Annual Meeting Notes - 2022 - 2025

2025 Annual Meeting

C 12.00 The agenda of the annual meeting shall be as follows:

• Call to order: 5:03pm

• Minutes of last meeting: Voted to NOT read the Minutes from 2024

  • Presidents Report:
    • Great championship in 2024
    • Chicago is doing a great job at rejuvenating and growing their fleet
    • Southern is getting older but gets 7 boats out every week
    • Rockport is doing great at development
    • The “Newport Regatta” is usually the 1st or 2nd weekend in July. Show of hands suggested that there was some interest.
    • A bit of a downtrend in Membership but still very strong
    • The Miami Fleet is close to ready to go
  • Secretary’s Report
    • Reported the numbers of 2025 Members as 128
      • 111 “Regular w boat”
      • 7 “Regular” Members
      • 10 Associates
    • The trend is not favorable and should be addressed and researched forthwith
  • Treasurers Report
    • Beginning Balance of $6,170.23
    • Expenses of $3685
    • Income: $3,394.82 + $450.00 due from New Orleans
    • Current Balance of $5700.05
    • 7-month CD @ 4% APY. Due  10/18/25
    • Total Checking and CD $47,486.48
  • Measuring Report
    • No outstanding issues

• Setting of dues for next fiscal year

  • Motion to keep Dues at level of 2025 approved

• Proposed amendments to Constitution and/or By-Laws: NONE

• New business

Technical Committee – Jim Taylor:

  • All jibs are short in the luff
  • There is a maximum luff measurement and a minimum luff measurement
  • All jibs did NOT meet the minimum measurement
  • Challenge is the rules
  • Short term – amend the rule to make this work
  • Long-term is to change the rule
  • Proposed to allow the regatta go on as is
    • Motion to wave 8” minimum for this regatta.
    • Approved Unanimously
  • New business
    • Chicago Corinthian YC entered a bid for 2026
    • Aug 19-21
    • Motion to accept bid. 2nd, APPROVED!
  • Dave Hickey gave a thank you for everyone who attended the East Coast England at Cottage Park
    • Mike Hebert received the Mike Gahan Trophy from Dave Hickey
  • Looking for a host for the East Coast Championship regatta next year: New Bedford or Rockport
  • Stipends
  • $50 per boat w NO max of $500 for EAST COASTS
    • Motion made, 2nd, APPROVED
  • $75 per boat w a minimum of $1,500 for NATIONALS
    • Amended to $100 with a minimum od $1,500
    • Motion made, 2nd, APPROVED

• Election of officers

  • 3 great people will take over Jan 1 2026
    • Todd Reider – President
    • Joe Berkley – Secretary
    • Deb  Ziegler – Treasurer
    • Motion made, 2nd, APPROVED
    •  

