2005/2006 Open House discussion

I have attended the last four CYC open house events and have always been under whelmed by the event. Last years 2004/2005 open house was the best of the bunch and yet it could be so much more. The event has been a casual gathering of fleet Captains, Board members and a couple of deli trays of cold cuts. In most years this effort has garnered us one or two new members. In 04/05 we set a record with 13? Even so the event was loosely organized and poorly advertised. In short I have attended my Yacht Club’s open house and wondered why any new member would be attracted to join the club when only eight or ten people show up from the membership?

I was fleet captain of the Seattle Thistle fleet (one of the largest in the club) from 2003 to 2005. In those years I was never contacted by anyone from CYC to invite fleet #61 to participate in the open house? I only got word from a Thistle fleet member who happened to be on the board a few days prior to the event asking me if we planned to have a boat at the open house. John Dealy the present Fleet #61 captain. Was not contacted this year. Had fleet #61 not had members on the Board of Directors I am sure we would not have participated in the open house. At this year's Open House I noted that the only fleets in attendance happened to have members on the board. I had to ask myself if the Thunderbird, San Juan 24, Snipe, MC 16, J 24, PHRF fleet captains were called. This is the bulk of our active membership! Where were they all?

Here is what I propose for future Open houses:

The event needs to become more than a “new member” recruiting event. It needs to become an all member party. All members of the club should be invited to come to the event.

The event should include a boat show type of atmosphere where attendees can go form table to table and get information from various fleets, clubs, and gather information on upcoming club events and promotions, make donations to club funding and volunteer needs. Pay club dues and race fees and meet club directors and board members.

This should be supported by a festive atmosphere, music, guest speakers…reasons for membership and the public to come and participate!

Club displays:

1. Membership forms and payment scales. Discount on new memberships.
2. Race fees. Members could get a small discount for paying their race fees at the open house.
3. Heart of CYC fund. Explanation of need and reception of donations.
4. Volunteer needs. Job descriptions and sign up sheet.
5. Junior sailing program.
6. Race committee volunteer sign up.
7. Monday lunch group
8. All CYC fleets: one design, PHRF, IRC, and Cruise, single handed, multi- hull (ALL need to be contacted and invited!)

Non club displays:

1. Sea scouts information and sign up.
2. SWASA information and sign up
3. P.H.R.F. Northwest. Information and sign up
4. I.R.C. (for Kurt) information and sign up
5. U.S.C.G. auxiliary
6. Environmental groups like sound keepers
7. Limited commercial displays for sailing schools and sailing related businesses that support sailing. Fisheries supply, Wind works, sail lofts: North, Quantum etc.