MINUTES OF THE LANTAU BOAT CLUB COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT THE DISCOVERY BAY RESIDENT’S CLUB ON WEDNESDAY 19TH JANUARY 2011 AT 1930
| Attending: | Tom Nunan | Commodore |
| John Rempel | Treasurer | |
| Richard Carrey | Race Commodore | |
| James Branch | Social Secretary | |
| Paul Jenner | LIOCC Secretary | |
| Simon Ludlow | Secretary | |
| Also attending: | Robert Wilson | LIRC |
| Marcello Giamporaco | LIRC | |
Item 1: Commodore’s Address
The Commodore welcomed the committee members to the committee meeting.
Item 2: Previous Meeting’s Minutes
The previous meeting’s minutes were read and it was agreed that they were an accurate record of the meeting. The secretary pointed out that there had been a question over the item regarding the vote at the meeting regarding the limit of one boat per member once the minutes had been distributed, but an objection hadn’t been raised at the meeting and the matter could be resolved by this meeting during item 12.
Item 3: 2011 Memberships
The secretary pointed out that the insurance quotation has been received and the premium has stayed the same as last year. This means the new on-line membership form can be set up. The Race Officer has looked at changing the form and it is proving difficult due to the complexity of the web-site - as was mentioned in the last meeting. It was decided to look at setting up a simpler system with professional help. The estimated cost will up to $20,000. Reasonable expenditure on the project was approved.
Action: Race Officer
Item 4: 2011 Calendar
Racing: It was decided to hold three races to be named the Rabbit series on 30th Jan, 13th Feb, 27th Feb.
The HKHC had proposed the Cheung Chau Challenge will be held on the weekend of 12/13th March. The Commodore will call them and accept.
Hemmingway’s have offered to sponsor a race based on the ‘Nations Cup’ theme. This will be held later in the year.
AGM: Will be held in the 2nd week of March between the 7th and 11th.
Social: Hemmingway’s have also offered the Club a social night with reduced prices. The Social Secretary will liaise with David Luxton.
Action: Commodore, Race Officer and Social Secretary
Item 5: Committee posts.
The Secretary pointed out that several Committee posts may change at the next AGM with two keys ones,
the current Treasurer and Secretary deciding not to stand for re-election. Guidance for the new post holders
should be given in the form of Terms of Reference. He will draft TORS for each Post so that the current
holders can amend them. They will be published on the Club website.
Finding members may be difficult, especially for the key posts as the Club has got larger in the three years since the current Treasurer and Secretary have taken over. The Committee will try and identify potential candidates from within the Club. The job of Treasurer has become easier since the employment of a book keeper and this has made the prospect of taking on the job more acceptable. The secretary asked if an
administration clerk could be employed to ease the burden of the task which was currently taking about five hours a week. It is envisaged that the job would suit a spouse living in DB and could be achieved in about ten hours a month at an hourly rate of approximately $150. This was unanimously agreed. The Secretary will advertise the job.
Action: Secretary
Item 6: Lantau Island Outrigger Canoe Club.
The LIOCC Secretary pointed out that their recruitment drive had generated extra members for the Club and this was now putting pressure on the current equipment. The two old OC6 canoes are past their best and new ones have been ordered from Canada at a cost of $200,000. Although the LIOCC is financially sound, the outlay will involve a fairly large debt and they were seeking help from the Club to ease the burden. Options for funding were discussed and it was proposed that the LBC loan the LIOCC $90,000 to be paid over a period of 8 years in the form of the recruitment of ten additional members. This was unanimously agreed.
Action: Treasurer
Item 7: Breakthrough event.
The Secretary said the event was very successful with 15 teenagers from Operation Breakthrough experiencing catamaran sailing and outrigger canoeing. The total outlay was only $892. The Secretary proposed that this could be made an annual event. It was also pointed out that as the 2010 Asia Open Regatta had not returned a profit and therefore we could not make a donation to Outreach, which has similar aims to Breakthrough. It was also proposed that we could offer a similar annual event to them as well. Both proposals were carried unanimously.
Action: Secretary
Item 8: Insurance.
