The 2021 Annual Business Meeting required per by-laws Article VIII was held on 3 November at the Doyle Sail Loft in Middletown, RI. The meeting presentation is available at this link. The by-laws require that members should be notified 10 days before the meeting and if a new officer slate is to be voted on then that should be distributed to the members 30 days ahead of the meeting.
Since the timeline for notifying members was not completed in time, the meeting has been continued so that members may be contacted and provided the opportunity to review the proposed slate prior to voting. In addition to the proposed officers slate, proposed changes to the by-laws were submitted. An amendment to the proposed by-laws was made at the meeting. The proposed slate and each by-law change is available for voting using the Twenty Hundred Club shop. In order to cast your vote you must be logged in. The proposed slate has a block for “Approve, Disapproved, and Approve with these changes (text box provided for changes). Each by-law change may be voted on using “Approve” or “Disapprove”. Voting closes at noon, 9 December 2021.
The Proposed Slate is:
| Position |
Candidate |
| Commodore |
*Nick Bowen |
| Vice Commodore |
Robyn Earley |
| Rear Commodore |
Tim Grimes |
| Secretary |
Kim Andersen |
| Treasurer |
*Peter Michaelson |
| Measurer-Recorder |
Bill Kneller |
| Race Committee |
*Marcus Cochran |
| Membership |
*Marcus Cochran |
| Social Committee |
Cortney Kingsley |
| Member at Large |
**Tom Charlton |
| Member at Large |
**Chris Benzak |
*Exceeds 2 year term limit in by-laws
**Member at Large appointed by Commodore
The proposed by-laws changes are as follows:
Proposed Change Rationale: There are times when an insufficient number of volunteers are available to serve as board members. The by-laws currently preclude people from serving more than two years in any flag position or four years in any other position. The proposed change in the by-laws would permit flexibility to allow the positions to be filled with people longer than currently allowed when there are no other volunteers available to serve
The second paragraph of Article V should be changed from:
The officers shall make up the Executive Committee along with a Member-at-Large, appointed by the Commodore, who may be in liaison with the NBYA Cruising Canvas Committee. Officers shall be elected at the annual business meeting and shall take office at the conclusion of the meeting at which they are elected. No Flag Officer may serve more than two years in any Flag Position.
No person may serve continuously in any other one office on the Board for more than four years.
The second paragraph of Article V should be changed to: (text in red below is added)
The officers shall make up the Executive Committee along with a Member-at-Large, appointed by the Commodore, who may be in liaison with the NBYA Cruising Canvas Committee. Officers shall be elected at the annual business meeting and shall take office at the conclusion of the meeting at which they are elected. No Flag Officer may serve more than two years in any Flag Position unless no other member is available and willing to serve.
No person may serve continuously in any other one office on the Board for more than four years unless no other member is available and willing to serve.
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Proposed Change Rationale: The by-laws were originally created before email and electronic communications. The proposed change updates wording to allow the use of electronic communication in addition to the existing means.
Article VI paragraph 9 should be changed from: (text in red to be changed)
9. The Nominating Committee Chairman shall be the immediate Past Commodore. He may appoint two additional members who shall not be members of the Board, and whose appointment shall be subject to the approval of the Commodore. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of Officers for election at the annual business meeting. This slate shall be mailed to all members at least thirty days before the annual business meeting. Counter nominations may be made from the floor, provided that full written notification, including the names of proposed officers, is given to the Secretary at least ten days prior to the annual meeting. Such written notification must be signed by at least five members in good standing.
Article VI paragraph 9 should be changed to: (text in red above is modified)
9. The Nominating Committee Chairman shall be the immediate Past Commodore. He may appoint two additional members who shall not be members of the Board, and whose appointment shall be subject to the approval of the Commodore. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of Officers for election at the annual business meeting. This slate shall be sent to all members at least thirty days before the annual business meeting. Counter nominations may be made from the floor, provided that full written or email notification, including the names of proposed officers, is provided to the Secretary at least ten days prior to the annual meeting. Such written or emailed notification must be signed or endorsed via email by at least five members in good standing.
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Proposed Change Rationale: The by-laws have a quorum condition that is frequently difficult to satisfy with the number of members present. The proposed change provides flexibility to establish a quorum using electronic means, and provides a time limit on which establishing the quorum can be met
Article VIII paragraph 3 should be changed from:
Notification of all membership meetings shall be sent to the general membership at least ten days in advance of the meeting date. At any membership meeting, 20 members in good standing other than officers, shall constitute a quorum, and a majority of all members in good standing, present, shall carry a motion.
Article VIII paragraph 3 should be changed to: (text in red below is added)
Notification of all membership meetings shall be sent to the general membership at least ten days in advance of the meeting date. At any membership meeting, 20 members in good standing other than officers, shall constitute a quorum, and a majority of all members in good standing, present, shall carry a motion. For the purpose of obtaining 20 members in good standing, the meeting may be augmented with audio / video conferencing and electronic communication such as email or online voting. A motion may be carried forward for up to ten days after a membership meeting with follow-up to additional members in good standing to obtain votes. Should 20 members in good standing not be obtained within the ten day period, the quorum requirements shall be deemed as not met.
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Proposed Change Rationale: The club originally had a “membership” concept where the Executive Committee would admit people. Membership is available to all who pay dues.
Article VII paragraph 5 should be deleted: (text in red below is deleted)
5. Consider and act upon applications for membership.
– Bridge Fiasco Information for Competitors –
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The first Twenty Hundred Club race for the 2021 season has the warning signal at 0900 Saturday 22 May. The final scratch sheet with SI Appendix A start times is posted on the Race Page and may be downloaded directly at this link. There are two spinnaker classes and one cruising class. There are no short handed entries this year.
The race committee will be on VHF 72 and will set the start line using Red-Green nun “PI” South of Prudence Island at one end of the line. Please refer to the Sailing Instructions 11.3 for required check in.
Marcus Cochran, Race Committee
Twenty Hundred Club
Sailing Instructions for the Fall Race Around Prudence Island are posted on the race page at this link. The scratch sheet will be set to final on Friday evening. We have confirmed that two TF10 Foiling Trimarans will be racing this year. The Trimarans have the first start at 1000. Plan to get some great videos as these two sail quickly over the horizon!
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The Prince Henry NOR has been updated to correct a typo on the date. 23 August is the correct date. The Prince Henry Sailing Instructions are also posted. This now includes an optional field for wind speed and direction in the race log that will be used to describe race conditions as seen by boats so an article may be created for publishing in various sailing and local periodicals.
Final Block Island race results are also posted.
I just reviewed the weather which has slightly improved (gusts down to 25), but tides and sea state remain constant.
Participation became a dominant factor. We only have 3 spin boats and 1 cruising class boat that are willing to race. It looks like we can get 10 boats for July 25 (equally split between spin/non-spin). I apologize for stepping on the Solo-Twin race.
The NOR, SI and web site will be updated shortly to show the date change.
I appreciate all the input received.
An automatic reminder will be sent one week before where you may update your availability (racing or not), PHRF rating and Spinnaker or Cruising class.
Nick Bowen, Commodore
