Region 7

[Frandito]

What are the arguments pro v con for the creation of the Region 7?

Inquiring minds want to know

Thanks

[greerdr]

Excellent question!
Some numbers might illuminate.
Region 3 has 686 members registered which represents 26% of the whole AMYA.
Florida has 425 of those 686 members registered.
If Florida were designated Region 7 we would be the 2nd largest region by representing 16% of AMYA members.This is very close to the remainder of the regions.
This is the 3rd go-round for this motion.I am the R3 representative and find it hard to show any presence at all Fl regattas (over 30) and make it up into Ga,SC,NC and others.
I ask for your support.
Thanks,

[bigfoot55]

The numbers have not changed much since the first time we submitted a motion for the split. The situation remains that REGION 3 and REGION 6 have a large portion of the membership and Florida and California have a similar population. Region 3 is the most out of wack, and it sticks out prominently. Here are the numbers:

Subject: Re: Members by state

number /percentage

R1 360 0.140625

R2 240 0.09375

R3 686 0.26796875 (425 in FL) 0.166015622 bal R3 0.101953125

R4 369 0.144140625

R5 309 0.144140625

R6 596 0.2328125 (363 in CA) 0.141796875 bal R3 0.091015625

Total 2560
Geographically R3 is large but in membership unbalanced.
Florida alone would be a bigger region by membership than Region 1 or 2 or 4 or 5.
In the interest of one man/one vote, some other regions have a unfair representation on the Board of Directors. It is apparent that R3 should be split. Some might think R6 should also be split.
There would then be 8 regions of roughly 9-16 percent each. I would support that also, but it is time to move on and start correcting the imbalance. Region 6 can make that motion for their part.

The EC12 Class has separate Region Championships, R3a andR3b, recognized by the AMYA. All classes deserve this consideration. At any rate it is time to address the situation.

[Capt. Flak]

For the record, I support the creation of Region 7 (Florida) as well as Region 8 (California). It makes a lot of sense to me to have all the regions relatively the same population size. Not to mention the distances people need to travel to compete in those regions.

[Frandito]

so why has it not passed in the two earlier tries?

[jack wubbe]

AMYA by-laws state:

Section 14: Amendments to the Bylaws
14.1 These Bylaws may be amended by written or online ballot after publication of the proposed amendment in the Newsletter at least six months in advance of the ballot date. A two thirds majority of the members voting shall be required to implement the change.

So all regions have a vote in this change and it is dificult to get our need for a region 7 to AMYA members around the country. Also the last time Region 7 was on the ballot John Davis (editor of Model Yachting Mag) wrote a full page editoral on voting NO to region 7. This also did not help our cause.

There was also a plan to redo the boundries in Region 1, 2 and 3 and make the membership numbers more equal but that did not have enough support.

Jack Wubbe

[Frandito]

What are the reasons given for being against the change?

[Capt. Flak]

It has been a while, but I seem to recall someone in AMYA (might have been Chuck Buzek) say that it meant having an even number of voting members on the AMYA Board which could prevent further issues from being resolved. I kind of felt that was a protectionist attitude. But what do I know. If that is the case, then having Region 7 and Region 8 would put it back to an odd number of votes to break any future ties.

I am sure someone within AMYA will tell me I am misinformed. I am not stating a fact, just a memory.

Anyway, the numbers speak for themselves. Break up the regions and give those members better representation in AMYA.

[jack wubbe]

John Davis had a problem with adding another Director for our Association of 3000 members.

I myself dont think that is a problem. As long as we have region 1 with 150 to 200 members and region 3 with 800 to 900 members with 500 in Florida
the representation is a little screwed up and needs to be adjusted.

Jack Wubbe

[greerdr]

I'd guess lack of support=lack of votes.
I ask you AMYA Skippers to support this based only on its merits;the numbers of members will hopefully sway you.

[IrishAye]

Hi Doc Greer,

When do we get to vote on creating a Region 7 again...?


Martin

[deafsail]

Doc Greer
I hope vote a Region 7

Baron Bremer
EC12-81

[Rick West]

Was a motion made and file for the ballot this fall, Doc?

[greerdr]

The motion has been made,seconded, and approved by AMYA board and should be on the next ballot.
Will be included
Please vote Yea as the argument that Fl has such a large membership and the remainder of R3 has more members than some regions it should prevail.
Another reason to "talk up" being a AMYA member-voting that actually counts your opinion;no Electoral College here.

[bigfoot55]

I have been advised that the Region 7 motion passed, and will be effective Jan 1. Thanks to all for your support.