Executive Meeting February 10, 2026

Executive Meeting

February 10, 2026

 

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

Parliamentarian: Joy Martin

Secretary: Dianne Duckworth 

Treasurer: Sarah Paisley

Meeting called to order at 8:02 PM ET

• Minutes: January minutes- Approved with adding link to 2025 Eligible Trophies and Keepers sheet

• Secretary’s Report: Dianne Duckworth

1. January 2026 (283), January 2025 (313) on target for 400 memberships by March 1st.
2. We have plaques for the hubcap and will now order trophies. Did we ever decide on the trophies for the President’s Division?
3. Warren and I have started to go through all the boxes from Craig Smith. 
   1. Files from Honey Abramson
   2. Used and unused pewter trophy- looking to sell the used ones (pewter)

3) Treasurer’s Report: Sarah Paisley

1. Jan. 2026 P&L: Total Income- $30,661.89; Total Expenses-$6,231.52; Net Income:$24,430.37
2. January 2026  Balance Sheet: Total Assets $$158,750.72
3. October 2025- January 2026 P&L: Total Income: $41272.04; Total Expenses: $25642.02; Net Income: $15630.02

BalanceSheetJan2026.pdf

Thistle Class Association_Profit and Loss Jan2026 Operating.pdf

Thistle Class Association_Profit and Loss January2026 G&P.pdf

ProfitandLossJan2026.pdf

ProfitandLossJanuary 2026.pdf

1. Dues payments are starting to roll in.  You can see there is a donation of over 7k listed for unrestricted donations, that is the money from Delta Fleet. 
2. Aaron moved that the $7,183.69 be allocated as follows: $5,000 to the Growth and Promotion Fund and $2,183.69 to the Operating Fund. The motion was voted on and approved.

• First VP’s Report: Chris Murphy

1. MWW – done and successful. Kudos to Paul and team
2. MWE – regatta team has things under control, need people to get registered (Break even around 25 boats)

1. i) $500 Vakaros funding pending enrollment #s.

1. Nationals 2026 – no update, sounds like they are in good shape. I’ll be joining their meeting tomorrow.
2. Had a call with RVPs and covered a number of topics:

1. i) Nationals 2027 – NCYC sounding 50/50? Craig says there are some politics at NCYC and will need

significant volunteer help (including a regatta chair).  We are waiting to hear if their board votes to

host us.  Timing would be Aug 6 to Aug 14.  

1. Chautauqua is a possible alternative.
2. Burlington (VT) Community Sailing center is not realistic for us.  
3. Blackbeard NC? Possibly, folks in the district would like to try it. Has  limitations (overall capacity, lack of hoists)
4. Is Sheboygan an option?
5. Craig K suggested Crescent (Lake St. Clair)

1. ii) Interdistricts 2026-All set (except ACCs)

(1) PCCs – Eugene (Memorial Weekend)

(2) SE – Lake Lanier (April 11/12)

(3) GL – Chicago (Jun 27/28) 

(4) Central – Little Rock (mid-Jun)

(5) ACCs – Westport?? (Jul 11/12)  

iii) Districts 2026-RVPs report all set or following up.

