What do you want for your class association?

[Donald]

As a new owner and new to the forum, I have benefited hugely from the posts and photos to help me get started, so I would plead for the forum to continue. Not really sure what the Association is - is there a constitution or terms of reference or membership fee?

I think in the digital age, and with a wide and thinly spread ownership, a forum on the internet is the perfect 'association' for us and should go on. If I was not already committed on the work front and running a band I would take it on, so perhaps in three years' time...

Please, someone pick up the baton

[Ru88ell]

Not really sure what the Association is - is there a constitution or terms of reference or membership fee?

Please, someone pick up the baton

The Association was started and run unilaterally by Simon Head. I took over earlier this year, but have tried to move it from a 'one man show' to a more collegiate basis with a 'virtual committee' to make decisions about shaping the future. People on the 'VC' see another section on the forum, and contribute to house keeping topics as well as boat related ones. It doesn't take up any time really, but we need input from others.

Regarding fees - there is currently a 'lifetime' fee of £25, although this may cause a problem in the future as there can only be so many members and costs may, in time, swallow that fund. Simon Head currently is the only person with access to the association funds. A number of us have suggested that we change the fee to a £5 or £10 annual one, to ensure that there is money into the future, and that is exactly what needs to be discussed by the VC.

If anyone wants to contribute to the VC let me know and I'll give them access.

[Chris Wicks]

I am full of respect and admiration for what Simon set up and achieved. I know Simon thinks the virtual committee is a good development, but as Russell has found out it is not that easy to motivate a moderate number of very happy Cape Cutter owners to get together. My boat Kaliope (67) is based in Greece and is unlikely to travel to other sailing grounds in the near future because the one we have offers us endless sailing possibilities and adventures on our door step.

I'm on the virtual committee but there has not been much to discuss. Our association has the loosest of structure and that has suited us thus far. Many of us have reasons for not wanting to take on the Simon / Russell role of leading our association so now is the time we must wait and see who wants to step forward and pick up the reigns. It is probably not a highly demanding role and the association needs to then decide how and in what way it wants to operate. At the basic level it is a loose collection of CC19 owners or enthusiasts who communicate via this site and the Facebook Page.

As a first step does anyone want to be involved in the on going development of our association... If so then ask to be included on the virtual committee. It does not seem to matter right now whether you have paid a subscription or not, the initial joining fee that some of us paid some time ago got things started, there is still a little left in the pot I think (Simon Head is our virtual treasurer as he has the funds). But without some new committee members putting a bit of structure to where we go in the future the association will probably flounder.

Cheers

Chris Wicks
CC19 67 Kaliope

[Simon Head]

Hi Everyone

With the funds in the paypal account (approx £700.00) the Association is not going to run out of money for a few years yet!

It is being sitting in the Paypal account dormant. When I handed over the Association forum and site I did state that this required sorting. As it is it any bills (only hosting and domain name registrations) will just get paid.

However with no means of generating income now (I charged for advertising boats and a one off fee of £25.00) at some time this requires to be addressed.

Kind regards

Simon Head
cc40 "Halcyon"

http://www.inspiration19.com

ps regarding mods I have included David Pecks hatch mods in my site about "Halcyon". This was in the original site and is of interest- it would have resolved Mike Brookes hatch leak (if you have read his book). EVERYONE with a Cape Cutter 19 should read this (I do not know whether HM have incorporated this mod- I will speak to Bob about this).

pps Thank to David for letting me publish on my site. It was a mod I did on "Halcyon's hatch)

[Greybeard]

I must say, Simon, I enjoyed cruising through Inspiration19.com - the highlight was spotting my Falcon (39) under sail - with her ever so slightly younger sister, Halcyon, at Milford Haven.

With regard to the future funding of the Association and its running costs, I for one would be more than happy to contribute - either by way of an annual fee or a one-off payment. It's only fair that everyone who benefits should chip in.
Once I get Falcon out on the water, I hope to be in a position to contribute a little more to the content of the forum. I have been an inveterate tinkerer with the Drascombe and I see no reason why the Cape Cutter should have any immunity from similar treatment over the coming years.

Steve