Mission: To plan and organize a diverse selection of cruises intended to provide enjoyable and safe opportunities for the membership of SHYC to participate in-group cruising activities. The cruise selection is intended to maximize participation of the membership while providing interesting destinations.
At the beginning of each season, the Cruise Committee develops a list of weekend and longer cruises. There is a constant dialogue among its members about where and when to cruise. They reach out to other yacht clubs we might visit and compare notes on pleasant places they have been and all members might enjoy.
The cruising season begins on Memorial Day (traditionally to Essex) and ends the week after Labor Day (traditionally to Block Island). Many of these cruises include day races. If you enjoy cruising or want to begin, please join in.
The Cruise Committee appoints Cruise Captains for each cruise, and Harbor Captains for ports on multi-day cruises. These Captains are delegated the responsibility for logistics and entertainment functions. In many cases, the Cruise Committee liaises closely with the Fleet Captain, who’s responsibility is organizing our season cruises and involving our members in active participation. The Committee provides mentoring and guidance to SHYC members who have their own boats and who seek additional experience. The Cruise Committee reports to the Rear Commodore and Fleet Captain.
Mission: To plan and organize a diverse selection of activities intended to provide enjoyable and safe opportunities for the membership of SHYC to participate in group kayak, canoeing and rowing activities.
House Committee:
Mission: The purpose of the House Committee is to assure that the general atmosphere of the Clubhouse accurately and positively reflects the mission of the Club and the wishes of the majority of members. The Committee ensures that the Clubhouse is suitably equipped for events, meetings, dining and relaxing in a congenial atmosphere that encourages making new friends and spending time with those whom we already know. To accomplish its goals, the Committee works closely with the Officers and the General Manager to determine the most effective ways for its recommendations to be carried out. The House Committee creates, modifies as needed, and, with the approval of the Officers, ensures that House Rules are understood and observed. Because a thorough understanding of member views is required for this committee to function effectively, it is also responsible for conducting periodic research regarding member needs and opinions. The Committee does not directly manage dining and bar operations, but its observations regarding these operations are channeled to Club management so it may conduct its duties effectively.
Mission: The purpose of the Membership Committee is to grow the membership in a manner that is consonant with the club’s mission. To educate the membership about their responsibilities in the recruitment and education of potential new members. To develop, maintain and implement policies governing guest and reciprocal club privileges. To ensure that all applicants identified to the committee are in compliance with existing by-law guidelines for membership. To insure that the sponsor and seconder of applicants have appropriately guided that applicant in all aspects of the club, including the Mission Statement of the club, financial responsibilities, activities for members, opportunities for members and participation in club activities expected of members. To review and interview all applicants for membership and make recommendations to the Flag Officers and Board of Governors on all applicants, to insure that they are appropriate for membership in this yacht club, specifically that there is a mutual expectation for both the existing membership and the applicant. To recommend to the Officers steps that it believes will promote members retention, including processes that may aid new members in being integrated into the general membership and made comfortable as quickly as possible. To conduct an exit interview of all resigning members to determine if changes need to be made to existing club policies.
Mission: To encourage, organize and facilitate the sport of yacht racing; to organize and run cruising, distance and one-design races and regattas, to recruit and train members of SHYC in accordance with good standards of race management and to provide an enjoyable and satisfying on-the-water racing experience for Club members.
Mission: The purpose of the Comminications Committee is to advance the Club’s reputation for excellence in boating, as well as our core values and aims, through effective use of available media and other communication channels. The Committee helps to broaden recognition and understanding of the work of SHYC’s Committees, and assists the Board in ensuring that the local community understands and values the Club/ It is responsible for developing, in concert with the Officers, an annual communications plan, and works with Officers and stadd to ensure that routines, skills and disciplines are in place to ensure that emergency communications can be conducted in a competent, responsible, helpful manner.
Mission: The Junior Yacht Club designs and implements a wide range of activities and programs that promote the mission of the Club in way that are particularly appropriate to youth. It plans and encourages participation by younger people from member families in both water-related recreational and educational programs and in suitable land-based activities. It invites responsible attitudes and actions by young people, provides opportunities for age-appropriate leadership and helps youngsters within the Club community to form the skills and ideals that will create bonds leading to a lifetime value. The Junior Yacht Club ensures via close liaison with the SHYC Community Sailing Foundation that sail-education and other programs offered by the Foundation link effectively with youth and family activities at the Club, and helps the Foundation promote use of its programs by the children of members.
Mission: The purpose of the Entertainment Committee is to create a year-round program of events at the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club that will be entertaining to the membership. This will include activities ranging from intimate bar entertainment to large events such as anniversaries and family-oriented parties. Members of our Club join for many reasons and certainly one of the most important is to enjoy the company made possible through pleasant activities. Thus it is the task of the Entertainment Committee to bring members together, promote the use of the Club, allow members to broaden and deepen relationships, and feel that they are getting genuine value from their membership.
Mission: The Power Squadron plans and manages activities and events for SHYC members who own power boats of all sizes. It organizes group activities that foster boating safety and knowledge, build skill and seamanship, and promote fun and camaraderie. The Committee works closely with the Cruise Committee to ensure that a suitable range of cruising opportunities for power boaters will exist and liaises with and provides support to the Race Committee and the Sport Fishing Committee.
Mission: The mission of the Sport Fishing Committee is to foster understanding of responsible, safe, pleasurable practice in sport fishing. It promotes experiences on the water that will enhance these aims and introduce those who are interested (and especially the children of members) to sport fishing. Off-water programs help members and others in the community better comprehend how we may act in ways that conserve the marine environment and protect sea life.
Model Committee:
Mission: The purpose of this Committee is to celebrate the art and tradition of yachting via the display of half models of members’ boats throughout the Clubhouse. By encouraging members’ participation and working with one craftsman/supplier, the Committee is able to ensure uniform scale and quality, as well as special pricing.
