Club Issues

There are some potentially, significant developments for SCRC coming up, that the Board wants to keep the membership informed on.

1. Growth of the Club may soon necessitate hiring of paid staff – The increased use of our equipment and growth of the Youth Program is putting a strain on our boats and launches. It is getting to the point where our all volunteer approach (except for Youth coaching) may not be able to keep up. the incidences of damage and mechanical breakdowns is rising and beginning to interfere with the ability of our various rowing groups to row. The hiring of a person to to daily maintenance of the equipment is being considered.
2. The Youth Program will have approximately 34 experienced and 24 learn-to-row participants this summer. The Head Coach, Min Aspell, is working hard to locate more assistant coaches and coordinate with the other rowing groups in order to avoid conflicts.
3. All of this, in addition to last years boat destruction and general increase in costs, is straining our budget. We have had deficits the past few years and have dipped into the Boathouse Fund account. As a result, an increase in dues for next year is likely.
4. The 501(c)3 organization that we established in order to help find a site and build a boathouse, the Delaware River Recreation Foundation (DRRF), and the SCRC Board have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the roles of each organization in pursuing our mutual goals. The MOU will be attached to a future message for all to read.
5. The DRRF is in discussion with a local private school on an agreement to provide a rowing program for the school. If it happens, it will start out small. However, it will be part of the additional strain on our resources that is described in #1, above. If we are under contract to provide equipment and coaching, we have to raise our game in terms of timely administration, repair and coordination. We are operating with goal that this type of program is to advance our goal of getting a boathouse; and will not be allowed to diminish the ability of SCRC members to access the equipment.
6. All of these items will be on the agenda for our Summer Membership Meeting to be held at  7 PM, Friday, August 9 at the Boat Site. Bring food and beverage. We can watch the fireworks afterward.
7. We need a new winter erging location. the ESC School in West Amwell, NJ began charging a fee for each use this past winter. It added up to $1,985 through June 3. This was reimbursed to the Club by the winter “ergers”. If you know of a potential location that does not charge a fee for use, the size of a small gym or small banquet hall, let us know. We would also have to store the ergometers there.

Thanks,
Ted