MINUTES OF THE NEW ZEALAND 420 ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

HELD AT EVANS BAY YACHT AND POWER BOATING CLUB, WELLINGTON,
7 APRIL 2007.

 

Meeting called to order by Chair Bryan Davies, 6.15 pm

 

1.          Present:

Phil Williams, Sandy Dawson, Peter Saunders, Nick Hazard, Derek Snow, Gregor Bowater, Garth Goodwin, William Bettle, Gary Lee, Matt Taylor, Marcelo Lardies, Bryan  Davies, Christine Hansen

 

2.          Apologies:

Wayne Keen, Hannah Sargisson, Robyn Bilkey, Lesley Thompson, Richard Burling, Peter Langley, Rob Bryant, Susannah Pyatt

 

3.          Confirmation of Minutes of the 2005 AGM

Moved that they were a true record: Phil Williams

Seconded: Derek Snow

Carried

 

4.          Matters arising from 2006 AGM

It was noted that changes made to the constitution in 2005 had not yet  been taken in, the committee confirmed that this would be followed up and actioned.

 

5.          ChairmanŐs Report

Well what can you say about the 2006/2007 season other that it was the most amazing result for the 420 class and New Zealand yachting. To achieve back to back World championships and runner up status in the Open fleet, coupled with a third in the Open fleet in Auckland and the top four placingŐs in the girls fleet in Auckland was an amazing achievement.         

Congratulations must go to our high achievers while praise also must go to the entire 2006 and 2007 teams who acquitted themselves well against their foreign competition.

         On the results side the class has reached a peak - I believe we will struggle to match these results for some time. However in numbers sailing I believe the class has far from reached its potential, and while we are now going through a natural flat period after the Takapuna Worlds there is certainly future potential for the class to grow and become the two handed class of choice for the youth sailors still entering at Optimist level. While the P Class, Starling, and Splash will play their role in the single handed sailing the 420 is the only viable alternative for those wishing to sail two handed. The natural age range of 13 upwards also lends itself to an active and social interaction off the water which is so important to teenagers today. The task for us is to manage this class so that the many positives make the 420 the two handed class of choice.

         As with Optimist the lure of overseas travel and world competition must be promoted as a major plus for this class, and while we will struggle financially for some time to go away from totally self funded trips, it must be the goal of this committee to help where possible to facilitate the sending of NZ teams to overseas events.

 

         On the funding side we are making slow progress in our attempt to increase our capital base and an injection of monies from the future sale of assets should go some way to improving our overall financial position. Unlike the Optimist class we donŐt have the numbers to generate large amounts of income through subs, and at this stage have no levies or regatta income to help in this area. Finance is an area where we need some initiative through either direct sponsorship or income.

         People are our most important asset and we have had a number of hard workers over the last twelve months. I wish to thank those committee members who are standing down and those region based members who have given us assistance when they could and feed back from the various regions. I especially wish thank Richard Burling, John & Lesley Thompson, Hannah Sargisson, Robyn Bilkey, Sarah Powrie, Peter Langley, Gregor Bowater, and Sabra Davies for their involvement with the 2007 Worlds. Obviously there were a number of you who gave your time and I wish to tank you all for your valuable contribution.

         At this point I believe Christine Hansen must be singled out for her efforts over the last 18 months. Christine was very much the glue that kept this association together in late 2005 year when it was basically dysfunctional. Her efforts through that difficult period and on to today should be recognised by all involved and we as a class owe her our gratitude. Her graphic skill with the web site and design of our team clothing are only two areas where Christine has had a huge input. Thank you Christine.

         Going forward the viability of this class rests with people involved and to that point I would like to believe that we can encourage new members to the class to participate with the running of this association.

 

In short I believe this committee focus should be on;

 

á   The continued development of our 420 class and its sailors.

 

á   Encouraging our sailors to travel and compete at overseas regattaŐs such as the 2008 World Championship in Greece.

