Issue date
The new season is finally here, bringing another opportunity for our sailors, coaches, clubs, and volunteers across the country to do what they do best.
It also means that Yachting New Zealand's annual general meeting (AGM) is fast approaching.
This year's AGM will be held online from 4pm to 6pm on Tuesday, November 12.
Per our constitutional requirements, any proposed alterations or additions to the constitution, motions, or notices of other business to be considered at the AGM must be received by Yachting New Zealand by 5pm on Thursday, October 3 — 40 days before the meeting.
At last year's AGM, Greg Knowles, Sarah Bacon, and Nicola Harrison were elected as Yachting New Zealand directors. While there are no board vacancies this year, the meeting will again provide an important opportunity for yachting and boating clubs to engage with us.
Click here for the Yachting New Zealand constitution.
Click here for the 2023 AGM draft minutes.
The AGM follows the recent results of the latest Voice of the Participant survey. This survey remains a powerful tool for gathering feedback on whether our clubs' services continue to meet expectations, and it was encouraging to see that the vast majority of respondents believe they do, despite another challenging 12 months.
A significant part of Yachting New Zealand's work this year has focused on good governance principles and refreshing our strategic priorities to ensure our sport remains strong at all levels.
This includes reapplying for Sport New Zealand's Governance Mark, which we received in 2021 and is valid for three years. The mark is awarded through a comprehensive process that acknowledges organisations that are clear about how they intend to allocate time and resources; whose boards have a considered process for strategy development and a system for monitoring the effectiveness of that strategy; and that demonstrate accountability to stakeholders through a structured communication plan.
Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercrombie.
We are also finalising our strategic priorities for the next four years and are excited to share more details in the coming months.
The sailing landscape has changed significantly since we last set our priorities in 2022, with the introduction of the new Incorporated Societies Act and the Sport Integrity Commission, both of which will impact how many of our member clubs operate.
Yachting New Zealand's national sport development director, Raynor Haagh, and I will soon begin visiting clubs around the country to discuss these changes, our new strategy, and to hear from you — the people who make our sport what it is.
We look forward to connecting with you and we are excited about the season ahead.
In the meantime, please carefully consider who will represent your club at the AGM, and don't hesitate to reach out to your regional development manager (RDM) if you have any questions.
Regards,
David Abercrombie
Yachting New Zealand chief executive
