Member Orientation Package Revised 2015

SUS Member Orientation Package Revised 2015 We welcome you to Singles Under Sail, Inc. SUS members are required to meet certain education requirements. It is mandatory for all NEW members to have met the following requirements by their second membership renewal date: 1) To have completed the SUS Dockside Orientation Class (DOC), AND 2) To have passed either the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's or the U.S. Power Squadron's Basic Boating Course (8 hours minimum), OR provide proof of having held a U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s license, AND 3) To attend an SUS Member Orientation Class (MOC). See the SUS Bylaws (attached) for additional information. In the Member Orientation Class (which lasts approximately 1-1/2 hours) we will review SUS policies, procedures and guidelines and give you an opportunity to ask questions about the Club. The Dockside Orientation Class is approximately 4 hours and given on a docked boat (usually one of the SUS Skipper’s boats). We encourage everyone to enhance SUS sailing activities with sailing and boating classes. We believe it is important for all members to become active, contributing, participants in SUS. In return you can enjoy great sailing, programs and social events with some of the best people you may ever meet. This booklet contains all the information you will need to become an active participant in SUS. BRING THIS BOOK WITH YOU TO THE MOC. http://www.singlesundersail.org VISIT THE SUS WEBSITE singlesundersail.org for additional information and updates. The site requires a user name and password to access members only material. SUS members should follow instructions on the website for creating their logon and password. Non-members will not be able to create a logon. Table of Contents SUS Mission Statement ………………………………………………….. Page 3 SUS General Policies …………………………………………………….. Page 3 SUS Sailing Practices and Procedures ………………………………….. Page 5 Sailing Activities ……………………………………………………….. Page 5 Skippers and Crew Get Together ………………………………………. Page 5 Responsibilities of SUS Skippers …………………………….…..…...... Page 6 Responsibilities of SUS Crewmembers .…………….……………..…… Page 8 Facilities Onboard a Boat …….………….………………….……..…… Page 9 Dress Appropriately for Sailing – Personal Safety ……………….……. Page 9 Things to Think About Aboard a Boat ……………………….………… Page 10 Food Coordination on Daysails and Weekend Sailaways ……….…..…. Page 11 Allocation of Expenses on a Sailaway …………………………………. Page 12 Final Clean Up at the End of a Sailaway ………………………….……. Page 13 SUS Cruise Guidelines …………………………………………….…… Page 14 Safe Boating Education ………………………..….……………………... Page 16 Sailing Schools in Our Vicinity ………………………………………….. Page 17 Introduction to Sailing and Cruising …………………………………… Page 18 The Basics ………………………………………………………………. Page 18 Roles of the Skipper, First Mate and Crew ……………………………... Page 20 Heat and Cold-Related Illnesses and Injuries, Seasickness …………….. Page 21 Use of Safety Equipment ……………………………….......................... Page 21 Overboard Procedure …………………………........................................ Page 21 Knots ………………………………………………………………........ Page 22 Getting Underway……………………………………………….………. Page 22 Underway………………………………………………………………... Page 29 Arriving…………………………………………………………………. Page 35 Appendix A – Singles Under Sail, Inc. Bylaws Appendix B – Skills Checklist Self-Rating Guide Appendix C – Skipper’s Checklist Appendix D – Ship Locator Outline Appendix E – Sailing Events Overview Appendix F – Guidelines for Crewmembers 2 SUS MISSION STATEMENT Singles Under Sail, Inc. (SUS) is a non-profit organization of single people founded on April 4, 1987 and incorporated in Connecticut on August 30, 1990. The purpose is to bring together single people with an interest in sailing, boating, and related activities and to provide them with opportunities to share these activities. SUS GENERAL POLICIES Membership – The membership year runs from January 1 through December 31. Members are given a four-month grace period in which to renew, during which they receive the Masthead and pay members prices at Club Functions. Persons joining after October 1 pay a $25 membership fee, which will cover membership for the balance of the membership year and the four-month grace period. Dues will not be refunded unless membership is revoked as provided by the Club Bylaws. In the case of a returned check for any SUS expense, a surcharge (currently $20) will be assessed and membership will be suspended until all monies due are received as collected funds. NOTE: Only members in good standing are eligible to apply for or participate in sailing events. Sponsorship and advertisement – SUS conducts or sponsors only events that are in keeping with our purpose as a sailing club. With the permission of the Board, members may be allowed to make brief announcements at meetings or distribute literature for events that may be of interest to the membership. SUS members are not to be subjected to selling pressures - No member is to use, or permit others to use, the membership mailing list for any commercial purpose, nor permitted to “work the crowd” at SUS meetings soliciting business of any