TSCA Council Meeting June 2, 2002, aboard Patina
TSCA Special Council Meeting June 2, 2002, aboard Patina

The
Traditional
  Small
    Craft
      Association
                P.O. Box 350
                Mystic, CT  06355

National Meeting Minutes 2003

TRADITIONAL SMALL CRAFT ASSOCIATION
MEETING OF THE COUNCIL (92 KB PDF)
8 JUNE 2003
MYSTIC SEAPORT

TRADITIONAL SMALL CRAFT ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING (76 KB PDF)
7 JUNE 2003
MYSTIC SEAPORT

TRADITIONAL SMALL CRAFT ASSOCIATION
WINTER MEETING OF THE COUNCIL (28 KB PDF)
9 MARCH 2003
DETAILED REPORTS (190 KB PDF)
MYSTIC SEAPORT

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National Meeting Minutes 2002

TRADITIONAL SMALL CRAFT ASSOCIATION
MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
3 JUNE 2002
MYSTIC, CT

Call to order was made at 1005 hours by John Weiss.

Tom Shephard, newly elected council member, introduced himself to the board.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

President: Andy Wolfe nominated John Weiss to a second term which was seconded by Tim Weaver. The nomination was unanimously passed.

Vice President: Tom Shepherd nominated Andy Wolfe which was seconded by John Weiss. The nomination was unanimously passed.

Secretary: John Weiss nominated Peter Vermilya to a second term which was seconded by Andy Wolfe. The nomination was unanimously passed.

Treasurer: John Weiss nominated Frank Durham to another term which was seconded by Eleanor Watson. The nomination was unanimously passed.

MINUTES

The minutes of the last meeting were posted on the TSCA web site. A motion to dispense with the reading was made by Andy Wolfe and seconded by John Weiss. A motion to approve the minutes was made by John Weiss and seconded by Tom Shepherd. The minutes were approved as written.

REPORTS:

Secretary:

Peter Vermilya asked that we refer to the report of 1 June. Peter continued by reporting that we have a stock of pocket calendars remaining for 2002. It was recommended that we disperse the balance of the stock to the chapters and that we end the practice of sending pocket calendars to sponsor members. Peter said that the TSCA database does not have complete chapter membership. He also recommended that email addresses be added to the data base for all members with the service. Eleanor Watson can be emailed through Peter.

Treasurer:

Frank Durham asked that we refer to the report of 1 June. Frank asked for a proposed operating budget for 2003 by John Weiss. John said that Dan Drath has provided an Ash Breeze projection. Frank commented that he has a good handle on the income and expenses, the first time in a long time.

Frank said, the mail forwarding time table is not working properly; it is taking too long. Dan Drath suggested a new 'Mail Boxes Etc.' type post box forwarding service be used by the organization. Peter Vermilya said he would research the opportunity and email report to the council.

Frank also recommended that we fund, up front, Ken Steinmetz' expenses related to the mailing of the Ash Breeze. John Weiss moved to advance Ken's expenses for mailing the journal. Tom Shepherd seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Membership:

Chauncy Rucker, Chapter Coordinator, reported a new Florida Chapter. And, he said he would provide an updated list of chapters to Messing About In Boats. Dan Drath asked about the Gulf Coast Heritage Chapter requesting advertising space for the chapter in the Ash Breeze. Andy Wolfe said we can accept the ad as a sponsor membership ad, and that he would contact them through the web site.

Chauncy Rucker reported his explorations with EBSCO opportunities with libraries across the USA. He said EBSCO would get an electronic license of the content for delivery online or by CD. They would also be subscription agents and sell hard copy of the Ash Breeze. Rucker said there would be no infringement on copyrights or ownership of the content of the journal. The TSCA will be paid by a formula resulting in 20% of the net revenues. Rucker said he would get answers to the questions regarding sevice refernces, writer questions, PDF copy and back issues.

Wares:

John Weiss talked with Myron Young and Bruce Thurston… The bottom line is Bruce no longer wants the job. Andy Wolfe offered Tom Shephard's wife, Sharon, to handle the job. Tom said he would ask and report back on her interest in the job.

The Ash Breeze:

Dan Drath passed out cost sheets, actual and projected, for the publication. He requested an increase in the press run for the Membership Drive. He also said he is looking to EBSCO to have all back issue of the Ash Breeze on CD. Advertising space rates were discussed and a proposed schedule (attached) was distributed. Andy Wolfe will make a full proposal to council for the 2003 publishing year. Tim Weaver volunteered to assist with advertising sales.

