Sunday February 15: General meeting at the ACF starting at 3:00 pm. Co-race chair Dave Jones is working on a benefit race event this summer. Dave will introduce Denise Stadler from Area Interfaith Outreach to explain outreach and Dave will describe club race involvement. Our guest speaker after the meeting will be Rockland Acting Harbor Master Pete Thibodeau. Pete will inform and take questions relating to the harbor now and the future.

Saturday March 13: ACF Building.

3 pm: A meeting of all members and their guests and or crew for the summer race program. This is for all interested in crewing / looking for crews / committee boat / general race or club interest. The race committee is tentatively planning on having presenters including a US Sailing judge.

4 to 4:30 pm: Join in for a (short) general meeting and club auction. Members and guests who stay from the race meeting or who arrive for the general meeting will be able to participate in the auction. Pizza will be ordered and a nominal fee will asked to cover that cost. Soft drinks / coffee will be available and this is a BYOB. Members who bring items to auction: bring just a few that will have a good chance of being sold. Nautical / food / new(ish) work well. This is a fun event as well as a good fund raiser.

Sunday April 18: General meeting at the ACF Building. This meeting will focus on the finalized plans for both the race and cruise committees. Plan to attend and bring your notebook.

Saturday May 15: Annual spring banquet. More information will be in the March newsletter.

Cancellation of the February meeting due to weather conditions will be made by 11 am (if not before) the day of a meeting. You can contact Ivan Hills at 594 - 8129 if the traveling looks hazardous and you're not sure if the meeting has been canceled.

Commodore's Locker:

The January meeting had eleven members who braved the slippery slushy road conditions to vote on the annual budget and partake in the pot luck super supper. I want to thank Gary Cran for the excellent budget presentation.

Jon Kuhl described the pros and cons of bio-diesel fuel use. Jon said he would be happy to entertain phone calls from interested members at 236-2202. Jon also gave the following web sites: worldenergy.net, cytoculture.com, and NBB.com.

Diane Hebert will be sending membership forms again to members not returning the first copy. It is very important that these be returned to Diane by the end of February.

The race committee co-chairs have been very busy emailing each other with ideas. Mark your calendar for the March 13th meeting. The cruise committee has lots of ideas for the summer also. Thanks for all the hard work. Remember the Farmer's Almanac.

The club is always looking to members to volunteer. I know you probably hear me enough about this but it really makes the RYC a dynamic group. I know the race committee would like to hear from you as well as the activities committee. Call - join in.

Al Hodsdon has sent out forms for the RYC dinghy dock at the ACF. If you did not get a form and were on the float last year or would like to be placed on a waiting list contact Al.

Al (the good guy) will be running the February meeting as I'll again be away. My employer had to twist my arm so that I'd go to Las Vegas on business. It will be difficult but I'll do my best.

Remember that you're welcome to bring guests to any meeting or function the club has. Some of your friends might like to hear what Pete Thibodeau has to share at the February meeting.

Sincerely,

Bruce Stedman

MINUTES: RYC Meeting January 18, 2004 at ACF

The Commodore called the meeting to order at 4.07 pm. Only eleven members attended.

1. Bruce called for a motion to accept the minutes of the October 19, 2003, meeting, proposed by Jim Grimes and seconded by Jon Kuhl. The "ayes" have it.

2. Treasurer's report. Gary Cran distributed a written report to members and commented that RYC is in good shape generally. In response to a question by Mik Mikkelsen, Gary explained that most of the reserve is for the long awaited piling for the dinghy float and for "opportunities" as might occur - such as for our own clubhouse. This led to a discussion on the dinghy float, reason for delay, et cetera. Bruce asked for a motion to accept the Treasurer's Report; proposed by Mik Mikkelsen, seconded by Jim Grimes. The "ayes" have it.

3. Budget For 2004: Gary distributed printed copies and commented as follows: While we finished 2003 with a surplus, a $400 deficit is forecast for 2004. While renewals are coming in promptly we need to increase membership to offset expenditures like the contractual increase in rent to ACF. Budgets for our various social affairs are as for 2003, likewise the Cruise Committee allowance and general administration. The Race Committee proposed a higher budget for 2004 and this is allowed but below the level requested. The Race Group is expected to raise some of their own operating funds by entry fees, et cetera. Jon Kuhl asked for details of the ACF rent agreement and Gary explained the payment schedule. There followed some discussion on our future relations with ACF and that a new contract would have to be negotiated in 2004 in time for 2005.

Jon Kuhl also asked about slots at the dinghy dock and Bruce explained how we are limited to 20 but should have 25 with proper orientation of the float after a pile is driven. Ivan Hills suggested calling in Charlie Wiedmann to put down moorings for the float instead but Bruce pointed out that ACF would have to agree to this first. A motion was requested to accept the budget; proposed by Jim Grimes and seconded by Jon Kuhl.

The "ayes" have it.

4. Cruise Committee Report, by Jon Kuhl, as deputy for Maryjane Shiverick. Jon commented that what followed was tentative and fluid and will not be completed until the April 18th meeting: June 5 Icebreaker; June 19 Progressive dinner at Broad Cove planned to include participants from the Solstice Race; June 25-28 club cruise or July 9-12 club cruise; first or second week of August - The Club Cruise; a Ladies' Cruise for which Natalie B and Web Foot have been volunteered. More mini-cruises have been suggested, possibly combined with longer cruises. Gary advised that the program must be finalized by April 19 if it is to be included in the RYC Handbook. "Same applies to the race program."

5. Race Committee Report, by Bruce Stedman, as deputy for Dave Jones. Bruce advised that there would be a Race Committee meeting on March 13 prior to the Executive and Members' meetings. No race dates are decided, so far. Meanwhile, tentatively, Dave Jones wants to run one race in aid of Area Interfaith Outreach.

6. Jon Kuhl presented a paper on Bio-Diesel Fuel, which is only noted here because it will be incorporated in the next Newsletter. However, Bruce commented that this is for educational purposed only; RYC cannot sponsor the idea.

Other Business: Woofie Parker mentioned that ACF has openings for Junior Sailing instructors. These are paid positions. Contact KC Heyniger 594-1800 if interested. Question from Jon Kuhl: "Do RYC by-laws allow funding for such programs, as in offering a scholarship for a child to attend the ACF Junior program?" The response was affirmative but Gary pointed out that we have not and cannot budget for such at the present (fee is $190 for 4 week course).

There being no further business the Commodore requested a motion to adjourn; So moved by Jim Grimes, seconded by Mik Mikkelsen. The "ayes" have it.

Respectfully submitted,

Ivan Hills -- secretary