An Annual Meeting of the Raritan Yacht Club was called to order at 20:10 on November 8, 2005.

 

1.     Commodore Len Keating opened the meeting and reminded the membership as to the definition of a voting member.  A count of the voting members present showed much greater than the required 35 for a quorum.  Handouts were available at the Bar entitled, “Frequently Asked Questions Regarding RYC Master Plan”.  There were reports on Sea Scout Ship 132, Race, the RYC Yard and Dock 2005, the Summer Sailing Program, the NJYRA and Small Boat Fleet, the RYC Cruisers, Launch Maintenance, the 2005 Galley, the 59th Annual Red Grant Regatta, and the 2005 PHRF-MA/NJORC.  There were also reports from the USCG Liaison, the Fleet Captain, the Summer Storage Committee, and the 2005 RYC PC Committee.

 

2.     John Erdreich presented the Membership Report.  There were 28 names on the waiting list.

 

Membership:                                 Regular                  298

                                                        Senior                       58

                                                        Distant                     47

                                                        Continuation             4

                                                        Auxiliary                  27

 

3.     Tom Higgins presented the Financial Report for the ten months ended October 31, 2005.  The cash balance at October 31 was $69,601.  Excess revenues over expenses YTD were $25,242 vs. $19,513 budgeted.  Tom noted that he expected the Club the have a healthy cash position at year end.  A preliminary budget had been prepared and a handout was distributed.  The budget will be finalized in December.

 

4.     Vicky Jo Neiner presented the Rear Commodore’s Report.

 

A handout that described accomplishments for the year and recommendations for the future was distributed.  Vicky mentioned a few highlights of the report, including that both launches are now certified, and the new one, which will be named the “Louis P Booz”, will be certified before delivery to RYC.  She also noted that the Sailing Class Whaler was registered with the NJ MVC.  The north north float was pulled at Haulout and was very in need of service.  Beginning this year, at least one float will be hauled per year for inspection and any necessary repairs.

 

5.     Dave Frizell presented the Vice Commodore’s Report.

 

A handout that summarized 2005 accomplishments and 2006 recommendations was distributed.  Dave stated that all committees had finished on budget.

 

6.     Len Keating presented the Commodore’s Report.

 

Len offered congratulations to the membership for a 100% safe year.  He described the generosity of Club members who donated $35,000 at the Juvenile Diabetes Fund Raiser and $10,000 for the Celebrate Perth Amboy - Katrina Relief Fund.  He also mentioned that the Club is talking with the City concerning an expansion of the mooring field (30 additional moorings).  There is no signed agreement yet.

       

7.     By Law Changes to Article VII proposed by the Board of Governors.  A handout was distributed with the exact wording of the proposed changes.

 

a.     Rear Commodore Vicky Jo Neiner offered a motion to limit the Regular membership to 330 persons, an increase of 10%, and the motion was seconded.  Vicky provided several reasons for the change, including a need for RYC to grow because the membership comes from a wider geographic area than it did years ago, an increase in costs for salaries and utilities with no increase in dues, and a difficulty in meeting financial obligations when the number of Regular members drops below about 290.  There was a discussion of the motion in which several concerns were raised, including, the number of moorings available and about RYC being a “boating” club.  An attempt to “Call to Question” did not pass.  In further discussion, the sailing backgrounds of some of the people on the waiting list were summarized, the financial benefit to RYC of an increase in membership was repeated, and the ability of the facilities to accommodate a 10% increase in attendance at Club functions and dinners was stated.  A second “Call to Question” passed.  The motion went to a vote, and it passed, with 101 for, 22 against, and 1 abstention.

 

b.     Barry Rosengarten offered a motion to eliminate public posting, and it was seconded.  He noted the procedure was antiquated.  He stated that it served a purpose in years past when most members were from Perth Amboy, but with the wide area from which members come today, it was meaningless.  Several members responded with examples of yacht clubs and other organizations that continue with posting.  A “Call to Question” passed.  The motion went to a vote, and it did not pass, with 45 for and 57 against.

 

8.     Capital Budget.  A handout was distributed that listed three proposals by the Board of Governors for capital expenditures and funding sources for 2006.

 

a.     Rear Commodore Vicky Jo Neiner offered the first motion for $16,000 for launch overrun ($11,000) and kitchen equipment ($5,000), and the motion was seconded.  A few concerns were raised in the ensuing discussion.  In response, the members were informed that the money for the launch has not yet been spent; only a deposit has been given to the builder.  Also, no new items would be purchased for the kitchen; the money is only for replacement of equipment.  A “Call to Question” passed.  The motion passed by an overwhelming majority.

 

b.     Ron Gort, of the Planning Committee, offered the second motion for $50,000 for “House Renovation Phase I”, which would include the Surf room lavatory and storage above the Grill room bar.  The motion was seconded.  Concerns about handicap accessibility to the Club itself were raised, but it was noted that once major renovations are started, state requirements must be met.  Some members stated that they were not informed of the plans for the proposed changes, but Mark Dupre stated that drawings have been available for a long time.  PC Bill Adams mentioned that a planning process had been put in place for projects such as this one.  The members were also reminded that several years ago they had been surveyed as to what capabilities they would like the Club to offer.  Mention was made of another plan for major renovations that had been developed by Bob Morrison.  A motion to table the primary motion was made, but quickly withdrawn for some additions comments.  Bob Matthews then made a motion to “table the primary motion until the next Special meeting or General meeting”, and the motion was seconded.  A vote on the motion passed.  Bob made a second motion, “that the membership recommends that the Board of Governors come back to the membership with proposals that include the current ‘House Renovation Phase I’ plan, the ‘Morrison’ plan, and some type of five-year plan”.  A brief discussion ensued in which it was suggested that sketches be made of the proposals and distributed to the membership.  It was also noted that five years ago, the ‘Busch’ plan had been accepted by the majority of the membership.  A “Call to Question” passed.  The motion passed with 61 for and 32 against.

 

9.     Election of Flag and Board Members.

 

A motion to accept the new Flag (Dave Frizell, Commodore; Vicky Jo Neiner, Vice Commodore; and Dennis Meichel, Rear Commodore) and Board members (Dennis Driscoll, PC Len Keating, Bob Kennedy, and Dave Steward) passed unanimously.

 

10.   The meeting was adjourned at 22:45.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Fred Hartner

Secretary

 

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