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| BAIR ISLAND NEWS The BIAC Newsletter Dec. 2002 |
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| Volume 1, Number 1 -- Annual Meeting Issue Welcome to BAIR ISLAND NEWS!
This is the first issue of BIAC's official e-newsletter. Why start an electronic newsletter in this age of spam? The main purpose of BAIR ISLAND NEWS is to foster better communication with members about the Center's activities and programs, to promote a greater sense of community within BIAC, and to spread awareness of BIAC's activities beyond the membership list.
You are receiving this newsletter either because you are subscribed to the BIAC Yahoo! Groups email list, or because you have been identified as a friend of BIAC and we'd like to keep you informed of what's happening at the Peninsula's largest aquatic center.
Bair Island News will grow and improve over time in response to your suggestions and needs. This inaugural issue is a "bare bones" effort, focused mainly on the Center's annual meeting and on some major changes in the organization of the Center's leadership.
Your comments and contributions are always welcome! Please email them to the editor, Craig Canine. Thanks! **************************************************************** IN THIS ISSUE
1. GENERAL BIAC NEWS - Annual Meeting Held on Dec. 8
- New Board Meets, Leadership Re-Org in the Works 2. PADDLING NEWS 4. TECH TIPS Make the Most of Your Time on the Erg 5. FLOTSAM & JETSAM Aquatic wisecracks, amusing anecdotes, etc. **************************************************************** GENERAL BIAC NEWS Annual Meeting Held on Dec. 8It was a few months late (due to the need to recruit candidates to run for open Board seats), but BIAC's 2002 annual meeting came off without a hitch on Sunday, Dec. 8. Susan Rowinski, BIAC's outgoing president, chaired the meeting, which covered matters of general interest to members, milestones achieved since the last annual meeting, future issues facing the Center, a review of finances for FY 2001-2002, and results of the recent Board of Directors (BOD) election. Member and Board Recognition The first order of business, however, was to recognize members who have made extraordinary contributions to BIAC during the past year. Susan presented plaques to the following folks: * Danny Izumi -- Paddling Program * Marsha King -- Intermediate Rowing Program * Jenny Antons -- Community Access Programs and Novice Rowing Program * Clare Abram -- Fall Regatta * Carl Sziebert -- BIAC Web site, Jr. Rowing Program, Equipment Manager * Ally Boccierri -- Jr. Rowing Program * Porter Merriman -- Former General Counsel Susan presented even fancier plaques (engraved glass obelisks, no less) to outgoing members of the BOD. They are Jason LaRoche (Treasurer), Mike Martinez (Director), and Art Sloate (VP, Secretary). Susan was too modest to recognize herself as outgoing President, so Dave Jensen stepped up to do the honors. Susan received a much-deserved round of applause for her extraordinary efforts and dedication to BIAC over the past two years. 2002 Milestones Susan reported that BIAC had passed several milestones during FY01-02. These include: - Finished the year in good financial shape (including paying down the Center's loan from the purchase of the business that previously occupied our facility so that only a few payments remain) - Identified several potential relocation sites and heightened BIAC's visibility with local governments and developers - Set aside a relocation fund, which will start to accrue after the loan is paid off. - Expanded Community Access Programs (CAPs), including new CAPs with the Parks & Recreation departments of three surrounding municipalities. - Expanded the number of member programs from five to seven. The list of programs now includes: Men's Paddling, Women's Paddling, Sculling, Junior Rowing (high-school students), and three Men's and Women's Sweep Rowing Programs (Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced). - Continued to make improvements in the Center's physical infrastructure, most notably upgrades in the ramp/dock area and gym/workout area, the addition of lockers, and acquisition of new boats and equipment. Membership Fees Fees for the various types of membership in the Center remain unchanged from last