• Adjournment 5:46pm

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

2024 Annual Meeting

  • Call to Order – 5:37
  • Minutes of Last Meeting – approved
  • Reports of Officers & Committees –
  • President’s report: Strong Season. 38 boats on the line. 2nd most ever.
    • New Measurer – Stefan Thibodeau
    • Michael will be leaving this Fleet and moving to the Riverside Fleet
    • Cottage Park will be hosting the 2025 EC EC’s
    • Eastern YC will be hosting the Nationals
    • Chris from Florida was introduced and is looking to have their Fleet officially sanctioned and brought into the Class
    • Gary from Ft Lauderdale is looking to build a Fleet there
  • Secretaries Report –
    • Reported the numbers of 2024 Members 149
      • 122 “Regular w boat” Members
      • 14 “Regular” Members
      • 13 Associate Members
      • In 2024 we are at the same number of “Regular w boat” Members
      • In 2024 we are up 8 “Regular” Members (57%)
      • In 2024 we are up 7 “Associate” Members (53%)
      • Just for context, the Class had 97 Members in 2021 (
      • Suggested that we all should keep doing our best to entice our “crew” to join the Class. (65%)
  • Treasurer’s Report: Ken Wilson
    • The National Fleet treasury is in very solid shape. When I took over as treasurer, we had a balance of over $40,000. Since then I’ve received dues from 120 members with boats, 13 Assoc. Members, & 12 members w/o a boat. This revenue is $3,189.20 after processing fees. Our current balance is $49,966.20.
    • I recently opened a 7 month CD at 4.8% APY for $40,000. I hate to see money not getting interest..
    • Our costs so far have been $500 for the spring Mainsheet edition, & the East Coast Stipend of $50/boat to Fleet 5 of $500. I also reimbursed Fleet 5 $150 for a team of under 25 sailors. Our next cost will be the National stipend to Fleet 46 of $75/boat. This is projected to be $2925 for 39 boats.
    • There may still be a few more stragglers paying their national dues. Our approximate balance after paying the mentioned stipend will be $47,041.11.
    • Respectfully submitted, Barbara Wilson
    • Treasury has over $49,966
    • 7 month CD – deposited $40,000
    • Reimbursed Fleet 5 for $150
    • National Stipend Fleet to Fleet 46
    • After expenses around $47,000
  • Setting of Dues –
    • Executive Committee will hold dues in place – Approved
  • Annual Budget Unfinished Business – None
  • Proposed amendments
    • Kim Pandapas – Eligibility
    • Objective is to increase inclusivity
    • Proposes to examine “Eligibility” bylaw and report back
  • Proposed stipend for Regional Class sanctioned regattas is $25 per boat with a minimum of $500 per event. Must adhere to Class Rules and have at least 3 boats – APPROVED
  • National CLASS sanctioned regattas is $75 per boat w a minimum of $1,500
  • 2025 National Regatta Bid
    • Kim Pandapas represented Fleet 5
    • Fleet 5 requests to host the 2025 National Championship
    • Jeff Shoreman (2025) Regatta Chair)gave a few words inviting all to participate
    • APPROVED
  • New Business – None
  • Election of Officers – All Officers shall remain
  • Adjournment – 5:56pm