Web:

John Weiss said a National Events Page will be added to the www.tsca.net site and he will post events as they are received. He also asked to have a webmaster for each chapter.

Gardner Grants:

Ben Fuller delivered a written report (attached). It was suggested that we ask Ben to do an article for the Ash Breeze to energize requests for grants. Tim Weaver will write Ben with the request.

OLD BUSINESS:

Legislative:
Russ Smith was not present but had requested we refer to the report of 1 June.

Dues:

A motion was made by Tom Shephard to increase the annual dues to $20. The motion was seconded by John Weiss. Discussion included four levels of membership for the 2003 year. The increase in basic membership dues must be made by a vote of the membership. An insert in the Ash Breeze will serve as the ballot. Sponsor level (and above) membership dues changes do not require a full membership vote, and will be included in the report Andy Wolfe is preparing with regard to advertising in the Ash Breeze.

Membership:

It appears we have 250 "AWOL" memberships. Frank Durham is tracking them down and updating the data base.

Boat/US:

John Weiss reported on the member benefits of association with the Boat/US organization, especially with regard to legislative and insurance issues. He will continue to develop the relationship and will report to council members by email.

NEW BUSINESS:

Andy Wolfe reported that the US Coast Guard Back Yard Boat Builder is riddled with errors in nearly every example regarding computation of their formulas. Wolfe reported that he has come across over 25 mistakes, and urged the TSCA to request the Coast Guard (even through Congress) to correct the manual and reissue correct text. Since many of the members of the TSCA are amateur boat builders, member safety is at risk if the text as written is depended upon. John Weiss suggested that Russ Smith draft a letter and contact the Coast Guard with our concerns.

The meeting was adjourned at 1330 with the loss of quorum, as some members had long distances to travel home.

Respectfully submitted,
Andy Wolfe, Recording Secretary

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TRADITIONAL SMALL CRAFT ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
2 JUNE 2002
MYSTIC, CT

Call to Order - John Weiss, President, at 1650 hours:

John thanked Mystic Seaport for the meeting space at the Galley Restaurant then introduced the TSCA Council Officers, the Secretary and Treasurer, the Gardner Grant Advisory Board, Dan Drath, Editor of the Ash Breeze, and Chauncy Rucker, the Chapter Coordinator. He also introduced the candidates for election to council.

Secretary's Report:

Treasurer's Report:

Wares Report:

Bruce Thurston was not present and no report was given. Peter Vermilya will be looking at the inventory.

Chapter Coordinator's Report:

Chauncy Rucker reported that the new Gulf Coast Heritage Chapter has sent in by-laws. He has also updated the chapter listings in Messing About In Boats magazine with publisher Bob Hicks. He said that reorganizing activities in Potomac, Barnegat Bay and Upper Chesapeake Bay have been undertaken. He indicated that he passed along updated chapter information to Dan Drath for the Ash Breeze and asked to be inundated with "stuff" from chapters regarding their activities.

Ash Breeze Editor's Report:

Dan Drath reported that the journal is back on schedule (see attachment A3) and in 2003 will return to a quarterly (4) issue (see attachment A4) of the publication. Drath said that the move to bring the layout and pagination of the journal "in house" has been accomplished with a savings of $1.85 per copy (see attachment A2) and requested an increase in press run to 1,200 copies. Dan requested assistance with the sale of the journal to maritime museums. Dick Butz of the Scajauquada Chapter, Buffalo, NY volunteered to be the museum contact person.

Printing of the journal was put out to bid and the current printer has offered the best price. Dan reported that we have a good relationship with the printer and a good price.

The cover price of the Ash Breeze will be raised to $4 per issue and this price increase will include back issues. Back issue request should be directed to Steve Jones, Flat Hammock Press (see attachment B1).

Council Committee Reports:

At 1900 a motion was made to adjourn by Frank Durham, seconded by Chauncy Rucker and passed.

Respectfully submitted,
Andy Wolfe, Recording Secretary

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TRADITIONAL SMALL CRAFT ASSOCIATION
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
2 JUNE 2002
aboard PATINA, MYSTIC RIVER, CT

The meeting was called to order aboard Tim Weaver's sharpie Patina at 1225 by John Weiss, President, who presided and served as secretary of the meeting.

Present:

Members of the Council: John Weiss, President; Russell Smith; Ken Steinmetz (via proxy held by John Weiss); Tim Weaver; Andy Wolfe. The President declared a quorum present.

