Minutes of the General Membership Meeting, February,1984

Commodore Katie White introduced the officers of the 1984 season. The Commodore would like to encourage a cover design contest for this year's VSC Yearbook. ....

"Club House Search Committee ... to search out the potential site for purchase of a Club House on the Lake. It would not only be used by the Club for meetings, social get-togethers but it may also have enough Lake frontage property ... to have moorings set up.

"The Bylaws Review Committee (Kjell Dahlen, Dave Bruner, Ed Goodrich) was set up for the purposes of reviewing and rewriting the bylaws of the VSC.

"A committee to explore the possibility of setting up a VSC Youth Group: the purpose of this group would be to encourage sailing among the children, teaching them about boat handling skills, racing tactics, water safety, etc. The committee was formed at the suggestion of Mike Parsons and he will bear the responsibility of organizing this first meeting. Volunteers for this committee are Mike Parsons, Roger Patnode, Bob Smith, Bill Rowe, the McDowells, Andy Sajor, Peter Hornby, and Kathleen Goodrich.

"Katie White also tried to set up a table at Bill Rowe's booth [presumably at the Montreal boat show] for the Valcour Sailing Club ... This is to encourage our Canadian friends to participate and join the Club for it's varied activities and also to advance in general the VSC's reputation.

"The Racing Committee ... has reversed the sequence of the start and the intervals of the start to coincide with the LCRC sequence and intervals. They presented to the general membership the concept of having Class A boats being able to run spinnakers in the Wednesday series and that Class B boats would be allowed to use working sails only. The concept behind this is that most "A" boats have spinnakers and would want to use them based on past experience, while Class B boats are usually sailors who are just getting into racing or are primarily cruisers who would enjoy an occasional race. It was thought that it is important to keep Class B boats with working sails only so that we can encourage as much participation as possible. Motion passed.

"The 1984 Sailing Club dues will remain the same at $45 for general member and $25 for an associate member. Associate memberships will receive all mailings and be allowed to participate in club functions, would be allowed to skipper a boat in the absence of the general member and be a participant in all Club activities while not actually owning a boat.

"Rob McDowell made an excellent presentation on sail trim using various overhead projections for head sails and main sails. Our thanks to Rob for the presentation as it was obviously successful ..."

Minutes, VSC Executive Meeting: March 16, 1984

"The Youth Sailing Club report by Rob McDowell: The committee met and decided that it is the most important function for this year to determine the type of boat that should be purchased by any interested individuals or by the Club for eventual use as a Club [junior] racer. Through thorough evaluation of many boats, the Flying Juniors were suggested as a standard boat. Basis for this recommendation is:

  1. Vermont clubs use Flying Juniors
  2. They are self-rescuing [in design]
  3. They are big enough for adults
  4. They are fairly dry
  5. Good sail control
  6. Excellent resale value
  7. Numerous [boats are] available on a second hand basis

The Committee is looking into possible ways of having a boat purchased and donated through a charitable organization which would then let the Club use them and run an instructional program. Another possible way is for people to purchase the boats and then lease them back to the VSC for a set annual fee. It was determined that this years goal should be to, 1: select the boat, 2: inventory the people who would be willing to purchase the boats, 3: an inventory of the interested youth groups interested in learning how to sail.

"Clubhouse Committee report: The committee met .... and found that there was a property that they were interested in buying that was listed at about $125,000. It had an 8 percent assumable mortgage of about $85,000 outstanding. The Executive Committee charged the Clubhouse Search Committee to proceed forward to look at the taxes, the new sewer assessment cost, if available, what the insurance for property and liability should be, whether or not the 8 percent assumable mortgage can be assumed by the Club and if there are any restrictions on who can assume the mortgage. Also, to check with the Health Department on requirements that they may have if we operate this property as a Clubhouse and to check with Bob Sutherland about any particular Adirondack Park Agency requirements. The Search Committee is to report to the April 13th Board Meeting on this ...

"On a motion by Bob Smith, ... the Executive Committee authorized Attorney [also member of VSC] Andy Edwards to proceed forward and file for a Type B, 'Not-for-profit Membership Corporation.' Passed unanimously

VSC Annual Spring Banquet, April 13, 1984

"Presented to the general membership were various proposals by the Clubhouse Search Committee and a complete analysis of each parcel of land and its strong and weak points. The general membership discussed the various proposals, ways of financing, and membership dues. ... After dinner, further discussion continued and a motion was made by Robert Smith as follows:

"First, the Valcour Sailing Club should invest between $500 and $1,000 for an assignable option to hold the Valcour View Campsite property so that we can further investigate the feasibility of purchasing the property for a sum not to exceed $80,000 ... The motion carried with 20 voting for, no votes against, and no abstentions.