kind. Members or guests, who have an interest in promoting sailing or boating activities, equipment, services, et cetera, may make announcements at meetings only with the prior approval of the Board member leading the meeting. Occasionally some program meetings may include scheduled opportunities for sharing information of interest to the membership. Written material related to sailing or boating activities may be displayed on the literature table at meetings only with the permission of the Board member leading the meeting. Materials are not to be placed on other tables or distributed to attendees. Use of SUS email, newsletter, letterhead and other SUS Communications – The Singles Under Sail email, The Masthead, and SUS letterhead may be used for official SUS information and communication purposes only. Standard of Behavior – It is expected that all SUS members will conduct themselves with proper consideration and respect for all other SUS members. While differences of opinion may arise, behavior that is deemed threatening, anger provoking, vilifying, or otherwise disruptive to meetings or the general course of SUS business, is unacceptable. No SUS member should be subjected to disparaging emails or harassment by another SUS member. Any SUS member who displays such unacceptable behaviors may be subject to actions as specified in the SUS Bylaws. Use of Singles Under Sail Name in email and/or on Web or Social Media Sites – The Singles Under Sail or Singles Under Sail, Incorporated or SUS names are officially the name of our sailing club and our corporation. No one may use the name Singles Under Sail, or Singles Under Sail Incorporated, or SUS, or the SUS logo for any purpose as an email address or a designation on any social media or website without the express written permission of the SUS Board of Directors. That includes, but is not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Meetup. Our name, Singles Under Sail, and our logo are Service Marks registered with the State of Connecticut. 3 Advertising in our newsletter – The Masthead 1. All advertising must be boating or sailing related. 2. Three types of advertising are accepted: classified, display and insert. 3. Classified ads (3-4 column lines) are exclusively for the purpose of private bartering or sale of boating equipment. Members in good standing may insert a classified ad free-of-charge. 4. The charge for classified ads for non-members is $5.00 per edition. 5. Display ads must be complete and submitted electronically. Rates are the same for members and non-members (inquire for pricing). 6. Insert ads/flyers must be provided in MS Word, submitted electronically and cost $35.00 per page for members and non-members 7. Ads for commercial ventures from members and non-members must be reviewed by the Advertising Committee. The Committee consists of The Masthead Editor, SUS President and another member of the Board of Directors selected by the President in March each year. 8. There is no additional charge for advertising that is included with an electronic version of The Masthead. Recreational Drugs and Medications – In accordance with the U.S. Coast Guard’s policy of zero tolerance for drugs, SUS does not tolerate the use of illegal drugs on any boat during SUS sailing events or at or near SUS functions. The use of such drugs puts a boat at risk of seizure and the skipper, owner, and crewmembers at risk of arrest by the U.S. Coast Guard or other authorities. It will also result in revocation of the violator’s membership in SUS. Prescription drugs should be brought on board in the original container and marked by the pharmacy that issued the medication. If you are using medication that might affect your performance, you should bring this to the attention of the Skipper when you board the boat. Alcoholic Beverages – SUS members generally participate in having alcoholic drinks during raft ups, but the excessive use of alcohol is strongly discouraged by the club. Even at anchor or dockside, Skippers and crew should remain in condition to take necessary actions to secure the safety of their boat, as well as other boats nearby. At any time during SUS functions, drinking that compromises safety or causes participants to be disruptive is unacceptable. Please Note: smoking and or drinking may not be permitted on some boats. Permission to do either will be at the discretion of the boat’s Skipper. Sexual Harassment – Engaging in conduct, which makes SUS members uncomfortable, is inconsiderate and unacceptable. Use good judgment even in moments of levity. 4 SUS SAILING PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES Welcome aboard! We hope you will become more skilled and learn more about sailing. Most sailors are eager to teach others. There is always more for each of us to learn. WHAT SAILING ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT SUS? Day Sails – Destinations and schedule are Skipper’s choice. Each person is responsible for his or her own food and beverage for the day. Some day sails are posted on the club schedule (available on the SUS Website) Twilight Sails – these are held on some weekday evenings, weather permitting.

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