I have a few ideas I would like to toss out for thought. I would like to see more participation in our racing program. Several problems I have seen in the past is (1) most members live more than 40 miles from the club (2) we have our scheduled club series races on Sat and Sun. (3) not enough participation to have buoy racing (4) mother nature not cooperating with our schedule. What I would like to propose is we have two types of racing. Saturdays will be club series, such as our Frostbite, Spring and Fall. Sunday will be what I will call, for the lack of a better name, NCR races ( No Committee Required). Now my reasons: Club Series Races: Would be buoy races only. This gives us the thrill of the start line and buoy rounding. These races would be scored using the Portsmouth handicapping system and our rules laid out in OSYC Sailing Instructions. I would like for these races to be a competitive SERIES, therefore it would be easier for most sailors if they did not have to make arrangements to be at the club on Sat and Sun. We should have enough races in each series to allow a throw out race, this would give sailors a better chance of staying competitive in the series if their schedule does not permit them to attend a race. Also, we might consider going to a high point scoring system, which would be more forgiving if someone were to miss a race. As I mentioned earlier these would be buoy races only, with a race committee, if for any reason the race is called off, the race will be canceled I think that participation will increase with the schedule being less demanding. As far as mother nature goes we need to remember (1)even in light wind someone will come in first and (2)clothes will dry and skin is waterproof. NCR Races: (No Committee Required) These races will consist of self timed distant raced, self timed fixed course races and reverse start fixed course and distant races. We should use Portsmouth handicapping for self timed and modified PHRF for reverse starts. I would like to have 2 or3 series of NCR races. These races would be more comfortable to the less experienced racer and lots of fun for all. With a larger number of races per series it would allow for sailors to be able to miss several races and still be competitive. This series will also allow for all to sail since there will not be a committee. I would also suggest a high point scoring system for these series. All of the above will have no effect on our Regattas. {{Suggested January schedule:}} Sat 1/02/10 a day of sailing Chili Dinner ($5 per person) $2 discount for any one that sails that day Sat 1/09/10 Board Meeting (a long one) Sat 1/16/10 Frostbite 1 Sun 1/17/10 NCR Sat 1/23/10 Workday Sat 1/30/10 Frostbite 2 Sun 1/31/10 NCR