News about our New Commodore, the role of Publicity Officer, Membership Renewals, CSC club video, Pontoons, Winter Working Parties, Teas and Coffees.

New Commodore!
Members will be pleased to know that the club now has a new Commodore as Steve McCann has agreed to pick up the reins following Greg’s retirement at the AGM in December. Steve says ” I have been a sailing member at Chipstead for over 20 years and I look forward to working with the General Committee to take the club forward”. Steve’s first task will be to attract a Rear Commodore to share some of the responsibilities.
In his working life he spent many years in the Lloyd’s insurance market. He sails Solos and is rumoured to be buying a Phantom!

Publicity Officer
As advised at the AGM Sophie Poston has retired from the role of Publicity Officer after many years of dedicated work and the club is now looking to find a replacement. This is a marketing role which involves sharing CSC successes and publicising forthcoming events such as the open day by sending press releases to the local press, the RYA and Yachts and Yachting. Also it would be good to turn text like this to a more professional looking news sheet! Sophie also used to take photos of the work at the WWPs and social events such as the prize giving too. The e-marketing aspects of social media are already taken care of by Neil Banks. Please talk to any of the General Committee members if you can help. We send our best wishes and thanks to Sophie.

Membership Renewals
Mark Ashford has immersed himself in the membership secretary role and advises that renewals are now about half way through. He also wishes to express his gratitude to Mick Kostiw, Maggie and Bob Murrell for their invaluable support with the Webcollect system and processes. Getting the membership renewals out this year has been very much a team effort. If you haven’t done so already the team will be pleased to assist you to renew your membership at the remaining WWPs. It’s a walk-in clinic – no appointment required!

CSC club video
As part of the marketing effort to attract new members John Higham has co-ordinated a professional CSC video which has been produced by tomrossfilm.co.uk. It features a snapshot of club activities for prospective members.
You can see this by clicking the link on the home page of the CSC website or accessing YouTube and searching the club name.
Thanks in particular to Tom Ross (Alan and Liz Ross’ son) who although not a member of the club gave his spare time to undertake the filming and editing. Also thanks to Mick Kostiw and Peter Gregory for technical support; various members for video clips and stills; GC members and Dan Fox for completely unprepared ‘guest appearances’; and Neil Banks who will handle email enquiries which may arise from YouTube.

Pontoons
Members will be pleased to know that major work on the pontoons is underway. John King and Nigel Lamb have negotiated a grant for Wealden Sailability and the existing easternmost pontoon is to be replaced by a new pontoon funded entirely by Wealden. This is a most welcome contribution from Wealden which will save the club a considerable sum of money. The westernmost pontoon which is currently unusable is being re-decked and refurbishment work on the two middle pontoons is either underway or planned.

Winter Working Parties
Jane Marshall reports that we have had excellent attendance at the Winter Working Parties so far and many of the numerous annual jobs are getting done thanks to the members’ hard work. These include drain clearance, hedge cutting, much cutting of grass, yellow line painting and removal of unwanted boats and trolleys.
Please do come along and help at the remaining two Working Parties on February 3rd and 10th. There is always something you can help with to make your club look and run efficiently.

Teas and coffees
Following a question raised at the AGM the GC has decided to waive the compulsory 20p charge for teas and coffees. Instead an honesty box will be introduced and you can make a contribution as and when you see fit. You still have to pay for cakes though!

See you on (or in) the water!!