By Past Commodore Judy Willingham
Many of you attended the Commodore's Dinner (a.k.a. the Annual Meeting and Change of Watch) at North East River Yacht Club on October 30th. At that dinner, I proclaimed 2004 a "fabulous year." I also acknowledged that it had very little to do with my actions as Commodore and everything to do with your participation as members. You have shown unprecedented support by your participation, and I applaud every one of you. Some attended almost every rendezvous and both dinners, some made it only to the dinners, some made several rendezvous and some just showed up at Flag Raising. Whatever your level of participation, YOU helped to make it a great year.
I can speak for the Flag Officers, Governors and Committee Chairs in this respect as well, for surely their efforts are for naught if none of the members respond. On their behalf, I thank you for identifying a record breaking 21 new members, entering a record breaking 17 vessels in the Judging and challenging or exceeding attendance statistics at several of the rendezvous.
Turning the tables, on your behalf and personally as well, I thank the Flag Officers, Governors and Committee Chairs for the outstanding performance of their duties this past year. If the Commodore "looks good" to the membership, it is because each of them, and particularly the Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore and Fleet Captain, is doing their respective job.
I also owe so many individuals a rousing "Thank You" -- I fear I'll never catch up with my note writing! But, I know that you know how much your help was appreciated, so I won't risk forgetting some and remembering others. Looking back to the Midwinter Dinner in March, through Flag Raising, Georgetown, Great Oak, Rock Hall and right up until the last moment in North East, many of you pitched in, often without being asked, to get the job done and/or keep me from unraveling. So, my little army of leftover baggers, corn shuckers, bean cookers, cleaner uppers, ticket sellers, picture takers, ear lenders, bartenders, joke makers, fetchers, carriers and soothers, I simply couldn't have done it without you! And, even if I had somehow managed -- it wouldn't have been half the fun.
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| Commodore’s Award recipient Bob Brady |
Some of you just naturally do more than what is expected or required of you. If this becomes a habit, you'll probably be on the Board of Governors before you know what hit you. As Commodore, I had a unique opportunity this year to honor three members of this group of extremely dedicated individuals with the Commodore's Award, established by P/C Kathleen Birdsall to honor the memory of the late George F. Kramer, twice Past Commodore.
The award is given at the sole discretion of the outgoing Commodore to an individual or individuals -- not a boat --who demonstrate service to CYCA "over and above the call of duty."
Presenting this award to Captain Bob Brady was what today's kids would call a "no brainer." His numerous contributions as a member of the Board of Governors have run the gamut from Web Page Coordinator to Boat Sign Creator. Yes, those laminated signs that appear at rendezvous to identify your boat as a part of our fleet come from the desk of Bob Brady and at his expense I might add. In addition, Doris and Bob's support of all our activities and especially his enthusiasm for our Judging event are legendary. Bob has lent his time and energy to North East River Yacht Club as well. Last year, he received the very first Commodore's Award ever presented in that club. It gave me great pleasure to bestow similar recognition from CYCA as Bob steps down from the Board to allow for new ideas and fresh perspectives to emerge from some of his fellow North East members.
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Commodore’s Award recipient Mike Stevenson is happy! It’s just hard to tell sometimes... |
I don't know about Bob, but I'm sure I surprised Captain Mike Stevenson with the Commodore's Award engraved with his name! Mike's contributions to the Board of Governors and the Club might not be as obvious as those of others who have received this Award, but their value is immeasurable. His knowledge of the Club's Constitution and By-laws led to his being named Protocol Officer several years ago. Like the Bradys, Mike and his First Mate Joan rarely miss a rendezvous, and their enthusiasm never wavers though it may not be easily discerned. Mike is something of a perfectionist, as am I -- some people might call us nitpickers -- and he is never afraid to speak his mind, even if he is bucking the majority, another admirable trait I believe we share. Mike is also relinquishing his chair at Board meetings so that the traditions and goals of CYCA can be passed to the next "generation" of leadership.
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| Treasurer June Cottrell rounded out a trio of Commodore’s Award recipients who were recognized for “service to CYCA over and above the call of duty.” |
Treasurer June Cottrell is retiring, having raised CYCA's book and record keeping to a new level in her four years on the job. In addition to the dedicated performance of her duties, June has brought fresh air and sunshine to many Board meetings. It takes a lot to rattle her; she is direct and generous and funny as all get out. She is also the most self-effacing person I have ever met. For an example, look at the Treasurer's Year-end Report elsewhere in this newsletter. June prefers to lavish praise on and give credit to everyone else rather than pat herself on the back. So, I had to do it for her with this award. I wish her and Reid a wonderful winter in Florida, though I'll probably be calling her on a regular basis for advice -- it was a lot easier to have her on the next dock whenever I needed a check, an ear, a shoulder or a laugh.
Thanks again to all of you who helped make this a wonderful year for me and for the Club. I look forward to spending some quality time with you at next year’s rendezvous. I know they’ll be fun-filled -- Fleet Captain Ed Rosenthal always has a “Plan B” in mind and frequently a “Plan C” percolating as well. We shared some special moments this year -- my favorite was probably sitting on the steps of The Sailing Emporium in Rock Hall at 5:30 a.m., stuffing bananas and muffins into lunch bags by the porch light. By the way, Ed is very quiet at that hour! Or, maybe it was drinking Grand Marnier into the wee hours of the morning the night before Flag Raising, talking about CYCA’s history and its future. I feel extremely fortunate to be part of both, and I am confident that Commodore Horst will rally the troops for another great season as soon as the last icicle melts.
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| R/C Patrick Dunlap gets a gift, and the Commodore gets a hug! |
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| The Mayor of Rock Hall at The Commodore’s Cocktail Party. |
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| P/C Bill Rhodes had a waterline view at the Judging. |
We’re going to be dividing our time between Florida and Maryland this winter, starting this weekend when we head to Miami for our sixth granddaughter’s christening. Cuddle up with your First Mate and snuggle into the warmth of family and friends. Ken and I wish all of you the happiest of holiday seasons and a healthy and prosperous new year.
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