It is hard to believe that we have entered the month of September already.  I do hope that you have had a season full of sailing. The Club continues to be a very busy place and, given the number of events being organized through our volunteers and our staff, I know that we are entering a fall season full of excellent opportunities.  I encourage you to take part in our extensive list of activities that the various Committees and our Club Staff organize throughout the year.  I encourage you to come down to the Club to have a meal.  Our restaurant continues to give great service and the food has been very consistent in its quality.  Our restaurant needs your support in order to stay viable as an operation so, consider keeping it in your view as a great place to eat.

I encourage all Senior and Life Members to attend the General Meeting on Monday, September 24 at 7 pm.  We, as ABYC members, have many opportunities to show our commitment to our Club and one of those is by our attendance and participation at Club General Meetings.  At this meeting, we will elect three new officers to the Board.  Our careful thought and consideration of candidates for the positions of Rear Commodore, Vice-Commodore of Financial Services, and Vice-Commodore of Marine Services are important.  Also at this meeting, we will review the new Code of Conduct that has been prepared as a result of a perceived need in the Club survey.  Please consider attending this important meeting as it is an opportunity to catch up with Club business and look to the future.

Now is also the time to take note of your volunteer contribution while we still have four months left in the year.  As you know, all Senior Members must contribute and file proof for twenty hours of volunteer contribution for work achieved in the 2012 calendar year.  Intermediate and Dinghy Members currently have hourly obligations of five hours as listed in Board Policy 3.18.  There are many opportunities to volunteer in the remaining portion of this year and it is your responsibility to participate in the Volunteer Program in some manner that suits you.  Also remember that there are many opportunities as well that are not heavy, manual work that you can participate in.  An example of this is the position of Historian that is currently open.  This is an example of a position that could be shared by more than one member and is just one example of many that will help members who may have an inability to do heavier work. Work around the Club is not restricted to our three membership categories that have a specific obligation by policy.  We encourage all of our members to remember their Membership Interview when they were informed that ABYC is a "working" Club.  It is essential that all Members of all membership categories take part in the work around the Club.  Individual participation and contribution is what keeps our Club competitive and vibrant.  Please join in.

I thank all those who continue to work for our Club and I invite all to come down to the Club and take part in the fun.  I hope to see you on September 24.

Respectfully submitted,  

Rick Humphrey, Commodore  

commodore@abyc.on.ca

Member Contribution Committee Update 

- from Jamie Donaldson, Member Contribution Coordinator 

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Well, it's been a busy and fun summer!  I hope you have all managed to be on the water as much as you dreamed! (perhaps that never happens).  In the next few weeks I will have several updates and news items to share.  For now I will pass on some important bits:

1) "Blue card" work reporting. 

We have compiled the hours reported on blue cards through June.  I have posted the list in the signal room, listed by member number (and by the name of one of the people associated with that number - sorry for any confusion that may cause!).  A total of about ,5250 hours was reported on the cards - I know that this is very shy of the total amount of time we have collectively contributed.  Please remember that unless you report your contribution hours, they will not get recorded.  May I also ask again for those who have completed their 20 hour commitment, and those that do not have this requirement, to report their contributions as well - it is important to have a good record of the real amount of work we do in the Club!

2) "Yellow card" Launch survey.

Thanks again to everyone who filled in a card.  A total of 1,515 hours was reported by 190 individuals during Launch weekend this year; again, I know this is an underestimate. Of these hours:

* 13% were reported by non-senior/Life members;

* about 50% involved crane and railyard work;

* Dock Ladies, cradle crews, tallow and cleanup; on-water jobs, safety, dockwork and administration completed the list of reported jobs.

Good luck to all in the last week of Series C and D racing! 

Come join us September 9^th for the 48^th running of the ABYC's Hansen Regatta.  Sailed annually, the Hansen is a one day event open to ABYC club members with the objective of having as much fun as possible.

The skippers' meeting is at 1100 hrs the day of the event.  Racing starts immediately thereafter with the goal of sailing anywhere between 3 and 5 races to determine the winner.  

The event is open to Lasers and Laser Radials, the skill level ranges from beginner to advanced, from juniors to old timers with one goal in mind  

- to have as much fun as possible!!!!!

Even if you don't have your own boat you still may be able to compete, chartering of club Lasers is available on a first come basis.  There is talk of some special guests showing up this year so you don't want to miss this very special event.

For more information please contact Kevin Armstrong by email at kc.armstrong@sympatico.ca

September 08 - QCYC Open Regatta

September 08 - Cornish Hen - RHYC (Lasers & 29ers) 

September 15 - LOSHRS PCYC to Dalhousie

September 16 - LOSHRS Dalhousie to PCYC

September 22 - Fall CORK (Lasers & 29ers) 

September 22 - Donald Summerville Memorial Race - ABYC

September 30 - Boswell Trophy Race