From the Helm | Some Random Notes and Observations
Ken Johnson, Commodore
- The Clubhouse continues to be improved! Many thanks to Brian Watkins who pressure-washed the entrance and ramp, as well as the gathering area on the south side dock area – lots of grime and small growing things were removed. Also, we have moved some of the furniture out of the main area to provide a more attractive “open” look.
- Perhaps due to the improvements but also better marketing, our Clubhouse rentals continue to build. We have a number of private events scheduled for each month for the rest of the year – and would have more except for a heavy sailing schedule in October. Rachelle has been excellent in promoting our rentals.
- If you haven’t notice, we now have ONE calendar on the website that lists all the events going on at the Club. On the CYC web page, see: “News & Events/ Clubhouse Calendar.” Again, good work by Rachelle.
- We have added a part-time bookkeeper to our staff: Laura Bolin. She crews on a Thistle. Laura will be helping us improve our business processes. We are still looking for a second office staff person, but will wait until we get Laura fully on board with our systems.
- Those members who race out of Leschi Sooth know the advanced deterioration of those docks. We are considering various approaches as many believe most of those docks will not be usable in the near future. Hope for a mild winter! Budgets are tight, no doubt – but this moorage is at severe risk. If you have any political contacts that could be useful, let us know.
- We have received $28,000 through the generous contributions of our Supporting and Sustaining members. If you want to participate, you can still become a Supporting member – $200 – or a Sustaining Member – $500 or more. Thanks again to these generous members.
- Welcome to our first five Business Members – Click Distributing, CSR Marine, Fisheries Supply, Sail Northwest and Seattle Sailing Club. Each has paid $1,500 for year’s membership, and you will see their logos around the Club. Thank them for their membership and use their services!
- Our 2012 Junior Sailing Camps were very successful. We usually had 7 or 8 participants at each one-week camp, and 4 to 6 on our two-week camps – so at times there were up to 14 kids in Opti’s. Thanks to Erica Vranizan and Ashley Krzeszowski for their excellent instruction and to Derick Vranizan for coordinating this program. A good foundation has been built for the future.
- CYC Races – what changes, if any, should we make to our race schedule for 2013? Should we add more “casual” events? Other than our normal weeknight events, we have almost no events between PSSR in April and PSSC in October. Or is the calendar too full with events from other groups? We will be reviewing our racing calendar critically this fall – if you have any suggestions for changes (deletions, additions, etc), contact Bill Blodgett, our Fleet Captain-Race (bill@kamgear.com).
- Finally, attend our 2012 Annual General Meeting on Monday, November 12. We need your input on how we can continue to improve the Club and your experience with it and your fellow members.
