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Get an Inside Look at the Sessions Presented at US SAILING's Yacht Club Summit

Looking forward to US SAILING's Yacht Club Summit? Curious about the general and breakout session topics and what will be discussed? US SAILING has previewed several of these sessions to give you a head start and get you prepared for this unique learning experience.

Information Technology
Saturday, April 2 / 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Chancellor Room

Stan Honey – Moderator: Co-founder, Sportvision / Volvo Ocean Race and Jules Verne Trophy Navigator
Ken Taylor: Founder, Regatta Network
Jack Gierhart: Executive Director, US SAILING
Dawn Riley: America's Cup/Volvo Sailor, Oakcliff Sailing E.D. Past President Women's Sports Foundation
Geoff Mason: Senior Production Specialist, ESPN / Director, Americas Cup Television

Preview:

The panel will discuss how emerging technology can be used to both enhance sailors’ and fans’ enjoyment of sailing, as well as to enable organizations to more efficiently manage race operations and generate revenue where appropriate. Specific media examples will be discussed, such as the use of technology in television and advanced-media content development, and the rapidly evolving forms of media distribution that result from emerging technology. The impact of technology on the day-to-day activities of sailors and organizations will be discussed using examples of how technology can enrich the experience, save money, and generate revenue.

Collaborations: Community & Club

Saturday, April 2 / 1:45-3:00 p.m.

State Room

Dawn Riley – Moderator: America's Cup/Volvo Sailor, Oakcliff Sailing E.D., Past President Women's Sports Foundation
Bill Hardesty: Sailing Director, Chicago Match Race Center
Steve McInnis: Chair, Sail Newport Nominating Committee
Tom Atkins: Board Member, Sail Sheboygan (Wis.)
Janet Baxter: Past President, US SAILING / Chicago Yacht Club

Preview:
The sport of sailing is changing. Some even think it needs "saving". This panel will explore all types of sailing organizations from grass roots community sailing centers to the most distinguished yacht clubs. We will analyze how these organizations can maintain their unique character while collaborating with the community to create opportunities for any individual, family or team who would like to navigate through the world of sailing.

Our panelists have a wealth of experience and represent busy sailing communities. Take part in this fascinating discussion and exchange of ideas and you just might discover that sailing is saving itself.

Financial Stability
Saturday, April 2 / 1:45-3:00 p.m.
Regent Room

Dan Cooney – Moderator: Development Director/Assoc. Executive Director, US SAILING
Leslie Keller: Treasurer, US SAILING
Nancy Glover: Treasurer, Chicago Yacht Club
David Pensky: Trustee, Annapolis Yacht Club (Md.)
David Elwell: Commodore, New York Yacht Club (2009-10)

Preview:
The panel will discuss what financial stability means for yacht clubs and how different clubs execute plans to achieve it. It will include a discussion about the level of financial reserves a club should maintain, how to make the tough choices in leaner times without losing sight of the club’s core purpose and principles. The panel will address the funding of capital expenditures and financial incentives for certain membership segments. Other areas to be covered include unrelated business income and IRS rules, process for setting dues, assessments and fees, and breaking down the financial roles between volunteers and staff. As some of these answers vary greatly depending on the size and mission of the organization, the panel will address these differences.

Junior Programs
Saturday, April 2 / 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Moulin Rouge Ballroom

Dave Perry - Moderator: Head Coach, US SAILING Team AlphaGraphics Women’s Match Racing team / Racing tactics and rules expert
Michael Spark: Waterfront Director, Mantoloking Yacht Club (N.J.)
Brad Read: Executive Director, Sail Newport (R.I.)
Jay Kehoe: Waterfront Director, Annapolis Yacht Club (Md.)
Bryan McDonald: Chair, Windsurfing Task Force (Calif.)

Preview:
The goal of the Junior Programs session will be to give sailors involved in yacht clubs and other sailing organizations the chance to learn about some of the cutting-edge techniques and practices going on today in junior sailing education. Learn how clubs and organizations are prospering in today's environment, and take away some ideas and best practices and apply it to your programs. Each panelist will give a five minute presentation as listed below. The remainder of the time will be an open Q&A session with attendees.

Get Kids on the Water and Keep Them There - Jay Kehoe
Windsurfing and Junior Programs - Bryan McDonald
Youth Match Racing - Dave Perry
Building the Base through Community Sailing - Brad Read

Building Membership
Sunday, April 3 / 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Moulin Rouge Ballroom

Gary Jobson – Moderator: President, US SAILING
John McNeill: Vice President-Americas, International Council of Yacht Clubs
Janet Baxter: Past President, US SAILING / Chicago Yacht Club
Chuck Inglefield: Past Commodore, Cleveland Yacht Club
Bill Kirk: Chairman - Membership Committee, US SAILING

Preview:
In this session the panel will discuss the importance of understanding the identity of your club and how your club is perceived by members and the sailing community. You will also learn how to better identify member prospects, membership retention, the importance of research and finding your niche in the sailing market. We will also analyze the value associated with the investment in youth for the future well-being of your club and the sport as a whole.

