Via IDNIYRA Europe Secretary Atilla Pataki:

Dear Fellow DN Class Members,

We cordially invite you to take part in our annual Autumn DN Class Ballot.
As defined in the EPIC Agreement, all members of IDNIYRA and IDNIYRA – Europe in good standing on September 1st, 2022 are eligible to vote.

Please check your inbox for the invitation email from invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com.
Should you have any technical questions, please contact webmaster@idniyra.eu

The Ballot is open from Nov. 1st 23:45 CET (17.45CDT) until Nov. 26th 20.00 CET (13.00CST)

During the 2022 National Secretaries Meeting the following proposals from our members were approved to be forwarded to the Class Vote:

Question 1: Technical Specifications Amendment – Boom Stripe

Original text:

D. Boom

“7. A 1/2’’ (12. mm) wide stripe shall be painted around the boom in contrasting color.
Stripe shall be perpendicular to sail tunnel. Forward edge of the stripe shall be 8’ 10’’
(2692 mm) or less from forward inner surface of mast sail slot projected fairly.”

Proposed Changes:

D. Boom

7. A 1/2’’ (12. mm) wide stripe shall be painted around the boom in contrasting color.
Stripe shall be perpendicular to sail tunnel. Forward edge of the stripe shall be 8’ 10’’
(2692 mm) or less from forward inner surface of mast sail slot projected fairly.

Reasoning:
– we don’t need it, makes no sense to keep it
– make specifications more clear and simple
– we should measure the foot of the sail instead

Question 2: EPIC Agreement Amendment – Technical Specifications Compliance

Original Text:

Article XI – ENFORCEMENT OF THE SPECIFICATIONS

“The OFFICIAL SPECIFICATIONS shall be enforced in two ways;

1. Through a protest filed by any contestant, Judge or Race Committee member at the Gold Cup, European Championship or North American Championship Regattas against any competing yacht; or,
2. By the Race Committee measuring yachts during a regatta described in the CGDs, NIA rules, or the regatta Sailing Instructions.”

Proposed Changes:

Article XI – ENFORCEMENT OF THE SPECIFICATIONS

“Each and every sailor has the full responsibility to ensure that his/her iceboat is maintained to comply with her class rules and is in full compliance with the OFFICIAL SPECIFICATIONS

The OFFICIAL SPECIFICATIONS shall be enforced in two ways;

1. Through a protest filed by any contestant, Judge or Race Committee member at the Gold Cup, European Championship or North American Championship Regattas against any competing yacht; or,
2. By the Race Committee measuring yachts during a regatta described in the CGDs, NIA rules, or the regatta Sailing Instructions.”

Reasoning:
There was no proper responsibility defined earlier in the Governing Documents.

Question 3: EPIC Agreement Amendment – Technical Committee

Original Text:

Article VI – TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

“The DN Class Technical Committee (TC) shall consist of six members, three elected from North America and three elected from Europe. TC members shall be elected according to the respective Continental Governing Documents (CGD). One member will be elected every year, alternating between continents. North American members will be elected in even years and European members in odd years. The term of office is six years. Term of office will begin July 1, and expire June 30 of the appropriate year. Each year the TC shall elect from its membership a chairperson to serve until June 30 of the following year. All decisions of the TC require 2/3 majority vote of all members. Upon resignation prior to six years, a replacement member will be elected by the respective CGG to complete the unexpired term. The Chairperson shall report to the CGGs on all recommendations of the TC. The TC may initiate changes in the OFFICIAL SPECIFICATIONS or OFFICIAL PLANS by proposing a change to both CGGs.”

Proposed Changes:

Article VI – TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

“The DN Class Technical Committee (TC) shall consist of six members, three elected from North America and three elected from Europe. TC members shall be elected according to the respective Continental Governing Documents (CGD). One member will be elected every year, alternating between continents. North American members will be elected in even years and European members in odd years. The term of office is six years. Term of office will begin July 1, and expire June 30 of the appropriate year. Each second year the TC shall elect from its membership a chairperson to serve until June 30 of the appropriate year. The chairperson must be elected alternately from American and European members. If the chairperson resigns or cannot fill out his/her term, a new chairperson from the appropriate continent is to be elected by the TC to fill out the remainder of the term. Upon resignation of a member prior to six years, a replacement member will be elected by the respective CGG to complete the unexpired term.

All decisions of the TC require 2/3 majority vote of all members. The Chairperson shall report to the CGGs on all recommendations of the TC. The TC may initiate changes in the OFFICIAL SPECIFICATIONS or OFFICIAL PLANS by proposing a change to both CGGs.”

Reasoning:

We believe that serving one year as chairperson is not enough to carry out long-term plans. At least a two-year term must be given to the chairperson.
The European Community would like to have more even representation of their interests in the TC, therefore requires the election of the TC chairperson alternately from the American and the European members. Without examining the reason why in the past there were only NA chairpersons elected in the TC, we would like to enshrine this rotating principle in the EPIC Agreement.

Question 4: EPIC Agreement Amendment – Voting

Original Text:

Article IX VOTING

“The DN Class will submit a ballot to the membership, no later than Oct 1. All members having valid membership at Sept. 1 and a valid e-mail address on file will have the right to vote. The method of voting will be an electronic ballot or any other safe and reliable method. The voting will be closed 21 days after the submission. The chosen electronic voting system should be able to certify and to verify the voting results. DN Class members that are members of both the North American and European organizations may only cast one ballot.

Passage: To pass a proposal must get at least 2/3 yes votes. Any proposal which does not pass may not be resubmitted for one year.
Effective Date: Changes in the Official Specifications or Official Plans shall become effective May 31 unless both Governing Groups agree an earlier effective date, and that the effective date is on the ballot proposal. “

Proposed Changes:

Article IX VOTING

“The DN Class will submit a ballot to the membership, no later than Oct 1. All members having valid membership at Sept. 1 and a valid e-mail address on file will have the right to vote. The method of voting will be an electronic ballot or any other safe and reliable method. The voting will be closed 21 days after the submission. The chosen electronic voting system should be able to certify and to verify the voting results. DN Class members that are members of both the North American and European organizations may only cast one ballot.

Passage: To pass a proposal must get at least 2/3 yes votes from the votes cast. Abstentions count as votes that have not been cast and are therefore invalid. Any proposal which does not pass may not be resubmitted for one year.
Effective Date: Changes in the Official Specifications or Official Plans shall become effective May 31 unless both Governing Groups agree an earlier effective date, and that the effective date is on the ballot proposal. “

Reasoning:
The previous wording was not clear and could have given rise to misunderstandings and controversy. The current wording is clearer and fully in line with Robert’s Rules of Order.