IODA AGM 2023
The 2023 IODA Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place on June 22nd at La Ballena Alegre, Costa Brava, Spain during the 2023 Optimist World Championship.
A total of 48 Countries were registered and we received 9 Proxy votes totaling a representation of 57 Members at the AGM. We also had 10 Observers officially registered to attend the meeting.
The AGM started with IODA President, Kevin Whitcraft proposed Chair the meeting.
The first item of business was the approval of the 2022 AGM Minutes.
To view the 2022 AGM Minutes, go
here.
Reports:
IODA President, Kevin Whitcraft presented his report followed by the Vice President of Africa, Asia & Oceania, Ajay Narang; VP Americas, Sigrid Beckman; and then VP Europe, Carmen Casco presenting their reports on the global 2022 Optimist Class activities and initiatives in their region and the plans for IODA for the coming year.
To read the written President’s Report, go
here.
To view the President’s Report presented at the AGM, including the IODA Coach Development Program report, go
here.
To read the written VP Africa, Asia & Oceania’s Report, go
here.
To view the VP Africa, Asia & Oceania’s Report presented at the AGM, go
here.
To read the written VP America’s Report, go
here.
To view the VP America’s Report presented at the AGM, including the ROPE Program report, go
here.
To read the written VP Europe’s Report, go
here.
To view the VP Europe’s Report presented at the AGM, go
here.
The Technical Committee Chair, Olive Parker, reported on the technical class activities over the past year that included IODA Championship Measurement, measurement seminars, reviewing templates and class rules, plus information on the new equipment RFID tags, as well as the TC plans for the future.
To read the Technical Committee Chair’s Report go
here.
To view the Technical Committee Chair’s Report presented at the AGM, go
here.
This was followed by a report from the Regatta Committee Chair, Ricardo Navarro regarding the 2023 Championships, development of race officials and other capabilities in the delivery of IODA events, plus the creation of a history Microsite. This was Ricardo’s last report as Chair of the Regatta Committee as he is retiring from IODA after 12 years of service.
To read the Regatta Committee Chair’s Report go
here.
To view the Regatta Committee Chair’s Report presented at the AGM, go
here.
The President presented the 2022 Audited Financial Statements. IODA had strong Plaque and Sail Label sales, plus increased IODA Championship Fees and Member Subscription Dues resulting in a profit on the year. The 2022 Audited Financial Statements were approved by the Members.
To read the Finance Report go
here.
There were no fee changes proposed for the Subscriptions Dues, Plaque Fees, or Championship Fees, so all are remaining the same for 2024. The Members re-confirmed that the spar and foil label fees of $5 USD each will be introduced on January 1, 2024.
Article & Championship Proposals:
All 18 Executive Proposals were approved. Sixteen of them involved housekeeping changes to the Championship Conditions regarding # of North American team sizes at the South Americans, Perpetual Trophies, Officials, and Team Racing at our IODA Continental Championships.
The remaining two Article Changes involved updating Article 5 clarifying the organizational structure and code of conduct.
To review the Executive Committee Proposals, go
here.
Class Rule Changes:
All four Class Rule Changes were approved. Although they have been approved by the Members at the AGM, the next step is for the changes to be approved by World Sailing. This process will take a few months. The Class Rule changes if approved will come into effect on January 1, 2024.
To review the Class Rule Changes, go
here.
Member Proposals:
We received three Proposals from Members. ITA’s and ESP’s proposals were withdrawn. PUR’s proposal was approved.
To review the three Member Proposals, go
here.
Election Results:
The following persons were elected by acclamation as Members of the Executive Committee.
- Kevin Whitcraft, President
- Carmen Casco, VP Europe
The following persons were elected by acclamation as Members of the Technical Committee
- Olive Parker, (IRL)
- Ale Williman, (URG)
The following persons were elected as Members of the Regatta Committee.
- Miguel Amaral (POR), IRO
- Andrez Perez (ESP), IJ
The final item of business was the approval of Beierholm, from Aalborg, Denmark as the auditor for the 2023 IODA Financial Statements.
Recognition:
At the conclusion of the AGM, Ricardo Navarro, was elected as an IODA Officer of Honour in recognition for his 12 years of exemplary service as a member and Chair of the Regatta Committee, and for his role and many years on the Executive Committee.
Ricardo received a beautiful Image Book created by award winning photographer Matias Capizzano with images from events throughout his 12 years at IODA. It was signed by many people far and wide who have worked with Ricardo over the years.
Conclusion:
The Executive Committee would like to thank all our members for sending their representatives to attend the 2023 AGM or providing their Proxies if they were unable to attend.
The feedback, discussion and ideas expressed at the AGM were much appreciated and the Executive Committee has taken all the comments under advisement and will work towards finding solutions to issues of concern.
2024 AGM:
Next year, the AGM will be held during the 2024 Optimist World Championship being held in Mar del Plata, ARG, from December 5 to 15th. The tentative date for the 2024 AGM is December 12, 2024.
We hope as many members as possible will join at the 2024 AGM next year.
50th Anniversary Video:
In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of IODA, a special video was created by Matias Capizzano that captures the spirit of the class over the past 60 years of World Championships titled ‘Making Opti Memories for 50 Years’. Hope you enjoy it! Feel free to share!
Updated 13.09.23
