Overview

Inspired by the endless stream of banter in sailing club bars, Seahorse Magazine took a visit to the ISAF Secretariat to see who governs the sport of sailing (the ISAF) and how (it's no easy task).

So, unless you are already intimate with the workings of the ISAF, sit up and take note... it's your sport we're talking about.

It is sad, but true: one of the few occasions when sailors take an interest in the governing body of their sport, the ISAF, is at the ISAF Annual Conference, held in November each year, or when reading the subsequent magazine reports. It is at the Annual Conference that decisions are made concerning sailing and, consequently, sailors become aware of a group of people whose workings have an enormous impact on their hobby or livelihood.

Unfortunately, those sailors represent only a small number of the sport's population and, perhaps more tragic still, is that in many cases their surmise of the ISAF is influenced by the outcome of an isolated decision which has pricked their interest, rather than on what ISAF achieves for the sport as a whole.

That said, no system is without its imperfections. But a greater understanding of the workings of the ISAF and how and why it makes decisions could go a long way in improving and moving the sport of sailing forward.

First off, it is important to realise that the aim of the ISAF is to exist and govern solely for the betterment of the sport worldwide. So, while a particular decision may perturb a small isolated group (i.e. a class does not get approval to hold a world championship event) the reality is that there is usually a good reason behind it (i.e. to protect the status of 'world titles').

So, aside from holding an Annual Conference and selecting the Olympic classes, what exactly does the ISAF do?

Well, everything... and within a relatively small and limited budget, too. Any decision regarding our sport - from training programmes, legislation and controlling championships to maintaining standards and promoting the sport, amongst others, falls within the ISAF's brief. Its constitution is such that a fair and democratic voting system is in place, and any sailor - through the correct channel - can voice an opinion on any matter.

Inside at the ISAF A glance at the make up of the ISAF decision making structure could initially send you running into the corner with a boggled mind, never to look again. However, in reality, it is a relatively simple, albeit extensive, hierarchy.

A small paid team, working from the ISAF Secretariat in Southampton, Great Britain, deals with the day-to-day administration and serves as a communication service.

Aside from this group the ISAF comprises entirely of volunteers.

At the head of the decision-making structure sits the Council - elected every four years - which is the final decision-making body of the ISAF and comprises the President, seven Vice-Presidents, twenty-eight nominated members (representing each of the regional groups of sailing nations), a member nominated each by the ORC, ISAF Classes Committee, and a Women's Representative, the Treasurer (non-voting) and Officers of Honour (non-voting), and a representative from the 2008 Olympic Games (non-voting).

Within the Council sits the Executive Committee, which, similar to a board of directors, is responsible for implementing the policy decisions of the Council and is made up of the President, seven Vice-Presidents, two Officers of Honour (non-voting) and the Treasurer (non-voting).

Beneath these two groups, the structure then branches out into separate committees and working parties, each specialising in a particular aspect of the sport and whose members are, in general, nominated by National Authorities. These committees filter all submissions before passing recommendations on to the Council.

It is important to highlight at this point that, contrary to some people's belief, the committees are not made up of 'old boys', though examples can no doubt be found. A look down the current committee member listings shows that each holds his or her seat based on their experience and expertise alone they are past Olympic medallists, active competitors, highly regarded sailing personalities, designers and other technical authorities.

The decision-making process

The ISAF operates a democratic decision-making process within the constraints of its Constitution. Every four years a General Assembly is held, at which the incoming Executive Committee is elected and the nominated members of Council announced and committees appointed. More often than not, the new Executive Committee brings with it a number of fresh policies which it would like to introduce during its term, alongside the cyclical matters of interest.

Each calendar year a General Meeting is held at which all submissions for change or introduction are discussed and judged upon. A submission may be made by Member National Authorities, ISAF Classes, the Executive Committee, the Chairman of Committees established by the Council, Autonomous Constituent Organisations, or by copyright holders of ISAF Classes. Any individual wishing to voice an opinion can do so through one of these bodies.

Submissions have to be received by the ISAF at a designated date, before the General Meeting, giving enough time for the papers to be circulated to all the relevant bodies (such as National Authorities, ISAF Classes) and specific committees, to research before the 'big week'. Each committee has the power for some decision-making, and it is important to note that, despite being elected by Member National Authorities, the members are not carrying a national authority vote they are completely neutral in this respect and acting solely upon their experience and expertise. However, the Council members are appointed to speak on behalf of the nations whom they represent.

The timetable of the General Meeting is such that the committee members sit to discuss submissions early in the week any recommendations that then arise and are considered to have a major impact on the sport, may be passed as appropriate to one of the more senior committees - for example the Sailing and Events Committe - to filter through prior to being passed to the Council meeting held at the end of the week, for the final vote. It is the responsibility of the committees to accumulate, decipher and judge all the facts before forwarding any recommendation. Because of the degree of debate already held at this point, a recommendation passed to the Council is likely to be endorsed some are approved unanimously, others go to the majority vote and some are deferred for further investigation. Of course some recommendations may also be rejected.

The ISAF's aim is not to take a heavy-handed governing position but, instead, provide solutions. A great deal of time and consideration is put into every recommendation, and there are options all the way through the process for committees to be heard they can even have a voice at the Council meeting, should a committee chairman wish to take the floor.

So who pays for it?

The ISAF is a non-profit making organisation whose finance is both limited in amount and source. The largest percentage of its income comes in a four-year cycle from the IOC's (International Olympic Committee) sale of the Games' TV rights the ISAF receives an allocated portion of the fund which, in turn, it predominantly reinvests into the Olympic Sailing Regatta. Other revenue comes from: affiliation fees paid by National Authorities (from a few hundred pounds to thousands, depending which fee category an MNA falls into) Special Event Fees building fees from ISAF Classes sale of ISAF publications and, to a lesser degree, sponsorship. In turn the ISAF needs to finance: its administration training programmes race officials' development programmes rules annual meetings publication of guidelines and standards communications and, in certain cases, and as necessary committee investigations and directives.

It's worthy of your support

It cannot be over-emphasised that the ISAF's continued aim is to hold a fair, non-heavy-handed, governing stance which will see the sport improve its standards and move forward yet, currently, it is estimated that only a small minority of sailors demonstrate any interest in and understanding of their governing body. Many more, however, are quick to comment on its imperfections in the sailing club bar (not the most constructive venue), when instead they could offer valuable and welcome input through the correct channels (MNA or ISAF Classes).

The ISAF's Web site is a powerful communication medium and ideal for keeping up to date with current activities. So, come on: it's your sport we're talking about and it's worthy of your support.