The "Classes fading from popularity" and "Compulsory membership of CAs" topics are running out of steam. Let's have a vote on compulsory Class Association membership for club sailors

See the two topics to understand the full debate, but in summary: The argument is that a strong class association is key to the survival of a class. All racing sailors depend on the work of their association, in that this is the body that administers their class rules which form the basis on which they race. The associations also provide services such as web-sites and advertising, which provide a source of advice and help maintain the vitality of the class and the value of boats. Club sailors who are not association members benefit without contributing. The cost of class association membership could potentially be reduced if membership was more wide-spread.

THE VOTE:

I think CA membership should be compulsory for all club members: YES/NO

I think CA membership should be compulsory for all racing club members: YES/NO

Main reason:

I am a CA member: YES/NO

I am a CA committee member: YES/NO

I think CA membership should be compulsory for all club members: NO

I think CA membership compulsory for all racing club members: NO

Main reason: I think the voluntary nature of class associations is fundamental to their viability, and it's up to enthusiasts to support their class, whether club or class racing ... too few enthusiasts ... no association ... boat dies ... survival of the fittest

I am a CA member: YES

I am a CA committee member: YES

I think CA membership should be compulsory for all club members: NO

I think CA membership should be compulsory for all racing club members: NO

Main reason: Too expensive and bureaucratic to manage for bothe the CA and the clubs.

I am a CA member: YES

I am a CA committee member: NO but I am a Commodore of a SC and would not want to do this for the reason above.

No, No, Yes, No

But this question is too simplistic and doesn't inform the debate.

In the interests of peace and harmony, that is probably a good thing.

NO, YES, Yes, Yes.

I definitely think anyone who races in class events should be a member of the CA. I also think anyone who wants access to information about rigging, tuning, building, designing etc should be 'encouraged' to join the CA by getting their money's worth. We have a lot of pretty generic information on the 'open access' website, with loads more specific stuff available to members, including a 'member-only' forum/email list.

No, no, no and no.

Not that there is actually a class association anyway. 

If a class association is doing their job properly and sailors feel that joining will add value to their sailing, they'll join.  If not, they won't and they shouldn't be compelled to - unless they're doing class events organised by the class association.

Yes

Yes

Reason: The very fact there is a class assosiation makes your boat a class.

Yes

Yes

I think another mechanism is required to fund CA's that lowers the admin and stops the "free loading".

Build a very small figure into the club subs and make the clubs pay the CA's.

To keep the admin simple only fleets with 5 or more boats need pay.

OR may RYA memberhsip compulsory at club level and then the RYA fund the CA's that would be even easier.

OR build it into insurance - everyone HAS to have that.

Rick

THE VOTE:

I think CA membership should be compulsory for all club members: NO

I think CA membership should be compulsory for all racing club members: NO

Main reason:
IT IS UNENFORCEABLE
Bringing in rules that can not be enforced is pointles, Forcing people to prove they have joined a CA will stop people from wanting to take part.

Do YOU want to be the person standing with a clip board telling people to go home?

I am a CA member: YES

I am a CA committee member: NO

I think everyone should join but they should WANT to join. I do not want to belong to a club (which is what a CA is ) that has members that do not want to be members

Hmm, interesting food for thought.. might start looking at how I can ignore the 2 boat length rule at the mark.. the RYA can't force me to do it so it's pretty unenforceable.. the admin in a protest is too much as well.. don't get me wrong I think that people should follow the rule if they really want to.. and are perhaps sailing at an ISAF event.. but at club level.. not really no.

LOL :-)

Just a thought ... how about the builders make a significant contribution?

Some CAs adminiter their OD builder licences and charge a fee. Some SMOD builders are better than others. That way the builder is funding a service for their buyers.

No

Yes

Reason: CA membership should be FREE or as close to free as possible (with CA's making their money in other ways, merchandising (I own 2 Contender polo shirts that I would have happily paid an extra £5 for), open event fees etc) with a Generic 'Current Class Assoc Member' sticker to be shown when racing and a declaration on the membership renewal form. Peer pressure (or the odd protest) would enforce membership just like the RRS.

Yes

No

Results of the vote:

Mandatory for All Club Sailors   YES 1   NO 14

Mandatory for Racing Club Sailors   YES 6   NO 11

CA Members Voting   YES 15   NO 1

CA Committee Members Voting   YES 7   NO 9

Pretty conclusive for recreational sailors, but less clear cut for racing sailors

Of the 7 current or past CA commitee members that responded, only 2 voted YES to compulsorty CA membership for all racing sailors (interesting that a much higher proportion of non-committee members are in favour than committee members - may have something to do with the admin burden)

Only 1 respondee was not a CA member (heartening on face value, but might just reflect the readership and the fact that non members aren't interested)

Some points raised:

• The was a suggestion that some alternative funding arrangement could be explored, maybe involving the RYA in a central administrative role
• Builder contributions could be a possible source of funding fer new classes in early life, but this is not viable in the long term for established classes
• CAs were seen to be mainly the preserve of class racing sailors, which ignores a significant element of the work they do on behalf of the wider sailing fraternity
• Better promotion (and recognition) of CAs is needed to encourage new people to become involved in their association and maybe try out class sailing
• Class associations, and class racers at events, need to make special efforts to embrace newcomers
• Some form of association of class associations might be beneficial(Fastsail appear mainly to be aimed at the traditional classes)

So, do we go anywhere with this, or just leave it as no real need for change having chewed over the issues?