2023 Rhodes 19 Class Association Annual Meeting Minutes – Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA

  • Call to order at 18:00
  • Agenda
    • Call to order
    • Agenda
      • Verification of a Quorum
    • Approval of minutes from last meeting
    • Reports of officers and committees –
      • President
      • Secretary
      • Treasurer
      • Technical Committee
    • New Business 
    • Election of Class Officers
    • Adjournment
  • Verification of a Quorum – By class rules, for this meeting to be considered a valid class meeting, we need at least 1/3 of the membership to be present or represented by proxy.
    • We have 121 regular with boat voting members
    • We need at least 43 members represented in person or by proxy
    • We have received 45 proxies
    • We have more than 20 attendees here today
    • Based on the tally of proxies and the attendee count, we have a quorum and may proceed with the Rhodes 19 Class Annual Meeting
  • Approval of minutes from last meeting – The minutes from the last class meeting have been posted on the class web site for review by all members.
    • The reading of the 2022 Rhodes 19 Class Association Annual Meeting minutes were waived by unanimous vote.
    • The 2022 Rhodes 19 Class Association Annual Meeting minutes were approved by unanimous vote.
  • Reports of officers and committees –
    • President’s Report – Mike Lane, Rhodes 19 Class President
      • The class recognized the passing of Peter Kovats, a longtime supporter of the Rhodes 19 class in Chicago, and more recently in Savannah, Georgia. Dick Dunne, a member of the Chicago and friend to Peter, shared some thoughts about Peter and his impact on the Rhodes class. Dick also recognized other members who have impacted the class that have passed recently including Joni Lane, Bob Jensen, and Fred Brehob.
      • Thank you to the Southern Yacht Club, the Vice Commodore Tim Molony, regatta committee chair Rocky Sanchez, and the regatta committee for their hard work hosting the class for the National Championships.
      • Thank you to our Regional Vice Presidents (nominated by the regional fleets and approved by the class president)
        • Mid-West – John Walter, Fleet 12, Chicago
        • Southern – Tommy Taggart, Fleet 7, New Orleans
        • East Coast – David Hickey, Fleet 45, Cottage Park, Winthrop
      • Tom Carville has served the class in many capacities, most recently as our Treasurer. We originally intended for him to fill the gap until Rocky Sanchez from New Orleans could join us as Treasurer, however, As Rocky ascended to become Rear Commodore at the Southern Yacht Club, Tom’s commitment as Treasurer grew to 4 years. Thank you very much to Tom for filling in as Treasurer. His insight and experience has been so helpful on the Executive Committee.
    • Secretary’s Report – Our class Secretary Tim Dittrich was not able to attend this year. His report was delivered by the class president, Mike Lane.
      • Class membership is generally trending up in spite of the downward patterns we are seeing in most other classes
      • The class has 135 members:
        • 121 “Regular w boat” Members
        • 8 “Regular” Members
        • 6 “Associate” Members
      • In 2022 we had 126 members
      • In 2021 we had 97 Members 
      • A primary benefit of joining the Class is to receive timely and rich communications and information on the Class and individual Fleets – as well as the Letters from the President! We would love to – and should be – communicating with everyone that sails or is involved in a R19. 
      • Please help us continue to increase our Membership count by enticing our “crew” to join the Class as an Associate Member
    • Treasurer’s Report – Tom Carville
      • Annual budget
        • Beginning balance: $45,610.93
        • Income: $4,535.00
        • Expenses: $4,012.40 (includes estimated expenses)
          • Mainsheet editing
          • Trophy updating
          • U.S. Sailing Membership
          • Credit Card Fees
          • RegattaMan fees
          • Nationals stipend
          • Regional regatta stipend
          • Engraving 
        • Ending Balance: $46,133.53
    • Setting of Class dues for 2023 – The Executive Committee recommends that we keep the dues the same as 2022: $35 for full members, $15 for associates, unless no class sanctioned event is held in which case annual dues would be $0. – The 2023 Rhodes 19 Class Association annual dues were approved by unanimous vote.
    • Class Stipend for the Rhodes 19 National Championship – The Executive Committee recommends $75 per registered boat, with a minimum total stipend of $1,500. – The 2023 Rhodes 19 Class Association National Championship stipend was approved by unanimous vote.
    • Class Stipend for class sanctioned regional regattas – The Executive Committee recommends: $25 per boat up to a maximum of $500 per event. To receive the stipend, the regional event must adhere to Class rules and have at least 3 boats participating. – The 2023 Rhodes 19 Class Association sanctioned regatta stipend was approved by unanimous vote.
  • Unfinished Business – There is no unfinished business from the last meeting
  • New Business –
    • 2024 Nationals – A member of the Hull/Hingham fleet was recognized to formally submit their bid to host the 2024 Nationals
    • By unanimous vote, fleet 46 (Hull/Hingham) was selected to host the 2024 Rhodes 19 Class Association National Championship 
  • Election of class officers
    • Class officer slate –
      • President – Mike Hebert, Hull – Former fleet captain, Hull Yacht Club commodore, regional class president, and class president, there is nothing Mike has not done to help the Rhodes 19 class. He has been a tremendous volunteer and the class could not be in better hands.
      • Treasurer – Barbara Wilson, Hingham – Long time member of the class hailing from Hingham. She has been a key part of that fleet’s success over the years organizing too many events to count. We will be very lucky to have her as our class Treasurer.
      • Secretary – Tim Dittrich, Marblehead – Tim has served as class Secretary since 2020
    • There were no nominations from the floor
    • The slate of class officers was approved by unanimous vote
  • Thank you!
  • Upcoming Regattas –
    • Nationals at Hull/Hingham Yacht Clubs, August 22-25, 2024
    • Gulf Coasts at Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans, May 25-27, 2024
    • East Coasts at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead – June 15-16, 2024
  • 2023 President’s Award – Jim Taylor
    • Decades-long commitment to the Rhodes 19 class
    • Current Technical Committee chair
    • Former Technical Committee chair, and long-time technical committee member
    • Measurer
    • Former Marblehead fleet captain 
    • Helped re-write the rules – more than once
    • Former national champion
    • Designed the Stuart version of the Rhodes 19
    • Helps out whenever he can, including leading measurement of the Rockport fleet earlier this year
    • THANK YOU!
  • Adjournment – By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 18:50.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

