From the Porch: News from President Ed Ryan

Will Packard coordinates SHOP details from the porch.

Thanks and congratulations to all of our PBC members and friends who made the Charlie Butt Annual Scullers Head of the Potomac last weekend such a great success. We had a record 400+ boats racing, and it could have not been done without the leadership at the top by Peter Clements, Will Packard, Samantha Byrd, Eric Edmonds, Mike Malone and Morgan Constantine Wimberley. Special props to Peter for stepping in as Regatta Chair this year – it’s a lot of work and demonstrated volunteerism at its finest. And much appreciation to the over 100 volunteers it requires to run this Regatta; you all bled red for the Club and made us a great host for hundreds of other rowers. And to all the PBC rowers who competed – regardless of result, congratulations on getting to the starting line. It takes courage to enter that pain locker, and it’s great to see so many members competing at all levels. Finally, thanks to the Social Committee for once again putting out a great spread.

PBC on the board at the Dulles Plane Pull

More thanks to our intrepid pullers who competed for PBC in the Dulles Plane Pull competition last month. Special thanks to Reilly Dampeer and Sean Durkin for rallying the troops, the 20+ rowers ‘on the rope’, and to all of the PBC members who contributed over $2,000 to the Special Olympics as part of this great community effort. With one year of experience under our belts, we are looking forward to going at it again next year.

Last Reminder – Semi Annual Meeting on Sunday, October 14th

One last reminder of the Semi-Annual meeting next Sunday, October 14th. Social hour at 6:00 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Contrary to some rumors, there will be no cage fight over dues increases, but we will be prepared to address the fiscal state of the Club, and our approach to prudently plan, finance and execute the capital repairs and improvements to the Club that will maintain its integrity and grace through future generations, all the while maintaining our ability to ensure that members have access to a fleet of boats that we can all feel proud and fortunate to row and race in.

One More Word on Dues
We appreciate all of the members who responded to the call for timely dues payments. And remember that you can always change your membership status if circumstances warrant. Just contact our Membership Chair, Pam Roberts, at membership@potomacboatclub.org. But no serial changes by season – any change must stay in place for a minimum of a year.

Vote until Oct. 22!

In case you saw the US Rowing’s Fan Choice Awards on Row2k, I’d like to congratulate and call out Nancy Faigen for her nomination for Masters Coach of the Year. Although a member of the Club for some time, Nancy just this year took over the reins of the Men’s Sweep team and has done a remarkable job (note, I did not say ‘given the talent she has to work with’). The team saw great success on the water all year, and has stepped up their volunteer efforts to help out around the Club. Congrats to you Nancy and to the team for this recognition. Now, as to another PBC nomination under the Fan’s Choice Awards, let me say that I am honored and appreciative, and the fact that two nominations came out of PBC should not go unnoticed, but the fact of the matter is that one of my co-nominees — an 88-year old rower, who is still racing notwithstanding the affliction of Parkinson’s Disease — truly deserves this award. So tempering the competitive juices here, and consciously ignoring the fact that he rows for Saugatuck, let me be the first to congratulate this remarkable octagenarian and suggest that your voting fervor be directed towards Nancy and not me.

Comment on Arlington Boathouse EIS by 9/30

Artist rendering of a proposed Arlington boathouse

Who cares? YOU care, PBC! This will impact you and the future of the Club!  Your thoughtful comments regarding the proposed sites are requested by the September 30 deadline!

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public input on preliminary alternatives to be considered regarding the Arlington County and Vicinity Non-Motorized Boathouse Facility Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).  The EIS will assess the impacts of the proposed siting and construction of a public facility for non-motorized boats on the Virginia shoreline of the Potomac River in the vicinity of Arlington County.

NPS project staff members have prepared a newsletter available for download at the EIS link above that describes the EIS process and preliminary action alternatives. The Arlington County Boathouse Foundation has prepared a list of FAQs with a detailed list of the alternatives and a history of the project HERE.

Preliminary alternatives include four possible site locations:  two proposed sites are downstream of the Key Bridge in Rosslyn, one is near Gravelly Point and the 14th Street Bridge, and one on Daingerfield Island.  The boathouse facility and its amenities would enhance public waterfront access in the vicinity of Arlington County for non-motorized recreational activities.  It also would serve as the new home of Arlington County’s three public high school rowing teams.

Again, the public comment period is now open and will conclude on September 30, 2012.  Written comments can be submitted electronically HERE or at the web site linked above.

Written comments may be mailed to the following address; mailed comments must be postmarked by September 30, 2012.

