Board of Directors

Vital And Relevant

Unfortunately, with hundreds of members, nobody can be aware of the talents and interests of everyone. Anyone with a curiosity about contributing to the club’s leadership is encouraged to talk or send an email to any current board member. This club needs new people and an influx of new ideas to continue to be as vital and relevant as it has been for the last twenty years.

Requirements

Any voting member can be nominated for any director position in the club. No previous board experience is required. The member must be fully paid up and should confirm this with the membership director.

Nominations

There are three distinct procedures for nominating members for office:

1. A nomination sheet can be obtained by anyone, completed and submitted to the office or any director, addressed to the attention of the Past Commodore, two weeks before the AGM in the fall. You can nominate yourself or anyone else. You just need a nominator and a seconder, both of which must be voting members in good standing. Forms are available from the club office.
2. The past commodore appoints and chairs a committee, which solicits a nominee for each position (this does not imply an endorsement by the board but ensures that at least one person stands for each position).
3. Any member can make a nomination from the floor at the AGM.

Descriptions of Director Positions

The COMMODORE is the chief executive of the Club and is responsible for the general and active management of the affairs of the Club. The Commodore ensures that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect and may perform other duties from time to time. Unless otherwise provided for by the by-law, the Commodore appoints committee chairpersons and ensures that all officers and employees perform their assigned duties.

When present, the Commodore presides over all meetings of the Members of the Club and discussions of the Board of Directors.”

The VICE COMMODORE is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all facilities and services, including staffing, bar and office operations, and hall rentals. He/she is supported by the House and Grounds Committee, which oversees the appearance and workings of all Club areas except the harbour which falls under the authority of the Harbour Master. These areas include the clubhouse interior and exterior, landscaping, maintenance equipment and programs, security and lighting. The Committee normally delegates to sub-committees responsibility for the office, bar and kitchen operations, inventory control, service contracts and licenses, artwork and decor, and the senior squadron. An operations committee includes all sub-committee heads and also acts as a reporting/action committee. The Vice-Commodore also is responsible for the Bar Committee and the Information Technology Committee, which reviews and makes recommendations for improvements to hardware, software, policies and practices.

The REAR COMMODORE is charged with the effective management of the harbour and with the support of the Harbour Committee, ensures the best use of the harbour by members holding either wet or dry sail moorings. This includes mooring allocations, installation of docks and moorings, coordination of the annual launch and haulout, maintenance of facilities and improvements to them as directed by the Board. The Committee deals with any safety item and brings unsafe boating practices to the attention of the Board. It also marks major submerged hazards to sailing in the immediate vicinity of the Club such as harbour channel buoys and NSC private navigation marks. As well, it is responsible for the maintenance of safety equipment of all Club vessels and safety equipment positioned in and about the harbour.

The FLEET CAPTAIN coordinates all sailing activities sponsored by the Club, with the support of the Sailing Committee. It organizes all series races, long-distance races, women’s races and regattas, novelty races, Sailpast, NSC regatta and some cruising events. Other racing events or regattas may be organized by a designated chairman and organizing committee but are coordinated through the Fleet Captain.

The BOARD SECRETARY manages the club’s records and all agendas and minutes for Board and Membership meetings and initiates correspondence on its behalf. He/she administers the reciprocal rights program and Burgee exchange with other sailing clubs.

The TREASURER supported by a Finance Committee is primarily responsible to the Board and the membership for financial affairs, investments, collecting revenue, paying bills and maintaining financial records. He/she is also responsible for the preparation and control of budgets, management of financial assets, advice to the Board and preparation of the annual financial statement for presentation at a General Meeting.

The MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR, supported by a Membership Committee, manages the membership database, including invoicing, collection of payments, summer and winter yard audits and data entry. He/she also is responsible for the Members’ Handbook and New Members’ information, along with the Volunteer Programs. He/she is also responsible for administrating the Burgee program for long-standing members.

The SOCIAL DIRECTOR, supported by a Social Committee, is responsible for designing and conducting an active social program by the wishes of the membership. He/she is supported by a Social Committee, which arranges and facilitates the Club’s major social events. Specific occasions include Sailpast Dinner, Children’s Christmas Party, New Year’s Eve Party and Hip of Beef. The committee also assists other Directors and committees by providing or arranging for refreshments at events such as major work parties and regattas.

The SAIL TRAINING DIRECTOR is responsible for the Club’s sailing school, youth racing and Able Sail programs, which run each year from June to September, and focus on training and developing sailors in a safe and fun environment.

• The SAILING SCHOOL offers a complete range of sail training programs that adhere to Sail Canada’s CANSail training guidelines.
• Instructors are trained and certified as CANSail Instructors and Coaches.
• Youth dinghy courses offered range from Tackers to CANSail 1 thru 6 and include Adventure Sail and a Youth Race Program. Ages run from 7 – 19 years old.
• Adult learn-to-sail and cruising courses are offered through Advantage Boating, including Basic and Intermediate levels.
• The Able Sail PROGRAM provides support and sailing facilities for persons with a disability in the National Capital Region including sail training courses, individual and group leisure sailing outings, and support for Able Sail racing.
• The NSC Youth Race Team regularly competes at Provincial and Regional regattas and includes instruction and coaching by a Sail Canada certified race coach.
• CORK is the highlight of the racing program with 2 weeks spent on-site training and racing each August in Kingston.
• The Nepean Fun Regatta is hosted by NSC for O’Pen Bic and 420 sailors experiencing their first regatta.
• The Sail Training Director is responsible for budgets, hiring, registration and coordinating maintenance of equipment to ensure staff have the necessary training and equipment to operate a safe and fun program.

The PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR is responsible for both external and internal formal communications of the Club and the maintenance of the Club’s history. As part of the external communications responsibility, the PR Director also fosters good community relations by developing and managing programs and events that raise the profile of the Club in the community, including the Telltale newsletter and the NSC website. In conjunction with the appropriate program Director and the Club Manager, the PR Director also coordinates the marketing of the Club to prospective members, as well as the Club’s facilities to external individuals and organizations. In addition, the Director is also responsible for the acquisition and sale of Club branded merchandise. In carrying out these responsibilities, the PR Director is responsible for the recruitment of a volunteer team of members who constitute the PR Committee.

The PAST COMMODORE has primary responsibility as an advisor to the Board. He/she also chairs the Commodore’s Council and will be the chairperson for the Nominating Committee for the election of the Board of Directors for the upcoming year, at the fall AGM.

• The Commodore’s Council comprises the Past Commodores of the Club and acts in an advisory position to the Board for all major Club policies and Bylaw amendments and Long Range Planning.