Starting a New Yacht Club

yacht club: (yot club) n. 1834, a club organized to promote and regulate yachting and boating
(Merriam Webster)

Most important Rules for a Successful Startup

1.
Make sure that your area is not already saturated by Yacht Clubs
A.
Check with nearby Yacht Clubs to see if their Membership is Full
B.
Make sure that nearby Yacht Clubs cannot satisfy your Boating Requirements
2.
Develop a Mission Statement - (Purpose for Yacht Club)
   
3.
Organize your local group of boaters to discuss the feasibility of Starting a Club
4.
Check Waterfront Locations for a possible Clubhouse
5.
Prepare a Budget - (Based on Dues Only)
A.
Do not count on Bar Sales to Start a Club
B.
Include all startup costs, including Bar and or Restaurant Stock
6.
Be sure that the Yacht Club will be enjoyable and beneficial to all involved

Written Rules that apply to the Organization of a Yacht Club

1.
THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
The articles are important when a yacht club handles monies and properties for others, the purpose being to protect the individual members from personal liability for debts of the club.
The articles define the relationship of the club to the yachting fraternity and contain the information necessary for a secretary of state to approve the application.
The articles contain the name of the club, its purpose, the number of proposed officers and directors, the names of members who are incorporators, and other information.
2.
THE CONSTITUTION
The constitution states the relationship between the purpose of the club and its members. The articles of the constitution should contain the following:
NAME-
Usually named after the Area, City, or Body of Water
PURPOSE-
Never state that your Yacht Club was organized to provide an
IWH(inexpensive watering hole)
MEMBERSHIP -
Who is eligible for membership - How to become a member - Kinds of membership
OFFICERS -
Description of governing body - Terms of office.
ELECTIONS & MEETINGS -
Election procedures - Filling of vacancies - Removal from office.
AMENDMENTS
DISSOLUTION
3.
THE BYLAWS
The bylaws describe the relationship between the members and the working groups within the club. Bylaws should be flexible and simple.
MEMBERSHIP -
Privileges, responsibilities, special rights, dues.
MEETINGS -
When, Frequency, how called and by whom, special meetings, quorums, etc.
OFFICERS - how elected, their duties.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE -
How selected, nomination and election procedure.
COMMITTEES - (House, Ways and Means, Race, etc.)
Small Groups formed to solve problems or handle Club related Tasks.
PROCEDURE - for amendments.
4.
CLUB OFFICERS -

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Commodore
Vice Commodore
Rear Commodore
STAFF OFFICERS (as needed)
Secretary
Treasurer
Fleet Captains (Power and Sail)
Fleet Surgeon
Race Committee - PRO, Quartermaster, Race Chairmen, Fleet Measurer
Judge Advocate
5.
BURGEE
Yacht Club Burgees are usually designed to be unique and reflect the club in appearance
goto www.burgees.com for 1,000s of examples

Your Yacht Club should be a pillar of the Boating Community in your area
and a Safe Haven for any Yachtsman in a Storm

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