Executive Meeting September 8, 2026

           Executive Meeting

September 8th, 2026 

1.     Present: Aaron Holland, Chris Murphy, Paul Cone, Wheeler Sutton, Dave Hudson, and

         Warren Duckworth (non-voting member)

        Secretary: Dianne Duckworth 

        Treasurer: Sarah Paisley

2.     Meeting called to order at 8:05 PM ET
3.     Minutes: August Minutes- motioned, seconded and approved by email on September 24,   2026
4.     Secretary’s Report: Dianne Duckworth

1. Membership
   1. Membership Numbers: July 2026 -#575 and August 2026 #580

August 2024- #553 and August 2025- #511

1. 2026 #54 Associate Memberships (2025-37 total and 2024- 46 total)

1. Budget Items for 2027
   1. Pricing badges- lowest price so far $49.95 for a minimum 12 (US). I am waiting for an estimate from a company in New Delhi, India-this is the company we ordered from in 2021
   2. Looking for the material to price out for the chevrons. 
2. Trophy Keepers Update
   1. The plaques will be ready this week and I will look at USPS and UPS for mailing – $95 for mailing out 10 plaques in May
   2. The pewter keepers have been ordered and sent out.
      1. 2026 price- $1,274 
      2. 2025 price- $2,300  and 2024 price- $1,876 
3. Appraisal Update: When I receive the report from the appraisers I will send the report to ExCom.

5.   Treasurer’s Report: Sarah Paisley

1.  August 2026 P&L: Total Income- $$3797.60; Total Expenses-$$3516.72; Net Income:$$280.88

                August 2026  Balance Sheet: Total Assets $$154,881.87

1.  October 2025- August 2026 P&L: Total Income: $$69,120.84; Total Expenses: $$57,209.67; Net Income: $$11,911.17
2. Operating Account Balance  $$23,816.52 G&P Account Balance $$134,368.12 $$102,000 is Endowment

6.     First VP’s Report: Chris Murphy

1. 2027 Nationals – collaborating with Paul Cone; PRO-Mark Foster is signed up; Tommy Glenn regatta chair accepted; still need NRC; will set up a call with all the main players in the next couple weeks and will also set up a debrief call with Marty Parisien.

7.     Second VP’s Report: Paul Cone

1. 2027 Regattas
   1. Need to touch base with Kirsten in San Diego for the 2027 MWW
2. Builder Committee Update
   1. Met and discussed doing a creation of a guide for how to build a Thistle boat 
   2. Still discussing what to do with boat molds
3. Will meet with Carrie Ruppen on Thursday

8.     Third VP’s Report: Wheeler Sutton

1. Growth and Promotion Regional Reps (probably want 5 – Southeast, Atlantic, Great Lakes, Pacific Coast, and Central) to make it more personal
2. Asking the ExCom for possible names to be a G&P Regional Rep
3. Will talk to Carrie about a promotional video
   1. Get in touch with Stan – he’s done one for the woodies, has videographer
   2. Jerry Pignolet – also interested in getting the coach TCA stuff done
   3. 30 second clips, posting on social media, even paid advertising on social media
   4. Decide whether to do short format (social ready) vs. long format, probably leaning towards short format

9.     Chief Measurer’s Report: Dave Hudson

1. DRM Committee Update
   1. Article on “Measurement at National” in the  Bagpipe for Oct/Nov.  – article needs to be put on the listserv
   2. Survey is out on Vakaros
   3. Working the Amendment for approval by the GB

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. How do we get this started?
   3. Who will manage getting this together?
   4. John Howell and Sarah P. working on this issue.

1. Thistle Next Generation Committee
   1. Boat #3846 is with Mike Ingham, While Mike is himself busy with other things this Fall he will be working to place the boat at East Coast Fall Series.
   2. Boat #3517 is with Warren Duckworth, with Noah Craciun working to place the boat. Currently Noah has the boat placed for 2 of the 8 LE Fall Series.
   3. We have discussed a budget but have not actually put the list together. We will work on a budget for the Boat Grant Program to be submitted at the next ExCom meeting.
   4. New boat acquisition.
2. Membership promotion- No new fleet updates.

11. President’s Report: Aaron Holland

1. Key Event Management- Joy and I want to add a few more items in the next two weeks
2. Working on the form for digital survey
3. Seeking Long Term Plan (Strategic Plan) recommendation
   1. Will speak with Nicole Shedden-she will send a list of members interested in helping with the Strategic Plan and moving forward
4. Aaron announcing his upcoming departure from the presidency and thanking outgoing members for their service.

12. Old Business

1. Complete duties in document 
   1. Each ExCom member to complete what they did in their office for 2026
   2. Prepare for transitions
2. Key Event Management- adding a feedback form 
3. Will get a plan for having digital meetings for Annual and GB
4. Paul is working on a policy for using AI during Zoom Meetings

13. New Business: None
14.   Next ExCom Meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at 8:00 PM (ET)
15.   Adjourn: 9:10 PM EST