Dear DSC Community:

We are gearing up in full force for our Sail for Kids Regatta & Fundraiser! It's time to team up and enter the "Sailboat Regatta" or the "Fundraising Regatta," or both.

The Fundraising Regatta has already begun and our Executive Director, Greg Cantori, has raised $1,050 and our Board President, Kathleen Lester, has raised $550 to date!

 
Also, join the regatta and challenge them on the race course!

Click FirstGiving Sail for Kids Registration Website and start fundraising now!  As a fundraiser for the SFK event, you will need to set up a persoanl fundraising page with FirstGiving.  It is a very easy process.  When you launch the page by clicking on the hyperlink above, click the large green "REGISTER" button to start the process in setting up your account with FirstGiving.  If you have an existing FirstGiving profile established, you'll need to select the 2012 Sail for Kids campaign as it may direct you to your last activity with the website.

With your own profile page, this will enable you to send the SFK FirstGiving link out to all your friends, colleagues, and potential donors.  You have the opportunity to share your own unique DSC experiences, encourage others to help support the mission of the DSC and how to make pledges.  If you wish to develop a "team" with other participants, please contact Traci Mead and she will set up your team fundraising page.  This will help to support Sail for Kids and challenge team members both to win the fabulous prizes awarded to the team and the individual who win the fundraising regatta.

Team examples: you and your spouse have two pages but are linked to a team, or the skipper and crew aboard one boat have individual pages, but are "competing" with other teams to reach goals.  The more individual pages that are developed, the futher "reach" to contacts will take place when shared.  The beauty of the FirstGiving website in managing the fundraising process is that it is so easy to use and share. 

If you have any questions or have trouble registering, please call Traci at 410-727-0722, extension 3.  She will be happy to be of assistance to you and also give tips on how you can raise even more mney by being creative and clever with your outreach. 

Sincerely,

Kathleen Lester and Shannon Darlington

Co-Chairs Sail for Kids 2012

Dear DSC Community:

For the 4th of July celebrations the BMI has asked us to be off the parking lot (red flag) by 4pm for their special event -and so our docks will be locked at that time as well. If you have a boat reserved that day please be sure you are back well before then.

Have a great Independence Day!

Wow - way to go!  You guys turned a Dark & Stormy night into a bright and sunny success.  We cannot thank you enough.  The DSC is grateful to our generous members, musicians, and donors.  We raised $1,800 in funds that will be used to help support both the accessible and at risk youth programming.  Thank you!  (Julia may have landed a second job as Leadbetters' top bartender.)

ONLY ONE SPOT LEFT! Last spot in the Introduction to Sailing Course before the rate increase on Monday! Secure it NOW for $150 for members or $300 for non-members.

Chris Tom will be hosting a Person Overboard Clinic from 6:00 - 8:30 on Tuesday. Come learn all methods of safe retrieval of a person overboard. And maybe have some fun too!

Attention DSC Volunteers! The season has been in full swing for months and we are in need of a mid-summer work party. So come on down to help get our fleet and facilities in great shape. Tasks will include:  

• Access dinghy upgrades
• Dock beautification
• Dock safety check and spray painting

We will email all registered attendees with details on the event next week. So don't wait, sign up today to help out!

Last week we had our Junior instructor report a body in the water (!) off the Legg Mason building - He was sure he also witnessed a water taxi stopping and recovering the body. We contacted the police and the parents of the children who witnessed the traumatic event. On a whim, Greg called Crystal at the taxi service to see what she knew about the body and got "Body? What Body?" after a pause she started laughing and said "ohhh - that was Randy our Person Overboard mannequin!" -Never a dull moment here and we will get a 'real' POB training out of this as well as a promise that they will announce "Securite" every Friday when they do POB drills!

Reminders about parking for DSC Members - your cooperation is very much appreciated:

1. Seek parking on the gravel area near the docks.  If no parking is available in that area, limited blacktop parking can be utilized, keeping as close to the docks as possible. 
2. The "Entrance" Gate is solely for the purpose of vehicular traffic entering the BMI/DSC parking lot.  Do not use this as a vehicle exit from the property at any time unless the "Exit" gate is locked.  The "Exit" Gate should be utilized to leave the property.  (This applies to moving vehicles only, not pedestrian or bicycle traffic.)
3. Skippers and Dock Masters performing end of day "securing the property" duties as the last remaining members on site will be required to close and lock both the Entrance and Exit Gates in the future. 
4. Please drive slowly and keep watch for pedestrians, especially children, and also wildlife in the parking area. 

"The Downtown Sailing Center provides quality educational and life enriching programs that promote self-esteem and teamwork through the joy of sailing.  The Downtown Sailing Center is committed to promoting an environment of inclusiveness and accessibility, especially to youth, persons with disabilities, and those with limited opportunity."