Fellow GRSA Members,

The weather is warming up and sailing season is here!  We have had a great Spring so far and have accomplished much.  Member participation was exceptional on workday, with over 60 people coming out to help get the club ready for the season.  We also had a sail camp workday to get the club boats cleaned up and ready for the students.  Again, we had a great turnout and were able to get all the boats ready to go.  The 420’s have never looked so good.  THANK YOU to all who took the time to come to the club and lend a hand!  It is genuinely appreciated!  We held our first social event in over a year on May 1^st, and it was a tremendous success.  Many commented that they were glad things are returning to normal and are excited to be enjoying the club again.  Additionally, the fireplace has been repaired and inspected and is open once again.  Even though it is warming up, the evenings can still be chilly, and I know many will be glad to be able to have a fire again.

We have a few events coming up, too.  Our Memorial Day regatta and social is this Sunday and registration is open on the website.  The GRSA Invitational Regatta is less than a month away, on June 12^th-13^th.  The Notice of Race is posted on the website and contains a link to register on Regatta Network.  Please register early if you are planning to participate, as many people from out of town often base their decision to attend on the number of boats registered.  Remember, any class with at least three boats will have their own start and we will have a Portsmouth class for any classes with fewer than three.  It promises to be a great event, and we would love to have a large turnout.

On the housekeeping side, just a couple of reminders.  Please remember when your boat is at the dock to tie it up away from the ramps.  This is especially important if you plan on leaving your boat in the water overnight.  It should be at least 50’ from the main ramp, if possible.  This allows our fellow sailors room to launch and retrieve their boats.  Also, once you have launched your boat, please return your trailer to its parking spot, so other members’ boats are not blocked in with your trailer and car.

The year is off to a fantastic start, and I am excited for what is to come.  Please keep an eye on your email and the club’s website for additional social and race events.  We will be adding a few fun things.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about anything club related, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 See you at the club soon!!

Chris Cookson Commodore Mobile: 804-986-3231 Email: ccookson.grsa@gmail.com

GRSA will hold a Frostbite/Spring series with 4 race dates and a make up date.  The series will be held “in the cove”,  pfds (life jackets) are required, 10 dollar entry fee per race date (exact change is appreciated).

First race is 12 noon, with a short skipper’s meeting at 11:15.  Multiple races will be run per day weather dependent and are generally windward leeward courses.  These races are quick and short and give racers the opportunity to work on starting tactics as well as mark rounding and spinnaker sets.   In the event of a capsize that race is immediately cancelled and assistance is provided to that boat.  

Race dates are Sat Feb 20, and 27^th and Sun March 7^th and 14^th with a make up date Sat March 20^th.   These are open to all classes, and fleets will be formed based on the numbers.  The course and length are ideal for even match racing.  As in the past these are open events. 

   The Committee boat is currently manned for the first race. It is expected that racers will take their turn at this position throughout the season. For those who perhaps took the race committee seminar last year or before and would like the opportunity to go out and get some experience behind the wheel, please contact me thru the web site and I will be sure you are pared up with someone who is experienced.  I do have room for you on FEB 20, again contact me if interested.

   Updates will be sent via the clubs e mail list on Thursday or Friday prior to race weekend in the event the weather forecast is for non- sailable conditions.  

At the GRSA Annual Membership Meeting, the following members were elected to the 2021 Board.  Their terms begin January 1, 2021.

Commodore -------------        Chris Cookson

Vice  Commodore -----         Jill Reilly

Rear Commodore ------        Grant Smith

Secretary-----------------         Joan Evans

Treasurer ----------------        Dan Walsh

Members at Large------        Jay Malcan

                                                  Michelle Leipold

                                                  Rocky Rochester

                                                  Mike Keeler

 

Nominated GRSA Officer Slate for 2021

UPDATE:  NOMINATIONS CLOSED- NOVEMBER 1, 2020

At the October 12 meeting,  the GRSA Board approved the following nominations for the 2021 GRSA Board of Directors.

Commodore:                     Chris Cookson

Vice Commodore:            Jill Reilly

Rear Commodore:           Grant Smith

Treasurer:                           Dan Walsh

Secretary:                            Joan Evans

Members At Large:          Mike Keeler, Michelle Leipold, Jay Malcan, Rocky Rochester

Thank you to the 2020 Officer Nominating Committee for putting this slate together:

Mills Jones, 2020 Commodore

Jim Hudson, Past Commodore (2019)

Kirsten Sisco, Past Commodore (2018)

Eric Vugteveen, Member at Large (2020)

Chris Cookson, Vice Commodore (2020)

Due to COVID-19 and the limitations on live gatherings, the 2020 Membership meeting will be held on December 5, 2020 via electronic means.  In order to accommodate the ability of members to make nominations from the floor, the Board is requiring that following process be followed.

1.        Nominations from the floor will be accepted via email communication with both Mark Olszowy, Secretary (secretary@grsa.org) AND Mills Jones, Commodore (commodore@grsa.org).  

