Port Elgin Yacht Club Membership Questionaire Results

IF YOU DID NOT ATTEND OR ARE NOT INTERESTED IN ATTENDING ANY OF THE EVENTS, WHY?

-- We try to attend most events. The Soiree is dependant on the weather.
-- Usually away up in the North Channel sailing.
-- No soiree because I am in the Bahamas or Florida on that dateA newsletter would be nice but would mean more work for executive members who already have enough to do.
-- family obligations
-- Soiree is difficult to attend when from out of town.
-- Soiree - did not attend due to time of year/weather
-- Live out of town, Little concern has been taken for out of town boaters by the club.
-- timeing and issue in some cases and the hour drive plays a factor sometimes.
-- Generally not here mid-summer
-- Only conflicts that I can't resolve force me to miss an event
-- re the meetings, we do not live nearby and they are sometimes in winter, and we trust your decisions.as we dont have a sailboat we dont attend the sailpast, but we often watch it. re socials we should try more to attend. often we dont remember the dates and forget to attend.you guys are a good group, we should support you more.
-- We didn't make all of the events due to other commitments.
-- Distance away and often not aware of dates.
-- We had other commitments or weren't in town.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE CHANGE TO MAKE PARTICIPATION IN THESE EVENTS MORE APPLEALING TO YOU?

-- Are there other places where the dinner meetings can be held?
-- Free beer
-- no comment
-- Maybe a location for the socials which is more central to boaters/slips on both sides of the harbour
-- Due to the age of the majority of the club, most functions are geared to the older members, food handling is a concern during some of the summer events.
-- Nothing - they are just fine the way they are
-- reminders or notice in harbor office re events.
-- More information made available. Often there are no times posted.
IS THE TIMING OF THESE EVENTS CONVENIENT FOR YOU? IF NOT, WHEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THEM HELD?

-- The Soiree should be before bad weather sets in.
-- Moving the spring general meeting to closer to lift-in was a good idea. Maybe having the Annual meeting should be moved closer to lift-out.Do we need both a spring and a fall meeting?
-- Scheduling events around lift-in / lift-out and summer weekends might be more convenient for out-of-towners
-- winter events can be difficult to attend due to weather concerns and travel times.
-- Timing is good
-- Yes it is convenient
-- if meetings were held during boating season, we would attend, so as not to have to make a special trip up tp port elgin.
-- I don't think it is possible to have all the events convenient. But I would suggest staying clear of dates of existing events that take place at the harbour such as the fishing derby , Bruce Power Beach Party etc..
-- Times are OK
-- Since we go away for the winter we often find the Spring and Fall meetings are planned while we are away and we therefore cannot attend.
Do you think that the Executive is doing a satisfactory job in managing the affairs and providing services to the club members
IF NOT, WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION?

-- The Executive does a great job but we need new members to volunteer for the board.
-- The Executive spends a lot of time planning, troubleshooting and acting on club members' behalf!
-- Though job that few want.. the new late fee is excessive.. club should do more to welcome new boaters. training should be provided to use club equipment. 2nd lift out and lift in should be provided to make the day easier.. Cost should not be the only reason for one lift in & out...
-- are doing an excellent job.
-- More communication with town officials and a method of including power boaters in negotiations with town.
-- We need more communications on what is happening at the harbour and within the club.
IF YOU WERE THE COMMODORE OR ON THE EXECUTIVE,
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE TO MAKE THE CLUB MORE INTERESTING AND RELEVANT TO ITS MEMBERS?

