Mike Macdonald   

Summer Fest comes to ABYC, Saturday July 11th.  One of the many activities is our annual "Family Race", see pages 36 & 37 of the ABYC 2015 Events Book.

There will be a "Skippers Meeting" Saturday, July 11th, at 1200 upstairs in the clubhouse.  You may register at that time ... however; to get a head start, if you are planning on attending, please send an e-mail to Brian Chapman,  (your past Sailing Committee, Chair) at brian@uksailmakers.com, with your Name, Yacht Name, Boat length, Sail Number, Boat Type, and should you hold a current PHRF rating, please supply that also.  Is your crew made up of person 10 years or younger?  Does your crew have a person 70 years of age or greater?  Do you plan on racing Double Handed?

My fingers are crossed that Summer makes an appearance by then.

Any and all questions are more than welcome. Please make no hesitation in sending word.

- Have you got an old prop cluttering up your shop?
- Is there an old boom just taking up room?
- A stinky old head smelling up your shed?

- Stuff left from a race that's just taking up space?

Well bring it all down to the Summerfest Yard Sail!

Tables will be provided.  The "Sail" will take place on the club patio starting at 11:00 am Saturday July 11, 2015.

All are welcome but advance notice would be appreciated if you intend to participate.  Please let us know at

As the weather improves and we find ourselves out on the water enjoying the long summer days let's not forget to take the time to focus on the future leadership at the ABYC board level.  As promised, in the next few Ship2Shore issues, your Nomination Committee will outline the role of each board position up for election this year starting with the position of Commodore.  We encourage you to reach out to those who held these positions in the past for their personal thoughts and experiences.   

Past...and Present Commodores (to name a few): Bob Hedley, Rick Humphrey, Carolyn Weckesser, Barbara Jones, Jim Allen, Mike Leroux, Don MacIntyre

Worth noting....from our by-laws

4.02 Qualification - Each director shall be:

(a) eighteen (18) or more years of age, and

(b) a Senior member or Life member of the Club.

No member shall be elected as Commodore or Senior Vice-Commodore or Rear Commodore unless such member has at least a third (1/3) interest in a boat enrolled in the Club Fleet.

If that sounds like you... read on!

1.01  Commodore (Updated: Aug. 12, 2013):

a) shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Club;

b) represent the Club officially to all outside organizations;

c) chair all Board and members meetings;

d) guide Club policy according to law, Letters Patent, and Club By-laws and Rules;

e) oversee the manner in which the Board carries out its duties;

f) be, ex-officio, a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee and the Life Membership Nominating Committee;

g) represent the Club officially at internal Club events as appropriate;

h) monitor and promote the Long Range Plan; and,

i) meet with the Internal Auditor as per the By-laws

Q & A: Up close and personal with those who have held the position of Commodore in the past. Getting the real information...again, we suggest you reach out to past commodores and seek their "unedited" thoughts.

What are the challenges of this role?

• The biggest challenge is to always be looking at the big picture and not to micro manage your Board Team.  Your job is to provide guidance and to steer the ship.
• There will be member expectation that you attend/support all or most of the club functions
• Building a strong leadership team that works effectively together and planning for the succession of leaders in all committee leads, board positions
• Think and Act Strategically by balancing issues, activities and work with what will be in the best interests of the Club and its members for the mid and long term
• You will have to be receptive to opinions of all sorts delivered in various forms and manner.  You will have to have a working knowledge of the governance of the club, be able to discern where information should be passed, what jobs to delegate to whom.
• Every member has an opinion they are willing to share, but not always at an appropriate time or in an appropriate manner.  Challenge is to find balance and the correct way to handle those situations.

What are the rewards of this role?

• I loved working with people, working with Board Members, solving problems, the ceremony, and meeting new people.  
• Celebrating the traditions and ceremonies of the club (Levee, Commodore's Ball, Sail-Past)
• With the support and cooperation of the Board members and Committee Chairs, you will have the opportunity to help shape and lead the development of the club
• It is rewarding to know you have made a difference to the ongoing operation and future of the club. 
• Personal satisfaction that you are doing your best to improve the club and leave it in good hands for the future
• And there is the parking spot near the clubhouse!

Would you recommend taking the position of Commodore at ABYC?

• If you are open to taking advice, listening to issues, valuing member feedback, and meeting/working with people, then I would say go for it!
• Yes it was an Honour to be able to serve my fellow members in this capacity for 4 years!

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to run for this position? 

• Candidates need to be realistic about the time commitment required to be effective in the role.
• Have a frank conversation with family members before submitting your name, as their experience at the club will be impacted if you are elected to 'take the helm'.
• I would also advise anyone seeking the Commodore position to have had some Board experience prior to running.  
• Sharing the Leadership - Knowing when to be in command versus letting competent board members and staff do their jobs
• It is helpful to have a working, general knowledge of the Club business, by-laws and policies.
• Never underestimate the membership or assume you know what they are thinking. If you want to get anything done/passed/moved forward it is much easier when you have the membership's support!

Next Focus on the board will outline to position of Senior Vice Commodore.

Your Nomination Committee

Petra Fischer, Mike Leroux, Gus Gillespie & Hazel Wood