Executive Committee Minutes The Executive Committee met at 09:30 – 18:00 hours on Friday 8 May at the Zuid Amsterdam Hotel, at 10:30 – 18:00 on Saturday 9 May at the Royal Netherlands Yacht Club, Muiden and at 09:30 – 18:00 Sunday 10 May 2015 at the Zuid Amsterdam Hotel, Netherlands 1. Opening of the Meeting 1 5. Future Strategy 8 2. General Business 2 6. Future ISAF Meetings 8 3. Reports / Information 6 7. Any Other Business 9 4. Events 6 Present: In attendance: Sarah Gosling (GBR) – Athletes’ Commission Carlo Croce – President Representative HM King Constantine - President of Honour Helen Fry - Head of Administration Christophe Langenauer - Swiss Foundation George Andreadis- Vice-President Chris Atkins - Vice-President (not present James Pleasance - WMRT 8 May) Adrienne Greenwood - Vice-President Philip Tolhurst – Chairman Constitution Committee Nazli Imre- Vice President Gary Jobson- Vice-President Quanhai Li - Vice-President W. Scott Perry – Vice-President 1. Opening of the Meeting (a) Communication from the President The President welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave an outline of the many and varied trips he had made on behalf of ISAF over the last few months and of developments with PKRA. The Sailing World Cup in Hyères was the first regatta under the new ISAF contract and prize money was given for the first time. Even though ISAF branding was enhanced at Hyères he felt that further improvements with the ISAF branding could be made but the President was pleased to see the temporary House of ISAF and he looks forward to seeing the new ISAF House in Weymouth. Gary Jobson and his Marketing and Media team did an incredible job with live TV and it was pleasing to learn about the high viewing numbers. The President expressed a wish that ISAF investigate hiring an international body to test the waters in Rio. Over the Mid-Year meeting period however, and following many discussions on this topic, it had become apparent that there were other possibilities that ISAF could follow and that these various leads would be followed up. The President outlined the World Sailing League concept and voiced his concern that it has become apparent they are by-passing MNAs and approach Yacht Clubs directly. Decisions EX_MIN_2015_05 Page 1 of 15 Executive Committee Minutes (cont.) 1. The Secretariat is to review and enhance the protection of ISAF intellectual property as a priority. 2. ISAF will liaise with the IKA and a report is to be made to the Executive Committee concerning developments with the PKRA (Kitesurfing). 3. ISAF will seek to get some information from an independent international authority regarding the pollution in Rio. It was noted that some MNAs had already instigated some tests and the Secretariat would make contact to see if this information could be shared as it might be more appropriate for ISAF to spend the money on Eco boats at the Test Event and Olympic Sailing Competition. (b) Minutes The minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of 13, 14, 15 February 2015 (circulated and approved after the meeting) were noted. (c) Minutes Matters Arising i) Item 2(j)(i) – Vice-Chairman of the Development and Youth Committee Three possible candidates for the position of Vice-chairman were presented to the Executive to consider. Decision The Executive Committee recommend that Council approve Nadine Stegenwalner (GER) to be the new Vice-Chairman of the Development and Youth Committee as per Regulation 5.4.7 2. General Business Finance (a) Management Accounts for the 1st Quarter 2015 Scott Perry presented the Management Accounts for the 1st Quarter 2015 and outlined plans to make the presentation of the Management Accounts to Council more relevant as it was important Council understood where the money was being spent. Decision Discussions on the accounts raised issues in respect of ISAF’s timing partners and accordingly it was resolved that a Working Party from the Executive Committee will evaluate the role / work of ISAF’s timing and scoring partners. (b) Budget 2015 The 2015 Budget was reviewed and various amendments have been included throughout these minutes. (c) To receive ISAF Debtors The Company debtors were noted. (d) To receive the Quarterly Report on the Isle of Man Trust An update on the Isle of Man Trust was given by Scott Perry. (e) To receive the report on the ISAF Deposits An update on the ISAF deposits was given by Scott Perry. (f) Request to increase RS:X retail prices Executive Committee Minutes Page 2 of 15 Executive Committee Minutes (cont.) Owing to the drop of the Euro currency vs US Dollars Neil Pryde Limited is experiencing difficulties in buying in US Dollars and selling in Euros and requested an approval to an increase of 10% of the RS:X retail prices. Decision The Executive Committee approve an increase of 10% of the RS:X retail prices starting on 1 June 2015. (g) Request for reduction in WMRT fees James Pleasance (WMRT) outlined the developments with the Tour and requested a sanction fee reduction for the 2015 / 