The Secretary mentioned that as a result of an accident in the 2010 Asian Open Regatta, a problem with the way we manage the boat insurance policies has come to light. Previously, we had assumed that an insurance policy was transferrable with a boat to a new owner. In the case of this incident, the claim was refused as the insurers were not aware of the new owner. This will lead to any new owner not being insured. It was proposed that all members will have to renew the insurance for a purchased boat and this was agreed unanimously. The insurance company is aware of the additional cost this will entail and have reduced premiums for insurance taken out on a boat part the way through the year to two thirds of the total for the last eight months and one third for the last four months, effective from 1 April 2011.
Action: Race Officer and Treasurer
Item 9: Awah’s speed boat.
Awah’s speed boat needs a new engine as the current one has worn out after four years. The Club helped him with half the cost of the new boat when it was purchased and the Commodore has been asked if we can help with this additional cost. It was noted that the current engine is a two stroke and that a four stroke will lead to better fuel economy and longevity. It was proposed that the Club help with half the cost of the new engine up $20,000. This was agreed unanimously.
Action: Commodore
Item 10. Optimist training.
The Secretary reported that Club member Freddie von der Luhue has volunteered to investigate the possibility of the Club becoming a training organization using Optimist dinghies to provide sailing training to children. He had hoped to have his study complete by this meeting, but has come across significant hurdles, particularly in the area of liability. He hopes to have a reduced proposal to place before the Committee at the next meeting.
Item 11. Beach matters.
The DB management has asked us to make sure the beach is kept tidy. In particular they have complained about the old boat parts and sail-boxes lying around the LBC area.
Item 12. Club Rules Changes
It was proposed that the following rules were included.
Rule 2e:
Membership gives the member the privilege of parking one catamaran or boat over 4m in length on Tai Pak beach within the bounds of the LBC premises, and/or a reasonable number of other watercraft subject to the provisions of section 5 of these rules.
Rule 2f:
A person may join the LBC as a prospective member for the purposes of joining the waiting list to park a watercraft at the LBC premises under the provisions of rule 5d. To become a prospective member, a person must pay the current joining fee without paying the remaining membership/parking fees. In this instance, the joining fee will not be payable on taking up full membership.
Rule 5d:
If the limit of the number of boats owned by members set by HKRI has been reached, the Club will keep a waiting list of members and prospective members who wish to store their watercraft on the LBC premises. When a space becomes available, the LBC Secretary will write to the member/prospective member informing them of the available space. That member/prospective member will then have two calendar months from the date of the letter to use the space, otherwise they will go back to the end of the waiting list (if the list has more than one entry) and the person next on the list will be offered the place under the terms laid out in this rule.
It was proposed that he following rules were to be amended.
Rule 2g:
Guests of members may enjoy the use of the LBC facilities for a maximum of three times before being required to join as members in their own right. All guests and prospective members must be accompanied by an LBC member at all times.
becomes:
Prospective members and guests of full members may enjoy the use of the LBC facilities for a maximum of three times before being required to join as members in their own right. All guests and prospective members must be accompanied by an LBC member at all times, and that member shall take responsibility for them.
And
Rule 3c:
All boat sailors, kite-surfers and windsurfers must wear lifejackets or buoyancy aids when engaging in water sports. It is strongly advised that all canoe and kayak occupants also wear lifejackets or buoyancy aids.
becomes:
All boat sailors, kite-surfers and windsurfers must wear lifejackets or buoyancy aids when engaging in water sports. It is strongly advised that all canoe, kayak and rowing boat occupants also wear lifejackets or buoyancy aids.
And
Rule 5h:
All LBC members are responsible for keeping the space around their watercraft clean and tidy.
becomes
All LBC members are responsible for keeping the space around their watercraft clean and tidy. Sail boxes must be stored underneath the owner’s boat and clearly marked with their boat’s sail number. Any protruding part of the boat such as a spinnaker sprit must be made noticeable by a high visibility marking.
All the above rules inclusions and amendments were approved unanimously and will come into effect as soon as they are published on the Club web site and the Club members are notified by flash message.
Action: Secretary
Item 13: Any Other Business.
The agreement between the LBC and LIRC was signed.
Item14: Next Meeting.
To be decided, but to be held soon after the Lunar New Year.
Simon Ludlow
LBC Secretary
9549 4399