Guests: Rodger James (helm), Rob Pittaway (mainsheet), Alex Weaver (foredeck).

Agenda: This meeting was called by John Weiss via e-mail message to the Council members on May 29. The sole agenda item was to discuss"a gift to Mystic Seaport for the Livery this year." Ken Steinmetz responded via e-mail with his proxy to John Weiss on May 30.

Discussion: In recent years the Council has authorized a gift of $750 to Mystic Seaport each year for the purpose of reimbursing costs of the use of the livery by Small Craft Workshop attendees. The issue was brought up in earlier Council meetings and discussions this year, but the Council neglected to authorize the gift in 2002. Since it is the current Council's responsibility to authorize the disbursement for this year, the special Council meeting was called in advance of the Annual Membership Meeting and seating of the new Council.

Resolution: Proposed by John Weiss; seconded by Russell Smith. "That the TSCA Council authorize a gift of $750 to Mystic Seaport on June 2, 2002, targeted to the small boat livery."

The resolution passed unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 1240, and the sailing continued.

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TRADITIONAL SMALL CRAFT ASSOCIATION
MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
3 MARCH 2002
MYSTIC SEAPORT

The meeting was called to order at 0915 by John Weiss, President, who presided. Peter Vermilya, Secretary, served as secretary of the meeting.

Present: Members of the Council: John Weiss, President; John Summers, Vice-President; Mary A. Brown; Russell Smith; Ken Steinmetz; Tim Weaver. The President declared a quorum present.

Other Association Officers and Chairs present: Peter Vermilya, Secretary; Frank Durham, Treasurer; Chauncy Rucker, Chapter Coordinator; Dan Drath, Editor, The Ash Breeze.

Guests: Geoffrey Conklin; Eleanor Watson, Secretary Emerita; Sidney Whelan; Myron Young.

Secretary's Report: The Minutes of the June 2001 Annual Meeting and the June 2001 Council meeting were reviewed. Upon a motion by Ken Steinmetz, seconded by Frank Durham, the reading of the Minutes was waived. Upon a motion by Mary Brown, seconded by John Weiss, the Minutes were approved as distributed. Peter Vermilya, Secretary, expressed his sincere thanks to Mary Brown for her efforts writing the two sets of minutes.

Treasurer's Report: Frank Durham gave a report which is attached. Cash on Hand is $21,309.05. We have 550 paid members. We have 100 fewer members but more cash than a year ago, due to the publishing schedule of The Ash Breeze.

Chapter Coordinator's Report: The Chapter Coordinator, Chauncy Rucker, reviewed the status of each Chapter. Most are active. Upper Mississippi is inactive at this time. It is his sense that our membership is aging and we need to attract more younger members. Peter Vermilya remarked that attendance at Mystic Seaport's Small Craft Weekend also has that demographic. He described a couple of small craft youth programs in New York City which are successful: Rockin' the Boat, an ecology-based boatbuilding program in the Bronx. Elizabeth "Cricket" Evans will continue as Co-Chapter Coordinator. Chauncy will see to an agreeable division of duties. Upon a motion by John Weiss, seconded by Russ the Gulf Coast Heritage Chapter of the TSCA is unanimously accepted into the membership contingent on receipt of the Chapter's Bylaws.

Membership Report: Russ raised the question of whether organizations could pay a fee and affiliate with the TSCA directly, rather than affiliating via the current practice of requiring any group wishing to become a chapter to have a minimum of 5 members in order to affiliate.

Report of the Editor of The Ash Breeze: Dan Drath reported that the fall/winter 2001 was delivered a week ahead of schedule to the "distribution center" of Ken Steinmetz and Myron Young. Hooray! This completes the three issues for 2001. Issue Number 1, 2002 will go to distribution on 11 June, Issue Number 2 will go to distribution on 8 September, and Issue Number 3 on 9 December. The June issue will be available at the Mystic Small Craft weekend the first weekend in June. Hooray!

John Gardner grant update: John Weiss reported for Ben Fuller. The Gardner Fund resides with the Maine Community Foundation. To quote from Ben's report: "Fund balance as of 1.1.01 stood at $44,340.65. Contributions in the year were $1,850. The Fund earned $1,568.57 in interest and dividends which has to be offset against a general market value decline of $1,993.72. The loss of $425.15 is reasonable given the overall market and investment performance last year. Added to this however should be the MCF Administrative Fee of $268.28. We made $1,800 in grants, leaving us with a balance as of December 31 of $43,679.22. According to MCF formulations we have a grant budget of $2,050 for this year, including $250 in carry over from last.

