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General Membership and Board Meeting
November 17, 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The next general membership meeting will be held at 5 o’clock on November 17, followed by Potluck Dinner at 6 PM.
Elections and approval of 2020 Dues and budget as well as vote on dock improvements will be held.
Minutes to July 14 membership meeting follow:
THAMES YACHT CLUB
General Membership Meeting Minutes
7/14/2019
6:00 PM
396 Pequot Avenue
New London, CT
Next Meeting: Executive Meeting, Sunday, August 18th at 5:30 PM .
Voting members in attendance: Rob Amrein, Marsha Couture, Katrina Markley, Marcel
Couture, Bruce Smith, Gabe Stern, Jim Avery, Dave Jeannotte, Fran Codner, Ron Reinhart, John
Telford, Philip Michalowski, Judy Gibbs, Eric Jones, Lynn Webber, Wayne Gammo. Cliff
Fisher, Al Schober, Jon Peterson, Jim Way, Jackie Fisher, Dan Andrews, Greg Locke, Clair
Gammo, Rich Webber, Ted Paulsen, Stu Craig, Karen Anderson, Keith Codner, Kathy Amrein,
Mark Patterson, Bill Turner, Rebeccea Turner, Leigh Reinhart, Barbara Welsh, Robert Welsh,
Dan Anderson, Linda & Jim Forristall, Bogden Burchardt, Krystyna Burchhardt, David &
Kimber Degling, Steve Currier, David Dorfman, Mary Ellen Michalowski, Eric & Barbara
Chamberlin, Michael Passero, Bruce & Linda Meyers, Dave Gyure, Joanne Gyure, Richard
Gyure, Daniel Andrews, Roy & Linda Adamson
Non-voting members present: Heather Talmadge, Gary Pike, Dolores Markowicz, Mary Ann
Root
1. Minutes of the General Membership Meeting 4/20/2019: Movement by Jim Avery to accept.
Seconded by Father Rick. In favor- all. Opposed- none. Abstentions- none.
2. Commodore’s Report: Rob Amrein
• Rob sent out his report in the MainSheet. The main topic was in regards to the lack of
participation in the care of the club and willingness of members to serve on boards and
committees.
• Rob reminded us that a club is different than a marina but there are many members who
don’t participate at the club and just want access to boats.
• Instead of “See something, say something” consider seeing something and then doing
something. If there are little things that need to be fixed that anyone can do – do them,
regular members can fix things too.
• We need to think about what to do going forward because fewer people are volunteering
to do things.
• Mostly the same people helpin every time, and most people who show up to do work (i.e.
clean up day) are over 70 years old.
• Rob reports this is a common issue at many clubs right now.
• Many years ago the club had a full-time steward for 40 hours per week- we may need to
look to pay a steward again.
• Some clubs have provisional membership- you have to go to x number of work parties
and events in order to be accepted. Additionally, other members need to vouch for you at
the end of the year.
• Some clubs tack on fees at the end of the year- everyone needs to work 10 hours per year
are people are billed $75 for each hour they didn’t show up.
• Rob proposed the idea of adding 300-500 dollars to dues, but if you show up to help the
fee gets reduced. He also reminds us even that kind of money isn’t a lot if you have to
hire someone.
• In November we will set and vote on a budget so we need to think about what changes
are livable.
• In September there is nominating committee to select new TYC officers. Historically
there is not an election because there is usually just one person to do each job- often
times this person had to be convinced.
The floor was opened to members for discussion:
• A bylaws change was proposed under the logic that there will be a group of people who
don’t want to be hassled and who just want to pay a fee.
• The idea of having options was brought up by a few members- either pay extra amount or
volunteer. This was brought up with seniors in mind who are unable to do physically
demanding jobs. Someone reminded us of other jobs like handling merch or collecting
fees at events. Dave J. suggested people choose from the beginning and then follow
through.-
• Wayne suggested the executive committee comes up with plan to be voted on at the next
meeting.
