Yacht club - how do you join?

[Brian Jarchow]

After reading the the 'do you Belong' thread I have another yacht club question for you all - how do you find out about and join a yacht club?I may be moving in the near future; if I do hopefully it will be closer to Seattle where the yacht clubs frequently advertise activities for prospective members.Here in Bellingham, WA, we have two yacht clubs. The Squalicum Yacht Club has no information near the door of their clubhouse, no website, and as far as I have found no contact information.The other yacht club, Bellingham Yacht Club, www.byc.org, appears to be full of people who don't care about new members. Their homepage has a link to a membership info page; it is blank. The archive of their newsletter shows that last year they attempted a membership drive.Since I don't know any members I sent an email to the commodore. I mentioned my interest in joining a yacht club, pointed out that the website could really use information on membership, and asked.The fact that the commodore never bothered to reply or follow up on my comments implies they don't care about having some ordinary person join their club.So if I move someplace where the clubs don't openly publish their activities, how can I find out about them?Brian

 

[Rodney Kidd]

How To?

Brian,I don't think I would consider joining a club that didn't seem to need new members. Most clubs have a maximum level of membership mandated by the clubs bylaws. Maybe they're at capacity. If it were me, I would go to the club during business hours and talk to the club management re membership. If the club is a volunteer run club, go to the club after a race and talk to members regarding membership. Don't be shy. If the club is running ads for membership, they generally have an open house for prospective members to check out the club and facilities. If you're turned away, you don't want to belong there anyway. Remember, yacht clubs are made up of people who put their pants on one leg at a time just like you do - in other words, they're ordinary people too. It's kinda like buying a boat - if the club is for you, it will feel comfortable. Rodney KiddCommodore, Encinal Yacht ClubAlameda, CAC-38 #297, Flying Bear

 

[Les Blackwell]

Write me an e-mail

Brian,I'm sorry that you couldn't find information about the Squalicum Yacht Club in Bellingham. The information is on the building on the deck. However, the Port Office right across the parking lot will also give you information on who to call.The SYC is a cruising club run by the members. Our club house which we own is a WW II officers mess that we ourselves maintain. Dues are $70 a year which pays for the port of Bellingham lease.Our primary forcus is to enjoy the waters of the Pacific Northwest by cruising during the spring and summer and talking about it once a month during the fall and winter. Our meetings are all pot-luck and we're like family. We have both sail and power, big and small.SYC does not have a paid staff but we do advertise in the Bellingham Herald but not all the time. We watch our money very carefully.However, I also belong the Corinthian Yacht Club of Bellingham, another excellent club which puts on the races on Thursday. Another group which I belong to is the Bellingham Sail and Power Squadron (USPS). This group is dedicated to providing education on safe boating throughout the nation. The Bellingham Squadron is quite active. I belonged to the BYC for twenty five years, however, they changed their focus to more social activities which didn't fit my needs at that time. While they are more costly, they do have some very fine members.If you will call me at home (I am in the phone book), I will be happy to supply you with a contact with each or any of those organizations.Should you be a Hunter owner (there are several in Bellingham), I can also give you a contact for H.A.P.S., the Hunters Association of Puget Sound. This is an excellent boating organization where you can get alot of information about your boat. We also talk and support this web site.All of these organizations would like to have you as a member. Give me a call.Les Blackwell, H380, TrumpeterPast Commodore, SYC