Superintendent
Attn: Arlington Boathouse EIS
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Turkey Run Park Headquarters
McLean, VA 22101

From the Porch: News and important dates to note from PBC President Ed Ryan

Our Board of Governors’ meeting this past week was an important one.   Among other items, the Board approved an increase in dues and other charges.  It’s not something that the Board likes to do,  but with six years passing without any increase in revenues, and upon the recommendation of our Finance Committee, the Board decided it was necessary to increase revenues in order to properly maintain and improve the Club, pay our utilities, keep our inventory of both racing and club boats fresh and usable, build adequate reserves for major capital items, and otherwise continue to enjoy the Club as we have been accustomed. I will add that there is something of a silver lining here – as members and rowers, we are using our Club more.  Our social occasions are more numerous and robust, we are supporting larger competitive teams with more racing, and we have an ever increasing number of club rowers.  While this activity translates directly into higher costs – especially in the areas of maintenance, cleaning, repairs and equipment – it also reflects a more active, diverse and engaged membership, and that is nothing but good for our Club. 

Specifically, the increase will be effective in 2013 (i.e., as of your first dues invoice in 2013). Senior member dues will increase to $750 per year; associate dues to $100, and non-resident dues to $50.  The annual rack fee for indoor racks will increase to $200. We are also raising fees for W-L usage of the Club. But, for our most senior members, the Board recognized the state of the fixed income markets, and any member 70 or over is entitled to a 20% discount on dues (leaving them essentially flat).   If you are interested in a more granular presentation of Club finances, please join us at the Semi-Annual meeting in October (more info below). 

And one related word on our Club and its finances – our Club depends on volunteers to be able to operate on budget.  In case you missed it in the membership application, it’s expected and required that each member spend at least 15 hours of volunteer hours for the Club every year.  We don’t have a system for tracking that, yet, but it’s worth reminding all members of the commitment you made to PBC when you joined.  We have no employees whatsoever – the Club runs on its members.

Many thanks to the Finance Committee for their hard work and help in keeping the Club on a solid and prudent financial course.

Row Like A Champion, and Be a Champion for PBC.

Ed Ryan

An Opportunity to Volunteer  

Mike Malone, our Club Committee Chairman , writes

The Club Rowing Committee is looking for volunteers to help with the basic maintenance of the club fleet, i.e. checking  rigging, coordinating minor repairs, identifying missing parts, etc. We can teach you all that you need to know, so this is a great chance to learn more about the nitty gritty details of the sport. If you have a CRC boat you love to row, help keep it in shape and fulfill your volunteer hours by contacting Michael Malone at crc@potomacboatclub.org.
 

New Docks – And More Opportunities to Volunteer

Steve Vermillion, our House Chairman (or “Commander”), writes the following:

Mark you calenders for the week of August 27th.   We’ll be replacing the float!   This is a BIG job and we’ll need 50+ volunteers.   As the specific date approaches, we’ll have more news and a call for volunteers.  In the meantime, if you would like to volunteer for other work around the House – there’s plenty to be done - you can contact Steve at sdvermillion3@aol.com. 

PBC Competing Everywhere! 

Good luck to all PBC competitors, wherever you may be racing!  From the Olympics in London to the Masters Nationals regatta in Worcester, Mass., the athletes of PBC will be rocketing off of starting lines and sprinting to finish lines around the world.  Keep up with the news and results on our PBC competitors in London and elsewhere through the Potomac Star (www.potomacstar.com) and Potomac Star Calendar, or friend Abner Burnside on Facebook to get news from the Star and straight from the athletes themselves!  If you have results or racing to report, please send it to editor of the Potomac Star and Racing Committee Chair, Penelope Wrenn at racing@potomacstar.com. 

Ergs and Civility

Anonymous, writes:

It’s your choice whether you want to erg in this heat – but it’s not your choice as to whether you need to clean up after yourself.  Wipe and clean the ballroom floor and the erg after you finish. Always.  It’s not at all cool to leave that puddle of sweat, regardless of how proud of it you might be.

And let us all work on being more civil to each other around the Club.  Let’s help that boat that is stuck awkwardly at the dock, let’s offer to lend a hand when we see someone doing work around the Club, and let’s give some encouragement to other PBC rowers out on the river.  
 

Semi-Annual Meeting  

The Board confirmed the date and time for the Semi-Annual meeting:  Sunday, October 14th at 4:00 p.m.   More information on the meeting as the date approaches.