• Roy suggests everyone has to contribute – if you want an exception you have to go to
executive committee for approval.
• Other ideas included adding a marina membership category.
• Rob suggested we can set policy for new members that they must attend x amount of
work parties. This gets them into the routine of how the club functions.
• Lack of access or knowledge about the location of tools may prevent members from
helping. Tool locations can be made more clear and lists can be put out saying we need a
work party to do a certain function. One issue: constant contact says only 60% of member
families open email.
• Suggestion: we need a visible leader for work parties so people know what to do when
they come and do not feel lost.
• Members serving as chairs, on the executive board and in committees can earn hours that
way.
• A nominating committee was formed to find candidates for officers and executive board:
Father Rick, Bob Welsh, Maryann Root, Linda Meyers and Jackie Fisher. A list of
nominations will be presented at the November general membership meeting.
• Reminder that executive meetings are posted- anyone can come and watch in order to
find out what’s really happening at the club.
• Linda M. proposed an ad hoc committee to discuss volunteering issues. Volunteers were:
Steve Currier, Gary Pike, Roy Adamson, Mary Moriano and Kathy Amrein.
3. Vice Commodore’s Report: Marsha Couture
• Marsha reports $1k generated in club rentals since last general membership meeting.
With more contracts coming in $1,575.00 will be accrued by end of the year.
• Thank you to people who helped with movie night – Star Wars sounded great on new
speaker system. Helpers included: Dave and Nina Jeanotte, Gary Stearns, Bill Turner
• Members Weekend is August 10th and 11th and will include a catered dinner from local
restaurant Bayou. The buffet will be subsidized at $10 per person.
• Deadline for sign up is August 6th- if you sign up and are unable to attend ATB will
invoice you.
• Rubber ducky contest will be held on Sunday at Member’s Weekend. This is a race of a
wardrobe box that will be turned into a boat by competitors using no marine or pool
materials.
• Commedroe’s Race on September 7th- plans are up in the air, aim to make it themed (i.e.
pirate). Ideas and help still needed. Members are encouraged to bring elegant appetizers.
There is a meeting in August to finalize plans. Ideas for after include beer, brats and
bonfire.
• Reminders: there is a restriction for seating for each floor by fire marshal.
• The club can now offer gift certificates for a night on Block Island.
4. Rear Commodore’s Report: Jackie Fisher
• Spring series is complete, summer series starts this week.
• Thank you to Jeff for help with numbers and teaching Yacht Score
• Jackie will be stepping down next year. Lynn W. and Judy G. took over and Sam
Dorfman will begin training on the Queen Merry for races.
• For current Wednesday night series two classes had to be combined but if we had a
couple more boats we can have separate classes.
5. Secretary Report: Kate Markley
• No report.
6. Race Secretary Report: Jeff Lamothe- Judy Gibbs
• Cal Brower went well, 20 boats raced, great party after.
• $1,760 cost, profit of $306
• Expects commodore race will add to income.
7. Treasurer’s Report: Marcel Couture
• Budget for dues is “on the money” – overall income 30k short of overall budgeted income
but monies are still coming in.
• Member-wise: 18 new, 13 lost. 10 of the new members are MAL.
• Taxes went up 2 grand, insurance went up 1k
8. Measurer’s Report: Dan Andrews
• Hospice regatta this Wednesday to support a good cause, if a certificate is needed email
Dan with boat info and he’ll get you into Yacht Score. To participate you don’t need to
compete in the whole summer series.
• Father Rick willing to head club Ensign if he can get 3 or so more people for crew
9. House Committee Report: Bruce Smith, Keith Codner
• New shed is all built and ready to go.
• Trying to make club more presentable, cleaner, electrical outlets have been installed on
the porch next week for movie night, etc.
• Sent out list of things that could be done in club by anybody – Marcel will send out a
blast of the list. Anything able to be taken care of by general members would be much
appreciated.
• The house and dock committee are there to help with the big things, smaller things are
everyone’s responsibility.
