April 2011 THE AMERICAN YACHT CLUB NEWSLETTER Issue 2 Sailorgram FROM the MASTHEAD Bob Chadwick, Commodore Whoever said “It is good to live in interesting times”? Well, he was wrong! know that you all have a lot of questions con- the way we handle moorings and the leadership for the Icerning our Mooring Committee and Moorings. committee. This is not something done lightly – quite the contrary, a change of this magnitude, including As Commodore, it is important that I be frank and committee chair is difficult, but always done with the open with you. I also understand that not all will agree best interests of the AYC at the forefront. It is also with our decisions, but I hope that you all understand important to note that the Executive Committee has that as your elected committee we do what we determine acted in unity and with a singular voice, this is not a is best for the club and that we take that responsibility decision that any individual can or should be allowed seriously. to make alone. I am proud of this committee and their willingness to act, no one on the committee had anything As you all know, the Executive Committee, after a two to gain except unpleasant controversy and each carried year assessment made the decision to make a change in out their responsibility thoughtfully. continued on page 2 Lowell Semidory photo by Pamela Leavey April 2011 THE AMERICAN YACHT CLUB NEWSLETTER Issue 2 To all AYC members: As one longtime member of the AYC, I can't help but wonder why the E-Board would call for the immediate resignation of a long standing committee chairman......especially the chair of such an important committee. Considering the amount of work required by the mooring committee I have been continuously impressed by Gene's dedication to the Club and his commitment to excellence with regard to his responsibility as mooring committee chairman. Very few members would be able to expend the time and energy that Gene has given to this much needed service. From what I can see, Gene has done an outstanding job of filling Ray Walton's shoes. And no one would have had the coconuts to pull the rug out from under Ray! Quite frankly, this action taken by the E-Board makes me question the motives of the E-Board members and their relationship(s) with the proposed contractor. I've always believed that "if it ain't broken, don't fix it". So with that, I ask that the E-Board give the membership a clear and precise explanation as to why this change is required and identify who specifically will benefit. I find it hard to imagine that a paid contractor will do a better, more responsive and more cost effective job than Gene Piermattei has done as a volunteer. Do I hear "dues increase"? E-Board members..........please respond. Concerned member, Dan Raycroft Masthead continued from page 1 For years we have been attempting to solve the Mooring the committee or its hard working volunteers. Committee’s problems – ranging from not enough time, dwindling volunteerism, request to hire “paid labor” and the So – the need for change was clear frequent requests for higher stipends or compensation. As we looked into our operations, we have identified areas of inac- In regards to our decision to hire a commercial entity curate billings and unauthorized waiving of fees. Additionally, to help with our moorings... until we implemented changes, our repair and parts costs related to the mooring support equipment and fleet were Consider the situation we found ourselves in: a single hard- unpredictable and beyond approved budgets. working chairman and a few volunteers and a mooring field in need of service. We had been told repeatedly that we In support of the mooring activities, we have held dozens could not get volunteers – in fact I had sent out over the of meetings including the committee chairman; we have past two years a number of requests for volunteers to help investigated the operations and finances, looked into legal with the moorings – very few came forward. With the and liability concerns, and worked through scenario after approaching season and little idea of how we would raise scenario to identify optimal alternatives to address the club’s the moorings we needed to come up with a plan to make challenges. All of the Executive Committee efforts to help sure the moorings were installed and that none of our mem- were resisted as were our requests to protect our volunteers bers’ seasons would be jeopardized. by making the barge safer. Inquiries to get accurate informa- tion about the status of the field were not adequately We also knew that it would take time to rebuild our