Minutes of the Inaugural Meeting

of the

National Offshore Model Racing Association

held at

Hardingstone Village Hall

on Sunday 11th April 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danny Bell opened the meeting at 10.40am. The group agreed that Danny should act as facilitator and Stewart Rae act as note taker for the meeting.

 

Danny thanked everyone for attending and said that this was a momentous occasion. The group present would be able to look back in years to come and remember that they were the founder members of the association.

He said that our new association would be built on pride.  Pride in how we race, pride in how we run things and pride in everything about NOMRA.

 

It was pointed out that, technically, no one was yet a NOMRA member.  The meeting agreed that all in the room were potential members and could therefore vote.

It was also agreed that Mark Wild would also represent Mike Barnes in proxy voting.

Danny, as facilitator rather than Chairman, would also be allowed to vote.

 

Election of Officers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was noted that the Child and Vulnerable Person Protection Officer should be CRB checked by the association, even though he may hold a current certificate in another role.

 

Club Representatives

 

It was clarified that, in NOMRA, club representatives had full committee status, with the rights and responsibilities of a committee post.

Although elected by their own club members, the following names had been submitted for these positions:

Branston and Kingsbury - Dave Clay

Telford - Giles Ponting

Stevenage - Bill Warder

Leicester - Marie Burdett

Willen - Geoff Stent

 

Communications

 

The Association is hoping to use more electronic means for discussions and will have clear lines of communication from committee to members and vice versa on a regular basis, rather than have everything brought to one annual meeting.  Members would know that ideas and issues had been thoroughly considered by many before being brought to the AGM.

David Shaw suggested that members who were not in clubs should be offered the contact details of the nearest club representative.  This may encourage them to join that club and, as Mark Wild suggested, the association would benefit from improved 2 way communication with local members.

 

Methods of communication to potential members were discussed and initial thoughts were that, as well as the website and magazine articles, the club reps would take an active role in promoting the association at local level.

 

Stewart Rae, after ensuring that everyone had a copy of the appropriate document, then presented the following for discussion:

 

Constitution and Rules

 

Each point was discussed and the following changes made to the draft document:

 

Objectives - Harry Pinder suggested that the word “Offshore” be added to 2.1 and 2.2.

Membership - it was clarified that the committee would examine and approve all applications.

3.2 - the word “age” was added.

5.1 - the word “race” was removed as it was noted that some NOMRA events may not be races.

5.4 - it was clarified that the only person in the association who does NOT have a vote is the Chairman, but he does have a casting vote, when required.

7.3 - Mark Beesley suggested having two auditors. It was felt that one would be sufficient in the first year, but this could be looked at later, depending on how fast the membership grew.

8.3 - Stewart Rae advised that the legislation for un-incorporated associations states that, if a charity has not previously been nominated, on dissolution of the association, all remaining monies goes to the government and not to the members.

9 - Mark Wild discussed health and safety with the meeting, and advised them that the statement was available but had not been added to the Constitution and Rules yet.  He then read out the statement.

He clarified that a general risk assessment will take place at all venues, but a further risk assessment will be carried out by OOD’s immediately before each event as part of the preparations.

Robin Butler brought up the subject of First Aiders. The committee will add information on the subject to the guidelines available to event organisers. Mark Wild stated that there will also be an accident report form or book available at each event.

 

Racing Rules

 

11.4 - It was requested that this rule should be deleted as it is very difficult to implement. After discussion, it was amended to allow unprotected exhaust protrusions up to 2.5” (65mm) after which it must be shielded.  The rule was rewritten accordingly.

11.7 - An objection to this rule was made and the matter was discussed together with 11.8.  Ian Searle advised that some boats currently allowed to race are less than the 20 deg deadrise angle.  In order to continue through the rules, it was decided that a vote would be held at the end when all amendments could be agreed together.

Geoff Thompson pointed out that the rule requiring scale drivers in open cockpit boats had been omitted.  It was agreed that this rule would be added as a minimum of one head and shoulders figure.

Twin engines were discussed and it was agreed that the maximum capacity could consist any number of engines in any configuration.

A request to increase the capacity in “D” class was discussed and rejected.

The use of “AVGAS” was discussed and it was agreed that the rule to only allow “unleaded” or “super unleaded” petrol would remain.

David Shaw requested that a rule forbidding the recircling of missed buoys be added.  After discussion a large majority of the group agreed, so this rule will be added.

Sue Butler asked that a rule be added to prevent distracting the lap scorers during racing. This was agreed and the rule added to section 13.

Some discussion took place regarding the switching on of transmitters during racing, including the increasing use of 2.4GHz. It was noted that although 2.4GHz did not interfere with other radios, ALL radios must remain switched off when not actually racing. This rule is now added.

15.7 was amended to include the fact that waders should not be worn when in the rescue boat.

18.1 was changed from “Concours d’Elegance” to “Best Competing Boat”.

 

The subject of trophies was discussed and although some felt that trophies were an unnecessary expense, it was agreed that NOMRA would purchase annual trophies but the question of alternatives would be looked into during the year.

 

A rule was added stating that abuse of any kind would not be tolerated.  This was to also include swearing at any time.

 

A vote was then held as to whether rule 11.7 (2” side height) would be kept.  The votes were 12 for and 6 against.  This rule will remain.

 

A further vote was held on rule 16.9 (collision with a dead boat) being kept. Voting was 8 for and 12 against. This rule will be deleted.

 

All sections of the Constitution and Rules were then accepted.

 

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2.00pm.

 

 

 

 

Please note that these minutes refer to the

National Offshore Model Racing Association (NOMRA)

 

Following a democratic decision by all members of NOMRA, the name has now been changed to the

British Model Powerboat Racing Society  (BMPRS)

 

May 2010