SESSION 1: HERITAGE, HISTORY AND TRADITION AT OUR CLUBS

Beverly Danville, Royal Canadian Yacht Club
Phil Smith, Eastern Yacht Club
Bruce Corley, Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals

Beverley Danville, Archivist and Curator of Royal Canadian Yacht Club, led this session detailing the process they use to record club documents, their vast trophy collection and how to engage members in the preservation process. Phil Smith, Staff Commodore of Eastern Yacht Club, shared the history of their club and how they recovered after a devastating fire. Bruce Corley shared his state-of-the-art technology for cataloguing trophies using 3D scans, which allows clubs to maintain more detailed records of their inventory.

Session 2: Managing Member Cohorts

Kim Fata And Alison Newall, Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club
Pam Lowry, Seattle Yacht Club
Carolyn Patrick, St. Francis Yacht Club

Each presenter outlined a scenario that has impacted their respective club. Delegates split into groups and came up with alternative ideas and solutions to address the scenarios. Each group shared collectively, and great discussion ensued.

Session 3: Governance

Leif Sigmond, Chicago Yacht Club, ICOYC President
Todd Irving, Royal Canadian Yacht Club
Ted Kaczmarski, Annapolis Yacht Club
David Stotler, Long Beach Yacht Club

Moderator Leif Sigmond of Chicago Yacht Club led the speakers and group in a session on key governance topics, including governance structure, nominating processes, elections and bylaw amendments. The discussion of structure revealed that, while similarities echo among the clubs, there are many big differences.

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Session 4: Navigating Change with a Strategic Plan

Ryan Doerr, President Strategic Club Solutions
Carolyn Patrick, St. Francis Yacht Club
Randy Holbrook, Seattle Yacht Club
Joe Divito, St. Petersburg Yacht Club

Ryan Doerr conducted a comprehensive analysis of strategic planning in the club industry, breaking down both the fundamental components and practical implementation strategies, then led a panel discussion on this evergreen club topic.

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Session 5: Supporting Athletes for International Competition

John Curtis, Wind Athletes Canada
Leif Sigmond, Chicago Yacht Club Foundation
Blain Pedlow and Marcus Lynch, US Sailing

The panel started with a discussion about raising money and organizing activities to support Olympic and other sailing competition. There was an interesting contrast between the US and Canada in terms of Olympic fundraising. There was also a presentation about yacht club foundations that support elite sailing efforts, including the Olympics.

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Session 6: Feedback from the General Managers

Cory Anderson, Royal Canadian Yacht Club
Keith Brennan, Chicago Yacht Club
Brian Asch, Annapolis Yacht Club

General Managers discussed effective leadership strategies and best practices when it comes to members, sharing examples of their own personal styles of leadership. Sharing good communication practices and discussions with leadership was the center of the conversation.

Session 7: Sailing Paradigms off the Beach at the Olympics

Paul Henderson, Canadian Olympian
Dan Cunningham, Sail Canada Kitefoiling Coach

Canadian Olympian Paul Henderson detailed why it’s so important to have a club connection for athletes competing at the elite level of the Olympics. Dan Cunningham spoke about the future of the “boat-less” and foiling fleets at the Olympics.