New sheriff in town

Newly elected PBC President Ed Ryan and Bill Cox crossing the finish line first back in 2009, at the Carnegie Lake Regatta.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water ….

No conspiracy theory or anything, we’re just saying  … three in a row?  We see a trend.  Bob.  Bob ( … and technically, Bob, again).  And now Ed.  We like those Club President’s with one syllable names, don’t we?

Interesting.  Very interesting.

Now.  Take my hand and let’s check out what our newly elected President “Ed” Ryan has on his mind for the new administration.  It’ll be okay.  We promise.

* * *

Hey, PBC!

This is the first of what I hope will be regular communiques from me to the club.  I want to thank you all for your support, as well as the confidence you expressed  in me when you elected me President of Potomac Boat Club.  I am honored and humbled, and I intend to do everything I can to make PBC a great club, in every sense of the word.

Next, as I discussed at our Annual Meeting, my overall goal is simple:  Continue the transformation of PBC from a rowing facility to a Club.  In general, this means to me that we embrace all PBC members – old and young, whether you race or just enjoy rowing for exercise.  I want PBC to be a place where members know each other, respect each other, and appreciate the fact that they belong to such a great and unique institution.

Now, please allow me to share with you a few of the more significant shorter term goals that the Board is currently pursuing:

• House:  Complete the dock replacement.  At some point, docks and other high wear capital improvements require replacement.  The new docks are ordered and we’re hoping to have a ‘dock transition’ in mid-August, at a lull in the competitive rowing season.
• House:  Finish what we need to do to make the house fundamentally safe, including a fairly significant porch repair project, and continuing to enhance security.
• Finances:  Address the fact that we are facing higher overall expenses – maintenance, boats, utilities, and repairs.  We pay less than most folks pay to belong to a gym and get the best club in DC.  It’s a bargain, and we will do our best to manage it all very prudently.  A dues increase is probably on the horizon, but it won’t be major and it’s something that we’d like to stay on top of so we don’t hit a cataclysmic point where a major increase is suddenly unavoidable.
• Communications:  Institute a periodic newsletter to all current and former members – the entire “PBC community”  - that goes out whenever necessary with club news and information.  I don’t claim credit for this – as a former Vesper rower, I get their newsletter every couple of weeks, and it’s terrific.  It keeps me in touch with the club, and even guilts me into contributions.  If anyone would like to help me with this, please contact me offline at president@potomacboatclub.org.

Those are big picture items we’ll be working on this year.  Real, real short term, I want to remind everyone of two events this weekend:

First, the Cuatro de Mayo party on Friday evening, hosted by our extraordinary social committee (see how practice feels on Saturday morning after a few margaritas!).

Second, the PBC Work Day on Sunday, May 6, 2012.  Our club operates on a volunteer model, and we need all members to embrace that.  If you are paying your dues and not participating in clean up/maintenance, you are shortchanging the club.  Please be a good member and show up for the workdays.  Lots of jobs to do, free coffee and you’ll meet other members.  For you lawyers out there, learn how to use a broom!  And one thing I’ll ask you NOT to do – do not come down to the Club and take out your single or a double in the middle of a PBC Work Day.   It’s rude and it’s not at all cool.  Work for an hour or two, and then go out.

Finally, a few words about the new administration:  I’m going to be practicing NBOD … No Business On the Dock.  It can destroy a row, the dock is for launching and landing, and it’s just the wrong place for a discussion.  But I am going to institute “office hours” on the porch following my Saturday AM practices, so you and all other members will typically find me up there starting around 8:30 a.m. on Saturdays, after I get totally beaten up by a few select scullers in the Club.  If you bring a cup of coffee, it’s like a campaign contribution – extra time!

Thank you PBC, and special thanks to our great Committee Chairs for making it all happen – Steve Vermillion (house), Virginia Bryant (social), Penelope Wrenn (racing), Pam Roberts (membership), Mike Malone (club), George Kirschbaum (security), Samantha Byrd (regatta), and Kathy Hughes (finance) – and to all of the great members who serve on those Committees.  The ship runs on your steam.

Bleed Red,

Ed

Rowing with pride and gratitude

Stephen Whelpley (bow) training with Willy Cowles for trials in Chula Vista earlier this month.

It’s so rare that people take the time these days to show their gratitude, much less send a thank you note.  Stephen Whelpley took time out of the insane demands of a U.S. National Team Quad Camp training schedule to write the following note of thanks to the PBC Board.  That’s practically an Olympic feat itself.

