Organizational Meeting and Appreciation Dinner
Date: November 22, 2003
Location: YMCA Camp Chingachgook
Present: Maryellen Rudolph, Rebecca Stanley, Ron Byrne, Donald Miller,
Paul Sheldon, George Painter, Spencer Raggio, Becky Bonn, Chuck Thorne,
William Ranney, Michael Peluso, Burton Aldrich, Donald Greenblatt, Boyd
Henry, David Whalen
Meeting Called to Order
President's Report: Rebecca Stanley read a report summarizing progress made and events held in 2003.
Finance Committee: see attached
Fund-raising Committee:
Becky Bonn will be joining the fund-raising committee. Suggestions for
improving fund-raising for the next year are seeking out local legislators
for support; seeking more sponsors for clinics; new brochures to various
doctors and other types of practices especially orthopedic practices
so that patients and potential volunteers have some familiarity and understanding
with disability issues. The committee needs to develop a plan and coordinate
its efforts with the YMCA. Anyone with suggestions for fund-raising ideas
should contact Rebecca Stanley. Other suggestions include sending information
to BOCES programs. Rebecca will develop a summary from appeal letter
to various groups/potential sponsors. Spencer has made an important contact
with an expert fund-raiser willing to assist Y-Knot.
Publicity Committee:
Bill Ranney mentioned the trip to Florida and the need contact U.S. sailing.
Spencer updated the group about the new Web site. He's made significant
progress with a new site, www.yknotsailing.org. Spencer also announced
that he's setting up a bulletin board on the Web site to help facilitate
discussions.
Membership Committee:
Michael Peluso suggested that the membership and the publicity committee
consolidate to one committee. Michael reported that membership increased
from 19 members to 44 members. It was suggested that a letter be sent
to all those who participated in past Y-Knot programs.
Program Committee:
Rebecca gave special thanks to the efforts of David McComb, who spent the
summer coaching, educating and training numerous participants. His expertise
was shared and he improved the quality of the clinics. The program committee
outlined three goals:
1. The need to develop a plan to bring new people into the program.
2. The need to train new volunteers.
3. Boat maintenance: It was noted that the Martins received more use this year than in the past. An individual is needed to assess the condition of the boats. We also need to find individual to be responsible for maintenance of the boats.
There was a discussion about the opportunities for new sailors and the importance of providing new sailing programs for recreational sailors and the need to adapt the rainbows for use for recreational sailing.
The group also discussed the possibility of working with new groups such as those in Burton's area.
It was emphasized that the needs of disabled participants should be targeted and preparations for their needs should be made before a clinic. Basically it is important to know the expectations of the participants and it was suggested that an evaluation form be provided to get more feedback from both participants and volunteers.
Sunday, May 16 was proposed as a volunteer training day. The following dates were proposed for sailing clinics: Sunday, May 23; Sunday, June 6; Saturday, June 26; Saturday, July 17; Saturday, July 31; Saturday, Aug. 14; Saturday, Aug. 28; Sunday, Sept. 12; Sunday, September 26.
Regatta Committee:
The notion of a community sailing program was discussed in terms of how
it might benefit the program. Monies received could bring in benefits
for the maintenance of the boats. In addition new community sailors may
become a source of volunteers for the program. A vote on adopting the
new community sailing program was unanimously approved by the board.
It was noted that although the community sailing program got off
to a late start, it did have two people who joined and we belive interest
is there.
Date for 2004 regatta was proposed: Friday to Sunday, October 8-10, 2004.
Officer Elections:
President: Rebecca Stanley
First vice-president: Michael Peluso
Second vice-president: Spencer Raggio
Secratary: Dave Whalen
Discussion of the officers terms of office: officers were elected to one-year terms last year, and the current slate of officers was unanimously re-elected to a second one-year term. Future officers will serve two-year terms as specified in the operating guidelines.
Elections to the Board of Managers:
The current board was assigned to one-, two-, and three-year terms by the
Executive Committee as follows:
Three-Year Term (expires Dec 31 2005)
Rebecca Stanley, President
Mike Peluso, Senior Vice President
Dave Whalen, Secretary
Steve Mintz
Dave McComb
Two-Year Term (expires Dec 31 2004)
Ron Byrne, Treasurer
Spencer Raggio, Vice President
Don Greenblatt
BJ Henry
Maryellen Rudolph
One-Year Term (expires Dec 31 2003)
Chuck Thorne
Bob Chodkowski
Patrick Standen
Cliff Zucker
Bill Ranney
Colin Ranney
Board members can serve two consecutive terms and then must rotate off the board for one year.
The following people were nominated and elected to three-year terms beginning
Jan. 1 2004:
Chuck Thorne
Bob Chodkowski
Paul Sheldon
Becky Bonn
Burton Aldrich
Future Meetings for the full Board of Managers:
January 6, 2004
February 3, 2004
April 6, 2004
June 1, 2004
September 7, 2004
Annual Meeting and Appreciation Banquet: Nov. 13 or 20, 2004
A Plan of Action — Goals for 2004:
1. Attain a 15% increase in the participants in Sailing Clinics and the
annual Regatta
2. Reach out to more disabled populations
3. Write new Y-Knot operating policies and procedures manual
4. Increase the number of sailing clinics offered from 7 to 10
5. Increase the number of volunteers on the board from 17 to 20
Meeting Closed
IMPORTANT DATES
The first annual conference on health and wellness for adults with disabilities
is at the Albany Marriott April 15 & 16. Please note, volunteers
for the program are needed to staff an informational booth. Please call
George Painter if you wish to volunteer.