Club Owned Fleet
Sunday, April 3 / 10:15-11:30 a.m.
Regent Room

Tom Atkins: Board Member, Sail Sheboygan
Stuart Johnstone: Chairman, J/Boats, Inc.
Wes Richardson: General Manager, Hyannis Yacht Club
Michael Zavell: Managing Director, LaserPerformance

Preview:
This panel will discuss the key elements for success in creating, organizing and managing a sailing program in conjunction with club owned fleets. We will consider a number of questions pertaining to purchasing a fleet, such as why your club plans to buy a fleet and how you plan to use the boats. We will discuss common challenges associated with this process as well as the pros and cons of certain boats. Relevant topics such as maintenance and facilities, fleet promotion, financing, space limitations, and management and operation issues will be discussed.

Waterfront Management
Sunday, April 3 / 10:15-11:30 a.m.
Chancellor Room

Dawn Riley – Moderator: America's Cup/Volvo Sailor, Oakcliff Sailing E.D. Past President Women's Sports Foundation
Michael Spark: Waterfront Director, Mantoloking Yacht Club (N.J.)
Carter Gowrie: Founder, Gowrie Group Insurance
Rives Potts: Rear Commodore, New York Yacht Club / Partner, Brewer Yacht Yard

Preview:
Did you know that some yacht clubs have full service boat yard with travel lifts? Does your club beach launch boats? Is it time to upgrade your docks but you don’t know how? Do your members make demands but then shy away from the risks? These questions and answers will be discussed in this session. We’ll talk about solutions to all of your waterfront challenges and you might come away with a new blueprint approach to waterfront management.

Insurance Doesn't Matter, Until it Does
Sunday, April 3 / 12:15-12:45 p.m.
Moulin Rouge Ballroom

Carter Gowrie: President, Gowrie Group / Founder of “The Burgee Program”, Insurance for Yacht Clubs

Preview:
In this interactive seminar on yacht club insurance you will learn why yacht club insurance does matter, and that not all club insurance is the same. Topics that will be explored include what an ROR letter is and why you don’t want to receive one, what types of hidden exclusions might lie in your policies, what unexpected types of claims are on the rise, how to be more proactive about club safety, and more. All participants in the session will receive a complimentary copy of the proprietary Burgee Program Safety Manual and the Burgee Program JR Sailing Safety Guidelines.

Governance
Sunday, April 3 / 1:30-2:15 p.m.
Moulin Rouge Ballroom

Kurt Stocker: Principal / CCO & Senior Partner, Story Trading / Past Commodore, Chicago Yacht Club

Preview:
Kurt Stocker has been a member of the NYSE listing committee, A Governor of FINRA, Board member of NYSE Regulation, the Governance Advisory Committee, and writes and lectures on the subject.

From Wall Street to dockside… it’s coming. Yacht clubs are populated by members who work every day in and with public companies and corporations, and are being exposed to massive changes in the governance of those organizations. The boards are being made up of directors who are chosen for their independence, ability to play well with others, and needed skill sets.

Governance issues in the public sector cannot be ignored. In recent years, private organizations, including more than a few yacht clubs, have suffered the same lapses. This drives new regulations and approaches to governance. Some of the more pertinent issues to be discussed include:

• Transparency and disclosure: A new standard of openness of process and access to the board.
• Nomination Committees and their independence: A new standard that questions slate based elections.
• Board makeup: Diversity and experience based credentials.
• Board leadership and self-assessment.

Recruiting / Change of Volunteers & Staff
Sunday, April 3 / 12:45-1:30 p.m.
Moulin Rouge Ballroom

Charlie Leighton - Moderator: Former Executive Director, US SAILING / Past Commodore, New York Yacht Club
Bob James: Former Chair, McCann Erickson / Past Commodore, New York Yacht Club
David Pensky: Trustee, Annapolis Yacht Club (Md.)
Dave Elwell: Commodore, New York Yacht Club (2009-10)

Preview:
In this session we’ll evaluate the good people that form the character of our clubs. We’ll discuss how to recruit volunteers, how to retain them, the different kinds of volunteers, and how to go about change. The panelists will also address staffing considerations, including the development of job descriptions, compensation, recruitment, terms and limitations, and more.

More previews to come.

Click here for the entire Yacht Club Summit schedule.

For more information about the Yacht Club Summit, visit our event website.

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About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US SAILING is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US SAILING offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.