Executive Meeting April 14th, 2026

Executive Meeting

April 14th, 2026

Present: Aaron Holland, Chris Murphy, Paul Cone, Wheeler Sutton, Dave Hudson, and Warren Duckworth (non-voting member)

Secretary: Dianne Duckworth 

Treasurer: Sarah Paisley not attending

Meeting called to order at 8:02 PM ET

Minutes: March minutes- motioned, seconded and approved with modifications

• Secretary’s Report: Dianne Duckworth

1. Membership
   1.  Membership Numbers: March 2026- #426- Looking good!
   2.  March 2024- #385 and March 2025- #400
2. Trophies
   1. Plaques are done and ready to be mailed
   2. Need to decide on pewter trophies. (Use the used ones in storage-do we put new plaques on or use the other side to do engraving)?
3. Articles in Bagpipe: 
   1. Secretary explaining monthly reminders to pay dues
   2. Saying good-bye to fleet 72 from Memphis with a thank you for the donation
   3. A  draft of the GB meeting from MWE

2) Treasurer’s Report: Sarah Paisley

1. Mar. 2026 P&L: Total Income- $4477.60; Total Expenses-$3,120.74; Net Income: $1356.86
2. March 2026  Balance Sheet: Total Assets- $167,159.58
3. October 2025- March 2026 P&L: Total Income: $39,301.40; Total Expenses: $20,188.36; Net Income: $19,113.04
4. Operating Account Balance  $35767.85, G&P Account Balance $135493.12  $102000 is Endowment
5. BalanceSheetMarch2026.pdf
6. ProfitandLossMarch2026.pdf
7. ProfitandLossOct-March2026.pdf
8. Thistle Class Association_Profit and LossOperatingOct-March2026.pdf
9. Thistle Class Association_operating Profit and LossMarch2026.pdf
10. Thistle Class Association_G&P Profit and LossOct-March2026.pdf
11. Thistle Class Association_G&P Profit and LossMarch2026.pdf

3) First VP’s Report: Chris Murphy

1. Nationals 2026 – seems to be progressing nicely
2. Nationals 2027 – need to follow up with Tom Hubbell
3. Nationals 2028 – discussion with Kevin Sheehan re: Blackbeard Sailing Club
4. MWE 2026 – cost for photography & social media
5. MWE 2027 – Davis Island YC? 

• Second VP’s Report: Paul Cone

1. 1. 1. Bagpipe-May/June issue proofed and to the printer.
      2. Website
         1. Going good with the new host.
         2. Will add an item in the store for hubcaps
      3. Builder Committee-Met 3/26/26
         1. Wayne Balsinger and Paul Cone met with potential boat builder on 3/12/26.
         2. One potential builder is no longer interested because it won’t pencil out at this time.  Another potential builder is still interested.
         3. Racelite was contacted and it was determined that they are still actively in business.
         4. Doug Laber is actively looking to sell GMW but still has a supply of parts and is willing to go help and advise a future builder.
         5. Dave heard back from Allen Boat Co.  They are having a manpower struggle because the Lightning class decided to build new molds.  They’ll have new spars by May.

• Third VP’s Report: Wheeler Sutton

1. 1. 1. Article for upcoming bagpipe (May issue) on growth and promotion at the local level
      2. Had 2 reach out for reimbursement of SEC entry fees, continue to remind RVPs for other interdistricts coming up this spring/summer
      3. Worked w/ Joy to add Vakaros reimbursement (approved last meeting) and clarification re: U26 program to Nationals NOR

• Chief Measurer: Dave Hudson

1. 1. 1. Nationals 2026
         1. Got two volunteers from the Seneca fleet for measurement in Eugene: Leah Murray and Jim Gindling.
         2. Leah wrote a Bagpipe article on how to survive measurement.
         3. I wrote a brief Bagpipe article listing what items would be measured and also about DRM committee work and the “Town Hall” event.
         4. The meeting on Zoom on Thursday,  April 30th at 8:00 pm (ET). An email with information and a link to Dianne to be emailed out to all current members..
         5. Corresponded briefly with Chip Balough regarding measurement. We are considering going paperless for measurements. I have an initial Google Sheet that covers the items to be measured. As long as we have one laptop per measurement station and reliable WiFi we should be able to make it work. That will save a lot of time going directly to a spreadsheet first and skipping the paper.

• Past President’s Report: Warren Duckworth

1. 1. Endowment Committee
      1. Funds are not under management yet; Sarah and Blair will be signatories on account
      2. We do not see where we have a requirement by the IRS to spend the funds each year, but this is an expectation of the class.
      3. We are working to see what this team’s responsibilities are into the future and its organization.
      4. Next meeting May 5th
   2. Thistle Next Generation Committee
      1. Contacting people requesting Boat Grant boats
      2. Meeting / Status
         1. 3517 is in reasonable shape for local regattas up through Districts
            1. To be in shape for other chevron events it should have a new boom and likely sails
            2. It currently has a fixed traveler
            3. Noah and Warren will be working with Lake Erie Region to promote this boat
         2. 3846 should be good to go for 2026
            1. Mike Ingham will be working with Fleet #46 – Rochester for support
         3. Working to register the two boats 3517 and 3846 in Ohio, and  confirming insurance
         4. We may be requested by Riley Reed to pay storage for 3846
         5. Riley feedback to Mike Ingham, Mike reported on his conversation with Riley regarding the boat grant program. Riley expressed concerns about the lack of definition and follow-up in the program, specifically mentioning an outstanding $1,000 boat storage fee from Sail Newport that needed resolution. Riley also commented on the Lightning class’s approach to boat coverage, noting that the Nationals format might not be appealing to younger sailors due to its length and family-oriented nature. Mike shared Riley’s feedback on needed boat maintenance and upgrades, though Mike personally felt some of these requests seemed minor or within the borrower’s responsibility to address.
   3. Membership promotion
      1. Contacting Fleet captains about lapsed members – I have the spreadsheet from Dianne and the access to Club Spot. I have not started the calls yet.

• President Report: Aaron Holland-

1. 1. Connecting with sailmakers and other classes to identify guidelines for sponsorship
      1. Contacted Chris Howell of J/24, J/22, J/105, J/70, J/111, J/88 and other classes

Appear to be in alignment as per guidelines shared with ExCom

1. Hope to send a document to organizing authorities for the National and subsequent years on sponsorship with the class perspective.

1. Continuing work on Coach TCA

• Old Business

1. Bagpipe Financial Impact
   1.  Require opt in for print copies via email to Dianne
   2. Phased approach – keep settings until July
   3. Inform membership of change
   4. Incorporate DG’s for information distribution
2.  Use of AI for meeting notes- Tabled for now to let Paul Cone time to research
   1. Need to develop AI Use statement
3. KEMP watermark update- still researching

• New Business: 

1. 1. 1. GB budget approval update- still waiting on vote responses per Dianne

• Next ExCom Meeting: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 8:00 PM (ET)

• Adjourn:  PM EST