Steve thanks the club, but as you read on, you will see all of the thanks appropriately go to Coach Reilly Dampeer.  Reilly’s scullers train hard and row to win, but at the end of the day, just like her, they truly represent the best of our club and the best of our sport … win or lose.

Steve, we are unbelievably proud of all of our athletes, and yes, we are proud of you and Willy.  Some have said your race was the best race they had ever seen.  Ever.

And yes, when you chose to row with Willy, you chose us, too, and like it or not you’re part of the PBC family now.  This means yet another young nubile energetic person will allow us to sit back here in DC, whether at home or in our offices, and live vicariously through you and your relentless pursuit of excellence in the sport we all love.

For that, we thank you.  The best is yet to come.

* * *

Dear PBC Board,

My name is Stephen Whelpley, and I spent the majority of the majority of this rowing year as Willy Cowles doubles partner.  Considering my current situation in quad camp out in Chula Vista, I ask you not to judge the magnitude of my message by the brevity of its delivery.

There are a lot of things that could be said and a back story that could be illustrated.  I will simply say that I have been training full-time for over 7 years now since graduating from college, primarily for Penn AC in Philadelphia.  This very well could be the culmination of my “serious” rowing career.  Rather than accept my original invitation to go to quad camp, I knew pursuing the Men’s Heavyweight double was what I wanted to do for numerous reasons.  After some back and forth emailing, Willy and I came to an agreement to pursue it together.  To some degree, I knew that in choosing Willy, I was also choosing PBC.  And at the time, due to various logistical reasons, it made more sense for me to do that than for Willy to choose Penn AC.  What I did not know at the time, though, was the degree to which this would shape and ultimately help me in my pursuit of my Olympic goal.

The pupil becomes the teacher. It wasn't so long ago US rowing team members (L-R) Julie Nichols, Margaret Matia, Sarah Trowbridge and Reilly Dampeer celebrated a Women's Quadruple Sculls silver medal at the XV Pan Am Games 2007 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo credit MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images)

I first want to thank Potomac Boat Club for its impeccable support of us and our pursuit to represent the U.S. in the Men’s Heavyweight double.  The rowing community is small, and there are countless stories of its “brotherhood.” Nonetheless, for a club to support such an effort that so closely benefited a non-club member as much as its own member was extremely benevolent and generous.  I also admired the way that the club and its athletes (both those with whom I trained with in the sculling group, as well as all those I came across from other groups, as well) carried themselves on a day-to-day basis.  There is a familial quality to everything you do that is quite welcoming and healthy. Considering the amount of resources that are required to compete at an international level in this day and age, it is not an easy thing to stay competitive.  However, I feel that PBC helped make it possible through both actual resources and the intangibles of the institution.

I also wanted to take a moment to give what is certain to be insufficient praise of Coach Reilly Dampeer.  I have rowed for a total of 14 years now.  During that time, I have come into contact with countless coaches and have been coached directly by over a dozen coaches.  Some of them were already considered legends of rowing – Ted Nash, Kris Korzeniowski, McLaren, and so on – and others will be soon.  I think Reilly’s efforts this year would have been up there with any of them.

Coach Reilly Dampeer watches her athletes make it through an erg piece way better than her finger nails.

Despite the outcome, I have absolutely no regrets about this year.  We trained hard.  We executed our race.  We went fast.  If I could do it all over again, I would select Reilly as my coach every time.  Sure, she is a relatively young coach, but she makes up for this tenfold with her dedication, willingness to learn, and intense work ethic.  Aside from her direct coaching of our boat, she successfully managed an entire training group in a foreign location, managed the psyches of many different athletes, and flawlessly prepped both young and older athletes for an extremely important race.  It is easy to see the physical resources we need like boats, video review equipment, ergs, and facilities, and clubs obviously need to maintain those resources as well as they can.  However, the importance of a good coach should never be underestimated as a resource, and I feel that Reilly proved to be an invaluable resource to us.

I really saw myself going to the Olympics this year in the Men’s Heavyweight Double.  I have gone to trials and national selection regattas for plenty of years now, and even when I thought I was good enough, I never could picture outcomes as vividly and confidently as I could this year.  I’m sure you know what a respectable time and race we rowed by now and how competitive our event turned out to be when you look at our final’s times against the World Record.

While I wish we could have brought pride to PBC, my family, myself, Reilly, Willy, and many others with a trip to the Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne and ultimately a formidable club-made boat in the 2012 Olympics, I am still extremely proud of our endeavor and hope that PBC is as well.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Steve

Bob Price will not seek third term as club president

Bob Price pulls over the stairs to wish each one of his boats a fond farewell.