 

á   The coordination of the 420 fleet as a whole so that we are maximising our fleet numbers in the various regions.

 

á   The cooperation between yacht clubs and the 420 fleet so that there is still a link between the club and the individual sailors.

 

á   The publication of a regatta schedule and allocation of regional and national events so to encourage the growth of the 420 class nationally.

 

á   The management and growth of association funds, whether through sponsorship, grants, or direct levies.

 

Finally; this is your class and its future is in your hands, while we at committee level can steer a path we cannot do it without your help.

Bryan Davies

President NZ 420 Class Association

 

Moved to accept the ChairmanŐs report: Gregor Bowater

Seconded: Nick Hazard Nick

Carried

 

6.          TreasurerŐs Report

Bryan Davies reported that Lesley Thompson was unable to attend the AGM, however the accounts had been audited by John Wilkinson, these would be made available at a later date. The Association had received Trust funds for the purchase of 5 boats – these boats were used by New Zealand team members at the 2006 Worlds and chartered at the 2007 Worlds - $9,200 was eared from this charter.  

The #00 account has become redundant and has been closed to avoid bank fees

The #01 account for membership fees and general class coaching fees has a balance of  $8,532.00  at 31 March 2007.

#02 account for 2006 and 2007 Worlds teams has a balance of $1,639.51 at 31 March 2007.

 

The Association currently has 114 financial members.

Lesley Thompson has requested that the 420 Assoc send John Wilkinson a letter of thanks for once again auditing the accounts.

 

Moved to accept the TreasurerŐs report: Marcelo Lardies

Seconded: Gregor Bowater

Carried

 

7.          Election of Officers and Committee

 

The following members return to the NZ 420 committee:

Chair:                           Bryan Davies                AK

Secretary/Webmaster:  Christine Hansen          AK

General Committee:     Peter Langley              AK

                                    Robyn Bilkey                AK

                                    Wayne Keen                CHCH

 

The following members were co-opted onto the NZ 420 general committee during 2006:

                                                Nominated                               Seconded       

Gregor Bowater   CHCH                       Phil Williams                             Peter Saunders

Mark Berry           WN               Bryan Davies                            Phil Williams    

 

The following people were elected to join the NZ 420 Assoc committee:

 

                                                Nominated                               Seconded       

William Bettle         AK              Christine Hansen                      Gregor Bowater

Marcelo Lardies Treasurer  AK Derek Snow                             Christine Hansen

Peter Saunders   TRGA                       Christine Hansen                      Sabra Davies

Garth Goodwin    NPR              Peter Saunders                                    Bryan Davies

Nick Hazard         ALG              Christine Hansen                      Gregor Bowater

 

The following people retired from the NZ 420 Assoc committee:

Pip Kowalczyk

Kate Spackman

Hannah Sargisson

Lois Dye

Richard Burling

Lesley Thompson

Ross Sutherland

 

8.          General business

Junior and Open 420 European Championships – Christine Hansen suggested that all those interested in travelling to Holland and or Turkey meet at a convenient time after the last race of the NZ 420 Nationals.

Derek Snow noted that all those parents, coaches, committee members, Takapuna Boating Club and supporters who worked towards the successful 2007 Worlds were to be thanked for their great efforts.

Phil Williams suggested that an email be sent out to all members regarding the barber haul and battens in leach of jib.

Nick Hazard commented that the use of the 420 in school sailing continued to be a benefit to the class.

2008 Nationals:
Easter in 2008 is the weekend of 21 - 24 March which is not in the secondary school holidays, Youth Sail at Algies Bay is 20 April – the two regattas will not be able to run back to back as in previous years. Bryan Davies said the committee would look at possible venues for the Nationals, Sandspit YC at Algies Bay was not available.

Gregor Bowater commented that in the South Island the 420 needed promotion as the double handed class – the 29er was being marketed quite actively. General discusson followed, the North Island was not encountering the same issue. All agreed that the 420 class needed to promote itself as much as possible to the junior classes.

 

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 7.50 pm.