Executive Meeting June 9, 2026

Executive Meeting

June 9th, 2026 

1.     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

2.     Meeting called to order at 8:09 PM ET
3.     Minutes: May minutes- motioned, seconded, and approved
4.     Secretary’s Report: Dianne Duckworth

1. Membership
   1. Membership Numbers: April 2026- 497  and May 2026- 523 (+26)

                                          May 2024- 440 and May 2025- 443 (+80 since last year)

1.  Highest number of memberships for 2025 was 518 (+5 in May)
2. 2026 43 (+3) Associate Memberships (2025-46; 2024- 47; 2023-37; and 2022-40)

1. Trophies
   1. Pewter trophies have been ordered. Will be mailed out next week.
   2. Organizing trophies to be sure all is accounted for for each winner.
   3. Confusing daily trophies have been reorganized for clarifications.
   4. Working on getting all the perpetual trophies appraised for insurance

5.     Treasurer’s Report: Sarah Paisley

1. May 2026 P&L: Total Income- $$2,002.60; Total Expenses-$236.95; Net Income:$783.38

                May 2026  Balance Sheet: Total Assets $158,968.52

1.  October 2025- May 2026 P&L: Total Income: $60,080.34; Total Expenses: $44,232.52; Net Income: $15,847.92
2. Operating Account Balance $127,357.44  $100,000 is endowment G&P Account Balance $35,418.12  $2,000 is Endowment
3. BalanceSheetMay2026.pdf Thistle Class Association_Profit and LossOperatingMay2026.pdf ProfitandLossOct-May2026.pdf Thistle Class Association_Profit and LossOperatingOct-May2026.pdf Thistle Class Association_Profit and LossG&PMay2026.pdf Thistle Class Association_Profit and LossG&POct-May2026.pdf 
4. Spending Policy for Chief Measurer
   1. Dave Hudson needed to send Thistle Plans to Allen Boat Co. How does this get paid for?
   2. Aaron motioned to give $300.00 for this fiscal year to the Chief Measurer, Dave Hudson, to help with expenses. 
   3. The motion was seconded and approved.

6.     First VP.s Report: Chris Murphy

1. 2026 Nationals
   1. Perpetual Trophies reminder was sent and will resend email soon, ~40% responded
   2. Junior Nationals wants to include crew names (historically only skippers)
   3. Tommy Glenn (South Atlantic District Trophy) – $300 to ship, will hold and engrave for winner
   4. 2026 Nationals meeting soon
2. Joy Martin gave an update of the Race Committee
   1. Marty has scheduled the next meeting
   2. Dianne will send the Key Event Management Document to Marty Parisien, Paul Cone, and Chris Murphy
   3. Marty will send Dianne an email to be sent to all members
3. 2027 Nationals Update 
   1. Chautauqua Out, North Cape Wobbly
   2. Productive discussions with Fairhope YC about 2027 – timing??
   3. Met with RVPs – Corrinne to follow up with North Cape, many good ideas for 2028+

7.     Second VP.s Report: Paul Cone

• Bagpipe

1. 1. May/June issue PDF out.  Still waiting for a mailed copy.
   2. The next deadline is July 1.  Have emailed out to the Class a request for submissions
2. Website
   1. Humming along.  Current traffic stats below…

1. TCA Event Practices
   1. Have watermark, but need help with header/letterhead
   2. Still waiting for Key Event Management Document from Joy and Aaron 
2. Builder Committee
   1. The committee met on 5/18/26.
   2. Discussion about possible support (gift or loan?) from Endowment for builder startup costs. 
   3. Discussion about mold storage — shipping container?

8.     Third VP’s Report: Wheeler Sutton

1. Under 26 Program
   1. Still need to send reminder emails to organizers ACCs, PCCs, and Great Lakes 
      1. Just saw the notice go out for ACCs and have been in touch with GL
      2. Haven’t seen one yet for PCCs – date
      3. Alternatively, could look at Clubspot and get emails of youth members for ACC and Great Lakes
   2. Along with U26 email, will see if there’s anyone going to those regattas that can help with social media leading up to the event, copy RVP
   3. Double stack trailer match for Nationals – https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zoBQqBmQvahWJYW-6gi66B6iJKNDw8DwNwxpGrxZtAc/edit?usp=sharing

9.     Chief Measurer’s Report: Dave Hudson 

1. Allen Boat Co.

1. 1. Pending approval of the Governing Board, it was motioned to approve Allen Boat Co. as the official interim TCA spar/boom producer.

• The motion was seconded and approved.

10. Past President’s Report: Warren Duckworth 

1. Endowment Committee
   1. Fund management requires the TCA articles of incorporation or business license before allowing investments. 
   2. The trademark dispute in 1977 “Thistle Class Association, an unincorporated association located in Highland Park, Illinois”
   3. Sarah will check to see if the fund management will accept our 501 3c document.
2. Thistle Next Generation Committee-Boat Grant Program
   1. Met  on June 6, 2026 to discuss status.
   2. Boat #3846 is with Mike Ingham, he has placed the boat with someone for the upcoming 
      1. Since the person needs to be an active member, would the class pay the first year membership for someone who is 35?
      2. It was motioned for the G&P to pay  the 1st year membership dues for the Boat Grant recipient. The recipient will pay for all regattas dues.
   3. Boat #3517 is with Warren Duckworth, still working to get it placed.
   4. Will work on a budget for the Boat Grant Program to be submitted at the next ExCom meeting.
3. Membership promotion
   1. I have contacted 15 fleets focusing on fleets with smaller numbers on the edge of losing their charters. All have responded positively so far.
   2. Fleet 34 (SSA) Central Chesapeake Fleet is struggling and likely to fold in the next few years.
4. The 2027 ExCom Slate to be voted on at the Annual Meeting on July 16, 2026
   1. Starting on Nominating Committee
      1. PP – Aaron Holland
      2. P – Chris Murphy
      3. 1st VP – Paul Cone
      4. 2nd VP – Carrie Ruppen
      5. 3rd VP – Wheeler Sutton
      6. CM – Dave Hudson

11. President’s Report: Aaron Holland

Aaron gave recommendations from ExCom to the Endowment Committee.

12. Old Business: No report 
13. New Business: 

1. Paul Cone suggested modernizing the Governing Board and Annual meetings to be strictly on-line.
2. It was motioned to hold the Governing Board meeting by  Zoom on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM (ET) and the Annual meeting by Zoom on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 8:00 PM (ET) 
3. The motion was seconded and approved.
4. It was motioned to increase Zoom above 100 participates for the 

July 14 GB and July 16 Annual Meeting.

1. The motion was seconded and approved.

14.   Next Meetings: Digital Governing Board is Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 8:00 PM (ET)

          Digital Annual Meeting is Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 8:00 PM (ET)

              ExCom meeting is Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 8:00 PM (ET)

15.   Adjourn: 10:41 PM EST