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SYC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - March 22 (Recap)
The Annual General Meeting of the Semiahmoo Yacht Club was called to order by Commodore Mel Kolstad at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 22. In attendance were 26 members, with another 19 members having submitted a Proxy in lieu of being there in person.
Highlights of the business meeting were:
- Club officers were introduced
- Volunteers needed for a Nominating Committee (to secure people for next year's (2026) Board positions)
- Officers briefed the programs underway or planned in each of their areas of responsibility
- Members are encouraged to login, establish accounts, and use the new Website to full advantage
- Club finances (income/expenses/savings) were presented, discussed, and are in sound shape
- The 2025 Budget was presented, discussed and unanimously approved (see photo below); donations to select Canadian and US maritime-related projects and education programs are included
- Club cruises were presented; hoping to see good participation in the Opening Day Commodore's "Sail Past"; hosts/cohosts are needed for some cruises; cruise "buttons" will be earned for each cruise attended (prizes awarded for most buttons earned, as of the Commodore's Ball); members are encouraged to promote the Club when out cruising; the "Luau Cruise" at Port Browning will be a "semi-DIY" event (food provided by the marina, but we do the grilling); and, the Luau bocce ball tournament is ON!!!
- Our Christmas Party (Dec. 13) will be held at the Birch Bay Village Club House in order to accommodate more members and have a "ready to use" facility at our disposal. Thank you Colleen Woodall-Lindner and Rick Lindner for securing the site and volunteering to help host/cohost the event.
- Dick Hardman (Judge Advocate) reported wife Colleen (former Rear Commodore) is progressing following her stroke. She is fully aware of what is going on around her, is doing well physically, gets about with a walker, but has aphasia. He expressed his and Colleen's appreciation for all the support Club members have given them. Dick also reported the docks at their Silva Bay/Gabriola Island residence (which is on the sales market) are being rebuilt. Members should contact him at his local (Blaine) phone/email, in advance, to see if the docks are available when desired
- Maritime safety educational opportunities were discussed: The Shearwater University("Where Best Practices in Education meet Best Practices in Maritime") offers classroom and on-the-water programs; Lisa Lee learned, first-hand, the importance of being ready to handle an emergency when, at last year's Pig Roast, a mooring chain broke while she was napping alone onboard and the boat nearly drifted onto the rocks...but, because of knowledge and quick action on her part, disaster was averted; Lisa is exploring how and if Shearwater University is a good fit to provide SYC members with "emergency boating practices"; Geoff Stevenson also offered to help with a boating safety program; and, Lisa will look into the possibilities of the Bellingham Power Squadron and/or the Coast Guard/Coast Guard Auxiliary providing SYC members with safety and emergency training.
In all, this year's AGM was a very productive event.
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