We thought Bob Price’s announcement that he won’t seek re-election as club president would get more attention than “An Annual Meeting reminder from the president,” but sadly, the fact that he plans to step down is true.

That’s right.  After more than six years of excellent service to the club as president, Bob Price will not seek re-election this year.  So, yeah.  Expect an exciting free-for-all as the hopefuls jockey for his and other seats on the Board.

Below is the outgoing president’s reminder about the Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 15, as well as his announcement.

Sorry if we gave up the surprise ending first.  It wasn’t even the Hollywood kind.

* * *

Hi, PBC!

Just a short reminder of the upcoming (new and improved!) Annual Meeting and announcements of other changes coming our way.

This year, the Potomac Boat Club Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, April 15th at 4:00 pm. We’ll tackle the business first, but keep it short, to about 45 minutes, including reports and elections. A social event organized by our superb Social Committee will follow the business, so please feel free to bring a guest. The Social Committee is planning something new and different in keeping with our new weekend Annual Meeting format.

The shorter business portion of the meeting should prove to be an interesting one, as well. Terms will expire for three current Board members: Ed Ryan, Jean Hopkins and my own. While I hope Ed and Jean will accept nominations for re-election, I have decided that this term will be my last. Since the positions of President, VP, Treasurer, and Secretary also will be up for grabs by seated Board members, it will be more important than ever that there is broad attendance from the entire membership … and a healthy number of nominees!

Finally, while my report at the meeting will be filled with many thank-yous and well-wishes, I also want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to everyone reading this note. It’s been a pleasure, a privilege, and an honor to serve you as president of this historic club for the last six plus years. Please know that as I slip out of my current responsibilities, I will value the time you allowed me to serve as club president, but most of all, I will cherish the many friends I made along the way for the rest of my life.

Thanks, again. And see you on April 15th!

Bob

Collisions prompt new rules for PBC sweep teams

Following is an important safety message from PBC club president, Bob Price.

It can happen to the best of us ... but we have to be better than that.

Two recent safety incidents, on-the-water collisions between PBC men’s sweep boats and smaller sculling boats, have kicked up a lot of questions and concerns regarding what we, as a club, can do to be safer and more aware out on the water. I’d like to provide an overview of the actions we’re taking.

First, effective immediately, we have instituted a no-hard-strokes rule and a no-side-by-side pieces rule above Hens and Chicks for all PBC sweep teams to ensure no large boats are at full speed in such a small area.  This will afford smaller boats more of an opportunity to see larger boats coming their way, and coxswains and coaches more of an opportunity to note on coming traffic.

Second, we are reaching out to the community – the DC Harbor Police, Thompsons Boat Center, and the Potomac River Safety Council (PRSC) – to reaffirm our commitment to the highest levels of safety and to demonstrate that we always take these incidents seriously.

Third, we plan to host a forum through the PRSC and invite the entire local rowing community to ensure we are all on the same page when it comes to safety rules and policies.  We hope to get this on the calendar in the early fall.  As soon as we have a date confirmed, we will let everyone know.

Finally, we ask that everyone stays vigilant out on the water.  Our sport has become more popular than ever with more and more boats sharing the same stretch of river every season.   With these additional chances for mishaps out there, we need all to keep heads up for potential trouble.

One thing has not changed:  Safety is everyone’s responsibility, but the safety of our members and others with whom we share the river remains the top priority of the Board and the Club.  Please do not hesitate to bring your safety questions or concerns to me, any Board member or committee chair.

For safety information from USRowing, please visit http://www.usrowing.org/Safety.aspx.

For safety information from the Potomac River Safety Committee, please visit http://www.potomacriversafetycommittee.org/index.php.

Thanks.

Bob Price, President, PBC

Car-top carriers to go

Ah. The rays of a beautiful setting sun shine through the hull-seeking car top carriers that perilously hang over a pile of junk and broken glass at PBC. Lovely, isn't it?

Do you really, really need to keep that car-top carrier for your boat at the club? Like, really? Or is it just that you need the room in your garage for Grandpa’s dusty croquet set and an old Weber charcoal grill that you never ever use?

Well, while you ponder that question (we’ll think about it, too), another precariously hanging car-top carrier may have just fallen on yet another boat, like one did last year.  Next time, one might land on someone’s head instead.  You’d never be able to look at a croquet wicket the same, again.  Might be time to eBay the croquet set.

