THE INTERNATIONAL FLYING DUTCHMAN CLASS ORGANISATION

Introduction
This page briefly outlines the role of the International Flying Dutchman Class Organisation (IFDCO) and how FD sailors can help promote FD sailing around the world.

IFDCO is governed by the IFDCO Foundation Rules 1988 and the IFDCO Byelaws

What is the IFDCO?
Why does IFDCO exist?
How does IFDCO function?
So how does the IFDCO fund all these activities?
How can I help?

Sub Committees
  Championship Organisation Committee
  Technical Development Committee
  Measurement Committee
  Promotion Committee
  Finance Committee

The main communication channels for FD class members are:

FD Bulletin
International magazine produced annually in the Autumn (in English) and distributed to National FD Class associations for onward distribution to members of IFDCO and other interested parties.

FD Flyer
International newsletter produced on an ad hoc basis

National FD newsletters
Produced by National FD Class associations and distributed to National FD sailors

Websites
IFDCO and some National FD Class Associations have websites (see www.sailfd.org) for links to National FD websites.

Email
Some National FD Class Associations are using email to communicate with their members, contact your National FD secretary for details.

What is the IFDCO?
IFDCO is an International organisation, constituted in Holland as a Dutch Foundation. It is regulated in accordance with the IFDCO Foundation Rules and Bylaws which can only be changed with the approval of the IFDCO General Committee. The Foundation Rules and Bylaws are published in the FD Class Book.

Why does IFDCO exist?
The object of IFDCO is to promote, develop and coordinate international FD competitive sailing throughout the world under uniform rules, in cooperation with the International Sailing Federation and the National FD Class Associations.

How does IFDCO function?
Each of the main areas of activity is carried out under the control of a member of the IFDCO Executive Committee.

Each year, the IFDCO General Committee (consisting of the Executive Committee and regional commodores) meets to review progress and to decide on policy.

Input is received from National FD Secretaries and competitors at world and continental championships. There is usually a competitors hearing and a meeting of National representatives at least once a year.

The following sub-committees have been formed to provide an opportunity for those interested in supporting the international class organisation and to provide guidance to the IFDCO General Committee:

Championship Organisation Committee
Responsible for making recommendations on Championship venues, developing IFDCO Sailing Instructions, communicating with organisers of FD World and Continental Championships and advising International Juries on FD Class matters.

Technical Development Committee
Responsible for exploring possible changes in yacht design which will keep the FD in the forefront of international classes, monitoring developments of materials to see if they can be used to advantage in the FD Class, communicating with the Measurement Committee to monitor developments made by FD sailors and arranging for testing of any proposed developments.

Measurement Committee
Responsible for enforcing FD Class Rules and IYRU Measurement rules, proposing changes to class rules to protect the one design nature of the Class, encouraging the appointment of qualified FD measurers and communicating with builders, sail makers and equipment manufacturers.

Promotion Committee
Responsible for preparing plans to develop FD sailing in countries sailing the FD and establishing FD Class Associations in new countries, communicating with National FD Development managers and producing promotional material for international use, such as Class Book, FD Brochure, car stickers and FD Videos.

Finance Committee
Estimating and planning future sources of Income, establishing guidelines for expenditure and advising on financial matters.

So how does the IFDCO fund all these activities?
Nearly all the work performed for the FD Class is carried out on a voluntary basis. FD sailors all around the world benefit from the dedicated services of all the members of the IFDCO General Committee and sub-committees, the members of National FD Class Association committees, National Sailing Authorities, sailing clubs and ISAF, all of whom strive hard to ensure that it is possible to race.

The main expenditure incurred by the IFDCO is on communications:- primarily printing and distribution of the FD Bulletin.

This is funded primarily by annual IFDCO membership dues. In addition a small part of the funding is obtained from sail buttons and a part of the International Class Fee paid on new FDs.

How can I help?
Contact your National FD Class Association, pay your subscription, take as many people sailing in an FD as possible, show the FD video at your club, write articles about FD sailing for your local press and national sailing magazines, tell your local radio station about FD events, arrange regattas and social events at your club. Contribute regatta reports, articles and photos to the FD websites and the many sailing websites around the world. If you have any specialist knowledge or have contact with potential sponsors and would like to help please let IFDCO know.

HAPPY SAILING!

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