The Speech That Started It All

October 13, 1980

The following is the word-for-word address given on Oct. 13, 1980 by EYC's first commodore, Mike Kaufman. At this first official EYC meeting, Mike is inviting those in attendance to become Charter Members.

Thank you Fred, and good evening. Our objective this evening is to inform you of the reason for, and the purpose of, the Eastport Yacht Club. The members of the Steering Committee have been meeting since May to establish the framework for this yacht club.

We hope to elicit your support in the form of membership and active participation. The Eastport Yacht Club was formed to fulfill a need. That need as we perceive it is to establish a Club which provides its' membership with the benefits and amenities of a traditional yacht club, while at the same time encouraging innovation and spontaneity.

As we progress we hope that our club will become known as one with a special vitality and spirit, a club that is not afraid to entertain new ideas and programs which are beneficial to the sport that brings so much enjoyment to us all. . .

If we are to succeed in the formation and continued growth of the EYC we must have one thing, and that is an involved membership.

The foundation for that membership is gathered here tonight. You are the most important factor in the success of this Club. We have tonight a group of people that we believe want something different, something fresh. If that is true, then what the club needs from you is your participation.

One of the goals of the Eastport Yacht Club is to become known as a club that is first and foremost responsive to its membership. We feel that the people selected for charter membership are conducive to the achievement of that goal. This is to be your club, waiting to respond to your ideas, reflecting your concept of what a yacht club should be.

One important item that any yacht club needs, regardless of it's concept, is money. The fee for charter members has been set at $25.00. Annual resident membership dues have been set at $100.00. First year dues for charter members from now to April 1, 1981, has been pro-rated so as to be $25.00. Junior and non-resident dues have not be set. Regular members will be accepted at our first annual meeting in March 1981. Initiation fee for regular membership has been set at twice the annual membership fee.

For the many friends we have who pass through on a seasonal basis, we have set up a non-resident membership.

All proposed dues and assessments from this point on will be put before the membership for approval. We would, however, like to point out that we are actively pursuing a permanent home for the Eastport Yacht Club. When that facility is located it will require the financial support of the membership. As with any such major purchase, dues and assessments would be subject to the approval of the membership in accordance with the club by-laws.

We have no intention of pricing anyone out of the EYC . . . We must however face the reality of the cost of establishing a club of this type. While we have endeavored to keep the cost of charter membership as low as possible, this fee may not be indicative of future costs.

A club which is to continue to be vital and progressive must recognize and draw upon one of its' greatest assets - its youth. We want to encourage our younger members to be active in both racing and social functions. We look forward to their input and enthusiasm. We would like to see a junior sailing program responsive to the wishes of the junior sailors. They are the future of the Eastport Yacht Club. By promoting junior membership and participation we are insuring a continuous source of active and involved members.

The Club of course has plans to be very active in organized racing at every possible level. We are currently seeking affiliation with C B Y R A and hope to achieve provisional status by the end of this year.

The Eastport Yacht Club was first alternate in the Lloyd Phoenix Regatta. Unfortunately, all the primary clubs showed up. Next year with a little more preparation time, we hope to be a primary club. Given the caliber of sailors we have gathered tonight, we have the potential to win a great deal of silver under the Eastport Yacht Club Burgee.

In order to form this club, We need your dreams, your ideas, energy, enthusiasm, and your involvement. We need doers. We need you.

One final word: You all know some or all of the members of the steering committee. You know we have committed ourselves to our businesses and occupations and that we have a record of producing positive results. We have the same feeling of commitment to the formation of this club.

We know that you, people we have asked to be involved in forming what can be one of the best yacht clubs in the world, people we enjoy being with and sailing with, are the same people necessary to the formation of the Eastport Yacht Club.

This club cannot be formed by the committee here alone. We ask for your involvement and commitment. Please help up make the Eastport Yacht Club a continued reality.

If you have any further questions, the beer and the club officers are now on tap.

Have a look at the original invitation to join EYC.