am Games.”

2007 Worlds
J. Farmer described that the IJCA did not vote on the location of the 2007 World Championship despite having two proposals (one from Annapolis and one from Acapulco) on the table. For planning purposes, the Annapolis fleet is anxious to receive a final determination on the status of this event because their racing calendar fills up well in advance. It is likely that if a decision is not made soon, the Annapolis fleet will be unable to accommodate the event. After discussion, it was decided to press the IJCA World Council to take a vote as soon as possible, and lobby the appropriate parties for accepting the Annapolis bid. R. Stava agreed to prepare a comparison of the two bids as a supporting document for the USJCA position. Regatta Guidelines
There was discussion of the planned location of future major J/24 events in the U.S. It was agreed that geography would continue to be a dominant factor in determining the locations and a rotation of both the U.S. National and North American Championship would be maintained. Notably, the North Americans would be seeking a home in the central part of the continent for 2006 while the Nationals will be held in the southern U.S. in 2006.
P. Scalisi, District 6, indicated that Cape May, NJ would like to host a national or continental championship in 2006. The Board requested that Cape May prepare a proposal for consideration.

J/24 Events
N. Zangerle described the Lady Liberty Regatta held in New York City and mentioned that there are other events held in J/24s that the Class should help promote. These non-qualifying regattas provide opportunity to profile the Class and promote the boat. The Silver Anniversary Regatta was an example of a fun and successful “non-qualifying” event. The Anniversary Regatta may become the proto-type for future events that celebrate the J/24 and other J-Boats. Methods for helping these types of events gain traction were discussed.

Publications
J. Farmer opened the discussion with a description of the USJCA’s magazine production for the past year. Description of the agreement to produce an international magazine including cost and challenges of working with the publisher, was reviewed. The current arrangement costs the USJCA approximately $3 per copy to purchase an international magazine. The U.S. only magazine can be produced on a break-even basis. There was general discussion of the benefits of producing and U.S. only publication and of participating in an international publication.
Because the IJCA failed to uphold its contractual obligations in the past, there was discussion of whether the USJCA should participate in another joint publication in the winter of 2003. After discussion it was decided that, despite the problems in the past, the USJCA had an obligation to its advertisers to produce the final 2003 magazine with the IJCA.
J. Farmer indicated the need to negotiate a magazine production agreement with the IJCA for the coming year. After much discussion, the Board agreed that continuing a bi-annual U.S. only magazine was imperative to the USJCA. The Board further directed J. Farmer to negotiate the purchase details of one international magazine in 2004 in order to foster J/24 sailing on a global level. The International magazine shall have a specified number of pages with U.S. content. Issues shall be purchased at the standard NJCA cost less a quantity discount. The 2004 budget will subsequently be amended to reflect this arrangement when agreed upon.

2004 Budget
Finance Chairman, D. Anderson, presented the 2004 budget.
Motion: E. Nelson made a motion, “To accept the budget as presented.” The motion was seconded and approved.
The Executive Committee will explore several topics that arose out of discussion, and make suggestions to the Board for amendments to the budget as necessary. These include the website, cost of living increase for the Executive Director, and the magazine purchase agreement.

Election of Officers
T. Winger announced his resignation as Governor’s Representative. T. Winger then nominated J. Farmer for President, N. Zangerle for Vice-President, R. Stava for Technical Chairman, E. Nelson for Governor’s Representative and D. Anderson for Finance Chairman. The nominations were then seconded and closed.
Motion: E. Nelson made a motion, “To elect the nominated slate of officers.” The motion was seconded and approved without discussion.

Constitutional Amendment
N. Zangerle presented for discussion challenges within the existing Constitutional framework. Because of time constraints, there was limited discussion to the proposed constitutional amendments.
Motion: N. Zangerle made a motion to amend the USJCA constitution with the inclusion of paragraph 9.8 that shall read: “Special Meetings of the Executive Committee or the Board of Governors may be called by the President or a majority vote of the Board of Governors. Such special meetings, whether conducted face-to-face, by electronic or other means, shall be held at a time and place designated by the President or the Governor’s Representative. Advance notice of such special meetings, whether in writing, by telephone or electronic notification, shall be made at least 3 days in advance of the meeting date.” After discussion, the motion was seconded and unanimously approved. The purpose of this amendment is to formally allow Class to carry out business outside of the annual meeting.

