Commodore's Change of Watch Address

November 5, 2011

Below is the text from my address to the Change of Watch. As incoming Commodore I hoped to give you an understanding of what my goals and philosophy are. Some folks did not attend and I figured if you wished to see it, here it is.

We are here today because some men got together in 1937 and thought it would be a good idea to set up a club to promote their sailboat races. Over the years our club has grown, changed and expanded to include powerboats, a clubhouse, women, and social members.

Through all of this there has been one constant: a dedicated membership.  The past few years has seen involvement from approximately two thirds of the club through committees, special events, and work projects.

In acknowledging the great work of so many, I would like to take this moment to call out and celebrate two people who have been leading the effort over the past three years.

Bob Vautin has been a member since 1984. Bob served as a trustee in the 90’s and returned recently to lead the club.  During his year as Rear Commodore, Bob oversaw significant projects including roofing the shack and painting the clubhouse. As Vice, he worked to develop a launch schedule to accommodate fall and spring requests while keeping the budget in check. This past year, Bob oversaw the Rip-Rap project and kicked off the not insignificant, long-term effort to revitalize our facilities. 

On behalf of the Centerboard membership, please join me in recognizing Bob’s efforts for the club.

Bob did not do this alone. He had support along the way from the bridge, the trustees, committee members, and the membership.  That said, at the end of each day, there was someone he could always turn to.... Please join me in recognizing Sue Vautin for her role here at Centerboard in putting up with Bob and supporting him as he worked hard for us.

Centerboard is a special place for me. I have been around the club since I was born. Many members here have seen me grow up. I have a strong connection with our club and you, its members.

It is an interesting transition for me to go from calling people Mr or Mrs to Tom or Win, Mary or Ethel. I can recall many days in my past when I enjoyed sailing around the anchorage in a sunfish, or rowing in a harbor with other members of the Daggerboard Dinghy Club, or sailing in the Wednesday Night Races, something I still do today.

I think that this history is important as we sit here on the eve of our 75^th season. Currently, 55% -- over half of our membership -- has come on board in the last decade or so, stretching back to 2000; while 20% joined in the 90’s; 15% in the 80’s; 8% in the 70’s; and 2% in the 60’s.

While we look back at the past 75 years, we remember that the club has changed a lot since then. Started as a small sailboat racing club, it has long since evolved into something that the founding members might not recognize so well.  

No matter the changes, the purpose remains the same – to promote the sport of yachting (even that was a change to accommodate those with power boats).

We need to ask ourselves, what will CYC be in 25 years on our centennial? How about 50 years from now, another 75?

It is likely that we will see over two thirds of our current members leave the club by the time we are celebrating our centennial. So, what will be our legacy to the members who will take our place? What will we do that will improve the club over the next quarter of a century for the next generations to enjoy and care for as we do today?

Making necessary improvements requires change, adaptation, flexibility and creativity.  It requires dialogue, research, patience and perserverance. Our most important asset in this process is our membership -- you, me, the members who are not here.

Our club has changed locations, changed boats, and changed people. And over the years, it was the membership that moved the club forward.  In light of this, as we continue to look into the future, I will work with the bridge and trustees to strengthen our communication and open up new channels of dialogue with the membership.

I will push the club to look at new possibilities, to take on the risk of change, to accept our differences of opinion, and -- most importantly -- to collaborate and compromise as we move forward. Over the next year I will look to each of you to reach out and engage at least three other members whom you have not been involved with before. Together, we will reinforce the founding principles of Centerboard as a member-maintained yacht club.

I look forward to working with all of you.