This October marked the end of the 142nd Hull Yacht Club season. Our history is rich and storied, and proudly we can say that we have maintained a vibrant and welcoming club community while honoring long-held traditions and values.
As the new commodore, and with the brainpower and physical strength of the Executive Board, staff, committees, and volunteer help, I am pleased that collectively, we each have a hand in helping to keep the club a warm, inviting and safe place for all members to enjoy. We can step on the porch and immediately feel lighter, relaxed, and ready for fun and friendship.
My first order of business was to form a new committee to strengthen our messaging and better communicate with our members. We are starting a blog, launched by the Communications Committee, led by co-chairs, Laurie McDowell and Laura Scott. One of the main goals will be to let you know what is going on in all facets of the club. For example, we have several fleets that race weekly, but only racers are apprised of the results. As a non-racer, I would love to know the weekly standing, say congrats and simply, be in-the-know. Now we can.
The blog will run weekly during the season and periodically in the off season. And for fun, a nautical trivia word or phrase will be highlighted in every issue. This is a new venture for the committee, so please share your comments and suggestions.
Fiscally, the Hull Yacht Club is in good shape with a healthy club account and a modest rainy-day-fund. Much of that is because our membership is at full capacity with 225 full members and 75 social members. With renewal notices going out in early January, we will see some members drop off and new ones come in, a continuing shift until the season opens in April/May. Currently, we have 12 social members on the waiting list.
The Jr. Sail program has also been running at capacity and will be adding an instructor-in-training class in 2023. Engaging our younger members in the life of the HYC is critical to the club’s future.
And lastly, the volunteerism throughout the club greatly impacts on our bottom line. For many projects, material costs are factored in, but labor is not. A special shout-out to our unsung heroes, Jim Ray and Dennis Foley, for giving days and weeks of their time to the betterment of the club. This year alone, they led the ramp/gangway expansion (see it on our Webcam) and bar window project. Bravo!
A long-term strategic plan of the club hinges on the participation and vision of members. A member survey will be emailed to you next week to help us shape our needs and wants. Please respond and also join the focus groups in 2023 for more discussion.
I am honored to serve as Commodore and look forward to working with you and the club. Please reach out to me at any time to chat - commodore@HullYC.org. And if you want to learn more about me, you can click here and scroll to the end.
Fair winds and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Malee Nuesse