Hello everyone. I hope last month has been good for all of you and that you're looking forward to the upcoming season.
At the top of the Board's to-do list is opening the club and making it as accessible as state and federal protocols allow us. Boating last year was difficult because of Covid and low water levels. I am encouraged by the late January rains and hope this continues as I am well aware my number one job as Commodore is to have a full lake.
I am often amazed at myself when I hesitate about driving out to the club. Within minutes of arrival, though, I’m convinced I made the right decision. So close, but so far away in a good way. Old timers such as myself understand this and hopefully our new members are learning this, too. While social gatherings will be limited to Zoom and small groups, please make use of the club grounds this season. Other than a couple times during a normal year, the grounds are really under-utilized.
The Board is in the process of evaluating the best way of reinstating a club racing program. I would like input from racers and non-racers alike. What is the best course of action? Informal racing similar to last year or club-sanctioned racing with committees and rescue boats which would bring restrictions on those members as well as those who are racing? Minimally we would require the use of masks on club boats, club grounds and facilities where 6 feet of separation is not a viable solution. A benefit of creating a standard for racing is that it could be used as a template for the use of club facilities and club-owned boats. Do we require the use of masks on multiple person, non family group boats during club sanctioned racing? Are we in compliance with state mandates if we require masks on club boats, docks, hoists but not on individual boats? Is it the responsibility of EYC or the skipper to enforce mask wearing? An analogy is when race committee displays the life jacket flag. Please send me your thoughts via email.
Other questions to be answered are what will the state guidelines be like next month? In June? August? Tough questions that the Board will be discussing at every Board meeting till the end of the year or the end of the pandemic.
On a positive note, 27 boats have already registered for racing. Ted Walkup has been busy putting together a schedule and will be working on a list of committee and rescue boat assignments.
Water levels are rising—so much so that we need to take care of some projects before it gets too high. The work party on February 20 will focus on some of those projects. Marji Clune and Bob Pritchard are the persons you want to contact to get in your work party for this year and last. Some tasks on their list are pouring footings for the new storage containers, installing new Laser floating docks, and the ever present dock repairs. Paul Stephens is back from vacation and recently retired, so we can expect to see him even more.
Marty Parisien and the rest of the Long Range Planning Committee will be working on a long range capital improvement budget so that we have the money when a repair and/or replacement is needed. Gordon Mattatall, who is currently taking your moorage requests, will be heading a committee to develop a plan on where to store our new boats and where laser floating docks moorage holders can store their gear.
Janell Skeen is working on plans for Sail School. Again, a lot will be determined by Covid (I can’t wait till we do not have say that anymore!). Our top priority is keeping instructors, volunteers, and students safe. One option we've seen other clubs use is to make Sail School a day camp this year. With the addition of new boats and new classes the Board has recommended the hiring of college-age instructors for the summer as well as helping with the new 420 sail boats. The Board has also added an extra year to use Sail School vouchers for those new members who still have eligibility.
The Board is also working towards replacing the Club Host Trailer. I welcome input from the membership.
I am thankful for the kind comments members of the Board have received so far. It has been a difficult time for the club and its members, but the effort and professionalism I have witnessed by so many members gives me great optimism.
Until next month, be safe, wear your mask, and hope for better Covid news—and a full lake.