Introduction for Membership Applicants
INTRODUCTION
FOR
MEMBERSHIP APPLICANTS
Introduction to the Orleans Yacht Club
Important Message to All Applicants
The Orleans Yacht Club is a not-for-profit “working” club. It relies on “volunteerism” to operate successfully. Beyond initiation fees and dues all members are expected to contribute time and energy toward the betterment of the Club.
HISTORY
The Club was chartered as the Orleans Yacht Club in 1947. Founding members included Harry Snow, Edgar Downs, Helen Smith, Mrs. Norman Downs, Dr. Fred Raddin and Jarrett Blodgett who became the first Commodore. The express purpose of the Club as stated in the Charter was, and still is, “to promote sailing, boating, water activities and social activities among its members.
The first Club House was Edgar Downs's boat house located in the south west corner of Town Cove. Although the original building has been modified it is still visible today as a guest cottage. The Club House in something close to its current configuration was built on land donated by Henry K. Cummings of Orleans. It was enlarged over the years and underwent a total kitchen renovation in 2006. The Club rents a storage facility for Club boats on Commerce Way off Finlay Road in Orleans.
ORGANIZATION
The operation of the club is directed by the Executive Committee. The officers are Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary and Treasurer. The Secretary is the Clerk of the corporation. Each officer is elected annually by the membership; however current policy is that each officer will serve a two year term. In general terms, the Commodore provides direction, runs the monthly meetings of the Executive Committee, and chairs the Annual Meeting of the membership. The Vice Commodore understudies the Commodore, fills his office when the Commodore is unavailable and takes on special projects as assigned. The Rear Commodore is responsible for everything to do with the water including boats, floats and the Junior Sailing Program. The normal progression of office is Rear Commodore, 2 years, Vice Commodore, 2 years, and Commodore, 2 years. This service is followed by two additional two year terms as Past Commodore --- a total commitment of eight years. The balance of the Executive Committee includes the following positions:
House Chair
Entertainment Committee Chair (s)
Race Committee Chair
Corinthian Representative
Member Directors (3)
See Appendix A For Current Executive Committee Members
MEMBERSHIP
The Club offers four classes of membership. The number of each type of membership is set by the Executive Committee and may not be exceeded without their concurrence.
| Corinthian | 60 memberships, non-voting, ages 21-40 |
| Senior | 311 memberships, ages 41 and up |
| Emeritus | 54 memberships, non-voting, must be 75 years old or older and have been an OYC member for at least 10 years |
| Honorary | 1 membership |
See Appendix B For Current Initiation Fees And Dues By Membership Class
A membership of any type may represent a married couple or a single individual. In the instance of a married couple, membership may be based on either partner's age but will be listed on the Club's roster as John Doe and Jane Doe. A 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.
OPERATION
The Orleans Yacht Club is a not-for-profit organization. It normally employs only three part time staff, an Office Manager and a Bar Manager who report to the Commodore, and a Steward who reports to the House Committee Chair. The Club's revenue stream comes primarily from initiation fees and dues. The bar, Junior Sailing Program, social events, and the summer lunch program are other potential revenue sources. Special Assessments are rare. Social events are priced to break even which, on balance, they do. The only other source of revenue is Club rental. Members are allowed to rent the Club facility for events centered on their family members, e.g. birthdays, anniversaries, receptions, etc. Rental for non- family members is not permitted. Employment of the Bar Manager and Steward is required. As for all Club functions, Fire Laws allow up to 150 people for “sit down” events and 238 people for cocktail parties, these numbers include committee members working at the event.
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.
BOATING ACTIVITIES
Club Racing
The OYC's early years included an active adult and junior sailing program. The adults sailed Town Class boats and the juniors sailed Beetle Cats. Various classes of boats have been raced at the Club. The current OYC racing class is the O'Day 17 foot Day Sailer. The Club also had an active Sunfish racing fleet in the past and is interested in trying to reconstitute a Sunfish racing program. At this time the OYC's racing group, designated as Daysailer Fleet 15, is only involved in intra-club racing. The program consists of Sunday races from June through August. There are three series … each series consists of six races. Skippers competing in at least 10 of the 18 races are eligible to sail in the Club Championship race held at the end of the season. OYC owns three O'Day 17's that are available to race by qualified members. Members may also participate in the racing program by serving on the Race Committee. Tasks performed by the Race Committee volunteers include setting the race course, signaling the start and finish of the races, and manning the chase/safety boats. The safety boats set and remove the racing buoys and shadow the fleet to aid sailors as required.
Every year Fleet 15 also sails their traditional `Old Lady's race. The winner of this race earns the somewhat dubious privilege of hanging the portrait of `the Old Lady' in a prominent place in their home for the period of one year. The winning skipper also hosts the next annual `Old Lady' party at the Club which is a potluck buffet, open to all those who have participated in the racing program, and non-sailing members.
Adult Sailing Instruction
Beginning in April and running through early September, the Club sponsors adult sailing lessons for approximately 25 of its members. These lessons are free and involve both classroom and on-the-water instruction using the Club's fleet of 14 foot Catalina's. Instructors are members of Fleet 15. As an adjunct to this program, members who have been approved to do so by the Senior Sailing Instructor may check out a Catalina for recreational sailing.
Junior Sailing Program
The Club sponsors a fee based Junior Sailing Program for children 8-18 using its three fleets of sailboats---Optis, Catalinas, and 420s. Programs range from two weeks to eight weeks and cover all experience and skill levels from beginner to competitive racer. Members are strongly encouraged to enroll their children or grandchildren in the Junior Sailing Program; however the program is open to all children regardless of whether their parents or grandparents are members.
