Welcome to Thunderbird Yacht Club’s 53rd year! I would like to thank you all for giving me the opportunity to be Commodore of a very special yacht club. I approach the position of Commodore with a sense of honour, humility and responsibility. I believe this club has prospered and remained vibrant for 53 years due to its member driven governance. We are so lucky the early members of TBYC had the foresight to purchase Ekins, as she is our jewel!

 

Our By-laws place an obligation upon our members to use their individual energy and talents to support and continually improve our Club. If we didn’t have this member involvement, our Club would not be the same.  This fosters our club’s foundation, which is our strong sense of community and ownership, making TBYC a success.  It is also a great opportunity to create new friendships and share a love for our coastal waters.

 

During my year as Commodore, I have two key objectives: 

1. To ensure we always have a full waitlist, resulting in financial stability by maximizing the number of members.

2. Establish a renewed focus on the Long-Range Planning Committee, with Ekins being our top priority.

 

It is no secret our docks at Ekins will eventually need major refurbishment and/or replacement in the next 10 years. Besides the normal financial forecasting, planning and management of this, we are facing newer requirements and hurdles from various stakeholders, including (and not limited to) the Province, Department of Fisheries, and First Nations groups. I know we can count on our Board and Committee volunteers to help us navigate these changing times and muddy waters.   We will also work with peer clubs, other Gambier Island stakeholders, and professional advisory services (as necessary) to ensure Ekins is well-positioned for long-term care and use.

 

It is important all members pitch in at Work Party Weekends (April 12th and October 4th) at Ekins this year. Nothing replaces the physical support and skills required to maintain and improve Ekins, and it is also a fantastic way to connect with other members and forge new friendships. By partaking in the work party, you receive a credit towards the required 12 hours of Volunteer Hours Assessment. Please remember to let Ekins' Manager, Wayne Potts, know if you are attending. We understand not everyone can be there in person.  As such, we do appreciate the financial support in-lieu of in-person involvement.  It is also an important contribution to the costs associate with the upkeep of Ekins. 

 

I am so excited for the long summer days of boating to begin and hope to see you all throughout the season. Please feel free to stop by Moxie anytime for a chat, drink or just a hello!!

 

Oydis

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