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IMPBA Minutes 2011

International Model Power Boat Association

2011 Regatta Board of Directors Meeting

Evansville, Indiana

August 4

th, 2011

7:00 PM Central Time

MINUTES

Present: Absent:

President, Kevin Sheren District 6, Allan Hoyle

Executive Secretary, John Equi National Technical Mono, John Finch

District 5, Paul Traufler National Scale Unlimited Director, Steve Peterson

District 12, Don Ferrette National O/B Director, James Clegg

District 14, Mike Schindler

Treasurer, Brian Schymik

Past President, Bill Zuber (also Safety Director)

Telephonically Meeting Visitors

District 1, Randall Thomas Bob Morton Ron Jefferson

District 2, Chris Rupley Steve Peterson Garry Geiselman

District 3, John Otto Bob Kensill Karen Kensill

District 4, Paul Bychowski Terry Keeley Dick Tyndall

District 7, Jim Nissen Walt Barney Tom Kelly

District 13, represented by Doug Smock

National Record Director, Doug Smock

National Fast Electric Director, Randall Thomas

National Gas Director, Chris Rupley

President Kevin Sheren called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM CST; Kevin mentioned that we have a

new District 7 Director, Jim Nissen and that Jim will introduce himself a bit later. Kevin then asked the

Secretary to take a roll call. Secretary determined a quorum was present for the meeting. The minutes

of the previous July 2010 meeting were accepted with a motion by PP Bill Zuber, and seconded by

Mike, D14; voice vote approval.

Treasurers Report

 

Secretary Pay

 

DISTRICT REPORTS

D1

 

D2

 

D3

 

D4

 

D5

 

D6

 

D7

 

D12

 

D13

 

D14

 

Fast Electric (FE)

 

Gas Director

 

Records Director

 

Safety

 

President’s Report

 

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OLD BUSINESS

Life Member Cards

 

Eastern Timing Set

 

Nitro Director

 

Don Ferrette is appointed. It would be his job

to actively seek clubs & locations for our Internats or Nats, whatever we need. Kevin called for a

motion & D2 offered motion. Mike, D14 seconded. Kevin asked Don to leave the room. Voice vote

was taken; all approved. Kevin added that he would like the position to eventually become a voting

position; someone would have to prepare a proposal.

Evansville Accident

 

 

New CD Test

 

New Rule Book

 

DSM Radios

 

Voting Procedures

 

Appointment of D7 Director & Vice President

 

Internet Hosting

 

Record Trial Safety

 

Final

outcome is to add wording to the rule book concerning the requirement for caution tape and/or

signs to protect spectators.

Weekend Memberships

– D4 explained that non-IMPBA members were running boats at a recent

Hobart race. Kevin told the Board that the race was temporally suspended, and then the Hobart people

ran on the water including the use of their people in the retrieve boat. D4 accepted the answer.

 

Temporary Structures

 

Executive Session

 

– Two Hall of Fame nominations were received. Dick Jones was selected by the

Board as the 2011 Hall of Fame member.

Motion to adjourn by D12, seconded by D2. Meeting adjourned at 9:23 PM.

5

– D4 had a question that was adequately answered by documentation that was

sent out by the Secretary. Short briefing was heard by Secretary concerning the insurance company &

temporary structures including bleachers. Kevin voiced additional comments about Hobart. IMPBA

does not “property” so therefore drivers stands are not covered by the General Liability Insurance.

Secretary did have a recent document from the insurance company that bleachers not owned by IMPBA

that are 4 seat rails or less could be covered, but they had stated reservations: no backrest or handrails

cause concern.

Kevin entertained comments by visitors for about 15 minutes on their local activities & opinions on the

regatta format this year called “National Champion”.

Kevin asked Randall Thomas to build a console to be used as a spare. Secretary will supply any needed

components. Randall will receive $200.00 if unit is shipped by Jan 1, 2012.

– Kevin asked Record Director, Doug Smock to explain his concerns. Kevin &

several members joined in conversation. Barrier tape was suggested at a 20 – 30’ distance. Safety

Director Zuber likes having something in the rule book. Kevin explained the insurance aspect of inthe-

book wording. Lengthy discussion by several visitors and most Board members followed.

