Minutes of YRC annual meeting, 4/17/24
12 members attending via Zoom:
Anita Fábos, Jaime Caron, Carol MacColl, Bob Sproull
Ernie Alleva, Craig Schiff
Moi Wurgaft, Barry Nigrosh, Jenn Ferree, Nancy Diessner, Halley Glier, Jane Kent
Those attending voted unanimously to elect officers:
President: co-held by Jaime Caron and Anita Fábos
Treasurer: Carol MacColl
Secretary: Bob Sproull
Those attending voted unanimously to elect board members:
Ernie Alleva
Jaime Caron
Nancy Diessner
Anita Fábos
Jenn Ferree
Halley Glier
Carol MacColl
Craig Schiff
Bob Sproull
Moi Wurgaft
(Benjamin Barnes and Christina Petersen emailed proxy votes in favor
of both slates.)
All approved the appointment of the equipment committee:
Ernie Alleva
Craig Schiff
Bob suggested that the two should try to recruit a backup/successor.
Boathouse cleanup: Jenn
Opening/cleaning/social event planned for May 4 9-11 AM; rain date Sunday
Jenn will make up a todo list; people can do the work at the
event or any other time
See tab named "Cleanup signup"
Jenn will bring coffee and bagels
Someone should bring a vacuum
Barry will bring a large battery-operated shopvac
There was discussion of whether we should continue US Rowing membership
for the club; our only benefit is a discount on (some) insurance. We
need to find out more about our current insurance coverage and alternative
insurers. Note that members may choose to join US Rowing (e.g., to row
in a US Rowing-sanctioned race) whether or not YRC is a member.
Carol has agreed to make a QR code sign to post at the boathouse
so rowers can use their cell phones to check the river flow.
Moi pointed out that we should expedite a decision about membership
and rack fees so that the forms on the web site can be updated,
and so that members can pay their fees before the season starts.
Since all members of the Board were present at the meeting, we
decided to convene a Board meeting:
The board meeting was called to order.
Carol reported that although we were slightly in the red
last year, membership we have now is likely to be stable.
Rent is increasing $100/mo. She proposed we increase
annual membership and rack fees by $25. This is a modest
increase that keeps us stable and avoids tapping into
our "rainy day fund."
The board voted unanimously in favor of Carol's proposal.
Carol will update the forms; Moi will put them on the
website; Anita/Jaime will send a message to the members.
The board meeting was adjourned.
Other business: Clare Doyle (Smith College coach) has raised
concerns about the hazards of logs hung up on the bridge supports;
several YRC members echoed or amplified concern. It's not clear
what organization is responsible for maintenance items such as
this, and also the deployment of navigation and "slow wake"
buoys. The suggestion was made to send email to our state
representative, Lindsay Sabadosa
to call attention to the hazards. Bob will talk to the MA river
steward for Connecticut River Conservancy, Nina Gordon-Kirsch,
to try to identify responsibility and funding for these items.
Thanks to Craig for marking snags during the season.
Comments, corrections to Bob Sproull, secy
