NSC - Board of Directors Responsibilities

Click here to find Who's Who on the NSC Board of Directors!

Introduction...

Unfortunately, with hundreds of members, nobody can be aware of the talents and interests of everyone.  Anyone with curiosity about contributing to the club’s leadership is encouraged to talk or send Email to any current board member. This club needs new people and an influx of new ideas in order 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.

Nominating...

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 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 meetings of the Board of Directors."

The VICE COMMODORE is responsible for 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 with the exception of 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 acts also 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 best use of the harbour by members holding either wet and dry sail moorings.   This includes mooring allocations, installation of docks and moorings, co-ordination 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 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, the women's races and regatta, novelty races, Sail Past, 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 preparation and control of budgets, management of financial assets, for advice to the Board and for 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 in accordance with 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 including Sail Past Dinner, Children's Christmas Party, New Years 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 SAILING TRAINING & YOUTH RACING DIRECTOR is responsible for the Club's sailing school and youth racing program, coordinating activities with the support of the Adaptive Sail Youth Sail Training/Racing (ASYSTR) Committee and liaising with outside sail training organizations

  • The SAILING SCHOOL offers a complete range of youth and adult courses in dinghies, keelboats and sailboards, with all instructors certified by the Canadian Yachting Association (CYA):
    • Youth dinghy courses range from White Sail to Silver Sail levels as well as a Youth High Performance Race Team program;
    • Windsurfing courses include Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels;
    • Adult learn-to-sail and cruising courses are offered through private instruction by NSC instructors as well as programs from Advantage Boating including Basic and Intermediate levels.
  • The Adaptive 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 Adaptive Sailor racing activities.
  • The NSC Youth High Performance Race Team (YHPRT), rated as one of the best in Ontario, regularly competes in National, Provincial and Regional regattas and includes instruction/coaching by a CYA-certified full-time high performance race coach from early spring through to the autumn months.
    Bronze and Silver course sailors are encouraged to attend regional regattas including Canadian Olympic-training Regatta Kingston (CORK) each August in Kingston.
  • Open YOUTH REGATTAS at NSC are supported each year including:
    • O'Pen Bic Un-Regatta
    • Ottawa Youth Sail Training Regatta (OYSTR)
    • other youth events held in conjunction with CYA's & Ontario Sailing's developmental youth racing activities.

The PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR is responsible for both external and internal formal communications of the Club and the maintenance of the Club 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.ca web site. 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 is comprised of the Past Commodores of the Club and acts in an advisory position to the Board for all major Club policy and Bylaw amendments and Long Range Planning.
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