Indeed Mark, you give a few accurate describtions of what is intended.

I would liek to underscore ones more that there are multiple reasons for the setup. No single one is dominant.

To all I would direct that all the work that was done already in the class needs to be rewarded in some way. The best way to do that is to support the volunteers and show your appreciation of the work they do and have done by coming out to the events or show the F16's in local open class regatta's.

No volunteer is doing this because it makes them rich or because trying to satisfy everybody is such enjoyable work. We all do this because we really want to see this work. Because we really have a good concept and setup here that is worth working for.

The Gulfport group worked at getting the annual A-cat/F16 championship established. The Aussie sailors organised the state challenges. I did the DCC thing last year. Scott McCook did the Asian challenge. Now Bard Louis in Netherlands has worked to get the 2005 F16 Dutch event calender sorted and accepted. He is now working to organise a trim clinic for us Dutch F16 sailors. What better to reward their efforts then by participating or participating an open regatta were the volunteers participate as well. So they see some return for their efforts. We can of course ask for money as membership fee but my experience is that volunteer consider participations or additional volunteers as alot more reward for their own efforts than an arguable small amount of money.

Like I said we are not doing this for money or such gain. We all are doing this for the smiles on other peoples faces. For the sight of seeing several F16's on the start line. And the membership requirements aims to adress this in a more formula way.

Wouter