Board of Directors

Staying Vital And Relevant

To remain vital and relevant, NSC’s Board of Directors requires a regular influx of new people and ideas. Members interested in contributing to the club’s leadership and development are encouraged to identify themselves for a director’s position on the NSC’s Board of Directors.

Requirements of a Director

Any member with a voting membership in good standing is eligible for any director position on the Board of Directors. Previous board experience is not required. However, some board positions may require specific skills, so it is recommended that members speak with or email a current board member and the Past Commodore to discuss their interests further.

Becoming a Director

The club’s Past Commodore oversees the process of electing new board members.

Members interested in a position on the Board of Directors nominate themselves by completing a nomination form available from the Club Office. A completed nomination form must be received by the Past Commodore at least three weeks before the fall Annual Meeting. This is to allow time for the election procedures, should two or more candidates be vying for the same position.

Descriptions of Director Positions

The Commodore

is the chief executive of the Club and is responsible for the general and active management of the Club’s affairs. 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 responsibility for the office, bar, and kitchen operations, inventory control, service contracts and licenses, artwork and decor, and the senior squadron to sub-committees. An operations committee includes all sub-committee heads and also acts as a reporting/action committee. The Vice-Commodore is also 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, and maintenance and improvements to facilities as directed by the Board. The Committee addresses any safety issues and brings unsafe boating practices to the Board’s attention. 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, the treasurer is primarily responsible to the Board and the membership for financial affairs, investments, revenue collection, bill payment, and financial recordkeeping. 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, payment collection, summer and winter yard audits, and data entry. He/she is also responsible for the Members’ Handbook, New Members’ information, and the Volunteer Programs. He/she is also responsible for administering the Burgee program for long-standing members.

The Social Director

Supported by a Social Committee, s/he is responsible for designing and conducting an active social program according to 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 1-6, including Adventure Sail and a Youth Race Program. Ages run from 7 to 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 the coordination and 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 for the Club and for maintaining the Club’s history. As part of the external communications responsibility, the PR Director also fosters strong community relations by developing and managing programs and events that raise the Club’s profile 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 coordinates marketing of the Club to prospective members and of 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 recruiting a volunteer team of members to 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, Bylaw amendments, and Long Range Planning.