John,

How about getting a yearly report from each Area rep about what the current status of cat racing in the Area is.

What OD classes are active in the area.
What is the status of open class racing.
Do you have many dead boats actively racing.
How active is the racing scene (Schedule)
What percentage of each fleet is turning out for events.
What are the trends for each one design fleet
What is the status of your area qualifier and the racers interest in a National Championship?
What is the status of Junior Sailing? Names and numbers.
What is the status of charity or special sailing activities (Special Olympics).
What is the contact information for the Class leader in each area?

Combined with information from the national class leadership... I would say the MHC could then make informed judgments and recommendations on just what the MHC and each area might focus on.

The contact list of class leaders in each area would allow the MHC to keep the leadership informed and they would be able to get information out to the rank an file.

The reports would be published (See the Hobie Class assn div reports).

I view this as a reality check... For example, in the matter of qualifiers for the USSA championship... Area C has been struggling for years to find the right formula.... If the other Area's have similar issues, a consensus can form to change and then the push to change up the structure can gain some traction forward. If we just react to the predictable crisis ..... nothing positive seems to ever happen.