"Second, a motion was made and seconded to empower the Executive Committee to initiate the incorporation of the Valcour Sailing Club into a Class B, not for profit membership corporation. Motion was passed unanimously.

"Executive Committee Meeting, June 5, 1984

Present were Katie White, Robert Smith, David White, Donna Drumm, Clark Drumm, Kjell Dahlen, Bill Rowe, Grif Walling, and Jim & Alice Connors.

"The main topic of conversation was the purchase of the John Boulay property on the north side of the Peru Dock property. A motion by Bill Rowe, seconded by Bob Smith: Bill Rowe issued instructions to offer to purchase John Boulay's property for the sum of $55,000 pending finance; passed unanimously."
[RdF - Subsequent records do not mention the outcome of this offer to purchase the property. According to Bunny Rowe, the offer to purchase was accepted by John Boulay who, on checking with his brother who was co-owner, found that his brother had just accepted an offer from another party that was slightly earlier in time than the VSC offer. Making judgements after the fact is not fair to those who worked so hard to realize a long-held dream of Valcour Sailing Club members. But present members should learn from this case that the dynamics of buying Lake Champlain shore property make it imperative that all the mechanisms for acting promptly must be in place prior to the search for property occurs.]


OFF-SEASON PLANING 1984-85

At the fall banquet in November 1984, Robert Smith, the newly elected commodore, outlined two main goals for the 1985 season. Receiving top priority was the issue of the Valcour Sailing Club clubhouse property search that had come so close to fruition that June. He indicated that the Club "should initiate discussions with knowledgeable people of the Lake Champlain Yachting Club and legal counsel on the best way to structure a club that is about ready to purchase land. The goal of this discussion is to form a club that is ready to react quickly to opportunities that present themselves and to structure the VSC in such a way that it is a benefit for all" its members. Secondly, and conincidentally, "aggressively pursue, through the use of licensed real estate brokers, purchase of land that would be suitable for the Valcour Sailing Club." Expanding on this priority, Bob stated that "the Executive Committee believes that the best way to insure the expansion and improvement of ... the Club is for the Club to retain a piece of property to conduct sailing clinics, safety clinics, junior sailing programs, and have a location on the Lake where members of the Club can have families conduct associated family activities."

Commodore Smith then presented Katie and David White with a token of the Club's appreciation for their efforts "not only in their normal duties as Commodore and Vice Commodore, but more so because of the extensive search committee that they started to try to find an appropriate piece of land for the Valcour Sailing Club." Past Commodore Katie White then presented the trophies of the 1984 season ... special event race results are given in Chapter 5.


1984 SERIES RACES

The off-season planning for 1984-85 kicked off with a meeting of the "Executive Board" on January 7, 1985. Present were Commodore Bob Smith, Rob McDowell, Don & Kathy Duley, Dave Bruner, Allan Booth, Clark Drumm, and Katie White. Bob Smith reported on his meeting with Peter Collins of the LCYC regarding their organization, possible ways of structuring the VSC (i.e. legal details, bylaws, membership, moorings, junior sailing program), insurance, and the need to incorporate the VSC. Andy Edwards reported that the Articles of Incorporation of the Valcour Sailing Club would be ready by the next meeting. Rob McDowell gave a report on the activities of the Race Committee. Details discussed included the need for a race schedule that would appeal to everyone, including cruisers; need for the committee boat to be a power boat; and the revised racing schedule, which included changes in the Wednesday and Sunday Series (particularly the triangle races in Cumberland Bay on Sundays. Don Duley gave the real estate report:

"On behalf of the Valcour Sailing Club, Don has:

  1. Made the visual inspection of the Tierney house, rental units and land on the east side of Route #9 at Valcour
  2. Evaluated the properties worth in comparison to recent comparable sales in the area and found the figure of $85,000 to be a fair price for the Club to offer for the property
  3. Made it clear that he did not evaluate the economic feasibility of this property because he had no data on projected income or expenses
  4. Assuming the club is willing to make the economic commitment, he recommended that the club make an immediate purchase offer because another prospective buyer .... is close to making a deal on the property. He suggested the Club make a purchase offer of $85,000 with a 90 day contingency to obtain financing subject to the approval of the Club's attorney, Andy Edwards. Dave Bruner so moved, Don seconded; the motion was carried.

