...the numbers taking part in the races has now declined to a level that is no longer acceptable...

I am writing to invite you to the AGM and annual prize giving for the 2007 season.

 As Chairman of ISORA I intend to make the following proposal:

To bring to an end the Association

The reasons for this are as follows

1 the numbers taking part in the races has now declined to a level that is no longer acceptable

the actual participants were : race 1  2 boats

                                                race 2  1 boat

                                                race 3  3 boats

                                                race  4 1 boat

                                                race  5  2 boats

                                                race  6 

2        the association has been unable to obtain insurance for an economic rate {less than £1500 at 2005 prices}

3        sailing the races under the burgee of individual clubs due to the lack of insurance is not sufficient to absolve the association and its officers of responsibility in the event of a tragedy

4        responsibility on organisers of yacht races has increased making them responsible for not only expecting safety measures but on inspecting boats to ensure compliance

5        organisers are now responsible for deciding  when and if races should start or be delayed according to weather conditions and cannot rely on placing the responsibility on the skippers of boats

6        new safety regulations regarding equipment and crew qualifications mean that that it is a big commitment for skippers to prepare a boat for an offshore race therebye precluding casual entries

7        the inland revenue requires clubs to submit accounts

no doubt items 2 to 7 could be overcome  but  with the present level of entries it would be prohibitably expensive to do it properly. the difficulty faced by  skippers [around safety etc] who are considering trying a race restricts the number of likely entrants in the future

if the above is accepted at the AGM the following actions will be proposed

1        all sailing clubs will be advised that the association is coming to an end and will be  offered the return of trophies either given or lent to ISORA over the years

2        any trophies not returned as above will be offered to clubs who are prepared to organise OFFSHORE RACES and describe them as ISORA TROPHY RACES this will have the effect of maintaining the ISORA name and objective of promoting offshore races .These could be costal races as part of a regatta or feeder races to a regatta or simply individual races within the club racing programme. Trophies not immediately allocated will be held in trust either by a club or individual able and willing to do so including insuring them.

3        Final accounts will be drawn up to 31 march 2008 and any Surplus funds {not expected to exceed £2000} will be donated to the RNLI which will benefit all offshore sailors.

4        The ISORA website could be continued to allow ex members to keep in touch.this would require a volunteer and £100 a year to meantain.a sponsor who wanted to advertise would be ideal

This is of course a very disappointing letter to send and has followed some deep soul searching to arrive at the above conclusion . at the AGM only members will be able to vote but anyone wishing to make a comment  should write to me or the hon sec. If as a member you are unable to attend and wish to give someone your proxy vote incuding the chairman of the meeting you must inform the sec in writing

THE ANNUAL PRIZE GIVING DINNER

THE NATIONAL YC

COST £35  OR 50 EUROS

PLACES ARE LIMITTED TO 120

PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO MEMBERS AND PRIZE WINNERS BUT

PLACES WILL ONLY BE RESERVED  WHEN ACCOMPANIED WITH PAYMENT NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS CAN BE MADE