DtM
Super Anarchist
Turn up and sail as much as you wanted to. Join up if you think it is what you want to do and when you want to.
Australian Sailing
- Thread starter Commodore Captain
- Start date
TheUltimateSockPuppet
Anarchist
Two of the larger issues that clubs have had to face over the past twenty or so years (and these aren't just related to sailing) but have had a significant detrimental effect on a club's bottom line have been the introduction of drink driving laws (and thus a reduction in bar takings at clubs) and massive increases in insurance premiums. Clubs have had to re-invent the way they make money, some have done it well, others have floundered. On top of that there are ever increasing capitation fees from the governing bodies which push up the membership fee and most average Joe punter members would be had pressed to see any return on their capitation fee at grass roots level so why would they join a club when they can't see where their membership fee money is being spent and they can go down to the pub and drink with their mates for much the same price or join a $2 RSL club and have their drink price subsidized by poker machines?
Reality is that sailing is perceived as an elitist sport, however in many cases it's the working man who has provided the crew. Working man won't pay top dollar to join a club at which he feels less than welcome by snobby boat owners or disenfranchised by the governing body...
Reality is that sailing is perceived as an elitist sport, however in many cases it's the working man who has provided the crew. Working man won't pay top dollar to join a club at which he feels less than welcome by snobby boat owners or disenfranchised by the governing body...
LionessRacing
Super Anarchist
Requiring crew to join a club, where the owner is a member, just to have the privilege of perhaps parking, walking down the docks, perhaps spending money in the bar & restaurant, and using the toilets/showers seems to miss the point of membership.
Membership fees, assessments and assorted dock, galley and entry fees paid by the owner/member should be sufficient to keep the club and racing program solvent.
People should see a benefit from membership that's worth the costs, not be mandated to pay it while donating their time to the vessel.
We charge $US 15-25 per race (discounted for series) to cover the daily hats and seasonal swag for the podium, and on occasion put out a simple buffet after racing to encourage bar traffic. We encourage entries by members of the YRA (regional Sailing Association) which comes with a regional PHRF certificate, and offer reciprocity to local clubs we recognize. Race committee is a volunteer job, with occasionally some credit given to membership fees.
Should you have limited parking, I can see the point of selling parking passes to the member/owner to distribute to the family/crew, and I have bought a few extra dock keys to avoid having to have to meet crew at the gate multiple times per race day.
Somebody who shows up as a passenger, or a walk in, to crew has no incremental cost to us other than in possibly toilet supplies.
If the costs of toilet supplies are material to your club, I suspect you are doing it wrong.
Membership fees, assessments and assorted dock, galley and entry fees paid by the owner/member should be sufficient to keep the club and racing program solvent.
People should see a benefit from membership that's worth the costs, not be mandated to pay it while donating their time to the vessel.
We charge $US 15-25 per race (discounted for series) to cover the daily hats and seasonal swag for the podium, and on occasion put out a simple buffet after racing to encourage bar traffic. We encourage entries by members of the YRA (regional Sailing Association) which comes with a regional PHRF certificate, and offer reciprocity to local clubs we recognize. Race committee is a volunteer job, with occasionally some credit given to membership fees.
Should you have limited parking, I can see the point of selling parking passes to the member/owner to distribute to the family/crew, and I have bought a few extra dock keys to avoid having to have to meet crew at the gate multiple times per race day.
Somebody who shows up as a passenger, or a walk in, to crew has no incremental cost to us other than in possibly toilet supplies.
If the costs of toilet supplies are material to your club, I suspect you are doing it wrong.
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Dark Cloud
Super Anarchist
The Dark Knight
Super Anarchist
Thankfully my club is not a snobby club (heck, they let me join) in spite of being a "Royal" club. That could be because we lack the elite level race boats with big budgets and the race fleet is made up of S80's, various Adams and many others that could be purchased for less than 50k and ocean racers that are 50-130k. Most priced within the realms of "affordability" for more normal people alone or as part of a syndicate.
I wonder how much money clubs send to AS. Doesn't seem like we get much value for money. AS should probably be doing more to help promote non-elite juniors
Bill E Goat
Super Anarchist
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LB 15
Cunt
But surly everyone wants to join a sailing club where they dress up in their blazers, white trousers and peaked caps, salute each other and sing 'Gods save the Queen' on opening day? These activities are really in touch with what the average sailor is looking for in a club in 2019. I bet their annual ball is a huge success.
Clubs just need to put the 'royal' back into their club.
And yes I shit you not. They sing God save the Queen on opening day.
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LB 15
Cunt
This is where clubs need to spend more money. Better quality paper may help ease the Butthurt epidemic.
TheUltimateSockPuppet
Anarchist
LionessRacing
Super Anarchist
There are those opportunities, should the club wish engage to assuage rash issues caused by over emoting about Flag discretion.
