Minutes IKA National Class Associations meeting 2008

Minutes of the IKA conference, held on 24th of Janurary, 2009 at the Boot Exhibition, Dusseldorf.

The meeting opened at 10:30 and was continued on 25th of January, 10:00-13:00

IKA Executive Secretary, Markus Schwendtner, made a short introduction and asked the participants to introduce themselves.

Nations represented were:  Italy, Germany, France, Great Britain, Ukraine, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain.

Representing the IKA- Dave Williams and Markus Schwendtner.

Representing the ISAF International Classes Committee- Ceri Williams.

Guest-Mauricio Toscano (PKRA)

1. Welcome, introduction and apologies.
We have received appologies from:  IKA-Christian Conrad and Katja Roose; from the nations -Denmark, Morocco, USA.

2. Brief overview about IKA history, ISAF actions and decision, responsibilities and rights.
Markus Schwendtner gave a short overview about the history of the IKA, starting with identifying needs from the speed and racing scene, including ratification of the speedsailing outright world record. Developing a pathway with ISAF to include kiteboarding into sailing, as it is definitely on the water and powered by natural wind. This resulted in a change to the equipment rules of sailing (ERS), opening the way to apply for international class status. The international class status was been granted during ISAFs annual conference in November 2008. The rights of the class include holding world and continental championships.

3. IKAs strategy of integrating national kite associations and other sub-committees IKA was started with a small group of riders to bring things forward and "get the job done". For the current circumstances, the perfect solution - lean management. In the long term, the legitimation must come from a broad base, including riders (through their national class associations), the class associations themselves, manufacturers, pro riders. Therefore the IKA has suggested setting up several sub committees with various responsibilities.

4. Questions and answers
This strategy was extensively discussed with the following major result:
- IKA shall become represented and legitimized by the national kite class associations.
- Full membership shall be granted to national kite class associations or federations controlling the class activity in each country. Riders or group of individuals may apply for membership, provided there is no existing organization governing the class activity  in that country.
- The general assembly shall consist of representatives of full members and the elected members of the executive committee, which shall together govern the class.
- The executive committee is responsible for the management of the class between the agms (day to day business)
- Consultative sub-committees shall be appointed by the general assembly (e.g. for rules, judging, manufacturers etc.)
- The international class shall hold world and continental championships as may be required. National championships shall be arranged by national class associations. IKA may delegate organisation and running of such championships.
- The national associations working group will provide the IKA committee a proposal for a new constitution. All national associations shall be involved in the decision making process.
- IKA (with ISAF if necessary) will verify legal aspects of the proposal. As soon as all issues are resolved, the executive secretary will call a special general meeting of the class members.
- It was agreed, that 2009 has to be seen as an intermediate solution. To have no activities is no solution. This means, that all prior developments are continued for 2009.
- The "new" IKA will be set up under the above preconditions as soon as possible to develop the structure and activities of the class for 2010 and following. This shall be a continuous process, as it is not expected to get it 100% right in the first attempt.

5. Responsibilities of national kite class associations sub-committee deferred.

6. Constitution of national class associations sub-committee:
 deferred.

7. Classes joining the IKA:
deferred.

8. Election of interim seat toward the IKA committee:
deferred.

9. Election of seats towards the judging sub-committee:
 deferred.

10. Election of seats towards the rules sub-committee:
 deferred.

11. Any other business
Memberships, beach bans, beach access, safety, olympics and other issues were discussed in a way of "brainstorming", further suggestions are up to the specialists committees, once set up.

Markus Schwendtner thanked all participants for the constructive work and closed the meeting at 13:30.