John Brackett, Steve Flagg, Jim Segaloff, and Skip Clark at the Emeritus Induction Ceremony in March
FROM THE PRESIDENT:
A new season is upon us and lots of things are under way.
Your Board has decided to meet on the first Wednesday of each month (there undoubtedly will be some exceptions, as in July), and two meetings have been held so far. Members are invited to attend Board meetings, which are held at the boathouse at 7:00 PM. At the first meeting I set forth a proposed agenda that listed a number of items that will be considered by the board during the course of the year.
1. Purchase of new boats, and renovation of others
2. Coaching and coxing
3. Club-run regattas.
4. Communication, specifically the “Catch”
5. The future of the Tomkowitz property
6. Consideration of feasibility of youth and/or mid day rowing programs
7. Billing procedures.
Some of these have already begun to be addressed:
Boats: A new Women’s eight has been ordered, for delivery in the coming weeks, and a decision has been made to purchase two small boats, configurable as doubles and pairs. Light/midweight and mid/heavyweight models are being considered. Loaners will be at the boathouse in the coming weeks for evaluation. Also consideration is being given to purchasing a mid-size boat. The Board's current thinking based on the age and condition of our fleet is the purchase of a mid to heavyweight 4+, although there was some discussion about a 4X instead. We would very much appreciate hearing your thoughts about this 3rd purchase. Further, a number of the boats will be gone over with the aim of renovating them. Their hulls will be looked at, and steering mechanisms, foot stretchers, oarlocks, riggers, etc. This will be a big job and we are looking for volunteers to learn the rigging trade. Bob Nash has offered to teach those truly interested. If you have some skills in this area, please let us know. New Member Ed Pankowski has already volunteered. Thanks, Ed!
Coaching/Coxing: Mitz Carr has assembled a committee to address this always-challenging assignment. The first priority is to find a coach or coaches able and willing to do the job, and second to devise a regimen so that members will be able to avail themselves of the coaching in a fair and equitable way. Mitz has accomplished this admirably in the past, and we re encouraging her to follow the general pattern once again, and if members what additional coaching, they are encouraged to make arrangements with coaches individually or in groups. Audrey Novak and Lisa Brailey will be taking a crack at addressing coxing protocols.
Club Regattas: The Derby Sweeps and Sculls will be held on June 9th. The Head of the Housatonic will be on October 6th and it will remain a one-day regatta. Volunteers needed for both these events, so please mark your calendars now.
The “Catch” in transition: As the technology advances, we are keeping up with the times, and the “Catch” has morphed into a BLOG. The nascent NHRC BLOG it can be found at http://nhrccatch.blogspot.com/. Plans are to use this vehicle to replace the old “Catch”, and along with it come some added features. Although there will be regular monthly articles, like this message, there is also the possibility of adding specific–use pages to keep track of race results, daily/weekly practice schedules, messages from the coach or boat captains, committee chairs, etc. This is the brainchild of Claire Potter, with advisory help from John Poole and Audrey Novak.
A new twist on a continuing item: Safety: There are several issues here: first is the new regulation by the CT DEP that rowers must wear PFD’s (personal flotation devices) while rowing after October first and before May 31st. The exceptions are regattas where there are patrol launches on site, and during practices if there is a launch for every three boats and the boats are kept in sight of the launch. We are actively attempting to have the agency review this regulation, but for now it stands, and of course the NHRC policy is that members must comply with these regulations. We are purchasing a number of the approved and acceptable PFD’s that members can purchase at a very good wholesale price. A separate email was sent to members on this subject. If you would like to purchase one, contact John Poole. The safety classifications have been readdressed for each member and will be posted in the boathouse. If you are not included, or think that your classification is inaccurate, you may appeal to the safety officer, Paul Roy, or to the Board. The new Stillwater launch is now in the water; thanks to Sandy Blanchard and John Poole for providing this extra measure of safety.
News:
1. The new Water heater is in, thanks to Norm Thetford for championing this effort.
2. The new front door is about to be installed, thanks to Stu Lathers.
3. We have 4 new Emeritus members: John Brackett, Steve Flagg, Jim Segaloff, and Skip Clark. They were inducted at a gala dinner at the boathouse on March 3rd which was arranged by Baxter Walsh, ably assisted by Helma Chartier, Nancy Brackett, Jean Hummel, Rick Dyer, Dick Fiske, Sandy Blanchard, Paul Roy, Bob Nash, Stu Lathers and several others.
Let’s row!
Eric Dannemann
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