– Kevin explained that Marc Levac has been providing IMPBA this service at a

yearly cost of $300.00. Kevin called for a motion to pay this fee; D1 entered the motion, D12

seconded, unanimous approval by voice vote. Kevin will pay Marc out of our PayPal account. We

also need to pay for the software we agreed to purchase last year.

4

Steve Peterson – Scale Director entered the room.

– Kevin asked the appointed D7 Director, Jim Nissen

to tell the Board about his boating activity, which he complied. (VP is Allan Hoyle)

– D12 proposal was tabled for a 2nd time.– Kevin and Past Tech Review Chairman, John Equi, went over DSM history from 2005

era. This resurgence of DSM was by a question from D6 Allan Hoyle concerning frequency flags and

impounding. D4 had additional questions of why IMPBA does not have an approval statement. Equi

has not seen any documentation from the FCC or radio manufacturers concerning this. Lively

discussion ensued by many Board members.

– Kevin expects to have the book on line by August 20, 2011.– Kevin called upon Chris Rupley & Doug Smock for a progress report. They are

awaiting the new rule book to prepare questions. They hope members taking the test will read the

book.

– Kevin received what he believes is the last bill. We will pay the bill immediately.

Our insurance bill could have easily tripled if we submitted a claim. The self pay will keep rates low.

The injured lady commended the Evansville club for installing fencing above & beyond her suggestion

of only in turn 6. Kevin will take the entire family out to dinner.

– Kevin outlined the primary function for the position that was previously authorized.

Tony Jacuzzi briefly held the position and at this time

– D12 Don Ferrette acknowledged the receipt of the third set of timing sensors

that completed the set, they were sent to John Finch. The full system would be used this fall. Kevin

thanked Randall for the console board he sent to Don.

– Kevin talked about the wording and distribution to the recipients. Treasurer

asked if there would be additional life memberships available; answer was maybe 4 or 5 more for 2012.

Bill Zuber had a few questions about someone else using a life member’s card; answer was that it is up

to the local clubs to make sure the card was not misused. D4 asked when the cards would be issued;

answer was in the 2012 season. D1 had a minor question which was answered. D7 was informed that

the cards are about .020 plastic with color laser printing. Secretary explained process of manufacturing

the cards, and that they are durable.

– The website is going really well & he expects to make a few minor changes.

There are no reported troubles, everyone seems happy. Bill Zuber inquired about the chat room on the

website, answer was not much activity.

– Bill has not heard of any accidents but did mention that the Evansville club has fenced off the

pond and it looked good. He cautioned all the clubs to conduct a yearly tear test if they were using

orange plastic netting vs. cloth netting. The sun could rot the plastic nets.

– Doug has nothing new, only what is on the agenda for safety coming up shortly.– Chris reported that the Gas Nationals will again be run in Celina, Ohio but signups are

slow. There are only 6 more weeks to sign up on line and the race will be held regardless of entries.

– Randall has seen Fast Electric grow very strong in selected areas, sporadic in

others. Nitro & gas racers that try electric are pleased with performance and Randall hopes all directors

are active in promoting FE activity. Every club in D1 is offering electric classes in their sanctioned

events, going very well. He thanked D2 Chris Rupley for allowing the Northern Lights club to use the

London club pond for a two-day FE event in September. They already have 37 boats registered with a

lot of interest from FE racers in Michigan. Some clubs are running “SPEC” classes locally.

– Mike explained that several races have been run. The Madison club had about 75 boats entered

and the Quad Counties club with Rocky Farmer had 2 races with 60 boats in each. This is Rocky’s first

full year running events. Evansville has also had 2 races with 120 – 140 boats and is conducting the

International regatta this week.

– Doug told everyone things are going very well but they had to move the dates for the Atlanta

Spring Nationals due to a conflict with the land owner. Their attendance is up at some races except the

upcoming Summer Sizzler event. Charleston races continue to excel, Southwest Georgia is doing well,

and nitro classes are active.

– Don said that everything is going well, but they had to reschedule some races. They have

completed most of their D12 point’s races and have seen a tremendous growth in Fast Electric new

members. District will have a SAW event in November; paperwork is on its way to Records Director

& the office.

