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.

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

First update to PBC Bylaws in 30 years

To: Members of Potomac Boat Club
From: Ed Ryan, Club Secretary

I am pleased to announce that the Board has updated the Bylaws of the Club for the first time since their last revision more than 30 years ago. The newly updated Bylaws can be found on the PBC website in the Members Area section and in the Members Only Info area of the Potomac Star (both areas are passcode protected).

The primary changes to the Bylaws were made to eliminate provisions that the Board determined were no longer relevant or applicable (availability of purchase option for life membership and waiver of initiation fee for active members of other rowing clubs); to update the fees and dues referenced in the Bylaws to those that are currently payable; to institute the use of a Club Bulletin Board for posting of Club information (contact information, fees, dues, etc.) and other official notices from the Secretary; to correct the descriptions of the Club uniform and flag; and to institute an improved mechanism to ensure early member notification of any proposed changes in fees or dues. Other changes included many “clean up” and ministerial changes to correct typos and the like.

Please note that the new Bylaws are effective as of December 16th, 2009, but are effective on a prospective basis only. As for any matter predating December 16th, 2009, the former Bylaws are effective (including the waiver of initiation fees for active members of other rowing clubs).

I hope the revised Bylaws will work for the Club for at least another 30 years.

Ed Ryan
Secretary, Potomac Boat Club