Dear Fellow Members,

My hope is even stronger for a new Tiverton Yacht Club. As the daylight hours increase, so does the amount of time spent planning for this coming season. It’s a pleasure to listen to the Marina Committee’s plans for maintenance on the docks as well to have a debate with Wayne as to what kind of paint we should use on the pool bottom this season! It’s great to hear the enthusiasm as several members organize spring events.

Hope has put a little more "spring in my step" as the content of the Project Management Committee’s agenda is shifting its focus from "when we build" to "how we build." We have made great steps forward in the rebuilding effort and plan to announce a general membership meeting in the next thirty days to discuss our progress.

I again would like to thank the many volunteers who are making this project a reality, and to the members of the Tiverton Yacht Club’s 2005 season, Thank You for not giving up hope!

Sincerely,

Peter A. Franklin

Commodore

Sail training is planning to operate much the same as it did last year. Bruce Perault will be returning as the head instructor for this coming season. It’s great to have him back!

The committee will be holding several meetings in the upcoming months to review the boats and equipment, line up junior instructors, and make the sail training better than ever. We are open to any input.

The number of sailors attending the program is expected to be similar to last season’s figure. The TYC youth program has a full schedule of team racing and regattas scheduled around the bay. A list of these will be provided during the orientation meeting in June. Last year our sailors placed well in these regattas and we hope that many of the younger sailors will take advantage of these events this year, adding to the off-site sailing.

The sail training board has decided to retire all but one of the Capris, which have been our major maintenance expense. This will allow us to strengthen the Opti and 420 programs in equipment, sails, and rigging.

Many of the details are still up in the air, but the committee and Bruce are all hard at work to provide another great season of sailing at TYC.

Keep your eyes open for registration packets for sail training. They will be sent out in late March!

For those interested in racing, remember that Buzzards Bay Regatta registration will likely open in early April and fill up fast! This year’s regatta is August 5, 6, and 7 and is hosted by the New Bedford Yacht Club.

Check out the NBYA and the U.S. Sailing websites for more details.

You should receive a packet this spring from NBYA if you attended last year’s race week.

Come on summer!

Sail Training Co-Chairs

Rick Lyman 401-487-7561

Melinda McAuliffe 401-683-0001

Plans are well under way for a full summer pool and swim training season. Many of the issues that prevented us from opening last season have been resolved. Ken Kiley is working on the details of the swim program and will have information available later this spring. We plan on having the same pool hours as in years past with the pool being opened for general use from noon to 6:00 pm every day, with hours extended to 8:00 pm on Thursdays for our pot luck supper nights.

Dear Members,

Here are a few things you’ll want to know:

• 2005 bills were sent out a little late. The bylaws state one-half of member dues is due by January 31. The balance is due by April 30.

• Slip and mooring renters are required to pay all marina fees by March 1.

• The club is looking for a new treasurer. Time constraints and other obligations will no longer allow me to continue serving in this position, which I have held for the last five years. If you have an accounting background, your club needs you. Please contact me to discuss the duties and responsibilities of the position.

E-mail: treasurer@Tivertonyachtclub.org

I’d also like to note that if anyone feels they should have received a service assessment credit, they should contact the chairman of the committee for which they worked and/or Steve DePaola, who compiles the list.

Dues, fees, and other proper charges are payable as follows:

• One-half payable no later than January 31, 2005

• Balance of mooring and slip fees: payment is due no later than March 1, 2005.

• Balance of membership dues, participation assessment, and all miscellaneous fees (small boat storage, lockers, racks): payment is due no later than April 30, 2005.

• Participation: As a condition of membership, every membership is required to participate in one of the following capacities each year:

1. Fill a position as an officer of the club.

2. Actively serve on a committee.

3. Participate in a work weekend.

4. Volunteer in some capacity for special projects.

A $100 participation assessment fee per membership will be added to all membership bills.

Credit will be applied to the next year’s bill only when a director or a committee chairperson submits a membership fulfillment of one of the above requirements in writing to the participation assessment director.

It is the responsibility of the qualifying membership to ensure that this fulfillment letter is submitted.

Resignations must be submitted in writing. Resignations shall not be accepted until all obligations to the club are fully satisfied.

Leaves of Absence (LOA): Requests for Leaves of Absence must be submitted in writing. The Board of Directors may grant LOA for a period of one year, which can be renewed annually for a period not to exceed three (3) years. Please note that Leaves of Absence are granted for one year at a time.

Dave Saurette, Treasurer

Our club provides us with deep water access, a quiet cove to teach young children to sail, and a busy basin to challenge the more advanced.

Boats pour by our club on their way to the Islands. (We have a fantastic location.)

Enjoy the 2005 season under the tent.

House Committee

Jeff Brisbon,

Marina Committee Co-chair