What I am saying is that there are lots of us who do things down at the grass roots level to get more people involved in sailing, to provide communication to sailors in various ways, to teach sailing and get kids into it, to provide clinics, etc.

But there are only a few people who are doing the work up at the top of the ladder in the US Sailing network. And most catamaran sailors just don't give a darn about that top-level stuff, because we don't see how it affects us at the bottom of the ladder.

Do you see what I mean? I hope? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

http://groups.google.com/group/multihull_council

Info about it was posted here earlier. Ref: http://www.catsailor.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=Test&Number=128132

Jeremy's right - let's take a breath. There's enough folks already throwing rocks at us without we start throwing at each other. This thread has been good in that I found out I missed two people I needed to have caught on the initial mailing. In addition, Tad has gently reminded me that we talked about using the Googlegroup to avoid just this sort of thing.

That said - it is literally impossible to get 100% participation. It was great that we had a good call - it will be good to get that level of participation again in the future, and it is very likely that the make-up of the participants will be different. Nature of the beast.

Now - who wants to be Chairman? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi John,

I just wanted to acknowledge your contributions to the formation of the International Mulithull Council and serving as a Vice President of the Organization.

As I reported to the Chesapeake Fleets,... we individually need to buy you a beer for personally stepping up and paying for the USA Dues this year as well.

You should DRINK FREE THIS YEAR!

My thanks for taking the lead on this issue.

Mark Schneider
CRAC and Cheasapeake A Cats.

Mark

Okay, here's the problem. Lots of us work very hard for the sport at the local level -- dealers, class associations, sailing clubs, sailing centers which are the grass roots to get people into sailing in the first place, sailing schools, clinics, fleets, etc. Those are the people who keep sailing going.

We are all involved in our own little sailing worlds, and we don't really see what the connection is to US Sailing and to the Multihull Council. So that is the major problem with getting volunteers for that upper echelon. It's like, what does that have to do with ME? And I think the same thing.

Somebody has to figure out a way to make multihull sailors think there is a major reason to support the Multihull Council and join US Sailing.

All the work that John Williams and others have been doing recently on behalf of getting the multihull back into the Olympics has given us a REALLY good reason to support our Multihull Council -- and the only way to do that is by joining US Sailing through the Multihull Council's Golden Anchor Program, so US Sailing will know you are a multihull sailor. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I am so proud of John and the work he has done on behalf of multihulls. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

He gets a BEER for paying the dues?? How many beers do you think he can drink?

I guess you must be talking about the U.S. Multihull Council dues to the International Multihull Council? Why would John have to pay those dues himself? This is extremely embarrassing! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Rick and I will certainly chip in money to help cover the dues to the IMC. I know the Multihull Council does not have a budget from US Sailing.

Nobody but you can do it, John. I hope there is not a limit on holding that office.

First, I would like to suggest public stonings.

Second, is Ingram still our Rep? Was he on the call? I got my rock ready...

Why are you directing that post to me? I have already admitted that I am apathetic about our national leadership. So cast the first stone at me. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I volunteer to get stoned. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Well... I thought about that... 96 boats at Spring Fever... if every body gets him one beer.....

Should be enough! Do you think we should get him a second one???

Wow, this is the greatest thread ever! People are actually thinking about the Multihull Council. It's okay if you want to think bad things about Barb and me, as long as you think positively about getting involved. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> BACKLASH!!

You look like you already are <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

A few comments if I may. Please do not repremand people (paid or volunteer) in public. Please DO praise peoples efforts in public. We will get alot more people involved this way. Feel free to not volunteer if you are so inclined, but please do not complain about the state of our sport or Olympic status unless you are making an active effort to effect a change.
People have asked what specifically they can do to help, it has been suggested that they write a letter to members of an Olympic council (sorry I am too tired to look it up). There was a large repsonse about the difficulty/cost to do so since email was not an option and they are overseas. So I will offer this. Write your letters and mail them to 1701 Mulberry Dr., Richmond, Texas, 77469, and will forward them overseas at my expense. John, I assume you can get me a name and address they need to go to?
Lets all either be part of the solution, or refrain from commenting about the sorry shape we are in.

There absolutely ARE term limits. I was elected in November 2006. I will term-out in 2009. I am actively seeking a Vice-Chair.

Can't you change your name? Or maybe have your wife run for the office? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I heard Ding wanted to do it... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sorry, Collin, but you are wrong, at least in terms of the Multihull Council and US Sailing. Somebody NEEDS to comment on it, and I'm glad that Barb Short started this.

The Multihull Council was formed in, I think, 1985. We STILL have some of the same basic people involved that were running it back then. It was so nice to hear their voices on the teleconference. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> And, of course, my voice is old, and Rick's voice is old. So where were all the new, and younger, voices?

Now that's an interesting point to ponder, Mary. Our area G rep is 35. That's pretty young for cat sailors <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Where ARE all the young guys anyway?

My guess is they are busy with raising young children and trying to buy a house... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />