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 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.
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– D4 had a question that was adequately answered by documentation that wassent 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 ayearly 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.
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Steve Peterson – Scale Director entered the room.
– Kevin asked the appointed D7 Director, Jim Nissento 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 2005era. 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 areawaiting 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 sensorsthat 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. Treasurerasked 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 thepond 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 areslow. 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 inothers. 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 enteredand 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 AtlantaSpring 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 havecompleted 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 puton 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 thetornadoes 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 poorattendance 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.
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– John explained that the only IMPBA race in D3 was the Orlando Winternationals and after talkingwith 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 theirattendance 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 newraces 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 hehad 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 BrianSchymik. 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.
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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.