The OYC also sponsors up to 32 weeks of free sailing instruction divided among children from families in Orleans, Eastham, Brewster and Wellfleet. Tuition is paid by the Radtke Memorial Sailing Fund, a Club endowment fund managed by The Cape Cod Foundation.
Mooring Field
While the Fleet 15 boats are usually dry sailed, the Club has a designated mooring field in front of the Club House which is available to member's sail and power boats. Members must contact the Rear Commodore regarding availability of mooring space in the Club's field. Placement of a mooring is subject to the approval of the Rear Commodore and payment of the Town Mooring fee. A Club dinghy is kept at the dock to facilitate access to member's boats.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Friday Night Cocktail Parties
These weekly gatherings are open to all members and their guests. Applicants who have been approved for membership and are on the Waiting List are invited to attend as guests of the Club. Members and those on the Waiting List are required to bring an hors d'oeuvre to share. The bar is open for beverage purchase at minimal prices using “ticket books” that may be purchased at the office or over the bar. Waiting List members are encouraged to buy and use these “ticket books”. Friday nights are hosted by one or two volunteer couples who ready the Club House, decorate the hors d'oeuvre tables, and rinse off serving ware before returning it. Parties are held nearly every Friday night throughout the year and officially run from 5:30 to 7:30.
Special Events
The Club endeavors to sponsor one major social event each month throughout the year. Announcements for these events are mailed to each membership. Attendance is fee based and is allotted based on phone reservations. Waiting lists are used when events are over-subscribed. Invitations are extended to the Membership Waiting List when an event is undersubscribed. Types of galas held in the last several years include such things as a Clambake, Progressive Dinner, Kentucky Derby Party, International Night, 60s Party, Christmas Parties, New Years Eve Party, Super Bowl Party etc. Food preparation at Special Events is frequently catered but planning, decoration, set-up, service, and clean-up is done by members working on committees and sub-committees. Couples usually volunteer together for committee work.
Thursday Night Picnics
These informal get-togethers take place every Thursday night from late June to early September and are hosted by the Corinthian members. They are open to all members, their children and guests. Members bring their own food, the Club provides grills to cook on, and the bar is open. All alcohol must be purchased over the bar, “brown bagging” is not allowed. Official hours are 5:00 to 7:30. These picnics are also open to the approved Member Waiting List.
Sunday Night Fleet 15/Race Committee Picnics
Sunday night after the races, the skippers, crew and race committee members plus spouses, gather for a picnic at the club. All members are welcome. Members bring their own food and the Club provides the grills and the bar is open. Official hours are 6:00 to 8:30 PM.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
| Marine Committee | Responsibility of the Rear Commodore |
| Helps ready all fleet boats for season use including removal from storage, bottom painting, rigging, launching. Helps install all floats and docks. Pulls and stores boats, floats and docks in the fall. | |
| Grounds and Building | Responsibility of the House Chair |
|
Assists in the general upkeep of grounds including the lawn,
flower beds, parking lot, etc.
Occasional involvement in minor carpentry and painting is possible. |
|
| Race Committee | Responsibility of the Race Committee Chair |
| Manning of Committee Boat and/or Chase/Safety Boats for Sunday afternoon races. | |
| Friday Night Cocktail Parties | |
| Hosting as previously described. | |
| Special Events | |
|
Event Committee Chair/Co Chair
Committee/ Subcommittee Member |
|
| Thursday Night Picnics | |
| Preparation Committee (Corinthians only) | |
| Executive Committee Member | |
| Requires election or appointment | |
OTHER
Each month the Club publishes The Bosun's Call a newsletter devoted to a review of the past months accomplishments and a calendar with special announcements of the following months activities. The Bosun's Call is available to members in hard copy and to both members and those on the approved waiting list via email. A copy of a recent Bosun's Call may be found appended to this document. OYC also has a website, www.orleansyachtclub.org, which includes the calendar of monthly events as well as other up-to-date information. Upon admission, OYC members receive a Club Handbook which is updated annually containing the Club Constitution, By-Laws, Membership Roster and General Information.
APPENDIX A
2007 Executive Committee Members
Officers
| Commodore | ……… | Peter C. Howerton |
| Vice Commodore | ……… | Howard H. Kucks, Jr. |
| Rear Commodore | ……… | Stan Brady |
| Secretary | ……… | Thomas W. Finan |
| Treasurer | ……… | Ted Larson |
Executive Committee
| Peter C. Howerton | ……… | Chair |
| Thomas W. Finan | ……… | Secretary |
| Ted Larson | ……… | Treasurer |
| Howard H. Kucks, Jr. | ……… | Vice Commodore |
| Stan Brady | ……… | Rear Commodore |
| Bob Royce | ……… | House Co-Chair |
| TBD | ……… | House Co-Chair |
| Howard Mead | ……… | Director |
| Judy Lindahl | ……… | Director |
| Carol Penfield | ……… | Director |
| Steve Downs | ……… | Past Commodore |
| TBD / Steve Downs (acting) | ……… | Race Committee Chair |
| Lynn Nelson | ……… | Entertainment Co-Chair |
| Dottie Barnard | ……… | Entertainment Co- Chair |
| vacant | ……… | Corinthian Representative |
APPENDIX B
2008 Initiation and Dues by Membership Class
| Initiation | Annual Dues | |
| Corinthian | $325 | $235 |
| Senior | $650 | $535 |
| Emeritus | none | $385* |
| *Senior dues less $150 | ||
| Note: Dues are subject to change by vote of the Membership. | ||
Dues are based on a calendar year. Dues notices are sent out on November 15th and payment is due by December 15th. A $10 discount may be applied to dues payment by check or cash. An option to pay in two installments is also available.