Subsequently, Allen Booth reported on the Club's insurance posture in detail. Various areas of liability were discussed and recommendations made on how to deal with them.
[RdF - Because of the possible sensitivity involved in detailing insurance coverage here, no further mention will be made of the Club's posture in that area. Suffice to say that this remains an ongoing area that receives annual review, discussion, and decision. Members who want more information on this subject should attend Executive Committee meetings in January and February when insurance for the next season is discussed.]

On January 22, the Executive Committee again met to consider an agenda which included, among other things, real estate, insurance, and the status of incorporation. An offer of $85,000 had been presented on subject property by Don Duley but Mrs. Tierney refused the offer saying that she was obligated to sell the property to Jimmy Carter. Don indicated he would follow up on this in case of any changes and that he would continue to seek property for the Club. Following that, there was a discussion on the geographic boundaries for the search area. It was decided informally that the Club should look as far south as AuSable Point and north to the Treadwell Bay area. Don Duley mentioned some further possibilities for prospective lake shore properties.

At that same meeting, meetings which were taking on more of a "corporate style," Allan Booth gave an insurance update and Andy Edwards reported on the status of incorporation for the Valcour Sailing Club. He indicated that several areas of structure of the VSC would need to be more closely defined prior to incorporation; these included structure of membership and transferability of capital interest in the Club in case of dissolutionment (redemption). Bob Smith asked Andy to draft articles immediately based on his knowledge of our needs and the LCYC's charter. Dues for the 1985 year were set at $55 for general members and $30 for associate members. That meeting, which had started in early evening, adjourned at 11:15 pm. Clearly, the business and planning affairs of the Valcour Sailing Club were becoming intricate and time consuming!

Another Executive Committee meeting was held just three weeks latter, on February 14th. Most of that agenda was "routine" business relating to planning for the 1985 sailing season's activities. Katie White suggested that "the Club reimburse the PHRF representatives for ferry tickets when they go to Burlington for meetings." The next evening, the VSC general meeting and spaghetti dinner was held at the Unitarian Fellowship on Palmer Street; the membership received reports on several areas in which the Executive Committee had been working.
[RdF - Probably only those members who have gone through this cycle of Executive Committee planning are able to appreciate the amount of background committee work that goes into the brief overview given to the general membership at the spring and fall banquets. For those members who have been on the periphery of Club activities, all that is necessary for a better understanding of Club dynamics is to jump in and volunteer to participate in this committee work! As in most organizations, "the work flows to those who will do it."]

On March 6th, the Executive Committee again met and reviewed the 1985 Race Schedule and Yearbook. Rob McDowell, reporting for the LCRC representatives Dave White and Dave McDowell, indicated that "there is a big question on whether or not we [LCRC, and by implication, the VSC] want to have a yacht racing association. It is the opinion of the Executive Committee that we should not form one independent of anyone else, but possibly should consider another association in the area. Also the LCRC is concerned over safety and they are thinking about making compliance with the category 3 USYRU safety regulations mandatory."

Also reviewed at that meeting were the results of the latest VSC questionnaire with 25 returns. It appeared that there was strong agreement in several areas, such as: purchase of a power boat, 80 percent; spinnaker and non-spinnaker classes on Wednesday night, 88 percent; two-race concept on Sunday, 88 percent; triangular race on Sundays, 80 percent; and a 1 pm. Racer-Cruiser race on Sunday, 84 percent.

Based upon these results, the Executive Committee implemented the stated preferences. Rob McDowell was instructed to proceed in the purchase of four new inflatable racing marks, each one sponsored by a commercial business. The sponsors are: Bill Rowe, Rowe Boats International; Robert Smith, Howard Johnson's; and Rob McDowell, Saildyne. Dave Bruner agreed to look into the possibility of getting the fourth sponsor. Sail changes were discussed and the Executive Committee decided that, in the interest of good seamanship, "both head sails and main sails can be reefed or changed in the rules of the series that they are racing in. Cruisers may change head sails up or down in size but cannot use spinnakers or other sails that are not legal with the PHRF rules."