• Second VP’s Report: Paul Cone

1. MWW 2026
   1. 25 boats and went well by all accounts.
   2. An issue with Bylaw Article X that was worked through.
   3. Checked for insurance policy for every boat.
   4. Larry Klein Memorial Match Racing revamping to a new format was successful.
   5. PROs have us penciled in for next year, again last week of January.  Would consider them for Nationals.  Gave them a large class flag.
   6. MBYC Thistle Fleet 13 volunteer team is rejuvenated, but still needs new local blood.
   7. The follow up meeting went well.
   8. I still need to post results (both MWW and LK) to the website.
2. Nationals
   1. PNW fleet captains met to discuss financial and merchandise support.
   2. Exploring catering because of having trouble getting enough volunteers in the EYC kitchen.
   3. Sponsorship levels being finalized.  Question from Marty about what sponsorship gets you.  
   4. Nationals Action committee meeting Wednesday 2/11 6-7.
3. Marketing
   1. Worked with Bill Crawford to do social media posts for MWW.  Former Thistler was a great photographer.  John sorting through photos.
   2. 88 tickets for $440 sold for Sailteck compass raffle so far.
   3. Need to send a reminder email about raffle sent before MWE.
4. Builder Committee
   1. Met 1/14/26
   2. 109 responses to Builder survey; 37 respondents interested in buying a new Thistle.
   3. Most people want boats with woodwork done.  There’s not much hope for someone who wants to build Thistles as their only business — need to combine with parts business, too.
   4. Paul met with Falk Bock, former production manager for Gig Harbor Boat Works.  Falk and Katie (former Gig Harbor manager) are interested in taking on Thistle as a fourth boat they can build in a new venture.  Committee meeting Wednesday 2/11 5-6 with Falk and Katie, to further explore possibilities. 
   5. Paul talked with Larry Liggett.  Three easily assembled double deck trailers are almost done.  Paul would like to get the trailer plans to other potential builders.  (Warren, can we get an update on this?)
5. Website and Google Group
   1. Working with Jerry Pignolet to move to a new host.  Migration had to be done manually but is mostly complete.
   2. Went from a D to a B grade with GTMetrix.
   3. Will continue with performance tweaks.
   4. $300/yr on our own account or cheaper under Jerry’s hosting.
   5. Trophy spreadsheets still need to be updated by the secretary.
   6. Spammers are getting smarter on the Google Group.
   7. Use the Zoom, but put it on the calendar!

• Third VP’s Report: Wheeler Sutton

1. Had 2 individuals reach out for Under 26 entry fee reimbursements from MWW
2. Change language in future NORs to reach out for 3rd VP or consult class website for youth member entry fee reimbursements- do not mention age in NOR, class website has detailed policy
3. Email from AJ Pereira – host gift for Ventura Yacht Club

• Chief Measurer: Dave Hudson

1. Correspondence
   1. Corresponded with two owners with questions about rigging and mast weight; and corresponded with Chip Balough regarding measurement at Nationals.
      1. The measurement candidate list is:
         1. Hull weight + CMR 43 corrector weights
         2. “J”
         3. Mast weight + CMR 60 (mast corrector weights) If we do mast weight, we will need to provide weight for owners to remedy the defect since it may be difficult to source near the venue.
         4. Distance between gooseneck and main halyard Sheave 23’-2” +0” -2”
         5. Sails (not stamped)
         6. CB thickness “X” + CMR 69 traveler track height (Not TH) Min. 2” above sheer
2. Spar Builder Allen Boat Works- No word. 
   1. I will follow-up to see if they have built a mast. If they have, 
   2. I will schedule a trip to Buffalo to inspect it.

• Past President’s Report: Warren Duckworth

1. Nationals Survey
   1. Sent out mid-December
   2. 20 responders at this time
2. Endowment Committee met 2/4/26
   1. Members
      1. Jess Murphy (lead)
      2. Mike Ingham
      3. Blair Dryden
      4. Sarah Pasley
   2. Blair is working with Sarah Paisley to get Endowment funds under management
   3. Discussed the need to spend some of the Endowment funds for 2025 (We do not know if we are violating our charter)
3. Thistle Next Generation Committee met 2/2/26
   1. Members
      1. Noah Craciun (lead)
      2. Mike Ingham
      3. Phil Christman
   2. Discussed briefly the 3 areas Fleet Boat, Boat Grant and Thistle Charter. Further discussed the idea of Boat Caddy brought up by Mike at last ExCom. Team was enthusiastic with the idea and at future meeting plan to develop more details plans
   3. Discussed the need for digital coach TCA to come up to speed at the same time
4. I will be starting to contact Fleet captains to encourage them to contact members that have not joined the class this year.

• President Report: Aaron Holland

• 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
3. KEMP watermark update- still researching

• New Business: 

Transfer of website to new host- See Paul Cones report- (e. i,ii)

1. Review of Thistle Next Generation Charter intent, action items
2. Aaron Holland motioned to change Bylaw 14 6 e.2a from “race at any district is the qualifier” changed to read as “race at any district championship is the qualifier.” It was seconded and approved.

• Executive Session: Entered at 10:08 and ended at 10:34

• Next ExCom Meeting: Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 8:00 PM (ET)

• Adjourn 10:35 PM ET