Forums

MINUTES OF THE NZMPBA COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 4 NOVEMBER 2024
MEETING HELD BY SKYPE CONFERENCE
Present:
President Rudy Van Vlerken.
Treasurer: Gareth Farmer.
Secretary: Ross Heald.
Committee: Murray Gallen, Trevor McClellan, Andrew Colquhoun.
Apologies: Steve Trott.
Meeting Opened: 7.45pm
1. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 September:
a. Membership: Two new members have joined since the last committee meeting.
b. The Association accounts have been submitted to the NZ Companies office as part of our requirements as an Incorporated society.
i. Moved that these be accepted: Rudy. Seconded: Andrew. Carried.

2. Correspondence:
a. Request from Trevor Terry to hold a round of the 2025 Offshore series in the South Island.
b. NZMPBA Insurance liability renewal forms from Gallagher (Broker) to be completed and returned.
i. Moved that Correspondence be accepted: Rudy. Seconded: Trevor. Carried.

3. Financial: The Treasurer circulated the statements prior to the meeting.
a. The balance as at 04 November 2024 is: $9942.83.

4. NZMPBA Insurance: With the MZMPBA Insurance Policy coming up for renewal it was felt timely to review the policy terms, conditions, and fee schedule. It was suggested that the Association consider revising the amount of cover with an increase to $2m. Secretary to submit annual renewal declaration and get quote from insurer with regard to this increase, and if there is no substantial difference in premium then Secretary to proceed with renewal.
All agreed. Secretary to proceed.

5. Consideration to move Association AGM date. The current practice of holding the Association AGM in August requires submitting the Association’s financial reports to the NZ Companies Office in order to meet the Association’s obligations to remain registered as an Incorporated Society. This August AGM timing does not align with regular Financial Year periods, and is well outside the Association’s January – December membership year. The current thinking is to move the AGM to December 2025 and thereafter annually to close off the annual membership period.

6. Committee Continuity. The President raised the issue of continuity of committee tenure in order to ensure that there remained a cohort of experienced committee members following each AGM. This would ensure a smooth transition of committee and continuity of work in progressing the Association. The proposal would see no more that 50 percent of committee resign at any AGM. (This would not ‘bind’ committee members that were no longer able to contribute or participate).
a. It was agreed that having new committee members was beneficial for the growth of the Association, and the current committee would continue to engage with membership to recruit prospective committee members.
b. Committee member should be prepared to commit to a two to three year tenure when submitting nominations.
i. Current committee members have expressed interest to consider further nomination for the 2025 committee.
c. Note: This proposal in no way usurps or bypasses the AGM nomination process, and any member may be nominated for committee positions in accordance with the constitution.
Moved: Rudy. Seconded Andrew. Carried.

GENERAL BUSINESS
7. South Island Offshore Round (2025). A proposal was received from Member Trevor Terry to Host a round of the 2025 offshore race series in the South Island. This was discussed in the context of the changes to the Offshore series points allocation for 2025. With the adoption of the standard oval scoring system, there would be no reason that this should not occur, and the Association will support this, and encourage those members in the South Island to consider running additional events which could contribute to overall results.
a. Secretary to respond.

8. Offshore Series. In an effort to make the 2025 Offshore series more appealing, the scoring system will change to a standard system as used for oval racing, with 400 points being awarded for first place, reducing by 75% for subsequent placings. The traditional six rounds should occur in 2025, however, only the best four results will count. Double points will be awarded at the final round. This change is designed to encourage attendance, and not adversely disadvantage those that cannot make all rounds of the series.
a. Races for 2025 to be 20, 20 60 (100 minute format).
b. Andrew also proposed that the final round should include an additional one-off race to be held as a NZ Champion race.

9. Insurance and Rule Book. The current rule book has several inconsistencies in regard to requirements associated with the Association’s insurance policy requirements. In summary:
a. NZMPBA members are covered by the Associations Public Liability and indemnity insurance when undertaking model boating activities.
b. Event organisers/host club are responsible for scrutineering of boats prior to an event/regatta.
c. Petrol powered boats are to be fitted with an ignition kill device to be operated from the transmitter and cut ignition on loss of either receiver or transmitter signal or power.

10. Recognition of achievement/representation. Grahame Haines has recently competed in a number of events in Australia and achieved some impressive results. It was agreed that these achievements should be celebrated and acknowledged by the Association and the President is to present Grahame Haines with a suitable recognition in the form of a certificate at the Thunder Down Under race in April 2025.
a. This would also apply to any member that travelled overseas and represented NZ at a model boat event.

11. Next Committee Meeting: 9 Dec at 7.30pm by Skype.
Meeting Closed at 9.18 pm.