Thanks, a Few Questions, and Some Introductions

First of all, thank you for continuing your BYC membership. This Jib Sheet is being sent to those who've renewed their membership for the coming year, and to those who have indicated that they intend to renew. There aren't as many of us as I'd hoped, but we form a strong base on which to build BYC for the 21st Century.

How many of us have remained? As of the time I'm writing this (mid October), I can't answer that question. In the December Jib Sheet I will provide a more definitive answer. In the meantime, we have asked all members who indicated an intention to resign to reconsider. We are also taking a close look at our budget to determine what we can afford, and we will adjust our expenditures to stay within the amount we collect from dues and the lease.

Now, we need your help in setting our priorities. Already, many of you have shared ideas with me and others on the Board. We intend to implement some of those ideas; we want your opinion on whether to implement others; and we want more things to consider.

The remainder of this column is drawn from my remarks at the Installation on October 2. Here is an introduction of the persons who are our leaders - the people you should contact with your suggestions.

The Bellingham Yacht Club is at a unique position in its history. We have quit bucking the tide of restaurant competition. We have clarified our mission and objectives: we are a boating and social club. I'm excited to be at the helm as we plot our course into the future. A good ship needs good officers, and it needs a clear division and definition of duties. Tonight, six officers and four new board members were installed. Every one of our officers and board members has an additional duty: to chair or be part of a standing committee. Let me introduce the people and the tasks that will take us forward to the next century.

The challenges before us fall into four categories: programs, building, finances, and governance.

PROGRAMS--Without programs, there is no reason to have a Yacht Club. Programs, broadly defined, include on-the-water activities, activities at the Clubhouse, and communications with members. Five people have volunteered to lead our efforts in programs.

Loraine Boland is President of the First Mates Auxiliary. As BYC changed its focus from a private restaurant to a social club, Loraine has had to deal with dismay, displeasure, and dissent among her members, including even members of her board. Although our revised structure offers exactly the same opportunities for the First Mates as did the past, not all see it that way. I encourage all of the women of the Club to attend First Mates meetings and offer your support to Loraine as we make our transition.

Jack Black, the Fleet Captain, is charged with the development and coordination of boating activities. Jack will be assisted by Sailing, RV, and Youth Fleet Captains, which are elected by those fleets. Brian Erga has accepted the new position of "Cruising Fleet Captain." Together, we expect to provide a series of activities appropriate to the membership of BYC. These include events such as "Around and Through the County," which is discussed in the October Jib Sheet. We're also planning a rendezvous with the Landcruisers, short cruises each month of the Spring and Summer, and maybe even a "gourmet dinner" cruise.

Karen Callery chairs the Program Committee. Karen's job is to take the best from the past and add new programs, coordinating with the fleets, to give each of us a real reason to be part of BYC. One of the primary responsibilities of our office staff is to support programmatic efforts, but Karen and her committee need people with ideas and volunteers to help set the agenda of BYC programs. We're working on a holiday party, and will plan as many parties as you, the members, will support. We hope that you will find "Fridays at Five" to be a great way to end the week … getting together with your Club buddies to let off steam and plan for serious weekend fun.

Peggy Boushey chairs the Publicity Committee, and continues as Editor of the Jib Sheet. The job of her committee is to get the word out - to BYC members and to the general public - about what we're doing. Peggy will be assisted by Steve Moore, BYC Secretary, Maury Jensen, Club Photographer, and Joanne Williamson, head of the Roster Committee.

Lorretta Palagi chairs the Membership Committee. She will be helped by Ken Olsen and others. This group is charged with a very important task: defining what it means to be a member of BYC - differentiating us from the other fine boating clubs in Bellingham. Once we know who we are, we will actively recruit boaters who are not members of BYC.

BUILDING--The Building and House Committee is charged with the care and maintenance of our Clubhouse facility. The committee is chaired by C.B. Williams, assisted by Bud Swanson, and several others. For too many years, we have deferred maintenance on our physical plant. Now, we must pay the price. As but one example, it cost more than $10,000 to bring our kitchen up to the point where Mr. Walston would accept it. That's $10,000 in cash outlay, not counting the hundreds of hours of volunteer time put in by the members of the Building and House Committee and others.

FINANCES--The building and programs need money. The Finance Committee is charged with oversight of the budget, including setting dues levels and authorizing budgeted expenditures. Dick Wells has agreed to continue as chair of the committee; Rich Pelo will continue as one of the members of the committee; and Rear Commodore Chuck McCord, who is also our Treasurer, is another member of the committee. One of their first tasks is to revisit the budget for this year in light of anticipated dues income. They will also put the proverbial "sharp pencil" to the budget to see if we can lower our expenses - and therefore our dues - while maintaining the quality of programs and services that make BYC the unique organization it is.

GOVERNANCE--Every manager needs a "right-hand man." Sitting at my right hand during Board meetings will be Vice Commodore Dave Bradley. The primary task of his position is that of chair of the Policy and Planning Committee, which will continue to refine the fundamental documents - the Bylaws and Policies - that guide the governance of the Club.

Finally, no good mariner spends all his time looking forward. A glance over the stern shows the trueness of the course and the perils that might overtake him. Our immediate Past Commodore, Norrin Heggem, will be with us at our deliberations. I will not hesitate to call on others - Past Commodores Montag, Coons, Fenno, Johnson, and all the members of the Blue Gavel - whose counsel will be invaluable in our journey.

MY JOB--My job is to keep track of all this. I will be the head cheerleader of the Club. I will be the first point of contact for many members who have ideas for the Club. But once you call me, please understand that I will, as quickly as possible, put you in contact with the proper committee head or fleet captain. They are the ones who will be responsible for making it happen.

To do my job, I will count on the excellent assistance of our office staff: Chris Hogg and Christi Stanbro. But we all need your help. After all, you can't spell CLUB without "U." I hope to see all of you, and your friends, at the "Fridays at Five" social hours. You're all invited to the Commodore's Ball. Plan now for the Lighted Boat Parade. Read the Jib Sheet and watch for special announcements. And tell us what you would like to see, do, and help with.

Thank you, now let's get on with it…