Rules and Specifications
P. Scalisi presented a system (similar to the Lightning Class) that would allow members to compete for Worlds berths on a national level instead of the existing local and regional level. Since the next time the USJCA would have to address a Worlds qualification system would be in 2006 (qualifying for the 2007 World Championship) Paul was encouraged to get more information and present his idea in the form of a motion at a future meeting of the Board.

T. Oelschlager suggested that the Class should use the 720 penalty system instead of the I-flag system. After discussion, it was determined that nothing in the Class Rules prohibits the use of the 720 system, and choosing a penalty system is mainly a factor of fleet size, safety and sailor’s expectations.

R. Stava presented anecdotal information regarding the use of 100% jibs instead of genoas and sailing with a reduced crew weight. After his experience at the Pan Am Games, Reid had conversations with several sailors who were interested in pursuing this option further. There was much discussion about the pros and cons of not using genoas. Nothing should preclude a fleet or other group of sailors from experimenting with this sail plan arrangement.
Motion: E. Nelson made a motion, “That the USJCA take no position on which headsail a J/24 sailor chooses to use.” The motion was seconded and approved.

N. Zangerle read a letter from Paul Henderson regarding an ISAF initiative requiring ISAF appointed Principal Race Officers at major events for ISAF Recognized Classes. The Board agreed that the USJCA did not welcome this intrusion by ISAF and was in favor of communicating this position via a letter to the IJCA and US SAILING stating our this position. N. Zangerle offered to draft this letter, to be approved and signed by the USJCA Board of Governors.

J. Farmer recapped Class Rules change proposals submitted at the IJCA meeting in Holland. One proposal from that meeting was to allow the reclassification of the navigation lights, battery and sink to the Optional Equipment list in order to allow some heavy, British-made boats to achieve minimum weight. ISAF would be required to approve any such changes. There was not enough information as to why the British boats were heavy. R. Stava is to explore the issue further and keep the Board informed of developments.

2005 U.S. National Championship
The Board was presented with proposals from Seattle, Fleet 26 and Marina Del Ray, Fleet 49 to host the 2005 U.S. National Championship.
Motion: E. Nelson made a motion that was seconded and approved, “To accept the bid from Seattle, Fleet 26 to host the 2005 U.S. National Championship.“ E. Sanderson indicated that the event would be held in early June with racing on Puget Sound supported by the Corinthian Yacht Club, and the Seattle Yacht Club hosting the social events.

At this point, several members left to catch flights home, leaving the meeting with less than a quorum. General discussion continued.

2004 Board of Governors Meeting
It was decided that the specific date for the 2004 Board of Governors meeting be chosen after the racing schedule has been solidified in order to avoid as many conflicts as possible. The USJCA will target a fall (October or November) meeting at an established airline hub. Suggestions included Chicago, Las Vegas and Denver. These locations were targeted because they offer cost effective air travel, accommodations and meeting space. Money for the annual meeting comes from both the Class treasury and the board members pockets, so every effort is made to contain costs.

Website
D. Anderson offered to assist the Class with development of web-based applications to enhance the usefulness of the existing site. N. Zangerle indicated she had been in contact with Rudy Wolfs (IJCA) and Mike Lucas (CAN) and offered to work on a project cataloging the information on the “Open Forum” into an encyclopedia of J/24 information. This would allow for the deletion of older postings. The cataloged information would be posted elsewhere and still accessible for referencing.
There was discussion about the need to provide web-development assistance to regatta organizers. On-line calendars need to be kept up to date, and on-line registration is becoming the norm.

Demographic Survey
R. Cook requested the development of a demographic survey of USJCA members. Russ believes, as did others, that the information would be useful for developing marketing and sponsorship opportunities in the future. Russ is to prepare a draft of the survey.

Adjournment
E. Faust made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 1830.