MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORLEANS YACHT CLUB, INC.
There are many reasons to join the Orleans Yacht Club, and, as any member can tell you, membership is an active part of their lives. Because of its not-for-profit orientation and limited revenue sources, the Club depends heavily on volunteerism by its members and considers an applicant's attitude toward service and likely involvement on committees and work parties in the review process. By participating in the Club's functioning, members have a great sense of ownership in "their" Club.

The Club offers four classes of membership which make up the Club's 427 memberships: 60 Corinthian (ages 21-40) non-voting memberships, 312 Senior (ages 41 and up) voting memberships, 54 Emeritus (must be 75 years old or older and have been an OYC member for at least 10 years) memberships and 1 Honorary membership. The number of each type of membership is set by the Executive Committee and may not be exceeded without their concurrence. A membership of any type may represent a married couple or a single individual and a senior membership, whether a couple or a single individual, is accorded only one vote. In accepting applicants for membership the Executive Committee is pledged to a strict policy of non-discrimination based on age, sex, race, religious affiliation or sexual orientation.

There are two additional membership classes: Junior and Racing Associate.
Racing Associate Membership: Any person 21 years of age or more, who owns or has use of a class sailboat currently raced at the Club or is a crew member, may apply for a Racing Associate membership when sponsored by two (2) Club members in good standing. This membership entitles the Racing Associate to participate in Club sponsored races, use of the Club facilities for that class sailboat during the racing season and participation in Sunday night Fleet 15 cookouts. The annual dues for a Racing Associate membership is currently $50 per year. Racing Associates have no voting power.
Junior memberships are available to those under 21 years of age and is also automatic for children participating in the OYC's Junior Sailing Program. Junior Yacht Club members are given priority to become Corinthian members upon attaining the age of 21, ahead of new applicants. Junior members have no voting power and pay no dues.

As a member of the Yachting Club of America, the OYC membership also allows for reciprocity with hundreds of other registered Yacht & Sailing Clubs across America and world-wide. Applications for Corinthian and Senior memberships are currently being accepted.

HOW TO BECOME AN OYC MEMBER

1. The potential Applicant(s) require both a Sponsor and a Co-Sponsor who are current Club members. The Sponsor obtains a membership application directly from the Office Administrator.
2. After receiving the application with letters of recommendation from the sponsors, the Applicant(s)'s name is posted at the Club for a period of 14 days.
3. After that period, the Membership Chair (MC) sends the Applicant(s) a letter, copying the Sponsor, Co-Sponsor and Secretary, acknowledging receipt of the application, noting they will be contacted by the Membership Committee to arrange an interview.
4. A member of the Membership Committee and a Member of the Executive Committee interview the Applicant(s).
5. The Membership Committee makes its recommendation at the next Executive Committee meeting. The Executive Committee votes to accept or reject the application.
6. The Applicant is notified of the Executive Committee's decision by the Secretary who also notifies the Sponsor, Co-Sponsor and the Membership Committee; the Applicant may be added to the waiting list if there are no current membership openings.
7. Applicants are invited by the Secretary to move from the waiting list to Member status as openings occur.
8. Upon receipt of the Club's dues & initiation payment, the Applicants become members of the OYC.