• Father Rick reported some issues with the wooden ramp due to heavy usage a few days
prior for fireworks. Marcel has plan for it.
• Marcel reported the house is getting a wifi upgrade. Comcast will put 75mB system in-
will cost roughly the same- wifi will be shut off 5 months of the year.
10. Membership Committee Report: Gabe Stern – not present
• Dues are 1⁄2 price for for members accepted after July 15th of each year.
• After September just initiation fee
• More intermediate member inquiries lately.
11. Youth Sailing Committee Report: Rob Amrein, Keith Codner
• Just finished 2nd week- both weeks were “sold out.”
• We budgeted a profit of $23,000 and have currently made 18k.
• Going to start doing regattas away from club with youth sailing students.
• Goal is to get kids out on a big boat.
12. Mooring Committee Report: Rich Webber, Claire Gammo
• Clare reports 7 new mooring as well as several that have been moved. – Claire does
paperwork and buying- Wayne, Richard, Dan, Marcel, Bill T. help with installation.
More help is needed in the future as installation is a big job.
• Hiring outside the club would be a lot of money but the club offers the service for free-
this cannot continue without more people stepping up to help.
• One of the first steps is to get your mooring registration into harbor master then he must
approve the mooring. –
• Issues arose this year because winter marks did not have names on them and people
assumed it was their mooring when it was not. Please burn your name into the lobster
buoys.
• The club has had quite a few reservations from Dockwa this year- over 400 – this
provides income.
• Harbor master was making a list, inspecting moorings at club 2x this week.
13. Launch committee Report: Wayne Gammo, Fr Rick Albamonti
• Launch is running, always have extra parts in case launch needs to be fixed.
• William will be away traveling – Wayne has hired 2 new people for weekends. He
requests we are patient with the drivers because they’re new and still learning the location
of boats.
• Skiffs are working well- had motor tuned up on one professionally.
• Wayne is not coming back as launch chairman next year and it’s time for someone else to
take over- was informed today that someone is willing to take his job.
• Let launch know ahead of time if you’re having a special event and have to get out to
boat earlier than scheduled launch times- someone will come down.
• Marcel reminds members to bring tarp to put your mooring on when switching for
summer/winter so the gunk doesn’t get the skiff too dirty
• Skiffs are used Monday-Friday between 8:30 am to 4pm exclusively for youth sailing.
14. Dock Committee: Greg Locke
• Greg is trying to put together a plan for maintenance activities, looking at doing upgrades
as soon as this fall or next year. Currently the ends of the docks are in the worst shape.
• Greg is requesting help- he will be holding meetings for the next couple months on the
second Tuesday. He will have a dial-in option so you can have a conference call. Info
will be posted on website.
• Original loan on dock is almost paid off- less than 4 years. The goal is to to extend it out
and get capital to work with.
• Floating docks were brought up by some members. Greg informed us they are more
expensive and not compatible with the amount of waves we get in the mooring field.
• We are able to keep the existing dock permit, no need for re-permitting with DEEP if less
than 30% of dock is worked on/replaced per year.
15. Publicity Report: Troy Sill – not present
16. Mainsheet Editor Report: Ted Paulsen
• August mainsheet due last weekend of the month.
17. Fleet Captain Report: Mary Maiorano
• Three boats on the trip this past weekend.
• Next cruise is Newport, leaving 25th of July back August 5th.
18. Website/Technology Committee Report: Tim Appleton
• Website up and running and, on average, receives over 200 unique hits a day from 90
different visitors.
• Tim would be more than happy to teach people how to use website to get your program
more publicity.
• Tim also reminds us we also have FB page to follow.
19. Bylaws Committee
• Thanks committee – Rob A., Marsha C., Jim A., Judy G. and Gabe Stern.
• Bylaws changed were brought to the general membership meeting in April and were
subsequently approved and added to this year’s member directory.
• The second half of bylaws changes will be brought to the next general membership
meeting.
Movement by Jim Avery to adjourn. Seconded by Rich Webber. In favor- all. Opposed- none.