April 03rd, 2019

As I have stated in a past commodore’s message; the Gilford Park Yacht Club is not a short-term investment but a long-term investment into an organization that share in common likes, boating, fishing, hobbies, and a place where we help each other and support each other through a friendship bond.
We support our Community, both fire and police departments and our veterans and as members we all get to share in all the pride that comes with being a Gilford Park Yacht Club member in what we have achieved since we opened and reopened. We’ve come a long way since the club started back in 1936 and since we re-opened after Sandy our members have stayed with us through the good times, the hard times and the difficult times. The club has become a way of life and our membership has grown.
I am proud to say we have members that have 50 years of continuous membership, we are putting together a list of members with 25 years or more of continuous membership to which they will receive a 25-year pin and a certificate for their years of service at a one of our general meeting.
We have existing members approaching 25 years and now new members working towards their 25 years of service as they reach this Plateau we will dedicate a meeting once a year to them so they can receive their pin and a certificate.
I am very pleased to find out from our financial secretary that our membership knows the true value of what the club has to offer and again has supported the club by paying their dues. We are at 90% paid dues for this new physical year starting April 1 and these members added one more year of service towards their 25-year pin. In that 10%, we have lost people due to illness, moving away and the worst through death. The rest I am hoping is that It just slipped their mind and will pay.
Unfortunately, by paying late they have already lost their position on the boat slip seniority list and have lost their privileges to the club and have accrued additional late fee charges.  
There are bylaws that exist that prohibit ex-members coming back into the club through any means such as coming in as a guest through another member or by any reciprocity agreement we have with any other organization and this will be enforced.  I am asking our members to help to police in this matter.
Fortunately, we have a waiting list of 40 plus people that are waiting eagerly to join and start experiencing all the club has to offer and still that view is spectacular.  
The Board of Trustees thanks all members for their support.
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Your Commodore
Ed Horton.