2.       Nominations must be received on or before Sunday, November 1.  The Board will confirm that the person nominated is a Stockholding member in good standing.

3.       The Board will post the updated nominations on November 5 to give the membership the required 30-day notice in compliance with the GRSA By-Laws.

4.       The process for voting for Board officers will be sent out prior to the meeting.

The 2020 regatta for the Swift Creek Cup race will be held on Saturday, September 26 at the Brandermill Sailing Center near The Boathouse on Millridge Parkway.  Registration starts at 10 AM and ends at 11:30 AM, and the skipper's meeting will be at noon, with the first race starting as soon as practical after.  Notice of race will follow, but please spread the date and time with your membership.

This Regatta will use the Portsmouth Handicap formula and is open to all classes. Bring your Lasers, Albacores, Thistles, Sunfish, 420, etc. All boats race against each other in one fleet. The clubs are scored as a team. The individual regatta winner and winning club take home the Cup!

 

2021 GRSA Board Nominations

GRSA is seeking persons interested in serving on the Board of Directors for 2021.   Those that serve on the board must be a Stockholding member in good standing. The Board consists of the following positions:

Commodore: shall be synonymous and interchangeable with President, and the Vice Commodore shall be synonymous and interchangeable with Vice President.

It shall be the duty of the Commodore to preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors and to see to the enforcement of all rules and regulations of the Association.  The Commodore or Vice Commodore shall sign all stock certificates of the Association and shall sign on its behalf all its contracts and other written obligations.  The Commodore shall report on the condition of the Association at each annual meeting and shall also perform other duties as may be required by these By-Laws or the Board.

Vice Commodore:  In the absence or disability of the Commodore, the Vice Commodore shall perform his duties and exercise his powers. 

Rear Commodore:  In the absence or disability of both the Commodore and the Vice Commodore, the Rear Commodore shall perform their duties and exercise their powers.  Thereafter, the Board of Directors may designate one of its members to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Commodore.

The Secretary:  It shall be the duty of the Secretary to sign all stock certificates of the Association, to maintain the stock transfer ledger and to perform or supervise (a) the keeping of the minutes of all meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors in a book provided for the purpose, (b) a giving of notice of all such meetings, (c) the publication and filing of all notices, statements or reports as may be required by law, (d) the general correspondence of the Association, (e) the keeping of the burgee and seal of the Association, (f) the notification of members of their election, transfer, suspension or expulsion, (g) such other duties as may be required by these By-Laws or the Board.

The Treasurer (As revised January 2013)

The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of the funds of the Association subject to the general supervision and control of the Board of Directors.  He shall perform or supervise (a) the giving, negotiation and endorsement of such notes, checks and bills of exchange as may be required in the conduct of the Association, (b) the collection of accounts of the Association and their deposit in such bank or banks as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate, (c) the keeping of proper books of accounts which shall at all times be subject to examination by the Commodore and members of the Board of Directors or any agent designated by them, (d) the preparation of a written statement and its submission to each meeting of the Board of Directors, which statement shall show the financial condition and operating results of the Association, (e) the preparation and submission to the annual meeting of the Association of a balance sheet showing the financial condition of the Association together with a detailed report on its income and expenses for the year last ended, (f) such other duties as may be required by the By-Laws or the Board.

Members at Large: Four members at large are elected to the board to represent the views of the membership and are voting members of the Board. Recently, members at Large have served on special committees as appointed by the Commodore to address special projects and issues which come before the Board and communicate directly with members who may have specific concerns about the club.

Who gets nominated?

Traditionally, the board seeks nominations of members who have volunteered in different areas of club life and wish to become more involved in the leadership of the club.  Becoming a Member at Large or a Committee Chair is great way to become oriented in the business of running the club.  However, any stockholding member can be considered for board positions.  The list of Committee Chairs can be found on the website.

What is the Nomination Process?

A Nominating Committee is being appointed by the Commodore to assemble a nomination slate for 2021.  Those interested in being nominated can contact the commodore at commodore@grsa.org.  The Nominating Committee will develop a slate and present to the Board by the October 12th Board Meeting.  The slate of officers (along with any additional nominations) will be voted on at the Annual meeting in December by the stockholding members present at the meeting.

If you have questions about particular board positions, you can contact me at commodore@grsa.org or the corresponding board member.  I encourage you to review the GRSA by-laws on the website for further information.

Your Race Committee, under Pete Cookson’s guidance, has put together a great & SIMPLE seminar on race operations.  Serving on a Race Committee is fun and easy. There is nothing hard about it and, matter of fact, your own sailing will improve dramatically from the up-close observation of other skippers in action. You don’t have to be a racer, or even an experienced sailor, to enjoy a few hours on the lake on the pontoon boat.