The Bylaws of the Valcour Sailing Club, Inc. were finalized in 1985. Also completed in 1985 were the Articles of Incorporation for the Valcour Sailing Club, Inc. as a not-for-profit corporation. At the May 18th general membership meeting, Andy Edwards, Club Attorney, reported that the Articles "are now before a Supreme Court justice [of New York State] awaiting" that status. Commodore Bob Smith indicated that "there is a need for a race, real estate, bylaw, house, and membership committee to report at bi-monthly meetings. To insure continuity from year to year, the committees should be organized with a rotation of membership and an executive committee member as a liaison At some time, when membership increases it is hoped that the Valcour Sailing Club will have a Board of Directors." [RdF - Some members, myself included, noted that there were now more officer/committee positions in the Valcour Sailing Club than there were members! Obviously, some people were going to be busy serving in more than one capacity. Again, at the risk of overstatement, for members who wish to get involved, there is a plethora of positions waiting to be filled.]

Ted and Mary Price accepted the position of Rear Commodore to replace the positions of Mike and Sandy Busher who had moved to Florida. They served in that position for the 1985 and 1986 seasons and did a magnificent job in planing the social/banquet activities for those years. Since Ted was often busy in USAF national defense matters, it was left to Mary to execute that planning. Ted and Mary Price are fine examples of the many active duty Air Force members that have also served in the Valcour Sailing Club and thereby enriched the Club with their enthusiasm and social graces.

Planning activities in 1985 extended well into the sailing season. Another Executive Committee meeting was held in July and, among other agenda items, Katie White suggested reactivation of the Real Estate Search Committee with David White as Chairman. The Executive Committee agreed. On August 6, a general membership meeting reported that Club incorporation was completed. Regarding the Mayor's Cup Race, the VSC Commodore would be "the mandatory Officer of the Day and Chairman" of the VSC's effort to support that event. Regarding the Club House Search committee, it "has been reactivated with Katie and Dave White as Chairpersons. Don Duley is presently working on some possibilities. Racing activities, particularly the function of OD, were discussed. At a general membership meeting in November, several changes to the bylaws, generally incorporating successive officer positions, were adopted. The season closed with the annual fall banquet in November with the election of new officers and the awarding of trophies by Commodore Smith.


1985 Series

Sunday Series
Class A:
1st OBSESSION
2nd CHAOUSAROU II
3rd WITCHCRAFT II

Class B:
1st HOT TODDY
2nd AEOLUS
3rd EZ DUZ IT

PM Class A:
1st WITCHCRAFT
PM Class B:
1st HOT TODDY
2nd OUTLAW
3rd THUMPER

Wednesday Spring Series
Class A:
1st OBSESSION
2nd WITCHCRAFT I
3rd GOING CONCERN
Class B:
1st HOT TODDY
2nd EZ DUZ IT
3rd WIND BROKER

Wednesday Summer Series
Class A:
1st OBSESSION
2nd WITCHCRAFT II
3rd CHAOUSAROU II
Class B:
1st EZ DUZ IT
2nd FALCON
3rd BEAUJEU

VALCOUR SAILING CLUB ENTERS ITS THIRD DECADE - 1986

In 1986, under the helm of Commodore David Burner, the Valcour Sailing Club entered its third decade as a recreational organization. Many of its yearly activities were now institutionalized, and planning activities would pretty much follow an established pattern. New minds would bring new ideas, but there was little that had not been tried in previous years. Only incremental deviations from the normal schedule of events would occur in 1986. This is not to say that the leadership in 1986 lacked imagination. But it was becoming clear to most that tradition played an important role in the Valcour Sailing Club at this point. The Commodore and his or her Executive Committee, in a very real sense, were standing on the shoulders of those that came before them: the pioneers who had conceived a sailing club as a group of dedicated centerboard racers, many of those skippers moving up to keel boats as the VSC joined the Lake Champlain Racing Conference, and again those who ushered in the era of the club cruiser-racers under Cruising Club of America handicapping, and finally the adoption of Performance Handicapping Racing Fleet rule in 1978. And in the closing years of its second decade, building on what had been done before them, came those that sought to formalize the Club as a corporation with bylaws addressing that which had evolved down through the years as the heart and soul of the Valcour Sailing Club.

