ISAF Meetings

There are two principal meetings held by the International Sailing Federation every year: the ISAF Annual Conference held in November and the ISAF Mid-Year Meeting held in May. In addition, the ISAF Executive Committee meet four times a year; during the Conference and Mid-Year Meeting and on two other occassions.

ISAF Annual Conference

Every November, the ISAF Annual Conference brings together the leading figures from the sailing world to discuss, debate and decide upon the key issues in the sport of sailing.

The ISAF Committees, Sub-committees and Commissions all have the opportunity to debate all the issues in their respective areas. Based on these discussions they will then make recommendations to the ISAF Council, which is the final decision making body of ISAF. The Conference concludes with three days of Council meetings, when the major decisions which affect sailing's future will be made.

ISAF Mid-Year Meeting

Held annually every May, the ISAF Mid-Year Meetings bring together the ISAF Council, ISAF Executive Committee and ISAF Events Committee. The key focus of the Council meeting is to consider financial issues and follow up on matters deferred from the Annual Conference.

ISAF Decision Making

The ISAF Annual Conference is ISAF's principal decision-making process. It brings together all the ISAF Committees and the ISAF Council as well as many other leading figures from the sailing world. Decision making in ISAF is based upon Submissions, which are proposals to either change an existing ISAF policy or introduce a new policy in the sport. Submissions can be made by ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs), ISAF International Class Associations, International or Recognized Rating Systems, Committee Chairmen, the Chairman of the Women's Forum, the ISAF President and the Executive Committee. If you want to have your voice heard within ISAF, contact your relevant MNA or class association to make sure your opinion gets recognised.

ISAF Council, Executive Committee and Committees

The Council is responsible for managing the sport of Yachting, including the receiving, consideration and determination of policy proposals and carrying out the aims and objects of the Federation. It comprises of the ISAF President and seven Vice-Presidents, 28 members appointed by the ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs, the Chairman of the ISAF Offshore Committee, a member appointed by the ISAF Classes Committee and a women's representative. The Treasurer is also a member but does not have a vote unless he is a member in some other capacity, such as Vice-President. The ISAF Presidents of Honour are also non-voting members of the ISAF Council.

The Executive Committee which comprises of the ISAF President and seven Vice-President also constitutes the Board of the Directors of the Federation and has full responsibility for managing the corporate and financial affairs of the Federation. The Executive Committee is responsible for implementing the policy decisions of Council.

Beneath the Council and the Executive Committee the ISAF structure branches out into separate Committees, Sub-Committees and Commissions each specialising in a particular aspect of the sport and operating within terms of reference (terms of reference can be viewed via the Committee section, or in ISAF Regulations 6 through 9.6). These Committees consider the submissions before passing their recommendations on to the Council, who make the final decision. It is the responsibility of the Committees to consider all aspects of the Submission before making any recommendation.

You can view details of all current Council and Committee members here.

Decision Making Process

In order to have a streamlined process to consider the Submissions, each Submission is allocated to a 'Reporting Committee' and 'Other Committees', as detailed in the Submission table. The allocation of Committees is based on the subject matter of the Submission and the Committees' terms of reference. The 'Reporting Committee' has the ultimate responsibility to make a recommendation to Council on that Submission, with the 'Other Committees' giving their recommendation to the 'Reporting Committee'. However, when the Council considers the Submission, in order to be fully briefed of the position of the different Committees, Council members are presented with the recommendations of both the 'Reporting Committee' and 'Other Committees'.

Whilst nominated by MNAs, the Committee Members do not carry a nation vote and are completely neutral in this respect and act upon their experience and expertise. The Council members are appointed to speak on behalf of the nations whom they represent, with the final decision of Council made in the best interests of the sport as a whole.

ISAF's aim is not to take a heavy-handed governing position, but to 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 express their opinions and they can have a voice at the Council meeting, should a Committee Chairman wish to take the floor.The Executive Committee shall constitute the board of the directors of the Federation The Executive Committee shall constitute the board of the directors of the Federation