Dear Members of Back Creek Yacht Club (BCYC) South,
As we near the end of the 2022/2023 Winter Season, I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude for your continued support and membership. BCYC South was once merely a thought, but with Madi's visionary leadership and unwavering dedication, it has grown into a thriving entity in its own right.
I am thrilled to report that 36 active BCYC South members, including Higginbothams, Kranzers, Lovings, Masons, Crowders, Falks, Soucy, Brownings, Martins, Sangers, Wilsons, Jamie and John, John and Jo, Bob and Vickie, Eileen, Harriet, Collins, Yates, and our newest members, the Duggans, with many participating in most of our 10 South events. This level of engagement demonstrates our members' commitment to our club and their eagerness to participate in its activities.
As a backbone of BCYC South, the Wild Apricot hosted website provides us with essential communication tools, revenue collection services, and public-facing images and event pages that enhance our membership experience. These functions add value to our club and serve as social glue that helps us stay connected and grow stronger as a community. Our growing virtual yacht club has been a great success, as demonstrated by the success of our events.
I am reminded of the pilots who, after a successful flight, thank passengers for choosing their airline by announcing on the cabin intercom, "Thank you for flying with United. We know you have a choice, so thank you for selecting us to be your carrier." As Commodore of BCYC, I extend similar gratitude to each and every one of our members, thanking you for choosing BCYC and BCYC South to be your yacht club.
As we continue to grow and expand, I am excited for the future of our club and look forward to seeing more members participate in our events and contribute to the success of our community. Thank you again for your support, and I wish you all fair winds and smooth sailing as we head "up the creek" together.
Sincerely,
Commodore John
Hello Bak-Yakers,
I hope you are ready for a terrific boating and event filled year with the Club. Soon, all of the Floridian Snowbirds will arrive back in Maryland and are looking to show off their tans and get their boats launched. Marylanders will have had a head start. But, we all need to get ready for a full year of sailing and fun land events. BCYC South members have partied all winter and are totally ready for an Event packed year. Time for BCYC North members to get their party started. But, before the bottom paint goes on, don’t forget to iron your Tux and Gowns.
The Commodore’s Ball is on May 12th at the Chappelle’s Golf Club. It’s a surprisingly good location and has all that we need. Thanks to Chris and Jerry for making it happen. Gail Higginbotham, Rosie Cavin, Madi Yates, and Maureen Grizio have been putting together what should be a memorable evening.
The season opener at John and Patti Paris's home on May 20th will be their first hosting event! Join the BCYC in celebrating and supporting their hard work.
It will be a busy year for boating on the Bay, with a Circle Raft returning June 3rd to start off the Annual Cruise at Eagle’s Cove on the Magothy River. That combined with a week-long theme sets the stage for a lot of fun evenings. Short, easy runs to Baltimore Yacht Club, Rock Hall and Chesapeake Yacht Club round out the Annual Cruise and set the stage for the balance of the year. Let’s thank our Fleet Captain, Tim Nelson, in advance for calling marinas, planning and setting things up for us. “Thanks Tim.” And, if you haven’t called for reservations at the various marinas, you better get at it quickly.
We’ll party, but we’ll do some club work too. In February, we conducted an Ideation session where members shared their most urgent “did you ever think about doing…” such and such. It was a lot of fun. It was done right and it proved to be quite valuable for the club. Throughout the year we’ll conduct regular Board of Governors meetings in order to keep the club on the straight and narrow. We’ll focus on new membership, finances and fun.
Last but not least, please volunteer to host or co-host an event. The Club needs your enthusiasm and fresh ideas. In all you do, have fun, stay in touch and invite new members to join the fun. It’s all about the Peeps.
Cheers,
John
Welcome everyone to the 2023 Back Creek Yacht Club and all that the club symbolizes: camaraderie, friendship, structure, communication, education, activities, events, finances, a growing brand and so much more. The simple concept that our founders established to provide a virtual clubhouse that could keep their friends together has indeed become the social fabric of the Back Creek Yacht Club. It is all about the people.
It’s an honor to have been elected to serve the Back Creek Yacht Club. As your Commodore, I’ll bring my marketing experience, creative problem solving and a strong sense of integrity to the job. And, as you know, my Commodorable won’t let me fail - right Madi?
My first duty and obligation is to thank our immediate past Commodore, Tim Feldmann. Tim's tenure was one of steady guidance and effective leadership. He ushered in the post-covid era which is seeing fast growth and renewed interest in boating and our club. We welcomed 8 bundles and 16 new members in 2022. Great job Tim! We have budgeted for 5 more in 2023.
I also wish to thank our 2022 officers and BOG members for their service while I thank in advance and introduce our new slate for 2023:
Vice Commodore Norm Render Rear Commodore Larry Awalt Fleet Captain Tim Nelson Treasurer Court Treuth Secretary Carlos Mojica BOG Members: Pam Loving, Rosie Cavin, Dave Brashears, John Oberright, Eileen Smith, and Laura Treuth Membership Chair Mary Ross Cruise Director Gail Higginbotham Social Director [open] Social Director South Madi Yates Webmaster Bob Higginbotham
Speaking of our Directors, Gail and Madi have great activities (both land and sea) lined up. They have all the experience needed to organize our 2023 calendar and the budget to make it work. But, they need your help. Please consider how to get involved with events, event planning and event hosting. We have great events with our Directors guiding our hosts every step of the way with venues, budgets, tips and contacts. So please contact Gail or Madi and let them know that you’d like to volunteer.
I hope to see everyone at these events - both North and South. You have been getting event notices and you know how busy we are while having a great time. Great events are going to continue throughout 2023. Look at just some of what’s in store:
Soucy’s Super Bowl Party South; Feldmann’s Chile Cook Off and now famous Crab Feast; Loving’s Florida Winter Celebration; Nelson’s Annual Commodore’s Cruise Chesapeake; Render’s Lobster Fest with the Flip, Flop and Drop breakfast; and so much more….Check out the BCYC Website for a list of events and the 2023 calendar. And please consider hosting an event.
February 9th we’ll have a club-wide Ideation Meeting via Zoom to explore new ideas. We’ll provide a fun platform and ideation rules so anyone with a great idea will be comfortable sharing. Caveat Emptor - we don’t evaluate ideas, we don’t shoot down the lame ducks, we move quickly on to the next idea. Our Secretary will document our ideas and we’ll have lots of time to revisit those ideas throughout the year. I hope you’ll join and please follow the rules. It’s not as easy as you might think.
I also want to thank our Commodore’s Ball planners Gail, Rosie and Madi for planning this great event! The 2022 CB was held at the Oyster Cove Clubhouse. This year I am pleased to say that thanks to Jerry and Chris Chappell, we'll be at the Chartwell Golf and Country Club on May 12th.
Finally, please look at how you can engage with the club. Whether you serve as an Officer, Chairperson, or Director or volunteering to HOST or assist in hosting an event we need you. This club only functions with contributions of all. And this is why we continue to be a great place to have fun both on and off the water.
Thank you and remember “It’s All About the People!”
Your Commodore, John Yates Commodore's Welcome Newsletter January 2023
