National Boating Federation
Annual Membership Meeting
12 March 2005

The Annual Membership Meeting of the National Boating Federation was called to order at 0900 by President Penny Orth at the Hyatt Newporter, Newport Beach, California with the following Regular Members in attendance:

Chesapeake Bay Yacht Clubs Association Chicago Yachting Association Coast Guard Auxiliary Association Inter-Lake Yachting Association International Order of the Blue Gavel International Order of the Blue Gavel District One Lake Michigan Yachting Association Northwestern Boating Council Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association Pennsylvania Boating Association Potomac River Yacht Clubs Association Recreational Boating Association of Washington Sea Scouts Also attending the meeting were: Les Johnson Al Lakin Pam Dillon Jay Brown CDR David Crowley, USCG Jeff Hoedt Hill Barrington Robert Lilley Larry Innis Raynor Tsuneyoshi

Earl Waesche Fred Poppe Ev Tucker William Heider Phil Arms Jim Hinckley Tom Dogan Marlene Barrington Margo Brown Andy Talento Joe Orth David Kutz / Gus Decock Richard Cuciti US Power Squadron US Power Squadron American Canoe Assoc. OPYC / EYC USCG, LA/LB USCG, HQ IOBG International Loran Assoc. MRAA California Department of Boating and Waterways

The Secretary Pro-Temp, Phil Arms, called the role. There were 13 Regular Members present, constituting a quorum. The Secretary's report was made. There were no minutes from the previous meeting.

Treasurer Bill Heider gave an informal Treasurer's Report, the Treasury is in good shape. He also reported for the Associated Yacht Clubs of Toledo and the Inter-Lake Yachting Association.

Vice President Barrington gave the Membership Report. We have 23 Regular Members. She gave an explanation of the categories of membership. We have a total membership of 371.

Lookout Editor Andy Talento gave the Public Relations and Lookout Report. His target for the next issue is April.

David Kutz gave a report on the Website, www.n-b-f.org. It is up and running, and he would like input. Regular members need to provide/update their write ups.

Commander David Crowley, USCG, Deputy Captain of the Port, Los Angeles/Long Beach, representing Captain Pete Neffenger, USCG, Captain of the Port, LA/LB, spoke on conditions in the port and the re-organization of the Coast Guard port organizations in to sectors. He emphasized the importance of participation in the Area Maritime Security Committees, and how the boating public can help by being the security eyes and ears on the water.

Fred Poppe reported for the Chicago Yachting Association. The Association represents 30 miles of southern Lake Michigan, and will be comprised of 30 organizations by mid-year. He reported on the project to light the Chicago Breakwater and the Christmas Tree project.

Andy Talento reported for the Pennsylvania Boating Association. He spoke of how the oil spill in Delaware Bay had affected boating in eastern Pennsylvania.

Joe Orth reported for the Potomac River Yacht Clubs Association. The association represents 24 clubs on over 100 miles of river from the District of Columbia to Chesapeake Bay. The Association is venturing into the political arena trying to defend the rights of the clubs, particularly in the access to water area. They are examining the question of proficiency examinations for boaters.

Earl Waesche gave a detailed National Legislative report, discussing the status of legislation affecting boaters and boating, and reported for the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Clubs Association, representing 65 clubs in 5 states surrounding Chesapeake Bay.

Ev Tucker reported for the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association. He explained the relationship of the Association to the Auxiliary and the Associations activities. He spoke the activity of the Auxiliary, both nationally and internationally, particularly in the Caribbean.

Executive Director Margot Brown introduced Raynor Tsuneyoshi, Director of the California Department of Boating and Waterways, who welcomed the NBF to California and spoke the function and activities of his department.

Bob Lilley of the International Loran Association gave an update on Loran C.

Jeff Hoedt, USCG, Director of the Office of Boating Safety, spoke. He reported that there are 77 million adult recreational boaters who do not belong to any boating organization and do not want to get involved in politics. PFD wear has doubled and there are now 44 states that require them in one form or another. There is evidence of the efficacy of boater organizations having an impact on legislation/regulation where there is a concerted effort focused on a goal.

Dick Cuciti, representing National Commodore of the Sea Scouts Jimmie Homburg, reported on Sea Scout activities, and gave a presentation on the international Sea Scout project to assist in replacing Sri Lankan fishing boats lost in the tsunami last December. He noted that flight delays had precluded the attendance of Sri Lankan Sea Scout National Commodore Hiran Jayahsinghe at this meeting.

Tom Dogan reported for the Lake Michigan Yachting Association. He spoke on the NOAA Weather Cam in Milwaukee harbor and on the problems with invasive species in the Great Lakes.

Phil Arms reported for the International Order of the Blue Gavel. He spoke on the recent Regional Meeting in Honolulu and on the Boater Education project in District 20 and Sea Scout project in District 8.

Chief Commander Les Johnson reported for the US Power Squadron and their continuing relationship with NBF.

Larry Innis, MRAA and MEEF (Marine Environmental Education Foundation) spoke on conditions in Washington, D.C. and gave a presentation on the alphabet soup of acronyms.

Marlene Barrington reported for the Northwest Boating Council. She spoke on the Council's efforts in boating safety, in the clean up of Blake Island, and the Council's participation in the Tall Ships visit to Puget Sound.

Margot Brown reported for the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association. She explained the Association's relationship with Recreational Boaters of California (RBOC).

Gus Decock reported for the Recreational Boating Association of Washington. He spoke on their efforts in support of mandatory boater education in Washington.

Jim Hinckley reported on the activities of District One of the International Order of the Blue Gavel.

Chair of the Bylaws Committee, Joe Orth, presented the Committee's recommendations for changes to the bylaws. He reported that the NBF Executive Committee had recommended that the membership adopt the changes as presented with the exception of retaining the provision for Honorary Membership in Article III, paragraph e. It was moved seconded and passed that the revised Bylaws be approved as mailed with the exception of retaining Article III, paragraph e, Honorary Members.

Margot Brown presented the Nominating Committee slate to the members. There were no nominations from the floor. It was moved, seconded and passed that the slate be accepted by acclimation. The officers are:

President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Lookout Editor Immediate Past President Executive Committee Members are: Fred Poppe David Kutz Earl Waesche Ev Tucker Tom Dogan

Penny Orth Marlene Barrington William Heider Phil Arms Andy Talento Bob David

It was moved, seconded, and passed that it be: Resolved that the National Boating Federation supports the efforts of the Sea Scouts to procure the fishing vessels for Sri Lanka using our contacts in the boating community as well as our communications to our members and other interested parties.

It was moved, seconded and passed that it be: Resolved that the National Boating Federation supports the mandatory wearing of Personal Flotation Devices by children under the age of 13 while on deck and underway on recreational vessels.

It was moved and seconded, but did not pass, that the NBF support the mandatory wearing of PFDs in open boats.

It was moved, seconded and passed that it be: Resolved that the National Boating Federation urges the US Government to adopt UN Resolution 40

It was moved, seconded and passed that it be: Resolved that the National Boating Federation endorses the concept of mandatory boating safety education in accordance with NASBLA standards for all boat operators.

Tom Dogan reported on plans for the Fall Meeting to be held on 14 and 15 October in Michigan City, Indiana.

It was agreed that the 2006 Annual Meeting will be held at Encinal Yacht Club, Alameda, California, dates to be announced.

The meeting was adjourned at 1620.

All delegates presenting reports are requested to submit them electronically to pbarms@aol.com.

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