CYC Board Considers Bar Discounts for Members, Turns Awards Party into Banquet
January 11, 2010
By Ken Johnson
In a continuing effort to add value to CYC membership, the Board is considering giving members bar-tab discounts that would not be available to non-members. At its January 11, 2010 meeting, the new 2010 Board discussed the pros and cons of such discounts, with Board member Rusty Lhamon chairing a group that will report back to the Board in February.
Membership is high priority for 2010. The Open House to attract new members will be on Saturday, February 20 from 1 to 5 pm. Fleets are urged to bring boats and information about their racing. The Board continued the practice of offering a February discount in the club's initiation fees to new members joining in February. The office staff is processing membership renewals although they reported several past members notifying the club that they will not be renewing due to economic considerations. This will be a difficult reality for the club to face, and emphasizes the need to offer real value to club membership.
The Board added a dinner to the Friday, January 29 Awards banquet. Time and costs will be announced shortly, with a request that members coming for the dinner let the club staff know in advance. This is a great celebratory event as the club had outstanding nominees for all awards. Make your plans to attend.
Also on the January meeting schedule is a Friday, January 22 presentation on the 2009 Mini-Transat race (solo racing from France to Brazil in a 21 foot boat, not always successfully dodging whales and other obstacles) by members Chris Tutmark and Craig Horsfield.
Photo by Bruce Sherman
Officers and Directors of CYC at their first board meeting of 2010, Jan 11 at Shilshole.
Other items, new and old, that the Board discussed at the meeting included:
- Leschi - short and long-term. The club will discuss with the Leschi landlord the possible return to the Clubhouse for 2010, and is reviewing potential changes to the arrangements with the BluWater and possibly with other Leschi restaurants. The principal complaint re 2009 was the inability of the Leschi fleets to mingle easily in the post-race get-togethers. Longer-term, Commodore John Rahn appointed Treasurer Remmert Wolters to chair a committee to report on a longer-term solution for Lake racing.
- Race Fees. Fleet-Captain Jerry Diercks announced some changes to the 2010 race fees to bring more internal parity among the fees. The 2010 race handbook will be sent to the printer this week.
- Budget. The club ended 2009 with a positive balance primarily by cost controls. Final numbers are expected before the February meeting, although Treasurer Remmert Wolters estimated the balance to be in the range of $60K to $65K. He reminded the Board that continued improvement in building reserves is needed.
- Shilshole Clubhouse. The roof leaks. Board member James Frazier is soliciting bids for repair and will proceed as soon as the bids can be compared.
- J/24 North Americans. Joy Okazaki and John Mason of the J/24 Fleet presented information for the 2010 J/24 North Americans to be held May 19-23 at Shilshole, with the NOOD regatta the previous week being a tune-up feeder event. Both CYC and SYC are sponsoring organizations. A committee of Remmert Wolters, and Ken Johnson will review a proposal for a CYC commitment including in-kind services and financial support.
- Outreach. Commodore Rahn stated that he would reach out to other sailing organizations for improved cooperation, and reviewed his discussions with The Sailing Foundation about potential arrangements that could utilize the Foundation's 501(c)(3) status to the club's benefit.
- Club Operations. At long last, a new computer program has been installed although for several months the club office will run both the old and new program in parallel until the major bugs are eliminated. Many thanks to Geoff Pease for his contributions in acquiring and installing the new software. Club manager Brian Miller has retired, with Joel Thornton assuming the role.
