I dont have a clear idea of what national associations really are for. I imagine they have some strategic goals like
growing the class
and some practical tasks like making a yearly nationals happen. But what else are national associations for, what do they do, in concrete terms, and what do sailors expect of the association?
I ask becouse we might want to start either a scandinavian F16 class association, or a norwegian F16 class association. But we can't really make a decision until we are certain about what we are deciding on.
The two big things that US Sailing provide to us in the USA are, Rules (they send you a
free
rule book, for the $50 membership) and insurance for the regatta organizers. Oh, and they don't support cats racing in the Olympics, so we have that going for us... <img src=
alt=
/>
I think biggest responsibility is to arrange some activity for their members. Also there needs to be a contact for people interested in joining the class, most successful classes are those that provide help for new members and share their knowledge with class members.
As a small group it's always difficult to form a organization, that would mean that all members are really active in class (doesn't happen often, possible in small class though). Forming a scandinavian association would make class bigger i.e. there would be more members and thus hopefully something more than separate national organizations. Life could also be more difficult if for example national sailing federations might not be interested in providing their services for scandinavian class association.
Even if nordic association is not formed i.e. we see that local organizations are better I would suggest that we would try to co-operate and try to have some nordic happening every now and then (racing would be nice <img src=
alt=
/>).
Rolf: I think you mean National Class Associations? (F16, F18, etc) and not National Sailing Associations (Like US Sailing)?
If I look at the F18 class, we have local officials who are responsible for weighting crew at class events, measuring boats and sails, communicate national issues with the International class association, maintain the websites, marketing, bid for Worlds, etc.
Maybe its an idea to read through the F18 meeting minutes to get more information?
A national (or reginoal) class association is formed when you have members spread about the region and organization is needed to further the goals of the class.
A national class organization can agree and enforce a standard for the quality of the regatta for a nationals. eg certified judges, PRO's. level of facilities and support boats, etc etc. It tries to ensure a level of performance across the clubs which host championship regattas.
Obvious jobs for the class are aranging for the conduct of a championship regatta that serves the national interest of all of the sailors. Your dues provide the grease to make an event happen at Club X.
Manage scheduling conflicts by sanctioning (eg Hobie Points events) so that host clubs are not torqued by sailors forced to choose between events.
A national class makes it clear that supporting the class means supporting the X Y and Z events. The alternative is to just let it happen that the class gets a turnout at an event. (realize that many class sailors may NOT share that commitment and prefer to focus on their local scene and so the class must keep everyone on the same page)
Other ideas include promote the boat and class through marketing xxx
The national class organziatztion maintains the culture of the class, presuumably each individual fleet reflects this culture and generates the culture. (Family oriented. Superior competition and serious racing, Laid back, no worries racing. whatever)
If the class is not international sanctioned or organized ... it manages the equipment rules for the group as well.
Other things would include things like:
Maintain a program to support attendance at nationals.
(see class strength thread)
Maintain a development program for young sailors in the class
Provide the organization to host a worlds event.
Organizes resources that a local fleet could call on. Eg... coaching or clinics for national/elite sailors.
Sorry for any confusion, I was thinking about national/regional class assocs. and specifically the F-16.
So, the tasks for a national F-16 association in a short list could be:
Organize good and fair nationals (notice, not actually arranging, but making it happen)
Further the goals of the class (which need to be defined quite clearly so progress can be measured).
Supervise and market the event schedule.
Get access to assets like coaches. Handle development programs etc.
??
Valtteri,
I would also like to meet for a scandinavian/nordic event! Very much so.. But I dont know what would be the best organizational form for us (you, me and everybody else up here). I was hoping to get some input in this thread so we could make an informed decision. Do you know of more F-16s in scandinavia?
Exposure, credibility and unity. People are gregarious. They need the approval of others, through joint participation.
From the USF16 Constitution, Section 2: Objectives
a) Promote and develop USF16 Class racing under the International Formula 16 Class Rules.
b) Organize National Championships on an annual basis for Formula 16 Catamarans sailing in both one up and two up combinations as per the International Class Rules.
c) To assist in the development of regional groups of Formula 16 sailors within the United States of America.
I am not implying the USF16 Class Association is meeting all those objectives.