2022 Rhodes 19 Annual Meeting

August 16, 2022 – Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club, Chicago, IL

  • Call to order at 17:15
  • Agenda
    • Call to order
    • Agenda
    • Verification of a Quorum
    • Approval of minutes from last meeting
    • Reports of officers and committees –
      • President
      • Secretary
      • Treasurer
      • Technical Committee
    • New Business
    • Election of Class Officers
    • Adjournment
  • Verification of a Quorum – By class rules, for this meeting to be considered a valid class meeting, we need at least 1/3 of the membership to be present or represented by proxy.
    • We have 120 regular members
    • We need at least 40 members represented in person or by proxy
    • We have received 41 proxies
    • We have more than 20 attendees here today
    • Based on the tally of proxies and the attendee count, we have a quorum and may proceed with the Rhodes 19 Class Annual Meeting
  • Approval of minutes from last meeting – The minutes from the last class meeting have been posted on the class web site for review by all members.
    • The reading of the 2020 Rhodes 19 Class Association Annual Meeting minutes were waived by unanimous vote.
    • The 2020 Rhodes 19 Class Association Annual Meeting minutes were approved by unanimous vote.
  • Reports of officers and committees –
    • President’s Report – Mike Lane, Rhodes 19 Class President
      • Mike thanked the Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club, the Commodore and the regatta committee for their hard work hosting the class for the national Championships
      • John Walter provided an update on the status of his efforts to grow potential area fleets including Kenosha, Wisconsin.
      • Mike Hebert provided an update on the fleets in the East Costs region.
      • Fleet Membership Update –
        • Fleet 4 – Fairhope, AL – 1
        • Fleet 5 – Marblehead – 39
        • Fleet 7 – New Orleans – 15
        • Fleet 9 – Padanaram – 2
        • Fleet 12 – Chicago – 20
        • Fleet 20 – Manchester – 3
        • Fleet 35 – Narragansett RI – 1
        • Fleet 36 – Rockport- 3
        • Fleet 39 – Gloucester – 1
        • Fleet 46 – Hingham Bay – 33
        • Fleet 48 – Courageous Sailing – 1
        • Fleet 53 – Antigua – 1
        • Unaffiliated – 9
      • Thank you to our Regional Vice Presidents (nominated by the regional fleets and approved by the class president)
        • Mid-West – Peter Kovats, Fleet 12, Chicago
        • Southern – Tommy Taggart, Fleet 7, New Orleans
        • East Coast – Mike Hebert, Fleet 46, Hingham/Hull
      • Thank you to the Technical Committee – Lead by Jim Taylor, they reviewed several items this year including:
        • Composite Keel – There was never a change made to the Class Rules that specifically allowed the composite keel, nor was there a formal ‘Rules Interpretation’ issued that documented approval of the composite keel by the Class.  In response, the Technical Committee issued ‘Rule Interpretation #10- Composite Keel’on April 13, 2022. This interpretation is included in the latest update to the Class ‘Rule Book’ that was posted in June of 2022.
        • On Board Electronics –
          • The Technical Committee intends to issue a formal Rules Interpretation regarding Compasses and Timers:
            • Compasses – It is the consensus of the Technical Committee that it does not matter whether the compass is magnetic or electronic, but the output of any electronic compass must be limited to real time heading and time only, with no tactical add-ons like recorded base heading, lift and header highlights.
              • This interpretation will specifically allow the Simple Compass because it is a ‘two function only’ (heading and timer) device that fits within the reasonable cost, simplicity, and level playing field intent of our current rules.  It will also allow the TackTick as long as the tactical features have been disabled as required in FAQ #16 on the class website.  It will prohibit the Velocitek Speedpuckunless and until its additional tactical outputs can be disabled.
            • Timers – It is the consensus of the Technical Committee that it does not matter whether a start timer is on your wrist or somewhere else like the mast, and that we are not concerned about whether or not a timer is ‘linked’ to a compass.
          • Rhodes 19 racing relies on the honor system to ensure that our sailors do not use any tactical features of electronics devices.  Relying on trust is preferable to requiring our measurers to confirm that electronics conform to our Rules, just as we trust sailors not use their smart phones (or any other electronic device) on the race course to access information that is not available to everyone, or as chart plotters to give speed and course over the ground via GPS input.