year. The fee schedule is published on the Center's web site here: http://www.gobair.org/membership/index.html Finances Jason LaRoche, BIAC's outgoing Treasurer, reported on the Center's financial condition. The good news is that BIAC is basically in sound financial shape, and would have finished the year solidly in the black except for some unanticipated legal expenses that cropped up in the last quarter. Because of this, the Center ended the year with a shortfall of $8,454.97 (that's the bad news), although net income was up by 10 percent from the previous year. "Despite the net loss," Jason reported, "BIAC is still in a strong financial position entering the 2002-2003 fiscal year. While expenses were at a high during the past year, they can be easily brought back under control without any drastic measures. However, the year still won't be without its challenges. The biggest challenge that BIAC will face is the ever-growing need to set aside money for the Center's relocation. It is critical that we significantly increase contributions to the transition fund while still satisfying the needs of our membership." A high point that will positively affect the FY02-03 bottom line was the Center's extremely successful Fall Regatta, held last month. Generating about $13,000 in gross revenue, the event netted a profit of $9,000 - $10,000. Jason, who ran the Fall Regatta this year, deserves big kudos for this excellent fundraising effort, which was also an extremely well-received and widely complimented event in the northern California head-racing season. Go Bair! BOD Election The last item on the Annual Meeting agenda was a report on the just-completed election to fill three vacancies on the BOD. There were three candidates to fill these openings, so the big issue of the election was not who would be elected, but rather, would there be enough votes for the election to be valid. (The Center's By-Laws require that a super-majority, or two-thirds, of the eligible membership must vote in order for a BOD election to be valid.) Fortunately, we just scraped by, making the two-thirds super-majority with a mere two votes to spare. The candidates, who were all elected to new two-year terms on the BIAC board, are David Abraham, Kevyn Allard, and Mike Martinez (who ran for a second term). Congratulations! They'll need our support. Susan Rowinski declared the meeting adjourned shortly after 5pm. **************************************************************** New Board Meets, Leadership Re-Org in the Works Following
the annual meeting on December 8, 2002, the new BIAC Board met briefly
to elect a President, appoint a replacement board member for Art
Sloate's position, affirm their commitments to leadership in specific
club functions, and appoint Officers to whom Board members will
delegate some operational responsibilities so as to improve and
Returning and new board members began the discussion about how best to make the club run. As part of an effort to organize and enhance club operations, the group determined that Board members will take responsibilities for specific areas. Dan Camp will oversee communications and membership. Mike Martinez will oversee facilities and planning, as well as finance. Kevyn Allard will oversee fundraising. David Abraham, as club President, will focus on club-wide initiatives such as the new site search. As part of an expanded support structure for the club, newly appointed club Officers (VPs) will act as the day-to-day points of contact to BIAC members, and will coordinate the efforts of other club volunteers in specific areas. Each Officer will bring back to their respective Board contacts reports, questions, problems, and issues that need official Board attention. These officers include Victoria Szabo (Communications), Dave Jensen (Site Manager), Saghir Munir (Finance), and Helena Stolka (Membership). We hope to add an officer for Fund-Raising soon. These officers are joined by many other team leaders and members, including Craig Canine, our Newsletter and Web Editor-in-Chief. Craig welcomes regular contributions to the newsletters from programs and organizational areas.
Look for a detailed report on the Center's new organizational structure and member contacts in the next (Jan. '03) issue of Bair Island News and on the Center's Web site.