The items following all are Old Business:

Insurance: Larry Feeney reviewed our insurance policy and wrote a report, which the Council discussed. In sum, the report makes clear the value of our insurance coverage to chapters and members and we will emphasize it as a benefit of membership. Frank was asked to review the question of coverage of boat owners and of chapter-owned boats with the insurance agent, with the aim of including both, and also to advise them of the current membership count so as to secure a premium reduction. He will do this by March 15th.

Gardner Grant proposals: The two proposals above are under consideration; others are being solicited.

SNAME - the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers:

Geoff Conklin reported on Connecticut efforts to register boats under 19 feet and oar and paddle small craft. He requested that the TSCA take a position opposing such a regulation.

Russ will be the Council point person on legislative/advocacy issues. Russ is to call John Stratton and Andy Wolfe to see if there are updates on the SNAME issue. He will ask John Stratton to write a letter to the editor of TAB and Geoff will work with Russ on a letter to editor for TAB also.

Allocation of Secretary and Treasurer duties: Peter Vermilya reported on current procedure and this was discussed.

Peter Vermilya goes to the PO box every two weeks, goes through and deals with the mail, and sends all checks to Frank by registered mail. The six-week lag, which easily can occur between receipt of the check and its deposit, is too long. Deposit of the checks in Mystic is time-consuming. We are looking for cheaper ways to get the checks to the Treasurer reliably and several alternatives were mentioned. Peter will look into this.

Ken Steinmetz is sending both new member packets and renewal cards.

Myron has the show stuff from Eleanor's attic: tent, table skirt, chairs, and the two boxes of "stuff" that we take to shows. Steve Jones has the back issues of TAB from the attic. Peter Vermilya will inventory this stuff so there is a commonly known record as the stuff moves from show to show.

Development of a Class Boat: Russ Smith discussed this idea, referring also to Tim Weaver's letter to the editor in the current issue of TAB.

We talked about the reasons to do this: to promote traditional and current construction methods, to facilitate racing, to make it easier for Chapters to get members into boats, to promote youth rowing . . .

The use of an existing design (e.g., Floating the Apple gigs) versus creating a new design may be less expensive to do.

A series of boats - various sizes and a variety of rowing and sailing configurations - might be best.

The TSCA Statement of Purpose was discussed as it relates to this idea.

  • Must users of the boat be involved in building it?
  • How do newer (gunk) construction methods fit into this?
  • Isn't it very important that traditional (plank on frame) construction methods be used and understood?
  • Affordability is key to widespread use of traditional small craft.
John Summers will work with Tim and with Russ to bring a report and proposal to the June Mystic Small Craft Festival. The report will suggest the directions in which this project should go, range and kind of boats to be considered, etc.

Membership Development: We need to increase our membership. Here is a list of proposals:

15 months membership for the price of 12

Renew for 3 years at once

Raise the dues after we have a year of successful Ash Breezes.

Mail to expired non-renewing members from the last three years.

Get mailing lists from Wooden Boat, Messing About and Open Water Rowing and solicit those people. - we will think over this one and discuss it again in June.

Ask OWR if we could include a fly sheet in their last issue.

Be sure to hit the shows:

  • Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival
  • No Octane Regatta
  • Clayton's small craft festival
  • West Coast Events
  • Etc., etc., etc.

The Ash Breeze: back issues are a resource: package several and sell them at the Mystic Seaport Museum store, make sure the MSM store has the current issue.

Put the current TAB cover on the web site and offer to send it to anyone who sends a dollar.

Get copies of TAB to graduates of boatbuilding schools.

We could use our goodly supply of TAB back issues for these and similar pictures.

What's our supply of the old three-fold and could we ship copies to centers of wooden boat activity, e.g The Center for Wooden Boats.

Reciprocal web site links.

Things to do:

  1. Frank will contact Dave Stookey and ask if we may contact his subscribers for possible membership in the TSCA. Using his mailing list and/or putting a fly sheet in his last issue of Open Water Rowing are possibilities we are interested in.


  2. Mary will write an article for TAB on things individuals and Chapters can do to promote membership.


  3. Mary will bring a proposal to the June meeting for a mailing to non-renewing members, including size of mailing and costs with and without an Ash Breeze.


