2022 IFA AGM Agenda and Papers

INTERNATIONAL FINN ASSOCIATION

2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Will be held at Fragila Vela Malcesine on Monday 16 May at 10.00

[Further details about online activity will be published at a later date)

See AGM Policies on the Elections at the bottom of this page

  

Nominations: Denis Mowbury (NZL) • Rob McMillan (AUS) • Luca Devoti (ITA) • John Heyes (GBR) •  Kristian Sjøberg (FIN)

Chris Frijdal (NED) • Tim Tavinor (GBR) • Andrzej Romanowski (POL)


Supporting Papers: British SubmissionsFrench Submission • Draft 2023 Event Manual • Bid EC 2023 HUN


Reports: President • Class Secretary • Vice-President Development • Vice-President Masters • Finance Secretariat • Chairman of the Technical Committee 

 Chairman of the Media and Marketing CommitteeAuditBalance SheetProfit/Loss • Budget • Comparative P/L • Comparative Balance Sheet

  

AGENDA (download as PDF)

 

1. National Class Associations
To publish the list of National Class Associations (NCA) and the Treasurer’s statement of the NCA Representatives’ voting powers based on the IFA dues received.

2. Minutes from the last meeting
To approve the minutes from the 2021 IFA AGM (previously circulated on IFA website, to secretaries)

3. Accounts
3.1 To approve the 2021 accounts
3.2 To approve the 2022 budget

4. Executive Committee Reports (will be available in advance online)
4.1 President 
4.2 Class Secretary
4.3 Vice-President Development 
4.4 Vice-President Masters 
4.5 Finance Secretariat  
4.6 Chairman of the Technical Committee 
4.7 Chairman of the Media and Marketing Committee 

5. Bids for Major Championships
2023 Open Europeans – Procelero SE, Lake Balaton, Hungary (May - Dates tbc)

Discuss: Early May for separation from FWM (26 May to 2 June) or later in May so travellers can sail two events.

6. Submissions

 6.1 Submissions from the IFA Executive

a) Flags on sails, Rule C.10.3

Current Wording: 

When required by the Notice of Race, a skipper’s national flag, corresponding to the national letters, of nominal size 740 x 443 mm, shall be applied to each side of the sail, positioned such that the aft edge of each flag is between 50 and 100 mm from the leech and the upper edge is between 50 and 100 mm below the second lower batten pocket.The flags shall be made from additional material. Permanent ink pens or similar shall not be used to make the national flags.

Options: (i) Delete C.10.3 and accompanying diagram; (ii) No change and continue to invoke rule at Gold Cup and Europeans; (iii) Leave in Class Rules and adopt policy to not invoke.

Reasoning: This Rule was intended for use at FGC, EC, World Cup and WS Events. It does not apply at Masters events or any other event. Currently it would only be used at FGC and EC. If a sailor decides to attend one of these events they have to also buy and place flags at extra expense. The recent survey was 63% in favour of deleting the Rule.

 

b) Pumping, Rule A6.2 and C.1.1(2)

Current Wording

A.6.2 The Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions may state a higher recommended windspeed of 12 kts for rule C.1.1(2).

C.1.1(2) The Finn Class recommends that race committees apply Rule C.1.1 (1) in winds of 10 knots and above, measured at deck level on a race committee boat at the windward mark. See also A.6.2.

Options: (i) No change; (ii) Increase limit in C.1.1(2) to 12 knots and delete A 6.2; (iii) Delete both Rules

Reasoning: The survey revealed a very cross section of opinion, though 58% wanted no change. Purpose here is to clarify what is wanted so these discussions are resolved. Note, the 12 knot limit was intended for Masters and 80% of current FGC and EC fleets are Masters.

  

c) Policy for format of group racing

Current position: No current position. 

Options: (i) Random groups to mirror what happens in Masters. Full fleet series with no final/deciding race; (ii) Gold/Silver/Bronze split after 2/3 days; (iii) Groups (random or by rankings, changing each day) for 4 days plus gold fleet on final day so there is a deciding race(s).

Reasoning: When fleet sizes are too large for a single fleet, the Masters have opted for a group system worked out on daily randomised group selection. However this does not provide a final/deciding race so the leading contenders could find themselves not racing against each other on the final day. The survey indicated 47% in favour of random groups and 32% in favour of gold/silver fleets after 3 days.

