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Committee Seeks Ways to Add Value to CYC Membership

By Rusty Lhamon

The third CYC Membership Committee meeting of 2009 was held on October 21^st at the CYC club house. Nine committee members were in attendance. The main focus of the meeting was to determine the best way to market and distinguish membership benefits and to plan membership committee activities through the winter and into 2010.

Discussion started with a review of membership benefit claims made by different yacht clubs around the country and CYC's relative position as compared to these benchmarks. CYC offers similar benefits to many leading clubs. However, we don't differentiate between members and guests very well. An excerpt from the book Saving Sailing, by Nicholas Hayes, which outlined the importance of community and shared time together was also discussed.

After much discussion it was resolved that the best way for CYC to distinguish membership benefits is for the club to differentiate the way it treats members from guests. The committee agreed to create a formal proposal which will be presented to the CYC Board when complete. The proposal will specify how to implement the following items:

• Discounted member pricing for drinks, food, and other items purchased in the club - maintaining compliance with our liquor license.
• Volunteer greeters and guest registration at the door for all major CYC events.
• Guest cards given to registered guest skippers for use in the club during the event they are participating in.
• Discounted member pricing for all paid club events and a nominal guest charge of $5 for all free events.

In addition to the above proposal, the committee also discussed the need to continue the Friday's in February series and other social events. Heidi Gildersleeve has picked up this torch and is organizing the Halloween party which will raise money for the Sea Scouts. Look for more events to come in the future.

Finally, the topic of volunteering was debated. While all feel volunteerism is important, we have frequently gone about this with a single minded focus toward just getting things done. During the meeting, the debate centered on the fact that volunteering is not just about getting work done, or making sure we have the necessary helpers on the committee boat (all of which are important), but, it is also about getting members of the club together from different groups and giving them an opportunity to meet, work together, and bond. Additional effort will be put into this all important piece of building the CYC community in the coming months. Be ready when you receive the call for help. Accept the challenge and come willing to contribute as well as to grow in your enjoyment of the community of CYC members.

A discussion of the results of the 2009 CYC Membership Survey can be found here.

The CYC Membership Committee is made of volunteers and we are always looking for ideas and help. If you are interested in joining the committee, volunteering to help be a greeter or event organizer, or you just have an idea you want to share, please email the CYC office with "CYC Membership Committee" in the subject line. The office email is cycsea@eskimo.com