SERIES RACING AWARDS - 1986

Sunday Series
Class A:
1st CHAOUSAROU II
2nd OBSESSION
3rd WITCHCRAFT II
Class B:
1st HOT TODDY
2nd EZ DUZ IT
3rd AEOLUS

Wednesday Spring Series
Racing:
1st OBSESSION
2nd CHAOUSAROU II
3rd WITCHCRAFT II
Cruising:
1st HOT TODDY
2nd WIKI WIKI
3rd SUMMER LOVE

Wednesday Summer Series
Racing:
1st OBSESSION
2nd CHAOUSAROU II
3rd WITCHCRAFT II
Cruising:
1st WIKI WIKI
2nd NIMUE' III
3rd SUMMER LOVE

Fall Series:
1st CHAOUSAROU II
2nd OBSESSION
3rd PEGASUS


FIRST AWARD OF HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

Now ... in its third decade ... the Valcour Sailing Club, Inc. exists as a corporate entity, almost with a life of its own. Those that receive the entrusted helm of the Valcour Sailing Club in the future can feel a part of the tradition that had been launched by those who, twenty years ago, had a dream. It was most appropriate that the Club recognize one of those pioneers. For his incomparable contribution to the Valcour Sailing Club, the Club awarded Dr. David B. McDowell an Honorary lifetime membership in November, 1986.

DAVID B. McDOWELL CHAIRS LIGHTHOUSE FUND DRIVE

In 1986, New York State purchased the small track on which the Valcour Island Lighthouse sits thus bringing that entire Lake Champlain island under public ownership. Faced with the possible razing of the structure due to its presently unsafe condition, local history buffs sought and won a mandate from the State to restore the Lighthouse. Dr. David B. McDowell, reflecting a love that many Valcour Sailing Club members have for that landmark, accepted chairmanship of a Clinton County drive to raise funds for its restoration. Members of the Club will be asked to support this restoration by purchasing engravings of the Lighthouse. Some members have suggested that the Club could coordinate a long-format race with a special awards ceremony on Valcour Island in conjunction with activities there. This could very well lead to the establishment of yet another Club tradition, i.e. The "Valcour Lighthouse Cup." A brief history of the Lighthouse:

"In 1871, Orren Shipman sold to the United States the property upon which the Valcour Lighthouse stands. In 1874 the facility was fully operational. The upper floor of the two-story limestone building is cedar-shingled below a tarred mansard roof which collects and drains rainwater that once serviced the huge batteries that powered the beacon. Above the mansard roof is the structure that supports the light and its lens.

"For 55 years the Valcour Lighthouse protected the navigable channel of Lake Champlain. In 1929, a steel-framework tower was built about 100 feet from the old lighthouse on a 100-foot- square parcel which still remains in Federal ownership. In 1932, the US government determined that the original Valcour Lighthouse 'cannot be profitably used for the work of the lighthouse service,' and it was sold to the highest bidder for eight hundred dollars in that year." (Adapted from a paper by Dave Ochs and furnished by Dr. James Dawson of the committee to restore the Valcour Island Lighthouse.)


PARTING THOUGHTS ON 20 YEARS OF VSC ACTIVITIES

Reading the Chronicles of the Valcour Sailing Club for its first two decades will result, I am sure, in different images for different readers. To David McDowell, I hope it will be an affirmation of his dream and his many years of participation in, and service to, the Club. His images, and those of Mimi, they have often said, are of all the old friends that form the fabric of lifelong memories of sailing on Lake Champlain. To all who have contributed to what the Valcour Sailing Club is today: my hope is that this chronicle, which you all have written, leaves you with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Each of you, in a very real sense, have given a part of yourself to build the tradition we call the Club.

For the fairly recent member, myself included, I hope that this chronicle speaks of tradition which is precious ... tradition that has been wrought from much experimentation and loving labor. Those who are called upon to take the helm of the Club must be forward looking in their thinking, but always with a sense of the past and its traditions with which they are entrusted.

For the new member, I hope that this chronicle will give greater meaning to your participation in the Valcour Sailing Club. Through its reading, you can have some small factual idea of how tradition has evolved down through the years. There are many chapters yet to be written by your participation.

For the general reader, I hope that this chronicle will hint of the attraction and beauty that Lake Champlain holds for the sailor. The Lake, for just a brief tick in time, has played yet another silent scene not far from land.

René du Fort 6/1986, reformatted 9/2001