CYC Home
November, 2009
By Bruce Sherman
CYC Commodore
Entering 2009, I didn't think I'd particularly like being commodore of CYC.
We were coming off of two challenging years, which my predecessors handled admirably but which were nonetheless difficult. In 2007, Eric Sanderson spent much of his time dealing with claims resulting from the unfortunate accident at Shilshole, and in 2008, Joe James dealt with a knotty transition in our office staff and a budget crisis.
Largely through their efforts, we overcame those situations. But what would befall us in 2009?
The answer is that at least so far (keep your fingers crossed), there have been no crises in 2009 for CYC. On the contrary, because a number of people have stepped forward, we have made progress in a number of areas.
With Club Manager Brian Miller and Assistant Manager Joel Thornton in charge, our office has been running smoothly and efficiently. Thornton will take over the office sometime this winter.
We also have improved our facilities maintenance efforts (Vice Commodore John Rahn and member Noel Morgan), stepped up our educational and social programs,(Wendy Hinman, Secretary Suzette Connolly and Mary Thornton), and are making progress in developing a junior program (Director Michael Cenname).
While our membership took a hit as a result of the economy in 2009, Director Lisa Dodd worked to stanch the bleeding and Director Rusty Lhamon led an effort to come up with new ways to attract members. The board will vote on some of those proposals soon.
Our Treasurer, Remmert Wolters, has kept our financial affairs on track, Fleet Captain Race Jerry Diercks put his nose to the grindstone and worked hard to ensure that our racing program remained the best in the region, and Director Steve Travis continued our success with NOOD. We also made improvements in our communications with members. Webmaster Derek Storm and I worked together on that, with help from many members who contributed articles and photos.
The board also has made a commitment to find a long-term solution to our lack of a clubhouse at Leschi. Wolters and Director John Fry will lead that effort.
Assuming that our membership stabilizes with the improving economy and the extra effort we will be putting into that area, I believe more progress is in store for CYC. The addition of former Commodore Wayne Balsiger to the leadership team as vice commodore is bound to be positive. As evidenced by his successful Heart of CYC fundraising campaign, Wayne is the kind of guy who gets things done.
And with John Rahn as commodore, Ken Johnson as rear commodore, and Wolters and Diercks continuing in their positions, and a solid board behind them, the club is in good hands going forward.
So I'm pleased to have been able to work with a great team of people to help make some progress at the club in 2009. I am honored to have been able to serve the membership. And to tell you the truth, it hasn't been so bad, after all.