– Jim has an IMPBA club in Round Rock, Texas but it does not have enough club members to put

on a race. He has talked with D7 clubs that went to NAMBA and not given up on them coming back

provided a local Dallas IMPBA race is successful. (Kevin thanked Jim for taking the Director position

for IMPBA).

– Absent– Paul mentioned the circumstances for moving the April Huntsville race to July due to the

tornadoes and no power in the city for several days. The turnout was very good with almost all racers

coming back plus a few new entries. The Huntsville pond is in great shape, the city is happy and 3 time

trials are planned in the fall. One of the time trials would be ¼ mile oval. No other active clubs in D5.

– Paul told us that they have already had 6 races and that he attended two of them which had poor

attendance due to gasoline cost and weather. One race date in D4 had to be changed at the last minute

which messed things up. They have 4 more races and he anticipates good attendance. He has met

several new district members.

2

– John explained that the only IMPBA race in D3 was the Orlando Winternationals and after talking

with race officials, the race will remain an IMPBA event for this year. He also spoke with Marty Davis

who is planning to have the first annual race called the “Florida Unlimited” which would be similar

format as the old “Indy Unlimited.” Marty wishes to have it sanctioned IMPBA, but the host club has

not voted on it yet. The event would be in November. John has heard that the pond water is real low at

a couple of northern Florida club ponds.

– Chris told us he has a full schedule, a couple of cancellations, moving dates around, but their

attendance was down 75% this year. A number of classes had to be cancelled, they are struggling

along.

– Randall reports they are halfway through the season & everything is going well. A couple of new

races are to be held, Torby Baker’s club in Medina has an excellent site & just held a fund run.

Hopefully, he will have a sanctioned race in 2012, if he can get more help to conduct the event. The

Ottawa club is back in full swing with over 21 members and plan a race on Labor Day weekend. The

City of Elmira has been a great help to the Southern Tier club with improving the drivers stand with

another raised platform and concrete launch ramp. Things are going well. Terry Keeley provided a

nice Roostertail report about the Northern Lights club race this past June which was well attended.

Randall expects things to go fine next year.

– Kevin then requested that John leave the room. After he left, Kevin explained how he

had worked really close with John over the last year due to a large number of changes. He came to a

realization of the large amount of work the secretary does. He also credited John’s wife, Judy, with

about 40% of the work doing data entry, bank, mail & other tasks. Kevin then mentioned he would like

to propose a nice monetary increase, and called for comments. All Directors voiced good comments.

Treasurer explained the percentages of secretary pay, & insurance vs. our total income. After the

Treasurer review, Kevin changed the amount to a higher value. Discussion ensued concerning the

original proposed amount vs. the higher amount. Kevin called for a district vote after the higher

amount was agreed to. Final outcome was unanimous; Secretary would receive a pay increase. John

returned to the room & heartily thanked the Board amid claps & cheers.

- IMPBA Secretary had prepared a financial document paper for Treasurer Brian

Schymik. Brian explains PayPal income & associated fees and the people like using it, & suggested we

continue to use it. Kevin mentioned that PayPal fee is 3.1%. Brian quickly figured it was about

$620.00 out of our annual budget. Brian gave the Board a rundown of available monies from the

checkbook, CD, and medical reserve account and that we had funds to reach year end. He further

related to the 5K medical account on why it was set up, which was a good move. Kevin mentioned that

the 5K medical was actually raised to 10K at the last meeting; this was the only change he noticed.

(Note: The 5K is in a separate account that was set up years ago, it can be combined with the general

account provided that a 10K earmark is noted in the financial document). Kevin then called for

questions.

1

D2 asked if IMPBA should raise dues that are paid by PayPal or would we absorb the charges. Kevin’s

personal opinion is to absorb them since we have cut out several expensive services to the members

such as mailing (Roostertail’s) which are now done over the Internet. The membership has picked up

since PayPal was implemented. D4 had several questions about hard copy & website items that were

answered by Kevin. D7 had questions about the 5K. Don Ferrette, D12 offered a motion to accept the

report. D7 had a late question concerning the secretary’s pay that was answered by Kevin. D14 then

seconded the motion to accept. Unanimous approval to accept with the 10K correction by voice vote.

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