Executive Meeting Minutes September 9, 2025

Present: Warren Duckworth, Aaron Holland, Paul Cone, Lloyd Kitchin, Bob White, and Nicole Shedden (non-voting member)

Secretary: Dianne Duckworth

Treasurer: Sarah Paisley

Meeting called to order: 8:02 PM ET
Guest Speakers: Phil Gordon, MWW Committee and Larry Liggett, Thistle Mold Committee
August minutes: To be approved by email
Secretary’s Report: Dianne Duckworth
1. July 2025, 494 memberships – August 2025, 511 memberships (+17)
Treasurer’s Report: Sarah Paisley
1. January to August 2025 P&L: Total Income- $37,223.60, Net Income- $2,825.15
2. August 2025 Balance Sheet: Total Assets $143,807.18
3. Requested numbers of each membership plan from Dianne to help with next year’s budget
First VP’s Report: Aaron Holland
1. MWE
  1. Clarify the social media goals for the class
  2. Will send recommendations to the MWE Planning Committee
2. Phil Gordon on MWW Committee updates:
  1. The PRO has its own RaceSense set-up and has run races before using the system
  2. Philip confirmed that the race committee system is set up and a survey will be sent to last year’s registrants to determine acceptable rental fees for those without a Vakaros unit

Committee will explore renting units from Vakaros at $35 per day for a 3-day event, potentially securing a 10% discount.

The committee also mentioned working on volunteer coordination and considering changes to dining options to address cost and timing concerns.

Nationals:
1. No updates for the 2026 Nationals at Eugene Yacht Club
2. Possible 2027 Nationals at North Cape Yacht Club: Craig Koschalk is working with the club’s board to submit a possible bid.

Need to research what finishers should receive a Trophy Keeper, particularly the President’s Division

Second VP’s Report: Paul Cone
1. Thistle PNW Molds: Stuart Ramsing is working on storage for the molds.
2. Website: Tim Vinning is now covering the Marketplace on the website and is working on getting a database on all Thistle Boats and numbers
3. Bagpipe: Working with John Duckorth on editing the Bagpipe
Third VP’s Report: Lloyd Kitchin
1. Will contact Wheeler Sutton to officially hand over the 3^rd VP duties
Chief Measurer: Bob White- No Report
1. Will contact Dave Hudson to officially hand over the Chief Measurers’ duties
Past President’s Report: Nicole Shedden
1. I am offering to help Dianne look through the boxes that Craig Smith had for the TCA Secretary. Thanks again, Craig.
2. I will draft an email to Dianne to send out to all Fleet Captains with the membership poster attached
3. I will pass on to the Lake Erie, DG that Dianne will handle new associate member sign-ups.
President Report: Warren Duckworth
1. Sent application for St. Pete’s trophy to Jay Austin
2. Vakaros Survey has over 75 respondents, and will send survey results to ExCom for review
3. Need to complete building the 2025 National’s survey
Old Business
1. Endowment Committee:
  1. Working to get committee to meet to identify a path forward September 23^rd
  2. We need to find new members for the Boat Grant Committee

Larry Liggett on the Mold Committee recommendations:
1. Committee: Larry Liggett, Dave Hudson, Chris Pollak, Paul Cone, Wayne Balsinger, and Bob White
2. Plan to spend $10,000 on the GMW Thistle Molds vs. cost of new molds

Committee feels that no negations are needed. This will help preserve “good will” with Alex to keep communications open to possibly help answer questions from the new builder

Committee will continue to discuss possible new Thistle builders.
The molds can be stored at the Saratoga Sailing Association by Dave Hudson
Committee will coordinate with Alex regarding the purchase and transportation of the molds if ExCom approves the purchase.

Mold Committee recommendations discussed above under Lary Liggett’s recommendations report
1. Motion to purchase GMW molds from Beacon Composites for $10,000 with $7,500 being donated by a class member. TCA will pay 2,500
2. Vote put on hold currently. Warren with take a poll of the Governing Board to see if there is consensus on this expense. The vote will be held by email after the results of the poll.