-- I think this questionaire will help if people take the time to answer it.
-- not sure. Will think about that and get back to you.
-- I would be interested in the replies to this question
-- Have some local Day runs etc.
-- Don't know. I am just looking for a community to be part of and share the efforts of boating.
-- - more communication (via electronic newsletters, website, flyers)- events scheduled for the convenience of members
-- better organized events, social hours, indicate what the event is for and expectations (ie commodore sailpast), prizes should not be issued to any one on the executive or their spouse (it just looks bad). Commodore and executive should have membership discounted to help attract new people to the executive...
-- Quarterly newsletter with tips for boating
-- have a meeting during prime boating season so mostly everyone would attend.
-- We are brand new in the club so everything we were seeing and doing was for the first time. If what we saw is the same thing that has been done for several years maybe small changes to the events would make it more interesting for people. Possible ideas maybe a nautical flea market to go along with one of the events or combining the sail past with the with the summer social?
-- More racing
-- Gatherings away from harbour.
WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE DONE TO IMPROVE MEMBER PARTICIPATION AND GROWTH?

-- Keep up the good work and hope people will become more involved.
-- not sure. Our GROWTH may be limited by the number of mooring spots in the harbour. As above, will think about it.
-- I believe that someone on the executive should make a point of introducing themselves to new members at the harbour, preferably the commodore but any member of the executive would be fine and new members requiring lift out should make a point of seeking out the executive responsible for lift out so they can become acquainted and discuss procedure.
-- Broaden the Membership to include Power Boaters and lower the membership fee to those who don't require the services of of the Crane etc. Associate Membership for non-boatersCross Membership with the Power and Sail Squadron
-- Be a mediator with the town on repair,upgrades and dock fees from going up so wildly each year.
-- Depends on what people expect out of the club. I don't have high expectations as boating is a social activity, so if you want to participate then you do. As for the people who don't participate in activities such as lift-in and lift-out, they need to be educated on what is expected at a minimum.
-- - more social events- growth is limited by current dock facilities available- perhaps there should be continued discussion about including more power boaters as members of the PEYC and what might entice them to become members
-- attract more keel sailboats.... Executive needs to address the "old boys club feel" events should have multiple members organizing and should make the events more of a thing people want to attend.. even if costs go up and it reduces the number of events that the club organizes it would be better, One great fantastic event is way better than 5 ok events.
-- Nothing - it is great
-- if need people for volunteer jobs, send out e mail requesting help. i am sure those who could be available would respond.
-- I would like to see things offered that would appeal to power boaters as well as sail boaters so that they may be interested in participating in Yacht Club events as well.
-- The club needs a junior sailing program to attract future members to the aging club.
-- More communication. Years ago we had snail mail notices, we had a phone committee working with the social director to make sure members knew about events and encouraged them to attend and/or get their opinions about what we were doing. Example: We heard there was going to be a survey--but I saw it today for the first time. I don't have a lot of time to surf the net and missed it. I am sure many other members fall into this catagory as well.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

-- I don't think there is much the Executive can do to get more members.Maybe this questionaire will help get more people involved.
-- It is not realistic to expect every member to take a turn serving on the executive.
-- As in any club, there are the DOERS and the TAKERS/NON-PARTICIPANTS! We are no different. Perhaps we need to look to other Yacht Clubs to glean some ideas for participation and incorporate them into our own PEYC.
-- Work with Town keep rates down
-- I enjoy being a member of the PEYC community, and am satisfied with it as it stands.
-- 
-- Club needs to attract and welcome new members... I believe due to the age of the existing majority of members this club may not exist in the next twenty years if new members are not attracted and welcomed.. this may require having meetings out side of Port Elgin in the winter time where many members live..
-- We are new members at this time, have been members of the Sarnia Yacht Club, we will be able toanswer these questions after we have spent some time at the PEYC,for now we'd like to leave thebalance of the questions until we've spent some time at the club, we are looking forward to a great summer. Best Regards, John and Penny
-- The club needs to get control of the jib crane so it can be used.
-- Please keep sailing lessons
-- Being on the executive is a hard and often thankless job. We appreciate all that the executive does. I don't think the membership realizes how much time goes into running the club. Requiring 2 years on the executive will not work as there are many who just don't have the time or the ability to do the job. Requiring members to work with an executive member for a certain number of hours may work. Example: Rotate members to help supply food and serve at Lift-in and Lift-out. It always seems to be the same people doing it year after year.