A Board Meeting of the Raritan Yacht Club was called to order at 19:45 on July 12, 2005.

1. Roll Call

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

Commodore Len Keating

n

x

x

x

x

x

x

o

x

VC Dave Frizell

o

x

o

x

x

x

x

x

x

RC Vicky Jo Neiner

x

x

x

x

o

x

x

x

PC William B. Adams

m

x

x

o

x

x

x

o

o

Jim Bauer

e

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Richard Codd

e

x

o

x

o

x

x

x

o

James Mackevich

t

x

x

x

x

o

o

x

x

Ann Myer

i

x

x

x

x

x

x

o

x

Skippy Paul

n

x

x

x

o

x

x

x

x

PC Raoul Rabiner

g

x

x

x

x

o

x

x

x

Tony O’Reilly

o

o

x

x

x

x

x

x

Peter Rebovich, Jr.

x

x

o

x

x

o

x

x

Barry Rosengarten

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Jerry Solas

x

o

x

o

x

x

x

x

Roger Young

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

o

x = present, o = absent

2. The June meeting minutes were accepted.

3. Shep King presented the Financial Report for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The cash balance at June 30 was $90,093. Excess revenues over expenses YTD were $73,756 vs. $50,416 budgeted. Shep commented that the finances were in good shape for the next quarter as many of the projects that had been planned for 2005 had already been completed and paid for. Barry observed that June had been a good month for the Bar. Dave questioned whether the addition to the vent system had been included in the financial statement. Since the work is in progress, the extra $2,000-$3,000 has probably not been added.

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

a. The Red Grant Regatta was an outstanding success. The Junior portion, which was postponed from Friday because of bad weather, was rescheduled for tomorrow.

b. The transmission in Great Beds broke down over the weekend, but the minor problem (low fluid level) was quickly remedied. Thankfully, others pitched in with their boats during the downtime.

c. The Summer Sailing program is underway and is under or right on budget.

d. The JYs have not yet been sold and may require an investment to bring them into better condition in order to attract potential buyers.

e. The yard is full, and registry of the boats in the yard is planned.

f. The US Coast Guard will now accept sister-ship paperwork for Great Beds. Since Great Beds is an 8-ton vessel very similar to West Bank, which is owned by the Richmond County YC, the plan is to bring Great Beds to the Richmond County YC so the USCG can perform a side-by-side comparison. Barry commended Vicky for her professionalism, perseverance, and other exemplary qualities in this difficult endeavor.

g. Jim Mackevich asked whether something could be done about members who tie up their boats at the north float for extended periods during heavy traffic hours, such as race events. Vicky noted that a reminder to the members had gone into a previous issue of TellTales, and would be added to the next issue as well.

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

a. The new house steward, Carlos, has been doing a good job. Several people commented that the house was clean for Red Grant.

b. Bob Morrison has made further improvements to the kitchen vent system. The lighting system in front of the building is also being replaced with a more appropriate acorn style Victorian lamp.

c. Because of the Red Grant Regatta, it was not possible to take a Bar inventory for June.

d. A Galley survey was included in the recent billing. When the results come in, the operation will be reviewed.

e. A meeting with the Finance and Planning Committees is scheduled for July 28^th to review the three major items whose designs have been approved by the Board. The items are the addition of a handicap bathroom off the Surf room, renovations to the Grill room, and a new dock system. (Vicky added that a new launch should be included.) The plan is to come back to the Board at the August or September meeting.

f. Jim Mackevich asked whether the new cash register system had made a difference. Joann is still learning the system, so additional time is needed before an accurate evaluation can be obtained. The question brought comments including that is much faster to obtain a drink and that the bartenders like the system. Raoul noted that in the past, fast service had been achieved by assigning one bartender to serve only beer.

6. Len Keating presented the Commodore’s Report.

a. Len distributed copies of a letter from Roy Margolies in which Roy suggested “Kurt Carlsen” as the name for a new launch. Kurt had been a launch coxswain at RYC in years past. The decision on the naming of a new launch will not be made for several months. Vicky made a motion, which passed, that “before christening a new launch and placing the name on the boat, all proposals should be submitted to the Board of Governors for their approval”.

b. Insurance issues will be discussed next month. There will be a review that will cover all items. Issues include exposure when contractors are brought in and when Slavko brings in extra people for parties who are not on his payroll. Barry offered that expense of insurance should be considered also. Dave suggested that the insurance agent be brought in for the next Board meeting to answer questions that arise.

c. Duane Ruland is preparing a draft of an employee relations policy. When it is ready, Len will bring it to the Board. Vicky noted that its purpose is to provide guidelines for employee conduct.

d. The owners of the tall ship, Unicorn, have been making a pitch to RYC to do some things together. Open issues remain, which Bill and Len are addressing. The Unicorn can accommodate 25 guests under sail and 40 people at an event on the dock.

e. Len offered thanks to Vicky and Jack Buzzi for their contributions to the sensational Red Grant Regatta and Fund Raiser this year.

f. Len distributed a handout, “Proposed Reorganization of Sinking Fund – Five Categories”. Ideas are still being formulated, but the proposal is about 80% complete.

7. Reports from Committee Chairs.

a. Barry, along with Richard Codd, Ron Gort, and Doug Rooney, met on June 20^th to review launch operations and old policies, and to develop an updated policy. They would like a volunteer launch operator group. Currently, there are 14-20 people signed up for the Safe Boat Operators Course, to be given on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Barry commended the launch operators, especially, Mark Rebovich, for keeping things going under adverse conditions. A midnight shift was started; it does not require licensed operators.

b. Barry recommended that the Board create a study for a professional manager at RYC. The manager would be in charge of all hiring, licensing, etc. Bill Adams has been looking into this since November and will come to the Board when he is finished. It was noted that an increase in membership would provide the finances to accomplish this proposal; otherwise it would be very difficult.

c. Tony noted that there had been some complaints about the wait staff who served during Red Grant, otherwise, things were okay. It was noted that the young wait staff are trying hard, but are not sufficiently trained.

d. Dave stated that things are proceeding full ahead for the Fall Series.

e. Raoul stated that Commander Walker from the US Coast Guard will be attending the upcoming divisional meeting of the Coast Guard Auxiliary at RYC. Thirty people are expected to attend. Raoul questioned whether it would be appropriate to open the Bar for the event. The Board stated that it is an option for the Auxiliary, provided they pay the fee for a bartender ($60).

f. The Race program is going well. Dave Kempf worked hard on the race boat and, among other things, installed a course board. Dave and Jerry Orabona also set up an active weather system on the RYC website.

8. Old Business.

a. A question was raised about the boat in the yard from the barge accident. Barry had asked the Club for a bill for storage, and this has been done.

9. New Business. None

10. The meeting was adjourned at 20:55.

Respectfully Submitted,

Fred Hartner

Secretary

Back