Rick has given us several great ideas for mission and goals, but I'm still a little foggy as to how we differ from other organizations. Are we looking to be more of a AAA for multihulls in that we could offer group discounts for things like insurance, travel, etc, more like US Sailing in their education programs and race organization, or more like a political action committee supporting an agenda? Are we duplicating things already in place by the organizations we solicit to join? If we do, are we looking to improve them utilizing the larger economies of scale of NAMSA?
Thanks for the help!
Jay
The way I see it, the answer is
yes.
To all of it. Why not?
If we can use the larger scale to get discounted insurance and other perks, let's go.
If we can assimilate information about all sorts of boats in one place, that would be a good thing. How much time have you spent surfing the net for information on boat setup? How many times have you answered the same questions about rigging and tuning?
I don't think there's anywhere on the Net that offers downloads of racing forms such as entry forms, scoring forms, NORs, etc.
But that's just me, and I'm only one person here... Rick is El Jefe...
sea ya
tami
Tami, re source for Regatta forms, a good source is now on the net. Go to www.hobieclass.com, and click on Regatta Material. This info can be use by all classes of Cats. Caleb
An excellent suggestion on the resources we could provide! I hadn't thought about tuning guides, etc. Online would reduce overhead, as well.
I am working on seeing if we can get any group rates on insurance (health, boat, life, etc), but at this point, no one has concrete numbers (of NAMSA members that would be interested), so the rates may not be competitive at this time. Perhaps after we're established a little, we will have more barganing power.
Speaking of official stuff...would NAMSA be recognizing or establishing credentials for things such as RC, judges, etc?
Would they host a "traveling road show" that might include Rick's "Go Fast -- Now" seminars?
What about (AFTER the $$ rolls in) sponsorship of races (i.e. triple crown in FL, etc.)?
Just some questions....
Jay
Jay,
We definitely need to establish some guide lines and recommendations for RC and other organizers. However, we don't need to use things that NAHCA has developed (get in trouble!).
Kudos on the insurance. If nothing else, it would be great to have some "ballpark" numbers for given scenarios.
I'm uneasy about establishing credentials for RC, judges, and all simply because that's a lot of detail to keep up with and could be stiffling to anyone wanting to hold a NAMSA regatta. Instead, how about a "Recognized Achiever" certification for those RC and judges that work very hard adn are good at what they do? This would not be as formal as a certification process.
Personally, I think our focus for events is not to be a sponser but to be the sanctioning body. We should work hard to obtain business community sponsors for major events but our money is going to be far to limited to try and fund major events outside of a nationals.
Sorry folks,
I have been teaching two back to back seminars, will have to run the Hogsbreath-Keys 100 this weekend, and then will be off on the Worrell 1000 Coverage the following week, so am running crazy at the time.
I believe the overall scheme is to lay out the goals and recruit folks that have an interest in each of those goals. Then have them head up a committee to map out a plan to reach those goals. That is one of the great things in our constitution is the Committee feature.
For example, someone asked about Women in Sailing and will NAMSA address that. Of course we should, and so the person asking is now interested in heading up the Committee for women.
At any rate, gotta get back on the water.
See ya,
Rick
I think I get your idea. If NAMSA were to sanction an event, would it recommend certain "standards" for the RC (for instance)? Would they advise that the hosts have these "acheivement certificates"? I agree that the licensing stuff would probably be too time consuming for most, but someone on the RC should have some idea of procedure, protests, etc. or at least where to find this information. NAMSA could be this resource for the hosts.
Should we outline standards for a regatta to be "sanctioned" by NAMSA? How would the organizers benefit from this sanctioning?
Sorry, I've been tied up with work and have just gotten back into this. If I'm not fully up to speed I apologize.
From a business side of the coin we need to look at what NAMSA brings to other groups other than our "clients" (the members).
If NAMSA sets up "sanctioning" rules then we have a blueprint to follow in order to discribe what we can offer a sponsor.
With mass of members then we can offer package clients to insurers, hotels, rental agencies, banks, etc.
It is really not a cart and horse issue. It is more of a direction that we need to take --- basically set goals and make them easy to achieve.
The best way to do this is to arrange a conference call for all parties (board members, officers, associates, etc) to discuss direction, focus, and to set guidelines and time tables.
I offer the services of my company to facilitate this call.
As for setting standards that is what NAMSA should do period.
My humble two cents worth.
Steve
Right on, Steve!
Sorry about my absence this past few weeks and until about mid June -- seminars back-to-back, the Worrell and three more back-to-back seminars. Still gotta make a living.
At any rate, I love the strength of the group we have and we just need to keep at it.
Any ideas are good ones, it appears.
Rick
Thanks Rick.
Maybe we should send out an email to all concerned in order to start the process of working a call into everyone's schedule.
Any thoughts??
Steve
okee dokee, lemme know when
tami