Page 44 - Folk Boat Year Book 2023

has resulted in a lot more, but shorter, meetings. He thanked SK for coming to
so many 'Zoom' meeting where ever she was and for all her support over the
past four years. Finally he thanked the Committee and the members for
giving him the opportunity to serve another year.

4. Secretary’s Report for 2022.
2022 was a busy year, personally the Secretary (NH) did more on a
Committee Boat than on a Folkboat. Race officering at the Taittinger,
Folkboat Week ending with the Sessan Cup. She thanked the Committees
who so ably organised both Folkboat Week and the Sessan Cup for all their
hard work to make both weeks such a success. This time last year it was
decided to streamline the subscription bands and to put up the subscriptions
by a modest amount. We were aware that this might result in a loss of some
members. This proved to be the case with about 27 members not paying at
all, even with a reminder. Since only Five members actually resigned, it is
difficult to know exactly why there was such a large drop out.
Associates tend to me members for a short time, then of course boats are
sold, scrapped or sit in sheds or gardens! We did however welcome 14 new
members, 9 full members and 5 Associates.
There has been quite a turnover of boats; sadly a few boats have left
Lymington, however Lymington’s loss is somewhere else’s gain, we are
hoping that there will soon be enough boats on the Medway to form a fleet
there. We are also trying to raise the enthusiasm of the owners in the West
Country, where I think I am in touch with more British Folkboats than
Nordics. We need to find someone to get them together.
I have had a lot of technical questions recently which I pass swiftly on to
David Gredley (Technical Chairman). Ed Donald has also helped with
preparing boats for the Round the Island Race and what the IRC Rules entail.
NFIA is working on clarification of some of the Nordic Rules and are working
hard on encouraging younger members. The Dutch Association is active
again and there is talk of there being enough boats in Canada to form an
Association there.

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