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Lightning Class Association
HomeLOYALS Project Chart

LOYALS Project Chart

 

Project Name 

Detailed Description

Date Completed

Comments

On Going
         
  Fuel The Flash 2030 Five-year strategic fundraising campaign addressing the key needs of the Class to ensure its viability through 2038 (our 100th Anniversary) and beyond.   Sep 2025 ongoing Fuel The Flash 2030 launch
Fuel The Flash 2030 Focus Areas
 
           
Need Volunteers
 
Member Spotlights Articles highlighting Lightning Members:

 - Ken Brown (Aug 2025)

 - Ian and Lindy Edwards  (Nov 2025)
 - David Peterson (coming soon)

 
ongoing If you know of someone deserving a Member Spotlight, please let us know (or volunteer to write one!)
           
  Lightning Class Hall of Fame In collaboration with the Finger Lakes Boating Museum, a Lightning Class Hall of Fame is being established.  An initial need is to develop the process and criteria for nomination and selection of inductees into the Hall of Fame.     Hall of Fame Mission Statement: 

The International Lighting Class Association Hall of Fame will highlight and celebrate the Lightning Sailboat and recognize the sailors, boat builders, sail makers, and individuals or organizations who have been instrumental in supporting and strengthening the Lightning Class since 1938.

 
           
   Boat Census/Registry Project headed by Bob Bush and team to update the Class Boat Registry.  First step will be a census/survey to understand what boats are where.   Ultimately the registry will help with fleet development and the Pipeline Program.  
           
   Championship Trophies  Identify all Class Championship trophies, as well as District trophies, and historical recipients.     Clarke Newman heads this effort.   
           
2025
 Custom app for 2026!  G.O.T.-Flashes Created program to "Get Out There".  Designed logos & stickers, monitored weekly and awarded 10-25-50 days sailed stickers.  Weekly blogs were posted to enhance engagement.  G.O.T.-Flashes blogs  
YTD:  125 participants, 1,500 sailing days logged, 80 stickers awarded, three 50-burgees awarded. 
Apr thru Dec 2025  Keep logging dates through Dec 2025.  
For 2026, we will have a custom app to simplify and enhance your experience logging dates - stay tuned!
           
   Flashes Searchable Index  79 years of Flashes have been indexed - 667 issues, over 9,300 articles - and are now searchable.  Team of Bob Astrove, Bob Shapiro and Raeyanne Farrell used AI/ChatGPT to achieve this remarkable feat! Oct 2025  Flashes Searchable Index   
           
   Lightning Class Electronic Advertising  Bob Shapiro led the effort to develop a comprehensive electronic advertising package, including rates for suppliers on the website, FlashBlasts, newsletters and social media.   Nov 2025  Will report on income on an annual basis   
           
   NA's 50-50 Raffle - virtual and in-person Held a 50-50 raffle at the Wrightsville Beach NA's banquet that netted $1,730 for the Limbaugh Fund.   Sep 2025  Total collected was $3,460   
           
  NA's Vakaros Raffle Vakaros donated a smart compass that was raffled off at Wrightsville Beach NA's banquet, netting $2,570 for the LCA Fund Sep 2025  Special thanks to Doug Wake for making this possible!   
           
  WJM 50-50 Raffle - virtual and in-person Held a 50-50 raffle at the Larchmont WJM banquet that netted $2,140 for the Limbaugh Fund.  
Aug 2025 
Special thanks to Dave Starck for donating his 50% of winnings back to the Lightning Class!    
           
  Member E-Mail Corrections Ongoing effort to correct email addresses, as well as to allow emails where currently blocked Jun 2025 To check your settings, go to your profile & ensure your email is provided, and go to "More Member Options" and check the box to allow emails.
           
  Website Redesign Based on a member survey and feedback, led the reorganization of the Home Page and main menu dropdowns to improve the intuitive grouping of key website elements  Jun 2025 This work is ongoing as we delve into each subheading and update/reorganize the resources available.  Ongoing need to volunteers!   
           
  Improved access to web Event Calendar Facilitated inproved member access to the Event Calendar, including a how-to tutorial (Adding Events) May 2025     
           
  50-50 Raffle Held a 50-50 raffle at the St Pete Midwinters banquet that netted $2,450 for the Boat Grant Program
 Mar 2025 Special thanks to Steve Harris for donating his 50% of winnings back to the Lightning Class!   
           
  Evolution Spinnaker raffle 
Evolution Sails donated a spinnaker that was raffled off at the Midwinters, netting $5,000 for the Boat Grant Program Mar 2025  Special thanks to Greg Fisher and Ryan Ruhlman for making this possible!   
           
  Web Tips & Tricks Tips created to help with Search on the website (Search Tips) and Finding Members (Finding Members) Jan 2025     
           
 Update your profile Ability to send texts from ILCA website Enabled texts to be sent from the website in addition to emails, and sent initial request for members to enable texts on their profiles.  Goal is to reachg more members with each communication. Jan 2025  To enable texts, go to your profile under "Basic Member Info" and scroll down to the checkbox near the bottom   
           
2024
 Ongoing discussions  Fleet Leaders Forum Created forum on ILCA website for fleet & District leaders.  Included a tutorial on sign-up and use, and provides ongoing place to exchange information and ideas.  Nov 2024 20+ discreet discussion threads and counting!
           
Ongoing updates  Updated Fleet Captain & District Commodore list Contacted each fleet captain to ensure updated information on the ILCA website;  included survey toprovide input on ideas for engagement and help required July 2024 Please continue to update the Class Office as your fleet captains / district commodores change