It is apparent that NAHCA, Performance, MHC of US Sailing, CABB, OCRA, MASF, LEPHRF, CRAM, CRAW, MSA, SHBCC, etal have no interest in taking on the burden of a national umbrella organization.
And there obviously is a need to have someone step forward and be the overall organization to better draw together all the factions we have out there -- be it class, area, club, org, fleet, etal.
At the Key Largo Steeplechase this past weekend, Jill Nickerson presented at the awards a petition signed by nearly everyone in sight citing that we need such an organization and that Nigel Pitt should head it up. (This as a result of his being ousted from NAHCA as Commodore because of his views on being an all inclusive organization).
At this point Nigel is declining the position. And the point is that it does not have to be Nigel. Probably shouldn't be because it would immediately tick off the NAHCA folks and immediately alienate them from the umbrella organization.
When Mary Wells and I began sailing NAMSA was already in existance and under the rule of Dick Blanchard. It was truly a national umbrella organization that had an annual National Championship. It was great to see so many variations of cats and tris in one spot (by the way, this was in the pre-Hobie era).
Now, we are a nation of multihulls divided. Divided by class, area, weight, or whatever else. It is time to unite all of the classes, all of the fleets, all of the clubs, all of the organizations so they all aid and help each other to create bigger, better, more fun regattas and events.
We, at Catamaran Sailor Magazine will do anything and everything we can to help this movement.
Thanks for your participation,
Rick
PS: Pleae read the article written by Mary Wells a few years ago. Click on http://www.catsailor.com/NAMSA.html
Isn't USsailing, multihull council suppose to be this blanket organization?
There is a larger problem here IMHO. USSAILING needs to be more of a governing body than they are by taking a more active part in regattas and fleet building. The national organization is run more like a yacht club than a business. If you look at other national sanctioning bodies (nascar, cart, IHRA, IOPA, USGA, etc.) they are more active in promoting thier sports. Yet none of these organizations are sanctioned by the US congress (as USSAILING is) to do so.
We as members of USSAILING need to stand up, get active, and kick some butt at the national level, hold them responsible for their actions. Ask for a general accounting of funds, how they are spent, why they are spent that way, and ask questions of why every USAC team has never been sponsored/sanctioned by them (as everyother country has done). Then ask them what are they doing to promote OUR image? USSAILING is more than rules and dues. It's our national spokesman that should be drumming up support, advocacy, taking our issues back to congress. Hell, thats what congress formed them for!!!
Namsa is a great idea and its time has come but it should be part of a larger beast. That beast is USSAILING and it needs to get its act together.
Steve
It would seem then, that the first act of NAMSA should be to join US Sailing. I've always felt that US Sailing should take up this role, but the bottom line is that it probably will not happen in the manner we'd wish. Maybe they need some help. We should all join US Sailing under the mulithull "Golden Anchor" program anyway, and make our voice heard.
But, it probably is time for NAMSA as well. And NAMSA should join US Sailing. To help us, and to help them.
US Sailing's Multihull Council had already made the statement that they cannot be, nor will not be an umbrella organization.
Gordon Isco posted a long time ago with a title something like, "MHC: What it is, what it ain't"
And it was certainly not what we are talking about.
Certainly you both are very correct in that NAMSA must be a member of US Sailing. NAMSA could be a very powerful tool to work with US Sailing -- and that is the point.
There is little doubt of the need here. The problem is getting it organized with a constitution, officers, goals , etc. and then acting. And by all means, LISTEN TO THE SAILORS! (Hate to shout, but democracy can work very well.
Thanks,
Rick
We definatly need a national umbrella...I sail a H-20, I can still sail with H-20`s and everyone else at the same time...Perfect scenario. I may also consider buying a second boat if we can organize a national org.
One of the first questions that needs to be asked is, why do we need a national umbrella organization.
The answers may help to set some goals, and get moving.