2016 World Match Racing Tour season. Decision The sanction fee for WMRT event was revised and will be revised on an event by event basis for this season. Governance (h) To receive the Draft Annual Report This will be distributed after the meeting by email once the audited accounts have been approved. (i) Procedure for the Election of Officers As agreed at the last Executive Committee the procedures concerning ISAF elections was reviewed. This review was carried out against the background of the ASOIF Governance Paper. Decision Currently a candidate for election as President or Vice-President must be nominated by at least five Member National Authorities and there is no requirement for the candidate’s own MNA to be one of these. On balance, the present system is favoured. Under the current Constitution and Regulations there is no requirement for candidates to provide information concerning their candidacy – it is customary but not enforceable. A submission will be made this year to allow the Election Committee to require candidates to provide information about their candidacy and to publish this. A submission will also be prepared to allow Council to appoint the Election Committee having considered a proposal from the Executive Committee. This will be implemented post 2016. (j) Event Bidding Process The Executive Committee reviewed the Regatta Venue Bid Evaluation and Selection Process document for all regattas that are ISAF events. It was noted that the process had flexibility within it so that venue selection remains appropriate, efficient and rigorous across the diversity of ISAF events. Decision Presentations to the Panel should be held at the Secretariat offices in Southampton. (k) Disciplinary i) Disciplinary Cases A verbal update on current disciplinary cases was received. ii) ISAF Disciplinary Procedures Executive Committee Minutes Page 3 of 15 Executive Committee Minutes (cont.) During the hearing before CAS an undertaking was given to CAS that ISAF would review its procedures and this was authorised by the Executive Committee. Decision The Executive Committee endorse the proposals (see Appendix 1) and request that the Constitution Committee review them before submissions are drafted for the September Executive meeting. iii) Rule 69 Working Party Council appointed a joint working party of the Constitution, Race Officials and Racing Rules Committees to consider Rule 69, its wording and its operation at event level and a progress report was received. The possible need for a further face-to-face meeting was drawn to the Executive’s attention. Decision ISAF should only receive reports from major events – ISAF should not involve itself in national level or minor international regatta cases. (l) Review Board The Executive Committee noted the resignations from the Review Board of Josje Hofland (NED), Charlie Manzoni (HKG), David Tillett (AUS) and Bryan Willis (GBR). Decision The Executive Committee recommend that Council approve David Kellett (AUS) to be appointed to the Review Board. (m) Company Structure i) ISAF Event Management Ltd Scott Perry presented a proposal for the new MoU and Articles of Association for ISAF Event Management Ltd. Decision The Executive Committee agreed the proposal for implementation as soon as practicable. ii) Inter Company Agreements The Executive Committee understood the need for Inter Company Agreements. Decision The Executive Committee requested that the Chairman of the Audit Committee review the draft Inter Company Agreements and, if satisfied, the Secretariat should proceed to their implementation. iii) Swiss Foundation Christophe Langenauer met the Executive Committee and outlined the plans for an independent Swiss Foundation. Decision Scott Perry will produce a Swiss Foundation business plan. (n) Committee Review The Executive Committee received draft submissions regarding the revision of committee structure and related ToR. Decision Executive Committee Minutes Page 4 of 15 Executive Committee Minutes (cont.) The texts of the draft submissions need to be reviewed and developed and stakeholders need to be consulted between now and the Executive Committee’s meeting in September. It was important to have the submission ready for the November 2015 Annual Conference so MNAs will know what Committees they are nominating to. (o) Continental Associations The Executive Committee received an update from the Continental Associations Working Party. Decision A further report should be provided to the Executive Committee for their September meeting which should only focus on the Terms of Reference. (p) MNA Matters i) Monserrat Following reports received from an MNA, the Constitution Committee completed a review of the Montserrat Yachting Association’s Associate Membership of ISAF. Decision The Executive Committee will invoke Article 15.1(b) and ask the Montserrat Yachting Association to demonstrate that its constitution and its representation of the sport of sailing in Montserrat satisfies the requirements for Membership as set out in Article 4.