Alternatively they could simply reduce the amount of excrement by finding more compassionate policies or impeaching the flags with feces touch
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i'm scouting clubs at the moment - having been a member of a number of AU and NZ clubs, i'm fully over the wank that goes with it;
any bullying to join is only going to alienate prospective newcomers to the sport - i cannot understand why some clubs persist with this type of bull-shit - it hurts the sport
i have met soooo many people who have sampled crewing on keelboats, only to be yelled/shouted at during the course of the afternoon by the so called skipper/owner/muppet (and their arse-kissers) - those people vote with their feet and never generally return, but go away with a sour taste of the sport and a story to tell/warn their friends. IMHO, our sport has a big on-going problem in this regard.
lazy clubs who continue to allow the average age of their membership to increase, will eventually run into the ground
the sport does not have leverage anymore - in current times, it is hard to justify a business case to parents about getting their kids into sailing versus the costs for soccer/rugby
clubs who begin to innovate to attract new junior members, i think, will be the ones that prevail
it will be survival of the fittest - which i think is fair
any bullying to join is only going to alienate prospective newcomers to the sport - i cannot understand why some clubs persist with this type of bull-shit - it hurts the sport
i have met soooo many people who have sampled crewing on keelboats, only to be yelled/shouted at during the course of the afternoon by the so called skipper/owner/muppet (and their arse-kissers) - those people vote with their feet and never generally return, but go away with a sour taste of the sport and a story to tell/warn their friends. IMHO, our sport has a big on-going problem in this regard.
lazy clubs who continue to allow the average age of their membership to increase, will eventually run into the ground
the sport does not have leverage anymore - in current times, it is hard to justify a business case to parents about getting their kids into sailing versus the costs for soccer/rugby
clubs who begin to innovate to attract new junior members, i think, will be the ones that prevail
it will be survival of the fittest - which i think is fair
Dark Cloud
Super Anarchist
I was amazed recently when i found out RBYC do this shit.
Now, committee, how do we connect with the youth of today ?
LB 15
Cunt
I thought RBYC had theamed opening days. Always found it to be very welcoming at that club.
LB 15
Cunt
What ever floats your boat I guess.
roon
Member
- 58
- 18
According to AS.....Of the 82,291 members in 2018:
• 2.4% of members are under 18
• 22% of members are over 65
Hmmm....and their so called "Club satisfaction" rating makes for dismal reading....with pathetic response rates....
Here's the summary (which questions their own relevance!) in their own words:
Summary
• Many questions solicited a higher than average “Neutral” response. This neutrality may suggest lower than expected levels of interest, engagement or relevance from Clubs to the offerings of Australian Sailing.
• The high neutral scores may provide a key and highly significant opportunity to introduce and grow Australian Sailing services to the Clubs who are currently reluctant to or yet to engage in the benefits that Australian Sailing offer.
• Key sailing-oriented services such as training, competition services and safety are considered most important by member Clubs. • On-line and web-based services solicited highly mixed responses, suggesting there are quality and user-interface oriented challenges that require prioritisation and work.
• There are mixed views on effectiveness and responsiveness of the Australian Sailing staff interactions which require deeper investigation and insights derived.
• Although the survey was extended from a single key club contact to all club office bearers, the response rate was disappointing
• 2.4% of members are under 18
• 22% of members are over 65
Hmmm....and their so called "Club satisfaction" rating makes for dismal reading....with pathetic response rates....
Here's the summary (which questions their own relevance!) in their own words:
Summary
• Many questions solicited a higher than average “Neutral” response. This neutrality may suggest lower than expected levels of interest, engagement or relevance from Clubs to the offerings of Australian Sailing.
• The high neutral scores may provide a key and highly significant opportunity to introduce and grow Australian Sailing services to the Clubs who are currently reluctant to or yet to engage in the benefits that Australian Sailing offer.
• Key sailing-oriented services such as training, competition services and safety are considered most important by member Clubs. • On-line and web-based services solicited highly mixed responses, suggesting there are quality and user-interface oriented challenges that require prioritisation and work.
• There are mixed views on effectiveness and responsiveness of the Australian Sailing staff interactions which require deeper investigation and insights derived.
• Although the survey was extended from a single key club contact to all club office bearers, the response rate was disappointing
The Dark Knight
Super Anarchist
One of the guys I sailed with happened to visit a WA club on the night of a committee meeting and got a photo with them in their "uniforms". A few members, included me, suggest out committee should dress the same. It got rejected totally
The Dark Knight
Super Anarchist
LB 15
Cunt
The still sail in their cricket gear at RPYC.One of the guys I sailed with happened to visit a WA club on the night of a committee meeting and got a photo with them in their "uniforms". A few members, included me, suggest out committee should dress the same. It got rejected totally
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