From October 30th to November 6, 2018, IDNIYRA had its first electronic ballot to consider the following amendment to the organization’s constitution, necessary for IRS recognition of the organization as a non-profit.
ARTICLE XIV – DISSOLUTION OF IDNIYRA
Upon dissolution of IDNIYRA, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.
Ballots on ElectionBuddy, a third-party voting application, were sent to 198 members via email in accordance with the constitution and by-laws. One invitation could not be delivered. One hundred and four members voted, with 101 supporting, 3 opposing and none abstaining from the proposal. With 97 percent of those voting approving the proposal, the proposal carried (the Constitution requires that 3/4 of those voting approve a motion to amend the constitution for it to carry). The IDNIYRA can now proceed to apply for non-profit status with IRS.
Participation of 53 percent of the IDNIYRA electorate in this ballot represents the highest return rate in recent IDNIYRA ballots, suggesting that our adoption of electronic voting will improve governance of IDNIYRA. We will reserve time at the 2019 IDNIYRA AGM for a discussion of lessons learned from this first electronic ballot.
Via Stan Macur, a long time Polish ice sailor, PRO of many European regattas, and current European Junior Sailing Secretary:
Pete Johns US2360 and Ron Sherry US44 were awarded by the Polish DN board a medal of 50th anniversary of Polish DN Fleet for special merits and efforts for Polish ice sailing over the years. Congratulations my friends!
If you are in the Montreal area and want to learn more about ice sailing, Andre Baby and Jack Marcenski are presenting a program open to the public at the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club on November 15, 2018. Last year’s presentation attracted 80 attendees. Information on the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club website.
An important message from IDNIYRA Commodore Warren Nethercote:
IDNIYRA will be conducting an electronic vote beginning Tuesday, October 30, 2018.
The Governing Committee has learned that in 2010 IDNIYRA obtained a tax number (an ‘EIN’) from the IRS, but that we never followed through to establish our status as a 501(c)(3) organization. We are an incorporated as a non-profit in Michigan, but separate application is required to establish our non-profit status with IRS. Completion of our application to IRS requires an addition to our constitution to define what would happen to our assets in the event of dissolution, and specifically that assets will not go to individual members, but instead to a successor organization with similar objects. We encourage you to support this addition to our constitution.
The Governing Committee is bringing this matter directly to a member vote by means of electronic voting. Should you not receive an email inviting you to vote by Wednesday, October 31, 2018, please send an email to Deb Whitehorse secretary.idniyra@gmail.com with your name, correct email address, and sail number, together with when you last paid membership dues.. We can then add you to the voting list and send a ballot to you. Both email address and sail number are required to allow for those members who share an email address, or use a third-party email address.
If you are looking for a DN iceboat or part, or just want to learn how you can start iceboating, be sure to attend an upcoming iceboat swap meet near you. From Massachusetts to Minnesota, they are all taking place the first weekend of November.
NEW ENGLAND ICE YACHTING ASSOCIATION SWAP MEET & LUNCHEON
November 3, 2018
Hudson-Concord Elks Hall
99 Park Street, Hudson, MA 01749 Website
WESTERN MICHIGAN ICE YACHT CLUB SWAP MEET
November 3, 2018
9 AM until 2 PM
Muskegon Yacht Club
3198 Edgewater St.
Muskegon, Michigan Flyer
SKEETER ICEBOAT CLUB SWAP MEET
November 4, 2018
9 AM until noon
220 N. Elkhorn Rd. (WI Hwy 67)
Williams Bay, WI. More information.
MINNESOTA ICEBOAT CLUB SWAP MEET
November 3, 2018
9AM until noon
Sailcrafters
7450 Oxford Street
St. Louis Park, MN 55426 More information
Sad news to report on this Monday morning. Two North American DN skippers, Nova Ice Yacht Club member Captain Howard Garland KC5532 and Toledo Ice Yacht Club member Aaron Stange US4480 have passed on in recent days.
Both were avid DN sailors who loved the sport and competed in continental regattas. The IDNIYRA extends our deepest sympathies to both Howard and Aaron’s families and friends. Their presence will be sorely missed.
The DN is most popular iceboat in the world. Whether you are a racer or cruiser, your $25 membership in the IDNIYRA helps to promote the art and skill of DN ice yacht construction and the sport of ice yachting on all the hard waters of the world.
