Volume XIX No. 6                                                                               January 8,9,10,  2010

The January FCYC General Meeting was held at the beautiful Pensacola Yacht Club, located on the north shore of Pensacola Bay.  The clubhouse overlooks the Pensacola Beach barrier island with the Gulf beyond.  Pensacola is the furthest west of all the Council Clubs.  So far west that it’s actually in a different time zone.  A great destination by car or boat with stops along the way at our other “Panhandle” clubs, St. Andrews Bay YC and Ft. Walton YC. 

Friday night we were treated to an evening with a Mardis Gras Carnival theme. Cocktails and appetizers were served followed by a sumptuous buffet featuring local seafood, prime rib and crawfish penne.  Steel band entertainment was provided by PensaCola Steele.  The weather was a bit chilly (the January cold snap) but everyone attending had a great time. 

Bright and early Saturday morning most of us met at the Club for a continental breakfast before leaving on a tour of the nearby National Naval Aviation Museum. The museum features planes and helicopters used by the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard since the inception of the Navy’s air program in the early 1900’s.  The vast majority are rebuilt, refurbished aircraft which were in actual operational service.  Other exhibits featured flight simulators and aircraft carrier operations. There was an I Max theater with presentations on aircraft operation, hurricane “chasing” and, of course, the Blue Angels.  Our visit started with an orientation presentation followed by guided tours through the museum.  While many of us chose to eat lunch at the Museum’s café, some returned to the Club for lunch.  Pictures of the event will be on the web site soon.          

The Directors’ Meeting was held on Saturday afternoon. Twenty eight clubs were present. 

 Also in attendance were Past Commodores Ferguson and Hess. 

As the first item of business, the following were unanimously elected to the positions indicated for the 2010 watch year: 

     Commodore--Don Stanley
     Vice Commodore--Dentis McDaniel
     Rear Commodore--Harry Perlet
     Secretary--Ray Starsman
     Treasurer--Jack Berrigan 

Commodore Bogue thanked the Pensacola Club for the wonderful Naval Aviation Museum tour that morning.  He mentioned the passing of FCYC Past Commodore Charlie Eldredge.  He also indicated there were several cabins still available for the February 21-28 cruise on the sailing ship Windsurf in the Caribbean.  

Vice Commodore  Stanley reported he was working on committee assignments for the 2010 watch year and that preparations were well underway for the March Change of Watch meeting in Tampa. He asked for volunteers  interested in serving on committees, particularly Communications and Government Relations   He indicated there were still two cabins available for the May cruise in France.  He announced that the second cruise for his watch year will be on Crystal in late February 2011, departing from Miami, transiting the Panama Canal and ending in Costa Rica. 

Rear Commodore  McDaniel reported that, according to the National Boating Federation, Loran C would be discontinued on February 8, 2010 and that the next FCYC Managers meeting would be at Tampa Y&CC at the same time as the Change of Watch in March. 

Treasurer Starsman  reviewed the year end Financial Reports as of December 31, 2009.   He noted that while income for the year was under budget, the shortfall was more than offset by expense reductions, resulting in a $1,631 positive variance to budget for the year.  He observed that the Council remains in excellent financial shape with adequate reserves. 

The proposed 2010 budget was unanimously approved.   

Our Government Affairs representative, Bonnie Basham, reports that she anticipates new efforts at the state level to increase revenues and  that the question of submerged land lease fees may be revisited.  Current Chairman Stanley described the formation of a Government Affairs Committee for 2010 which will work with Bonnie identifying and analyzing legislation and regulations of interest to FCYC members and asked for volunteers interested in serving on the committee. 

A new “trifold” brochure describing the FCYC and its member Clubs has been completed.  More than 2000 copies of the brochure have already been distributed. 

During the General meeting Captiva YC announced they would be celebrating their 25^th anniversary this month and St. Petersburg YC their Centennial this year. 

There was a lengthy discussion of successful new member development strategies including  initiation fee reductions, friends and family promotions, junior sailing programs for non-members, special events and parties for younger prospective members, fitness centers and other non boating facilities, baby sitting and child care. 

Lauderdale YC is renovating their docks and has no transient spaces available.  Isle YC distributed a flyer offering assistance and coordination to FCYC cruise leaders for transportation and events when visiting the Club.

 The theme of the Saturday evening dinner dance was “A Taste of Pensacola” featuring local delicacies from lobster tails, crab claws and shrimp to fried chicken and grits.  Entertainment and dancing was provided by “Prime Time”.  Thanks to Chef Daro Chan and the club’s staff for a marvelous evening.  

The award for most members in attendance this meeting went to Eau Gallie YC.  

The weekend ended on Sunday with a great buffet breakfast enjoyed by many of us before heading home. 

Thanks to Commodore Sam Foreman, Director Tony Cole, Club Manager Stephen Suchy and all the other members and staff of the Pensacola Yacht Club for an absolutely wonderful weekend. 

The next General Meeting will be at the Change of Watch at Tampa Yacht & Country Club on March 13, 2010.