2018 Social Committee Survey

Yes, and the amount of the social fee should be credited in the amount of the expense of Club sponsored events attended during the season.

18.00%

18

Yes, in place of an increase in annual dues.

2.00%

2

Yes, to cover operational expenses of the bar and kitchen that most members use even if they do not attend events.  

4.00%

4

No, the event price should be set to cover the costs.

63.00%

63

–

No, annual dues should cover social event deficits.

13.00%

13

TOTAL

100

Comments(15)

Yes, food and service costs are increasing and PYC has the facility to support catered events.

37.50%

36

Yes, but only if the costs stay in this range.

0.00%

0

Yes, but only if the cost stay under $75.00 pp.

20.83%

20

No, catered events are not worth the money.

0.00%

0

No, I’m willing to help with supplemental appetizers, desserts, etc. to reduce the costs of these meals.

11.46%

11

No, catered meals are not worth this cost.

30.21%

29

96

Showing 16 responses

• ALL events should be self funding
• Do not attend.
• We don’t mind spending money for catered dinners as long as the food is good. 
• It will be more expensive for members to attend. You have already priced out families and I think that is why I and 1 other family bring our daughter to the events. I can eat downtown for less than going to the club.
• However, the cost per person can be kept under control by foregoing the steak and swordfish menus and focusing on pasta, mexican, BBQ, asian. etc meals that are easier to cater and serve in quantity and yet are still enjoyable. Certainly, to the extent members are willing to provide appetizers or desert or even side dishes, ie beans when serving BBQ chicken, the cost of the catering could be reasonable.
•  This is for Wed. dinners not for special like Opening Dinner Dance.
• The total price point will determine how many attend. Keep the cost/price reasonable. But no need to subsidize. Try new players who want a catering audience and would be willing to cut us a good deal. 
• If we limit catered meals to no more than once a month unless they are sponsored sailing events
• No social events need to be paid as attended
• also like idea of helping, when feasible, with apps and desert as we have this past yr
• Pay more for the meal if necessary and do member supplied supplemental
• Unfortunately a number of meals were not worth the cost. Very disappointed with a few but I can only use the excuse of it’s worth being with friends for only so long. 
• I really have options that my dietary restrictions support
• Times are changing we may want to look at accepting credit cards. $ is typically not an issue if then can put it on plastic.

ANSWER CHOICES–

RESPONSES–

Formal dinner dances are a thing of the past and should be removed from the social calendar.

23.94%

17

One formal dinner dance is enough. (please note preference in comment box)

25.35%

18

Pot Luck food is the very best! Please keep them on the calendar.

29.58%

21

I avoid pot lucks, please consider an alternative.

29.58%

21

–

Wednesday Night Dinners are not convenient for my family/work/life schedule. I would prefer more events on Friday or Saturday evening.

19.72%

14

The Club rental fee of $250. (plus staff and other direct expenses) is too low. (please note what you recommend for the rental fee in the comment box.)

35.21%

25

PYC should offer ‘programs’ to engage young people in topics about boating.

43.66%

31

–

PYC should offer incentives to attract members from a wider demographic.

8.45%

6

PYC should offer more off season events like meeting in a restaurant for dinner or cocktails, attending a play, concert or special event, etc.

19.72%

14

Long-time members should be paired with new members to learn Club routines and what work needs to be done over the course of the season.

35.21%

25

New members should be asked to participate in member dinners or other committees.

45.07%

32

Total Respondents: 71

Showing 27 responses

• New members should be encouraged to participate. Fridays and Saturdays should be open and available for those who want to enjoy the club on a weekend without having to attend a scheduled event. 
• Get decent bands for club dinner/dances, not just DJ’s! Are we a boating club or just a social club? What about a sailing/boating program to engage younger people?
• The General Attitude of the new member is not sociable and at time offensive. Often I feel like I am being treated as I am staff and not well respected staff. 
• Rental fee could easily be $500
• Off season events should be activities other than eating and drinking. Group tickets to events are available. Club rental fee can be increased to $500.
• The income from the rental of the club is inconsequential vs the ability of all members to use the club. The number of days or evenings the club can be rented should be limited.
• All member should have to pay for a few dinners that would be added to the yearly bill. with 5-6 months to make the pessary arrangement to attend 1,2 or 3 dinners with their partners
• Raise fee to $400 to cover staff & other expenses.
• I think a variety. Maybe more Fridays and not every Wed night. A mix of events. Informal is key to this club.
• Club Rental $500
• Wednesday night dinners are a traditional club event that is well attended but I agree there should be an effort made to schedule more weekend events as well.
• The should be determined by size of event and the number of people who would be attending, but the price should never be lower than $250
• Substantially increase initiation fee. Look at other clubs fees. Ours is ridiculously low
• Neither Carolyn nor I are tempted by dances. She avoids pot luck because she never knows what to do. Perhaps if the pot luck was “structured” as to who brings what, etc. Wednesday night is a great night for us. Pairing with new members should not be necessary; isn’t that what the sponsors are for? I believe that the catchment area is already vast; I am incredulous that members drive from Concord. In addition, there is a 4 year waiting list; I don’t see the need for introducing additional incentives. Jim Rini.
• PYC should get more friendly and involved with competitive sailing
• What events get the most attendance? Younger members are the future of PYC. Their voices should have priority. Also, we are a yacht club. We should do more to promote that. Our reputation is as a social club.
• 1 Formal opening night. Closing could be dressy casual(no shorts or jeans). Fee of $ 400. This is a yacht club boating should be the primary focus social events secondary.
• There should be cruises that are 3 or 4 days in length. Gloucester, Portland, Scituate or even Boston. Tough for most to go to downeast Maine for 2 weeks
• Don’t allow reserved tables on Wednesday night.. make it a “free for all “
• What is the average age of the membership? Break it down between boaters and non-boaters/social members. Couples vs. single (widowed, divorced, etc…) PYC is known to be a club where “your parents go”. Try to attract a more diverse membership. Emails should be informative, happy and sad. For every death or medical emergency announcement email I suggest four positive emails showing families, smiles and positivity.
• one dance, more cocktail type parties-“fund raiser” type?
• $500
• We should work to make all events come in, in the black. Easier said than done, I’m sure!
• $350
• PYC should not widen the demographic’s we should require all new members to OWN boats of a sizable vessel, not dinghys or canoes nor kayacks for membership. A true Yacht Club require a vessel of size to join. The requirement of owning a vessel keeps the club in the same mind set and improves the boating community.This is not a SOCIAL club it is a Yacht club.The club should not encourage non vessel owners.
• Club rental $500 more appropriate
• I think the potluck dinners are good but maybe not the very best. I think also that perhaps there should be fewer Wednesday night dinners. Perhaps every other week in high season.

