An Annual Meeting of the Raritan Yacht Club was called to order at 20:30 on November 13, 2007.

 

1.     Handouts were available from the Flag Officers and various committees, including Financial, Fleet, Membership, House, Entertainment, Audio/Visual, Website, Dock and Yard, Personal Computer, Storage, Launch Maintenance, Launch Operations, Summer Sailing, Cruisers, RYC Racing, NJYRA, J/24, USCG Liaison, Small Boat Fleet, Red Grant Regatta, and Sea Scouts.  The Treasurer’s Report was available, as well as handouts entitled, “Proposed List of Capital Projects for 2008” and “Proposed By-Law Changes – November 13, 2007”.  The Juniors supplied a handout on their activities also.

 

2.     Minutes from the 2006 Annual Meeting were approved with one correction.

 

3.     PC Jim Woller presented the Treasurer’s Report.  The cash balance, which reconciles with the bank book, at October 31, 2007, was $87,472.  Excess revenues over expenses were $25,220.  In response to a question, Jim stated that for items that come under budget or when allocated funds are not spent, the money becomes part of the cash balance.

 

4.     Howard Paul was unable to be present for the Fleet Captain’s Report.  There were no questions.

 

5.     Al Jacobs presented the Rear Commodore’s Report, which was available as a handout.

 

6.     Dennis Meichel presented the Vice Commodore’s Report, which was also available as a handout.

 

7.     Vicky Jo Neiner presented the Commodore’s Report.  Vicky expressed appreciation for all the help during the year from Club members.  She also noted that RYC held a second charity function this year, the NJ Hospice Cup.  The Hospice organization, at their annual dinner, presented a trophy to RYC: “The Fund Raising Organization of the Year”.

               

8.     Old Business.  None.

 

9.     New Business.

 

a.     A motion was made “that the members approve the items listed under Group C of the Proposed List of Capital Projects for 2008”.  The items (all Sinking Fund) included the following: ice storage freezer, water heater, walk-in compressor, electric panel enclosure, motor for workboat, pump out system, and six pilings.  Many questions were raised in the subsequent discussion.  Al Jacobs read a report from Ray Schmidt on the current pump out system.  The report listed several deficiencies.  There is a quote for a replacement system.  A replacement water heater is needed because the current one is not adequate.  An 80 gallon tank is proposed, and it will have a better recovery time.  The motion was approved by an overwhelming majority.

 

b.     A motion was made “that the members approve the items listed under Group B of the Proposed List of Capital Projects for 2008”.  The items would be funded through a dues increase and a donation from Morgan Marina.  The items included a POS system lease and a new engine for the donated whaler.  Dennis Meichel explained the Point of Sale system, which would offer a savings of time of approximately 5-6 hours per week.  The whaler was donated by Barry Rosengarten.  The donation from Morgan Marina of $2,000 would cover a portion of the cost of a new engine.  The whaler is needed for the summer sailing program.  With up to seventy youngsters on the water, a second whaler would provide additional safety.  The motion did not pass with a vote of 35 in favor and 50 opposed.

 

c.     A motion was made “to approve the purchase of a new motor for the donated whaler at a total cost of $4,500.  The vote on the motion was unanimous in favor.

 

d.     A comment was made that perhaps a new POS system is desirable and affordable, but a better presentation is needed on what it will do and what it will cost.

 

e.     A motion was made “to increase the dues by $110 per year”.  Most of the increase would go for maintenance on the house, dock, and yard.  It would also go towards the Sailing Program, which has seen increased costs due to increased attendance, and towards increased real estate, plant, and tax expenditures.  Details of the increases in house maintenance may be found in the Planning Committee Report.  The motion passed with a vote of 50 in favor, 34 opposed, and 2 abstentions.

 

f.      A motion was made “to approve the By Laws changes as shown on the last page of the agenda handout and as read by Commodore Vicky Jo Neiner”.  The proposed changes include the fourth sentence of Article III, Section I, which would read, “They shall not increase initiation fees, the annual dues, levy an assessment or modify the fee structure of the bar and galley minimum, fees which all members are required to pay as a condition of membership, without prior approval of the membership at large, at the Annual Meeting, or at a Special Meeting of the Club, held as provided for in these By Laws”.  The second proposed change is to the fourth paragraph of Article VII, Section 2, and would read, “The dues or initiation fees may be increased or decreased and assessments and bar and galley minimums may be levied or changed by the Club at large at the Annual Meeting or at a Special Meeting of the Club held as provided for in these By Laws.  Membership dues shall be billed and payable quarterly”.  A comment was made that the changes in question concern areas that the Board of Governors was designed to address.  The motion did not pass with a vote of 38 in favor, 31 opposed, and 2 abstentions (requires a 2/3 majority).

 

10.   Election of Flag and Board Members.

 

A motion to accept the new Flag (Dennis Meichel, Commodore; Al Jacobs, Vice Commodore; and Ann Myer, Rear Commodore) and Board members (John Erdreich, Karen Guidi, PC Vicky Jo Neiner, Bob Searfoss, and Doug Stryker (1 year)) passed.

 

11.   Remarks for the Good of the Order.

 

a.     A meeting of the Ladies Auxiliary will be held next Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. and is open to all members.

b.     Wednesday evenings are “Soup Nights”.

 

12.   The meeting was adjourned at 23:00.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Fred Hartner

Secretary

 

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