Following is an important message from our newest Board member, Michael Malone, about the current, no-joke, dangerous state of our pile of car-top carriers:

The PBC Board has decided that the car-top carriers stored on the aqueduct side of the house need to go. There are 30 carriers currently stored on that side of the house in enough slots for only 24.  They are cluttered and often have fallen, sometimes damaging boats.  The plan right now is to move the carriers during the June 11th Club Work Day.  In the meantime, I have volunteered to clean up the space to see if we can limit the amount of carriers to a reasonable, safe number, but I need your help to get it done.

First, members desiring to keep their carriers stored at the club must provide a justification as to why the carrier should remain at PBC instead of at home.   This will force us all to think about whether or not we travel so often with our boats on top of our cars that we really should have a carrier at the club.  Second, every carrier must have the owner’s name and phone number or email address clearly displayed on the carrier before the June 11th workday or it will be removed.  This will allow us to track usage of the carriers, and remove unused or unclaimed ones.

Hmmm. Dusty croquet set. Out. Recalled crib. Trash it. Drehers. Keep. Pro inner tube. Keep (awesome). The Weber charcoal grill hidden from view will have to be put on the curb in the dead of night. Room for one car-top carrier!

If you already know that you need to keep your carrier at PBC, please send a message to me at mwmalone@gmail.com with your justification.  Also, please start labeling your carriers now.  If you would like, I can print you a label for your carrier and leave it for you at the boathouse. Van Dusen carrier owners should make sure they get a label, too.

Again, this needs to be done before the June 11th workday to prove that we can efficiently manage the carriers before the Board decides for our own safety that they all must go home.

[Note: Rumor has it that even the "justified" carriers are going to be stored in the attic with a friendly family of about a million spiders. No, thanks. We'll take ours home to our garage, where there are only about a hundred spiders. -PS]

Federal shutdown? Board says GW Invitational must go on!

ATTENTION PBC:

In the event of a federal shutdown at midnight tonight, Thompsons Boat Center (run by the National Park Service) will be closed to the many collegiate crews in town this weekend, for the 2011 George Washington University Invitational Regatta (GW Invitational).

The GW Invitational is the largest collegiate regatta on the Potomac and includes crews from Georgetown University, George Washington University, The Naval Academy, Cornell, Holy Cross, St. Joe’s, Columbia University, Gonzaga College and others.  PBC has stepped up to offer assistance to ensure the GW Invitational will go on for the many crews who have prepared to race tomorrow … even if Thompsons is closed.

If Thompsons does close, we plan to allow access through the Club to our docks to crews participating in the regatta. This means, if a shutdown happens, the notice below from the Board will become effective, and you should be prepared to find many boat trailers parked at the end of Water Street tomorrow and a lot of traffic on the docks.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation and appreciate your support of rowing on the Potomac.

Ed Ryan, Secretary

*ATTENTION*

The GW Invitational will be launching boats from the PBC dock on

Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 9am to 5pm

and

Sunday, April 10, 2001 from 8am to Noon

You are welcome to launch and row, but please yield to boats launching to race.

Thank you for your cooperation.

PBC Board of Governors

Oh, you have to go to this one!

Could it be time for our 145th Annual Meeting already?  Seems like just yesterday, we were sitting around at our 45th discussing the Italian-Turkish War and our invasion of Honduras.  My, how time flies once women are given the right to vote.

Well, enough reminiscing.  Below is a very important message from Ed Ryan, club secretary and member of the Board of Governors, that you simply must read.  Before you scroll down, though, go ahead and mark your calendar for the big meeting on April 6th, at 630 PM.  We hear these things are a lot more fun than they used to be.  (Read:  More food.  More drink.  Fewer reports.  Men and women allowed!)

Besides, if you don’t go, like, for sure, we’ll talk about you.

See you there, PBC!

-The Potomac Star

On Wednesday, April 6th, Potomac Boat Club will hold its 145th Annual Meeting.
All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Here is the evening’s agenda:

• 6:30 – 7:30 PM – Social Hour (a.k.a. Happy Hour with food and drinks)
• 7:30 – 9:00 PM – Elections (senior members will vote on three Board seats and all Officer positions (President, Secretary, etc.)); President’s Report; Committee Reports; Old and New Business

We are Potomac Boat Club.  If you are interested in where we are going, or how we are getting there, this is a good opportunity to get involved, as well as a great opportunity to recognize the many individual members who are called out in the Committee Reports for their accomplishments and contributions to the Club.

Hope to see a good turnout.

Ed Ryan
Secretary

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