Security reminder from the president

Hi All –

A recent locker room theft reminds us that despite significant improvements in house security, we must continue to take reasonable precautions to secure our belongings while at the club.

This particular theft was from an unlocked locker.  Please make sure you are locking your locker and closing doors behind you.  As an added measure, don’t be shy about questioning anyone you don’t recognize.

It’s unfortunate we have to be on guard at our own club, but if we remember to do these simple things, we will continue to increase the level of safety and security for all of us.

Bob Price
President, PBC

PBC Members: Don’t be left out in the cold!

The access code to the boathouse changes on January 1, 2010.  After that date, existing keys, FOBS, cards, and shared codes will no longer get you into the club. 

But guess what?  You have until December 4th to choose a new access code of your very own!  Exciting, isn’t it?  (Just nod your head “yes.”)

If you’re a member, you should have received an email from the Security Committee on Sunday, November 22nd, explaining how to get your new access code.  If you didn’t get the message, please contact the Security Committee immediately at security@potomacstar.com, so you can be sure to meet the December 4th code application deadline.

We just chose our new code!  It’s the birthday of the mother of the person who rowed 6-seat behind us in ‘91, plus 1869, minus 12, divided by pi, and multiplied by the number of cupcakes we ate for lunch today.  Easy!  Now, go get yours.

Reminder! Passcode change on Aug. 20!

Neither "Pretty please?" nor "... But I really, really have to go!" will get you access anymore.

Planning to head down to the Club?  Before you do, you better check your email for the new locker room code.  The old code goes away on August 20.

Last week, the Security Committee sent the new code to active status senior members via email with the subject line, New PBC Security System and Measures: PLEASE READ!!!

Now, the committee is reaching out to all senior members. If you’re a senior member in good standing, who has yet to receive the new code, please send your name and a current email address to security@potomacboatclub.org, as soon as possible.

Competitive members, they haven’t forgotten about you!  Get with your coaches for the latest news on code changes and access to the Club.

The Security Committee plans to use the senior member email list to release more security information in the very near future, so make sure they have your latest email address, and stay alert for those messages!

New security system details revealed! Or not.

This is not our new security system. Or maybe it is.

Did anyone else notice the crowd’s reaction at the last Annual Meeting when then House Committee Chair Cal Sutliff announced we were getting a new security system?  There was definitely a buzz.  How many times did you overhear: “Security system?  Uh, I have a ‘friend’ who likes to erg at the boathouse after bar time, I mean … after midnight.  Would he set off an alarm?”

And the answer to that burning question?  Maybe.  Or maybe not.

The truth is, we can’t give you any details about the new system.  Well, we could try, but we would be guessing.  All we know is that it’s live, and while your personal privacy is assured - in other words, no one is trying to record you in the shower - there are only a few people in the universe who know all of the details.  One of them is Miles Fawcett.

This is our new security company. For real.

Miles is the president of Urban Alarm, the company that designed and installed the system.  Based in DC, Urban Alarm is different than your average security and alarm company because it seeks to be truly invested in the community it serves.  And this is certainly true in our case.  Not only is Miles a senior member of the Club, but he is the son of the late great Chip Fawcett, the longest serving president of PBC.

An expert at sniffing out lock cutters, "Mr. Marion" prefers chicken over beef.

Makes you feel like we’re in good hands, doesn’t it?

So, for now, just know that we finally have an active security system.  It’s a long-awaited, much anticipated, major upgrade to the Club, and our thanks goes out to Miles, the House Committee, and the Board for getting it done.

Oh, and if you show up to erg at the Club after midnight, or at any time for that matter, smile for the cameras.

Of course, if you show up for more devious reasons, maybe try throwing the dog a bone.