committee, responded to. we did not know the extent of the records or how we would make the transition – having a professional on deck seemed This is the situation we faced: we have a waiting list for to be the best insurance against disaster. As with any type of moorings, we did not feel the field was managed in such a insurance – it seems expensive until you need it. way as to accommodate new moorings and some of the needs/requests of those with moorings were ignored. To our amazement and disbelief, volunteers have been stepping forward in droves – Don Sestini and his management team, It became clear that the approach to managing our important who is leading the reorganization effort, has their hands full, mooring resources required change. It is not that we did not just organizing the volunteers. To the AYC’s credit, we should appreciate the hard work and sacrifice of the previous com- have never doubted your resiliency and your willingness to mittee, but the methods used did not serve our members, get the job done. Now – looking back, some feel we do not continued on page 5 2 April 2011 THE AMERICAN YACHT CLUB NEWSLETTER Issue 2 Youth ABS course announced! For Ages 12 to 15. Submitted by Alan Foulcault Saturday May 7 & 14, 2011- 8:00AM to 1:00PM River Valley Charter School, 3 Perry Way, Newburyport, MA (corner of Low Street & Perry Way) Certificates awarded for successful completion: USCG AUX Boating Safety and Massachusetts Boating Safety* Cost - $50.00 per student - text and course material included. Family rate: $50.00 1st person $25.00 each additional family member - one text per family. Bring your own lunch, soft drinks furnished For additional information and registration contact: Joe Amore 978-609-0060 Email: [email protected] or John O’Connell (days) 978-465-2216 (eve) 978-462-6083 This city-based sailor seems to be having a serious bit of trouble with his boat! Email: [email protected] *recognized by most states’ Boating Safety Requirements Sailing School for Children and Adults submitted by Sue Manzi SUMMER SAILING SCHOOL FOR KIDS SUMMER SAILING CLASSES FOR ADULTS The American Yacht Club in Newburyport will be conduct- The American Yacht Club in Newburyport will be conduct- ing the Newburyport Summer Sailing Program for children ing the Newburyport Summer Sailing Program for adults age 10 to 18. Instruction is for beginner to advanced levels. over age of 18 years. Instruction is for beginner to The available two-week sessions for beginner and interme- advanced levels. The available four-week sessions are diate levels are: Monday and Wednesday 5:30-8:00 PM: Morning’s 9AM-Noon or Afternoons 1PM -4PM: Session 1= July 4th-July 27th Session 1 = July 5th-July 15th* Session 2= Aug. 1st-Aug. 24th Session 2 = July 18th-29th Session 3 = Aug. 1st-12th, 9AM-Noon only Visit the web site: www.AmericanYachtClub.org and click Session 4 = Aug. 15th-26th on Sailing School for information and applications to enroll online or call Sue at 603-474-9644. Fees are $300 Advanced/Racing Session 3 for non-members or $270 for AYC members. August 15th-26th, 1PM-4PM. The Sailorgram needs “stringers” to cover AYC events, Visit the web site: www.AmericanYachtClub.org and click activities and races. If you can take a few pictures, write on Sailing School for information and applications to enroll a summary of an event or otherwise assist the online or call Sue at 603-474-9644. Fees are $290 for non- Sailorgram in publishing AYC news, please contact members or $250 for AYC members. Jim at [email protected] 3 April 2011 THE AMERICAN YACHT CLUB NEWSLETTER Issue 2 Trip to George Town, Great Exuma Island, Bahamas Article and photos by Homer Shannon The Neumyer’s ketch Sea Mist is their home in the Bahamas over the winter of 2011. On March 12th, Dee and I flew down to the Bahamas to boat, Sea Mist. The boat is well suited to cruising the visit with Bill and Bette Neumyer. This year they chose to Bahamas. It has a shallow draft, a full keel and a keel- cruise in the Exumas. Last year they were in the Abacos, hung rudder. It’s perfect for sailing in the shallow Bahamas which were rather cool. banks. Its good sized engine and ketch rig help in the long trips up and down the east coast. Consistent with expectations, the weather was a delightful 75 to 80 degrees and the water temperature was about the The George Town / Stocking Island area is a haven for same. We enjoyed swimming, beachcombing and a visit cruising yachtsmen. Although we didn’t take a census, I’d with Skip and Cherylle Hird, who also stay in the George estimate there were well over two hundred boats in the Town area.