1. Rallies 2000: The rallies enjoyed good attendance. A new event for 1999 was the Queenborough rally on the Swale organised by John Adye. The Maritime Ipswich rally was held for the second time, by Ted Jones. It was felt that most participants would rather have been sailing than stuck in the wet dock at Ipswich. The events were co-ordinated by the regional secretary, but run and hosted by an individual rally organiser. Many thanks to the rally organisers: Peter Small, Paul Constantine, Geoff Osborne, Charles Proudfoot, John Adye, Ted Jones, Stanley Dean.

2. Membership database: Roger Gingell provided myself with a copy of the membership database. This is now available to bona fide users (such as regional secretaries) in MS Works, MS Excel or MS Access formats from Peter Small or Roger. Furthermore, requests for selective information from the data base can be provided, such as members local to you with similar boats and/or cruising grounds.

3. East Coast Mail Shot: In March 1999 I used the membership database to determine 100 DCA members with an interest in the east coast or who lived close by. These members were then sent a letter with a request to complete and return a survey form. The following information was requested: Comments: what would you like the DCA to provide for you and what suggestions do you have for enhancing the DCA. Rallies: an appeal for organisers. Information: an appeal to provide information about events local to you of interest to other DCA members. Skipper and crew register: a database to be complied by the East Coast Regional Secretary of skippers willing to take crew, and of crew willing to volunteer for a skipper. East Coast Launch Site List: an appeal for members to give details of their favourite launch site. East Coast Pilot: an appeal for members to give details of their favourite cruising venue. The mail shot also included an offer by the East Coast Secretary to provide a fully functional shareware copy of a tidal prediction program for a PC to those who provided the postage.

4. Response to mail shot: 100 letters were sent. Six replies were received. Three replies contained useful positive information. The other three replies contained a thank you for this initiative, but a reluctance to take part. No one requested a copy of the tidal prediction program for PC. There was a positive response of 3% by the DCA membership to this.

5. Welcoming new members: The East Coast Secretary has now taken it upon himself to try and personally welcome new DCA members with an East Coast interest. This is made possible by filtering the membership data base. The welcome has most recently taken the form of a New Year letter with an invitation to partake in the forthcoming rallies.

6. Compilation of a new DCA Launch Site Guide: Early in 1999 I obtained copies of the old DCA Launch Site Guide and the UK Wayfarer Association Launch Site Guide. I am currently in the process of updating and combining the two guides. I am finding this a lot of work, but hope to have a usable result within 6 months. Any one who can provide up to date launch site information is invited to let me know. The new guide will initially be available in MS Access or text format for PC on floppy dick or by email. Eventually printed versions will be available in the library. It may be possible to incorporate some sketch maps.