  4. Shows:
    1. No-Octane Regatta - June 15 - 16: Mary
    2. Wooden Boat Show and/or Rockland 2002 - July 12 - 14: Peter and Ben F
    3. estival of Oar, Paddle, and Sail - July 20th: get stuff to John Summers for a passive display; Sid Whelan, Tim Weaver, Mary Brown and Frank Durham are possible staffers.
    4. Center for Wooden Boats - 4th of July Weekend: John Weiss
    5. Port Townsend - weekend after Labor Day: John Weiss? Lynn Watson?
    6. Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival - October 4 - 6: Chauncy and Myron

  5. Chauncy will contact EBSCO magazine service and try to get TAB onto their list, in order to encourage library subscriptions and get the word out TSCA.

Raise Membership Dues: we should raise membership dues. Also we may want to offer three-year renewals to current members. We will send a letter to unrenewed former members which offers them 15 months for the price of 12, tells them about TAB, and tells them of our insurance coverage for them. "WE WANT YOU BACK!" Frank will get the insurance information and analyze the data base of expired members and Mary will work on the letter.

        We will discuss dues again in June. A dues change requires a Bylaws change. That can be done by a vote of the Membership either by mail vote or at the Annual Meeting.

Rockland 2002: will consist of three elements: the usual Wooden Boat Show, the Atlantic Challenge (gigs), and the Watercraft Challenge of historic and traditional boats. Special interest groups like TSCA are not welcome at the latter (though individuals are encouraged to bring boats), so we will exhibit at the Wooden Boat Show. In the past, we have been given free exhibit space at the Show. It is in Rockland Harbor, Maine, from July 12 - 14.

        Mary, Myron, Ben, Chauncy, and maybe John Gardner Chapter members will help staff the TSCA booth.

        Peter and Ben are our contacts for this show. They will find out the details of our participation and let us know.

Web Site development: John Weiss will put up prior Ash Breeze and also the schedule of shows at which TSCA will be exhibiting.

The items following are New Business:

Changing the time of the Annual Meeting in June: Andy Wolfe proposed moving the Annual Meeting from Sunday afternoon to Saturday after dinner. We feel there is not enough time for the meeting between dinner and the evening program. We decided to hold the Annual Meeting from 4:30 until 5:30, prior to dinner. The agenda will be posted/distributed in a way that will attract interest and encourage attendance. It is hoped the meeting will occur in the Galley, with preprandials available.

TSCA Boat List proposal: Sigrid Trumpy have proposed a list of TSCA boats, either on the web site or as a yearbook. We like this idea a lot and discussed some ways to do it. If we are to post it on the web in the input data needs to end up in PDF. That will allow John to put it on the web with a minimum of effort. Sigrid and Ben will develop the data entry form, modifying the Mystic SCW form as they desire. John Weiss will discuss this work with them. We'll put the form in TAB to start gathering hard copy information.

Planned Giving for the John Gardner Fund: Sidney Whelan discussed a planned giving program for the Fund which would reach out to people in the Association who knew John Gardner and benefited from his advice, wisdom, and expertise. A planned giving program is a simple way to raise money by asking people to include the Fund in their will or as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy. We would need to identify individuals who knew John and have the means to make gifts in the $5,000 to $10,000 range.

        Sid and Ben are going to work with the Maine Community Foundation to prepare the materials needed to do this and to publish information in TAB. John will review their material and give input; we are headed for the May 18th deadline for TAB.

The Antique and Classic Boat Society proposes a reciprocal membership in which the two associations exchange publications to widen understanding and knowledge of events of mutual interest. We decided to offer them a quarter-page ad exchange in our respective publications.

Other:

Nominations: we do not yet have 3 nominations for the upcoming Council vacancies. Various names were identified. Chauncy's arm was broken.

John Gardner Award for 2002: In light of Ed McCabe's (Hull Lifesaving Museum) contributions to the TSCA, small craft, youth rowing, and the Snow Row the 2002 John Gardner Award will be awarded to him, upon a motion by Tim Weaver, seconded by John Summers, unanimously approved.

Cooperating Group membership in Boat/US: There is no charge for this Boat/US membership status, and it confers the opportunity for half-price membership in BoatUS, among other things. They request an annual roster, which we might rather not do; and we can advertise the relationship on our web site and in TAB. John Weiss will distribute their proposal via e-mail for our consideration and decision in June.

The meeting was adjourned at 1649, to meet again at Mystic Seaport during the Small Craft Festival, June 1 - 2.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Vermilya
Secretary

Back to current Minutes

Minutes 1999-2001

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