                This is designed for all interested to attend.  We are targeting two date possibilities – Tuesday evening, August 18 or Tuesday evening August 25.  The whole thing should be finished in less than two hours and volunteering for Race Committee is a great way to support your club and expand your know-how.  You will get a new and different perspective of sailing, to say nothing of meeting new friends.

                Here’s how simple it is. Areas to be discussed include:

• ·         Getting the committee boat set up, in the water and it’s operation
• ·         Registering the competitors
• ·         Setting the course
• ·         Order of starts and sequences – horn, flags, sign boards and such
• ·         Starting the race
• ·         Completing the race and recording results
• ·         How to score

                Please consider this easy learning opportunity and helping out your fellow sailors….take your pick of the dates. We’ll do our best to make this fun and worthwhile from many perspectives.

                Please respond quickly if you are interested, Please RSVP to Pete peter.cookson@verizon.net or Tom Tomg14024@gmail.com with the date you prefer

                                Choice one - Tuesday, August 18, 6:30 PM

                                Choice two – Tuesday, August 25, 6:30 PM

Please note that GRSA will be practicing safe social distancing at this event due to COVID 19.    

Thanks!!!!

Tom Gallagher, Race Committee Chair                     Pete Cookson, Facilities Coordinator

804-399-5009                                                            804-909-9817

          Notice of Race

The Greater Richmond Sailing Association will hold 3 days of Racing on Sunday June 14^th, June 28^th and July 5^th. Each race will be a separate event and will require a completed separate registration and fee payment for each day. These races are a closed events and registration and participation is open to members in good standing of the Greater Richmond sailing association. Crews may be guests, but boats must display current GRSA boat sticker and skipper must meet the criteria of the above.

While sailing involves certain risks, racers who enter these races understand, and acknowledge these risks and accept the possibility of harm and or damage. These risks, as sailors we try to mitigate thru training, carrying safety equipment, and following the Racing Rules as stated by RRS and GRSA. The decision to sail or not rests with the skipper and crew of each boat.

Sailing, in the midst of a pandemic, adds another layer of risk. These too must be individually weighed as to the dangers and possibility for infection, transmission of the illness to ourselves as well as to our fellow competitors. While certain steps have been taken to mitigate the possibility of transmission of the virus, by registering we acknowledge these risks.  In holding these events all participants are asked to follow to the best of their abilities the guidelines as set forth by CDC and other health officials.  Keeping appropriate distancing while on shore, use of masks in closer settings, frequent hand washing are just some of the recommendations.  We ask that if you have a fever or any other symptoms such as loss of taste, smell, or have been in contact with a person who may have tested positive; that you be mindful of your fellow club members and not participate.

As part of the registration, you will need to attest to the wellness of yourself and crew.

Registration 10 AM;  Fee:  $10

Skipper’s meeting at 11am

First gun approximately 12 Noon. 

Registration forms will need to be filled out and a $10 dollar entry fee paid. Checks are ok, but if paying in cash, exact change is required. 

Registration will be held outside the pavilion as will be the skippers meeting.  Following the race, results will be posted on the bulletin board, there will be no official gathering for results. 

3 races each day are planned, a single race will constitute a series.  Fleets of 3 or more class boats will be given a start.  If deemed appropriate a handicap fleet may be formed. 

Low point scoring, no throw outs.  

18^th Blessing of the GRSA Fleet

 2020 -- 45th Anniversary

 

Opening Prayer:

O God, whose mighty hand rules both wind and wave, we thank you for your goodness and watchful providence.  As we live by your grace, may our actions on both land and water always be favorable in your sight.  Amen.

Seas Calmed:

In both Psalm 107 and several of the Gospels, we find stories of storm tossed waters being calmed.  Just as God, by whatever name, guided those in peril to safety, the Lord watches over us during this time of worldwide pandemic and social isolation.  Thanks be to God.

Memorial Day Tribute and Remembrance:

Pause now in a moment of silence for all those in each military branch who have died while in service to our country.  Also remember each of the 25 club members who have died over the years.  [silent pause]  We celebrate their lives as we remember.

Blessing of Boats and Sailors:

Eternal God of heaven, earth, and sea take into your protection all those who use our facility and sail upon the lake.  Preserve them both body and soul; benefit their efforts with enjoyment and accomplishment; protect them from any dangers of the waters and bring them safely back to shore.  Bless now the many boats of GRSA, their skippers, crew, and families.  May camaraderie and good sportsmanship be a mark of all those who sail for pleasure and possible competition.  May we be blessed with another gratifying, though modified, season of sailing, learning, and fellowship.  Amen.

          Closing Prayer:

The Lord bless us, and keep us safe and well in the months ahead.  Amen.

Welcome to GRSA the Class of 2020:

Tom  Walsh

Mark Planting

Deirdre Turner

Ronald White

Joseph Haddad

Kira & Drew Routh

John Hossack

David Font

Bob Stringer

Drew & Andrea Gould

Laura Chessin

Earl Holloway