FROM THE QUARTERDECK OCTOBER 2018 THE STRENGTH will continue next year, as I know this is an area Paul plans OF OUR to focus on during his term as Commodore. PROGRAMS Increasingly, we are facing a shortage of race DEFINES US! committee volunteers. The shortage is at all positions and skill levels. We must reverse this trend! The board is Once again, this year’s already beginning discussions about new ways to train Stingray Point Regatta and get volunteers involved in race management at FBYC. was another great event. While attendance was lower It should be noted that this circumstance is not unique to than desired, everyone that did attend had a great time, FBYC. Participating in race committee is not only a great both on and off the water (despite the lack of wind). way to fulfill your volunteer commitment to the Club and Thanks to Becca Wash and Massey Whorley, their meet and spend time with your fellow members, but it is team of volunteers, John McCarthy and the entire also a great way to have a fun day (or days) on the water. race committee for all their hard work making this event So please think about how you can get more involved in a success. Congrats to Bob and Lisa Fleck and Team supporting race management at FBYC. Mad Hatter for winning the Halsey Trophy! While having people to run our races is important, it is Fall sailing is here (at least according to the calendar), just as important to have a lot of people participating in and this year’s sailing season is on the last leg. But the our races. Over the years, participation ebbs and flows. fall is one of my favorite times of the year around the While our Junior Program and Cursing Division have Club, as it is the time when we have some of our best thrived, participation in our One-Design and Offshore conditions (minus the potential for hurricanes). So make Race programs, generally speaking, has been in a slow plans now to get out and make the most of the rest of decline. Sailboat racing is the core of the Club and this season. Also, don’t forget about the Winter Series! we need to reverse this trend! Be on the lookout for announcements about “Town Hall” meetings that will take Mark your calendars now and make plans to attend the place this fall for both one-design and offshore sailors to Annual Closing Day Race and Oyster Roast. This discuss the current situation and to start a discussion event, which started off years ago as a casual post-race about how to improve our sailing programs at FBYC. The social, has grown into one of our greatest social events key is to findsolutions , not just point out problems! and is one not to be missed. Remember that strong programs drive strong My last article discussed a new initiative, a club-owned membership, and strong membership makes our Club boat program at FBYC. While I firmly believe that this even better! program is key to our Club’s success going forward, I also want to draw your attention to the need to continue I look forward to seeing you on the water this fall! to support our existing programs. Unfortunately, given other topics that arose during the past year, I have ~ Rob Whittemore - Commodore not been able to put the energy behind improving our existing programs the way I had hoped. However, we are now focused on the issues at hand. I believe this focus October 2018 • www.fbyc.net • page 2 MINUTES - September 2018 FISHING BAY YACHT CLUB - BOARD MEETING with a casual cookout. September 20, 2018 – Retreat Hospital Driving Attendance for Closing Day & Commodore’s Ball We will be making a push via our social media outlets to HOUSE CHAIR – Stephen H. Montgomery: drive attendance in these marquee end of season club With the major regattas completed, we will be concentrating events. on completing the porch refresh plan going forward. The Assembling our YAM Committee for 2019 floor will be finished next and then furnishings redone or We are in process of welcoming fresh faces into our replaced. It is our next priority for attention. Brian and I YAM committee for 2019. Our intent is to broaden reviewed storm plans for the facilities and work that must reach into more members, so we can drive even more be done in advance of storms; looks like he and Eric will excitement and engagement in 2019. We will have the have to test those plans out later in the week. group confirmed before the Commodore’s Ball. If any Painting exterior and second floor screen replacement board members are aware of individuals that would be work on the Club House is completed. interested in joining us, please let us know. GROUNDS CHAIR – Helen C. Walker: OFFSHORE DIV. RACE CHAIR – Ruthanna M. Jenkins: The grounds escaped damage from Florence. We continue to suffer