Facebook-f Instagram Youtube
Become A Member
Find A Fleet

Draft Annual Meeting July 16, 2026

Draft Annual Meeting- See Google Drive for Updates

On Zoom

Thursday, July 16, 2026

  1. Meeting called to order at 8:02 PM (EST)
  2. Roll Call of Fleets: Quorum is made. We had 28 fleets present out of 50 fleets equals 56%. (Constitution Article XVII states one half of the fleets in good standing should constitute a quorum…)
  3. Present: ExCom: Aaron Holland, Chris Murphy, Paul Cone, Wheeler Sutton, Dave Hudson, Warren Duckworth (6 votes)

Treasurer: Sarah Paisley

Secretary: Dianne Duckworth

  1. Minutes: Annual Meeting on 8-6-2025 Sandusky Sailing Center: Aaron moved to accept, seconded, and approved
    1. Secretary, Dianne Duckworth
      1. Memberships July 1, 2026: 566. Memberships are up for July, In July 2025-489; July 2024-481
      2. Associate memberships are up since the new $30 membership fee. Associate as of July 2026 is 52; July 2025-37 and July 2024-46
    2. Treasurer, Sarah Paisley
      1. Financials: Operating Account Balance $ 25,807.64, G&P Account Balance $33,168, Endowment $102,000
    3. Officer’s Report
      1. First Vice President, Chris Murphy
        1. 2026 Nationals at Eugene Yacht Club are going well with an increase of participants
        2. 2027 MWW- Dates set for January 27-31 at Mission Bay
  • 2027 Orange Peel – Mar 13-14 and MWE= March 17-19
    1. Orange Peel- at FYC
    2. MWE- at Davis Island YC in Tampa
  1. 2027 Nationals will be at Fairhope Yacht Club in Mobile, Alabama
    1. 4-day Nationals, Wednesday, July 14, 2027, to Saturday, July 17, 2027, Tuesday, July 13th for measuring.
  2. 2028 Nationals: looking for a Great Lakes venue
  1. Second Vice President, Paul Cone
    1. Website is running smoother with the host
    2. Builder Committee
      1. There were 2 possible builders, one in the west and one in the east.
        1. The west possibility has decided against building Thistles
        2. The east possibility is still talking with committee on logistics and coast
      2. Dave Hudson reported that the Saratoga Yacht Club will carry insurance on the molds they are storing for $10,000. TCA purchase price.
    3. Third Vice President, Wheeler Sutton
      1. U26 Program Highlights
        1. Targeted outreach campaign to TCA Youth members (43 total for 2026) to boost participation in regattas
        2. Reimbursed entry fees for 6 individuals this year across Midwinters West and Southeast Championship
        3. Expecting to reimburse 3 more individuals for Nationals in Eugene
        4. 9 youth sailors participated in either a Gold, Silver, or Blue Chevron event in 2026 which is a 80% increase over 2025
      2. Re-defined Growth and Promotion strategic priorities with goal of maximizing our return on investment
        1. Youth Engagement: Continuing to fund the U26 program and outreach to youth sailors
        2. Marketing & Outreach: Promoting the class and engaging prospective sailors
        3. Education & Development: Supporting training initiatives like Coach TCA and creating educational resources for new owners and crew
        4. Upcoming for rest of 2026 and 2027: continue to expand regional growth and promotion by creating G&P representative roles in each region
      3. Chief Measurer, Dave Hudson
        1. Measuring Check at 2026 Nationals
          1. Weighing Masts. Some lead will be available, but competitors should strive to ensure their masts meet the weight requirement of 30 lbs. If you have rope halyards, you may be light.
          2. Thickness of centerboard and other items.
          3. Investigation of the tolerance value of the “B” dimension on the Official Measurement Certificate.
          4. ExCom has temporarily approved Allen Boat Co. as the TCA spar builder to be voted on the GB tonight.
          5. DRMC is working on language. Committee agrees on new language for Article 10 paragraph 10 and continues to work on the language for Article XIII Electronics.
        2. Past President, Warren Duckworth
          1. Endowment Committee
            1. Thanks to Jess Murphy for chairing the Endowment Committee, along with Blair Dryden, Sarah Paisley, and Mike Ingham for their continued work on the Endowment.
            2. The committee has reorganized and is meeting regularly. Its immediate priorities are to place the Endowment under professional investment management, establish a clear long-term vision for the fund, and develop a sustainable process for supporting future class initiatives.
            3. The Endowment currently holds just over $100,000. Progress toward professional investment management has been slowed by the need to document the original legal organization of the Thistle Class Association, a requirement of the investment firms we have been working with.
          2. Thistle Next Generation-Boat Grant Program
            1. Thanks to Noah Craciun for chairing the Thistle Next Generation Committee, along with Mike Ingham, Phil Christman, and Jerry Pignolet for their work developing the Boat Grant Program.
            2. The committee continues to develop the program as a recruiting and retention initiative designed to help experienced sailors transition into Thistle ownership.
            3. This season has already produced encouraging results. Thistle #3517 was sailed at the Great Lakes Championship by Evan Graves, who has since purchased Thistle #1394. Thistle #3846 was sailed at the Niagara Frontier District Championship by Andrew Zuber, another long-time Thistle crew member.
  • Membership Outreach has focused on fleets that were in danger of falling below the minimum membership required to maintain their fleet charters.
    1. Approximately 15-20 fleet captains have been contacted.
    2. Responses have been uniformly positive, with fleet leaders appreciating personal contact.
    3. At the beginning of the calling campaign, eight fleets were at risk of suspension due to low membership. Based on current renewals, that number has been reduced to three.
  1. Nomination Committee
    1. Thanks to Nicole Shedden for leading the Nominating Committee and Joy Martin for serving on the committee. Their efforts have resulted in the following slate of officers to be presented for election at the Annual Meeting on July 16, 2026.
  2. President, Aaron Holland
    1. Donation from the Delta Fleet. $7,183.69 be allocated as follows: $5,000 to the Growth and Promotion Fund and $2,183.69 to the Operating Fund.
    2. Digital Race Management Committee is working on an Amendment
  • Budget was nearly balanced this year
  1. Governing Board and Annual Meetings have been held virtually this year
  1. Ratification or Revocation of Charters 
    1. Aaron motioned to have fleets that have less than 3 members and 3 boats to be put on Probation.
      1. Fleet 44 in the Lake Michigan District
      2. Fleet 45 in the Southern Atlantic District
      3. Fleet 113 in the Carolinas District
    2. Motion was seconded and discussion held
  • Motion was unanimously approved
  1. Unfinished Business- none
  2. Instructions to Measurement Committee – none
  3. New Business
  4. Election of Officers
    1. Nicole Shedden announced the 2027 Slate
      1. President- Chris Murphy
      2. First Vice President- Paul Cone
      3. Second Vice President- Carrie Ruppen
      4. Third Vice President- Wheeler Sutton
      5. Chief Measurer- Dave Hudson
      6. Past President- Aaron Holland
    2. Aaron motioned for the election of officers put forth, it was seconded
  • Motion was unanimously approved
  1. Adjourned at 9:05 PM EST
Our Blog
Our Sponsors

This website uses cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Cookie Policy.

Accept and Close