- Victoria Szabo, Communications Officer **************************************************************** Serra High School Rowers Join BIAC Anyone who has been to the BIAC facility in recent weeks has noticed that the boatyard is fuller than ever, with the appearance of some great-looking fours and eights. Similarly, inside the boathouse, the number of ergs has more than doubled. Has BIAC been on a spending spree? No. The Serra High School boys' rowing program has joined the Center. And they didn't just bring equipment -- they brought an energetic bunch of young rowers, who are now BIAC members. How did this happen? It all started when David Abraham, the Center's newly elected President, contacted Cassandra Cunningham, a national- and world-champion rower and sculler, about coaching BIAC's men's advanced rowing program. Although she was thrilled and flattered to be offered this incredible opportunity (OK, I'm taking some poetic license here -- ed.), Cassandra wound up taking an open position as Serra High's rowing coach, instead. About that same time, the Serra program was looking for a new home, having parted company with the Notre Dame and Mercy high school girls' programs, who row from the beach at the Marine Science Institute. David suggested to Cassandra that BIAC would make a good new home for the Serra team, and the rest is now history. "We're always looking for opportunities to grow and expand BIAC," David says. "This was a great way to do that in one big shot. And it's consistent with our mission to promote participation in non-motorized aquatic sports on the Peninsula, especially for young people. We're thrilled to have Serra joining us." Welcome, Serra boys and coaches! **************************************************************** PADDLING NEWS
Not all of outrigger canoe paddling is about athletic competition. There is an element focusing on Hawaiian tradition. So, when a club purchases a new canoe, tradition dictates that the canoe must be blessed with a Hawaiian prayer prior to being put on the water for the first time, and the canoe is usually given a Hawaiian name. This ceremony guarantees that the canoe will live a long life and escape the misfortune that can appear on rough waters. We plan to take both canoes to Santa Cruz in January for their blessing.
We are hosting a winter racing series called the WaveChaser Paddle Series. This series includes seven races from October to March. Race locations include Half Moon Bay, Benicia, Santa Cruz, Redwood City, Treasure Island, and two different point-to-point races that will end in Redwood City.
These
races are not a moneymaker for us, but they are our way of promoting
our sport. Some of the races are drawing paddlers from up and down
the West Coast. With the winter storms over the last week, we have
had to postpone our scheduled race in Santa Cruz. **************************************************************** Jan. 11 -- BIAC work party, 9am - 4 pm. Come help do some much-needed maintenance chores on boats, the yard, and the boathouse. Counts towards completing the 10-hour annual work commitment for BIAC members. BBQ lunch served to all workers! Jan. 11 -- BIAC Junior Rowing Program open house, 8am - 12 noon (concurrent with the Work Party, see above). Open to all high-school age youth who are interested in joining a rowing program. The BIAC juniors team is growing and they're looking forward to a great spring season! Feb.
2 -- Peninsula
Indoor Rowing (PIRC) 2K Erg Championships. A well-run, officially
sanctioned indoor regatta. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 24th.
Entry fee is $10. Feb. 8 -- Work Party, 9am - 4 pm. **************************************************************** This month: Make the Most of Your Time on the Erg Winter is erg season, for training on those days when going out on the water is inadvisable, impossible, or just more than you can face. Accordingly, we went out looking for tips to make erg time as productive as possible. We found these two tips in "MastersCoaching," an electronic newsletter put out by masters rowing and life coach Mayrene Earle (check out Mayrene's web site at www.masterscoaching.com). -SIT TALL. Many rowers place the erg monitor too low. This forces the athlete to look down at the display. Wherever the head goes, the body will follow. This causes you to slouch and row less efficiently. The solution? Raise the monitor so you have to look up at it. This will help you avoid slouching. You’ll see an immediate improvement in your splits! - ROW SMOOTHLY. Listen for the acceleration in the flywheel. Keep the chain at the same height during the recovery as it was on the drive. . . . Accelerate the handle during the drive. Let your hands move away from your body at the same speed as when they came into your body. Be careful not to hit your body; that interrupts the rhythm. BIAC's own Men's Advanced Sweep-Rowing Coach Dave Brown seconds this "Row smoothly" tip and adds: "Lots of people violently jerk their hands away, and that is too much of a good thing. Same speed in and out, minimizing the 'flapping' of the chain is the goal -- it pays off in the boat! **************************************************************** Aquatic jokes, wisecracks, and amusing anecdotes The following message was posted recently on rec.sport.rowing (an Internet newsgroup): "Being fat is lovely.
I spent most of last year rowing as a lightweight, training like
a monster, and completely failing to improve my erg scores in any
way. Not funny? Have something fun you'd like to share? Send your oar-in-cheek contributions to the editor. **************************************************************** Happy Holidays!
And remember, GO BAIR! ****************************************************************
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