The CYC Board on Jan. 17 voted to allow people who have dropped their membership to rejoin the club without paying initiation fees.

Commodore Wayne Balsiger said the forgiveness of initiation fees is a one-time offer that will expire on March 31.

“The great recession has impacted many members. This is an effort to reach out to former members and to offer them an easier path to rejoin us,” said Balsiger. “Any former member may take advantage of this, not just those who lost their jobs or were otherwise negatively affected by the recession. We want them to rejoin and enjoy their membership again”

Initiation fees are normally $275 for S2 members (30 and older) and $100 for S3 members (21 to 29).

The timing of the offer for former members coincides with discounts in initiation fees offered to new members who join before March 31. This year, the new-member initiation fees until March 31 are $150 for S2s and $75 for S3s.

The club will hold its annual open house for prospective members at the Shilshole Clubhouse on Feb. 19.