 

d) Open Entry

Current position: No specific wording to allow for open entry

Add to A15:

A15.4 In conjunction with the Organising Authority, the IFA Executive Committee may permit open entry at any IFA Major Championship. In such case, A15.1 and A15.2 do not apply. 

Reasoning: The intention is to maximise entries for major championships and there is no official mechanism for this. The 2022 events have been made open entry under Constitution A 3.4.3 as an exceptional circumstance, but ‘exceptional’ cannot be every year.

 

e) Event Manual – 2023 edition

Approval of additional changes to Event Manual (see draft attached), which includes reducing costs for organisers, removal of Olympic clauses, and clarification on some points.

Note: Probably more needs looking at in light of the classes removal from the Olympics, but one of the tasks of the new VP Sailing will be to make recommendations to ensure the Event Manual is it for purpose.

 

6.2 Submissions from the British Finn Association (see attachment)

a) Add the following to IFA Constitution 3.5.1.

No person should be eligible for nomination as a candidate for the office of President if he/she has held that office for the immediate preceding continuous period of eight years, nor for the office of a Vice-President if he/she has held that office for the immediate preceding continuous period of eight years.

Reasoning: Most sports governing bodies now include such a condition in their governance, including World Sailing, Sport England and the IOC. The IFA should incorporate current best practice in order to maintain World Sailing International Class recognition and meet governance requirements for future potential funding or sponsorship applications.

b) Add the following to Part B of the IFA Constitution.

4 Sustainability Officer

The Executive Committee shall appoint a Sustainability Officer to enact and oversee the IFA sustainability strategy, in order to communicate and coordinate with the Executive Committee, NCAs and event organisers to address sustainability issues and ensure best practice at all IFA recognised events.

Reasoning: The IFA sustainability policy requires further development and implementation across all IFA activities and hence requires an allocated advocate and campaigner to ensure it is a priority at IFA and NFA events. 

6.3  Submissions from the French Finn Association

Please see paper attached.

 

6.4 Submission from Polish Finn Association

To maintain Executive position of Vice President Special Projects – Nomination received for Andrzej Romanowski (POL)

 

6.5 Submission from Finn Club Holland

To remove the role of Finance and Membership Secretariat and only have an Hon Treasurer

Reasoning: Whilst we understand the Executive Committee has made what they believed were the best decisions at the time, we do not think that paying a salary of €12,000 for the tasks of a Finance Secretary is sustainable for IFA now it is no longer an Olympic class, or wanted by the wider membership. Therefore, we propose that we no longer need the paid Finance Secretary role and just have a Hon Treasurer. 

 

7. Elections of Members to IFA Committees 

7.1 To elect the members of the Executive Committee: (see links to nomination papers and statements at top of this page)

The President (vacant) – Nominations: Denis Mowbury (NZL), Rob McMillan (AUS), Luca Devoti (ITA), John Heyes (GBR)

The VP Sailing (vacant) – Nominations: Denis Mowbury (NZL), Kristian Sjøberg (FIN)

The VP Development – Marc Allain des Beauvais (FRA)

The Treasurer (vacant): Nominations: Chris Frijdal (NED)

Chairman of the Technical Committee - Nominations: Tim Tavinor (GBR), Paul McKenzie (AUS)

(subject to 6.4) VP Special Projects - Andrzej Romanowski (POL)

 

7.2 To elect the members of the Technical Committee

7.3 To elect the members of the Marketing Committee

 

8. AOB (non voting)

  

RD, 29 March 2022

 

AGM POLICIES

2022 IFA Election Voting procedure

Where there are more than two nominees, if one nominee gathers more than 50% of the vote they will be declared the winner.

If none of the nominees gathers more than 50% of the vote, then the candidate with the least number of votes will be eliminated and the vote held again. This process will continue until there are only two candidates.

Proxy Votes

A proxy voting form will be available for those members unable to attend the AGM in person. This must be completed by the officially recognised representative of the National Association and must be with the Class Secretary before the start of the AGM (10.00 CET Monday 16 May). However it would be appreciated if they can be submitted at least one week in advance so that the results can be more easily calculated on the day.

In the event of run off votes as above, members will be asked for reserve votes on the proxy form.

If online voting is allowed during the AGM (subject to the ongoing change to the Constitution), then members may instead vote online. However it is recommended that proxy votes be supplied in advance in case the technology does not function correctly.

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