attrition in our club’s stock of The water system continues to run thanks to Wes and experienced PRO’s, primarily due to illness and death. David. Some major components had to be replaced but The Club needs to be actively working to recruit, train, is up and running for our club. The water was shut off to and retain race committee personnel. the docks during the storm. The pool will close September 30th. ONE DESIGN DIV. CDR. – Caroline Garrett: Caroline Fall cleanup has been scheduled for November 11th. submitted a written report The Dennison Legacy of Sail regatta went off quite MEMBER AT LARGE – David Lennarz: successfully with much increased attendance from The East Dock Recognition Committee has been formed. last year. 20 boats were in attendance, with half of the It is composed of: skippers being in the 70+ year old category. All reported David Lennarz a nice breakfast before the racing and a fun social. Strother Scott Thanks to Phil Webb for spearheading the efforts, as well Mayo Tabb as the Dennison’s for their help. SB Londrey Doug Bendura JUNIOR DIV. CDR. – Mark Wensell: Bev Crump Sailing Activity Lydia Strickland • FBYC sailors are planning to participate in several travel regattas between September and January. The Committee has met and came to a consensus on the Coaching is paid for by participants on a per diem following: A plaque, identical or nearly identical to the one basis in the main Club House which lists donors to the building • Three FBYC opti sailors will return to South Carolina fund, would be prepared and installed near the existing Yacht Club to participate in the Optimist Team Race plaque and recognize ALL donors to the East Dock (with Invitational to defend the title FBYC has held for the specific “levels” outlined, like with the existing plaque). SB last three years. Sailors were selected based on final Londrey will work on selecting men’s and women’s polo CBYRA rankings and SCYC provides hotel rooms, shirts, with FBYC logos, to be pre-ordered and presented boats and meals free of charge to participants. at the dock dedication to approximately 32 donors (64 2019 Planning shirts total). • Working with Junior Division parents to develop 2019 YAM CHAIR – Blake and Julia Kimbrough: leadership structure will be filling 12 full time roles Upcoming Events: outlined below; Final 2018 Movie Night - Screening of Volvo Ocean Race • Division Commander Documentary “RAW: All or Nothing” • Programs Director • Registrar • Social Dates still to be confirmed (currently considering October Coordinator • T-Shirt Coordinator 20th, 27th after fall series racing); our intent is to leverage • Race Team Director the YAM movie screen to project the VOR documentary • Jr. Fleet Lt. after racing on evening of the fall series…ideally paired • Laser Race Team Coordinator October 2018 • www.fbyc.net • page 3 MINUTES • Opti Race Team Coordinator Rob Whittemore expressed the Club’s appreciation for the • 420 Race Team Coordinator commitment that Wes Jones and Dave Soule have made • Opti Development Team Coordinator over the years and thanked them for a job well done. • Regatta Chair NEW BUSINESS: Commodore Robert Whittemore • We already have two professional coaches committed proposed to the board to create a committee to oversee to returning next year - beginning visa process in race management. Responsibilities would include September. Hoping to have our third coach return as coordinating events, recruiting volunteers, training well and will be confirming that position in October volunteers, coordinating the training, determine and help REGATTA COMMITTEE – Rebecca Wash and Massey with scoring. In having conversation with other Yacht Whorley: Rebecca submitted a written report: Clubs, they have a racing management Team. A Big AOD was a success. We were just shy of 80 entries for thank-you to the members who volunteer their time and the event. The live music and the dinner on Saturday energy for every event. We need more volunteers and received good feedback from participants. Plus, we had participation, we would like any suggestions, ideas and wind Saturday and even more on Sunday which always names to help facilitate this committee. makes folks happy. Some feedback from the juniors that I think is worthy of discussion (only the ODT participated) is that they were asking for a more child friendly party on Saturday. One parent also thought we should have recognized all the juniors with awards because it was their last event of the year. Stingray also went well despite the lack of wind. We had a total of 37 boats registered. Both the Friday and Saturday evening dinner were a success. The entertainment on both nights was complimented by many.