RYC Meeting at ACF, Saturday February 15 at 4 pm, this be a pot luck supper event - more in the commodore's message

RYC Meeting at ACF, Sunday March 16 at 3 pm ... the 'new' Rockland Harbor Master Chad DeLima will be our guest speaker - bring your questions

RYC Spring Picnic at the Rockport Boat Club, Saturday May 10 (this is a change from the last newsletter - entertainment for the club will be a steel band) - this will be a cook-out event with grills available to cook on

Important: Membership renewal is due by March 15 if you plan to make the 2003 RYC Club Roster ... If you need a renewal form sent to you contact Diane Hebert, 18 Shearmans Lane, Owls Head, ME 04854 Residence: 594 7004 Office: 596 5994 Fax: 596 5977 Email: dianehebert@leisuremeine.com

Commodore's Message:

Dear RYC Members,
The February 19th meeting started with lots of excitement. At 2:58 I walked over to the table to begin the meeting. At 2:59 the intruder alarms at the ACF went off. An ACF employee passed through a motion sensor on the first floor triggering the event. WOW. Piercing noise was big time. Gerritt Vander Veer was standing only two feet from me shouting something but I couldn't hear him. I really want one of these systems for my boat. I'm not sure if it's safe for aquatic life around my boat or local boat owners considering sinking a boat. The alarm system was disarmed at 3:33.

Gary Cran did a fine job presenting the 2003 club budget. It's great to see a budget that even I understand. I was happy to find out that I'm getting twice what Toni got last year. I was unhappy to find out that she got zero.

Toni Vander Veer is promoting a 'new' line of RYC clothing in addition to items listed in the January newsletter. A sweatshirt for about $18.00, long sleeve jersey for about $14.00, and a T-shirt for about $11.00 with the RYC logo will be available in the near future. These make great gifts. I take an extra large. Toni has also rekindled the making of an RYC Cook Book. Toni is doing the all the leg work but really needs to have members supply recipes and helpful hints for boaters. She is in hopes to sell the book at local stores to raise money for the club. It's great to have her energy simmering about in the yacht club.

Dick and Moira Bentzel gave an enthusiastic account of their summer trip (Rockland - Hudson - Champlain - Quebec - PEI - Nova Scotia - Rockland in 66 days). The presentation was supported by computer generated and standard slides. It was an excellent arm chair cruise enjoyed by all. If other members have an arm chair cruise or other boating related adventures or topics and would like to present please tell me. The club has lots of talent.

The February 15th meeting is on a Saturday (not that other day). The club is having a pot luck supper following the meeting starting at 4:00pm (not that other time). The club will provide soft drinks, coffee, paper plates / plastic spoons / forks etc. Members will supply salad and/or main and/or desert items. I tend to like scallop dishes. This is also a BYOB. During the desert portion, I'll ask if members If they want to contribute some comments in the following categories; funniest event, scariest event, best story about a member who's not present (OK - not this category), best place to visit (near or far), and most helpful boating hint. This should be fun.

Is it time to think about boating events for late spring and summer around Penobscot Bay? YES! Why not? It's fun. Dave Jones has the 2003 race form in this newsletter. The Tuesday RYC race schedule starts June 10th, the Solstice Race is scheduled for June 21, and the Rockland/Bayside Race (new this year) will be July 12-13. The Maine Scholarship Regatta and the Rockland/Castine Race have been dropped from this year's club events. Maryjane Shiverick has the annual cruise survey in this newsletter. Look it over and send your comments along with the survey back to MJ as soon as possible. The summer cruise schedule will be posted in the March or April newsletter. This will allow club members to plan their summer. The Progressive Dinner (hopefully) will be on the same day as the Solstice Race at Broad Cove. Last year the Vander Veer's anchor held five boats. Think the club could get ten boats on that anchor? This process works fine as long as Gerritt and Toni don't plan to leave first.

Have a great February,
Sincerely,
Bruce

Club Minutes:
1. RCY Annual Budget Meeting at ACF, Sunday January 19, 2003 (Scheduled for 3 pm).

2. Attendance-- 28 members, inclusive of committee

3. Commencement was delayed by inadvertent tripping of the security alarm. Subsequently, the Commodore brought the meeting to order at 3.33 pm and opened by referring to the minutes of the meeting on November 24.

4. Bruce Stedman advised members that ACF have a new Director and, therefore, the relevant items in the minutes would be carried forward. He expected to report on ACF matters at the February 15 club meeting. A motion to accept the November minutes was made by Mike Sodano, seconded by Gerritt Vanderveer.

5. Treasurer's Report: Printed copies were distributed and Gary Cran commented on salient items, principally that income was $2273 over expenses and $1500 was transferred to the reserve fund. He offered congratulations to Toni Vanderveer for, once again, making a profit on clothing sales ($225) and noted that Cruising and Racing expenses were under budget. There being no questions a motion to accept was proposed by Bill Keegan, seconded by Moira Bentzel.

6. 2003 Budget: Printed copies were distributed and Gary touched upon differences between 2002 and 2003, and 2002 realized figures. He explained, in response to a question, that negative figures under "transfers" are not expenses and reappear in the operating statement. The bottom line is not affected.

7. A member asked whether the $1100 income budgeted for the Holiday Party would cover the cost. The answer being negative led to general discussion on how best to price tickets for said party. Gary interjected that all comments and suggestions are welcome but members should keep in mind that, in the Club's experience, a higher price discourages attendance. Bruce stated that the Club usually pays for the bartender and the hors d'oeuvre and that for 2003 the ticket price would likely be $27-30. Gerritt Vanderveer confirmed (the experience) that there is significant attrition of attendance with higher prices and Doug Pope added, "It is a cultural thing!" John Noone, who has professional experience in organizing and catering similar affairs, volunteered that he could assist the club. Bruce Stedman welcomed John's suggestion and responded that the committee would co-opt him in time for the 2003 party.

8. John Noone asked how the rent expense related to the dinghy dock rental income. Gary explained that rental at $200 is about the maximum commercial rate and income is based on 20 spaces. The rent paid to ACF is not broken down but includes the premises, dock access by all members as well as the float spaces. Charles Falkingham confirmed that ACF would have water to the T-dock for this season.

9. There being no further questions a motion to accept the 2003 budget was made by Gerritt Vanderveer, seconded by Mike Sodano. This was coupled with an expression of thanks to Gary for his clear and competent work as Treasurer.

10. The Commodore announced:

a. 54 membership renewals had been received, so far. This included Geoff and Virginia Torney, Life Members, who were present at the meeting.

b. The Race Committee has set dates - Tuesday Night racing to commence June 10th. Solstice race, June 21. Rockland/Bayside July 4.

c. Cruisers - please return your Cruising Survey Form.

d. The Spring Picnic date is changed from May 3 to May 10 and will be held at the Rockport Boat Club. A newsletter will contain directions to the club.

e. Gerritt Vanderveer will continue to pursue the contractor who is to install the pilings for the dinghy float.

f. The dinghy float space reservation form will go off within a week.

g. Charles Falkingham reminded members that only ten parking spaces are available to the Club at ACF. Doug Pope offered Pope Sails parking for those deprived; "It means a short cab ride!"

h. Toni Vanderveer explained the ways and means of the RYC Cookbook Project and "Please return the questionnaire promptly!" Toni then showed the new clothing items - light gray sweatshirt, white T-shirt and blue T-shirt, long and short sleeves.

i. There being no further business the Commodore closed the meeting at 4.18 pm.

2003 RYC Race Registration Form
2003 RYC Cruise Committee Survey