Solomons Island Yacht Club (SIYC) will hold its Annual Membership Meeting at the SIYC Clubhouse on Saturday, September 10, 2022. Commodore Healy-Catchings will begin the meeting at 3:00 p.m. The club will open at 2:00 p.m. and registration begins at 2:30 p.m. Please plan to be at the club by 2:30 p.m. to register and pick up your materials for voting so the meeting can start on time. Voting is limited to one vote for each Regular, Life and Senior Membership, and the person representing the membership must be present when the votes are taken.
There are nine proposed Bylaw amendments that require a two-thirds majority of those voting for approval. These proposed Bylaw changes were sent out to the memberships on August 29th. Six Bylaw changes were put forth by the Bylaws Committee and were recommended for approval by the BOG. Additionally, more than fifteen memberships signed a petition to consider three additional Bylaw changes. The Bylaws Committee reviewed these three proposed amendments and has recommended against approval. The Bylaws Committee comments on these three are provided. Although the ideas may have merit, the Bylaws Committee thought these issues are handled more appropriately as changes to our policies and procedures. Ballots on these Bylaw amendments will be issued upon registration.
You will be asked to approve the 2023 dues, which would be set at $1100 for regular members, $290 for associate members, and $550 for senior members. It should be noted that there has not been a dues increase in six years, and inflation is affecting the operating funds of the club. You will also be asked to approve a Facilities Improvement Committee (FIC) request allowing the BOG authority to fund up to $10K for the FIC in either 2022 or 2023 to provide more detailed preliminary concepts to address the needed improvements in the clubhouse. You will receive ballots on the dues increase and the FIC proposal upon registration. Additionally, you will be asked to approve by a showing of hands our annual donation to the Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department (SVRSFD), which is $500. The election of the 2023 Bridge, the 2025 Governors, and the 2023 Alternate Governors will be by affirmation.
All committees and officers will be giving their annual reports. Following the committee and officer reports, the Commodore will open the floor for questions and comments from the membership.
~ Diane K. Townsend