Cocktail Parties (Cinco de Mayo, New Members, Past Commodore, Holiday)

43.48%

40

Mezzanine Catering (Open & Close Dinners,  Jazz Evening, August Speaker Dinner)

22.83%

21

Restaurant catered (Mexican, Chinese)

34.78%

32

Free (Commodore’s Chowder, Potlucks (new member orientation, movie night, bingo, docks in & docks out)

31.52%

29

Member Sponsored (Greek, 1/2 St. Patrick” Day, Staff Appreciation, July 4 BBQ, Turkey Dinner, Pulled Pork, Memorial Day & Labor Day Breakfasts)

65.22%

60

Steward Dinners (Chicken, Pizza, Hot Dog Safari)

36.96%

34

Lobster Bakes

33.70%

31

Total Respondents: 92

• LB highly overpriced.
• Family orientated. Good way to introduce families to the club.
• Pot luck
• We are still both working full time and can’t make as many events as would like
• Cinco de Mayo, omit New Members & include Past Com in Wed. Night dinner due to cost not covered.
• I would love to see more cocktail parties. Please have more…any night of the week! Great way to socialize and spend time with friends without a sit down dinner. 
• all others good as well
• Sometimes you don’t attend depending on what foods are offered and your schedule
• Kentucky Derby
• Did not attend any.
• Friday night events
• Enjoy the breakfasts
• I like most events but not potlucks. Freshen things up a little- less dances but cocktail type parties.
• Sometimes the sponsored dinner food is not very good
• Pot luck dinners are the best
• Remember it is a Yacht club not a social club
• The club needs to move toward more high quality catered events
• Raft ups and Dinghy Safari’s would be fun
• A sit down Dinner for the holiday party

Q5   Some new and possible revival events are listed below. Please check  those you would be interested in attending or hosting.  Know someone with a connection to make a suggestion a reality?  Add resources, contacts, and other ideas in the comments box.

Friday Night Events (Shucks, cocktail party, member dinners etc.)

57.89%

55

Wine , cheese, and/or chocolate tasting (s)  

32.63%

31

Chef prepared meals onsite (please cuisine & chef suggestions in comments box)

26.32%

25

Dinghy Safari

15.79%

15

Isle of Shoals Cruise (Shoals Lab, Thaxter garden, Star Island)

31.58%

30

Gundalow, Heritage or Thomas Leighton Group Cruise

17.89%

17

Singles Cocktail Party

4.21%

4

Jazz Evening

27.37%

26

Celebrity Chef with ‘gourmet menu’

34.74%

33

Sports Themed Event 

14.74%

14

–

Food Truck 

36.84%

35

Casino Night

DJ   ($800-$1200)

1/4

17.65%

15

Live music ($400- $800)

1/4

55.29%

47

Comedian (varies)

1/4

16.47%

14

Speakers on maritime themes or other topics of local interest ($250 +)

1/4

63.53%

54

Total Respondents: 85

Don’t change anything! This is a valuable service for members.

28.75%

23

I’m not in favor of the Club offering this kind of service because we can’t charge a fixed price.

18.75%

15

Lunch choices and food were excellent.

18.75%

15

Lunch choices and food did not meet expectations.

5.00%

4

–

Lunch should be expanded Wednesday – Sunday & longer hours.

12.50%

10

Lunch should be available only Thursday – Saturday

16.25%

13

TOTAL

80

Sign me up for the Chandlery Committee. My information is in the comments box.

0.00%

0

I am willing to help during the season with the Ship’s Store. My contact information is in the comments box.

4.55%

3

Let me know when the Ship’s Store will be open and I will try to help.

18.18%

12

Sign me up for the Flower Committee. My information is in the comments box.

3.03%

2

I am willing to help during the season to water, prune, and generally keep our flowers beautiful. My information is in the comments box. 

12.12%

8

Sorry, my schedule doesn’t allow me to be available.

62.12%

41

TOTAL

66