        • Chair, Jim Taylor
        • Peter Sorlien, Marblehead
        • Peter Sladovich, New Orleans
        • Kevin Lane, Rockport
        • Dave Nelson, Chicago
        • Jeff Kent, Hingham/Hull
      • Secretary’s Report – Due to a family commitment, our class Secretary Tim Dittrich was not able to attend this year
        • Class membership is generally trending up in spite of the downward patterns we are seeing in most other classes:
        • The class has 126 members
          • 111 “Regular w boat” Members
          • 6 “Regular” Members
          • 9 “Associate” Members
        • We had 97 Members in 2021
          • In 2022, we are up 23 “Regular w/boat” Members compared to 2021
          • In 2022, we are up 3 “Associate” Members compared to 2021
          • In 2022, we are up 1 “Regular” Members compared to 2021
        • Please help us continue to increase our Membership count by enticing our “crew” to join the Class.
      • Treasurer’s Report – Tom Carville
        • State of finances and trend over past 2+ years
        • Annual budget
          • Beginning balance: $45,617.05
          • Income: $4,405
          • Expenses: $5,134.12 (includes estimated expenses)
            • Mainsheet editing
            • Trophy updating
            • S. Sailing Membership
            • Credit Card Fees
            • Regattaman fees
            • Nationals stipend
            • Regional regatta stipend
            • Engraving
          • Ending Balance: $44,887.93
        • Setting of Class dues for 2023 – The Executive Committee recommends that we keep the dues the same as 2022: $35 for full members, $15 for associates, unless no class sanctioned event is held in which case annual dues would be $0. – The 2023 Rhodes 19 Class Association annual dues were approved by unanimous vote.
        • Class Stipend for the Rhodes 19 National Championship – The Executive Committee recommends that we keep the stipend the same as 2022: $75/boat – The 2023 Rhodes 19 Class Association National Championship stipend was approved by unanimous vote.
        • Class Stipend for class sanctioned regional regattas – The Executive Committee recommends that we keep the stipend the same as 2022: $25/boat up to a maximum of $500/event. To receive the stipend, the regional event must adhere to Class rules and have at least 3 boats participating.- The 2023 Rhodes 19 Class Association sanctioned regatta stipend was approved by unanimous vote.
      • Unfinished Business – There is no unfinished business from the last meeting
      • New Business –
        • 2023 Nationals – Recognize a member of the New Orleans fleet to formally submit their bid to host the 2023 Nationals
        • By unanimous vote, the Southern Yacht Club was selected to host the 2023 Rhodes 19 Class Association National Championship
      • Election of class officers
        • Class officer slate –
          • Mike Lane, President – Marblehead fleet
          • Tom Carville, Treasurer – Long-time member of the New Orleans fleet
          • Tim Dittrich, Secretary – Marblehead fleet
        • There were no nominations from the floor
        • The slate of class officers was approved by unanimous vote.
      • Thank you!
      • Upcoming Regattas –
        • Nationals at Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans, October 4-8, 2023
        • Gulf Coasts at Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans, May 27-29, 2023
        • East Coasts – Dates and venue pending
      • 2022 President’s Award – Kim Pandapas and Elise Nash
        • This award is one year overdue, but nonetheless very deserving.
        • Covid presented us all with significant hardships and in many cases a lot of extra work.
        • Last year’s National Championship regatta was postponed requiring the Marblehead Nationals Regatta Committee to extend their planning across years. They also had to repeatedly plan for various contingencies depending on the state of Covid restrictions in place when the regatta actually took place – effectively forcing them to plan multiple regattas at the same time.
        • When it finally took place, it went off without a hitch – except for the wind.
        • The co-chairs of Elise Mazareas and Kim Pandapas did a terrific job and their enormous effort is much appreciated.
        • THANK YOU!
      • Adjournment – By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 18:25.