[Board] Fwd: Life Membership

[Whitney T Weller]

FYI

Whitney Weller

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Whitney T Weller <wtweller at comcast.net>
> Date: April 23, 2022 at 8:01:54 PM EDT
> To: Jeffrey Gordon <Jgordonmaine at outlook.com>
> Cc: wsmith5125 at comcast.net, Roger.Wells at unh.edu, lauriec15 at comcast.net, poko at comcast.net, maggie at maggiefogel.com, bgosselin5 at comcast.net, psemprini at gmail.com, rfweaver at comcast.net
> Subject: Re: Life Membership
> 
> Hello Jeff;
> 
> Thank you for your enquiry.  The BOD discussed your letter and thought your point that 5 persons inducted in 2021, was a lot.
> 
> The reason for this was mostly due to the affect of delays in club business due to Covid.
> 
> Your points about club use were thought to not understand the basic reason for life membership as a benefit for members expending large and effective donation of their time to help the club.
> 
> If you review the credentials of the folks who have been given the honor of being life members, you will note that they all have given large large and significant contributions to the club.
> 
> The board is completely aware of the need to control the gift of life membership.  Bare in mend that life members are not counted in the roll call and open slots for new members.
> 
> Also be aware that the life members pay for all services and events.
> 
> The BOD is comfortable with our current group of life members. 
> 
> In order to become a life member one must be nominated, have the credentials required by the Constitution and By-Laws.  Then the BoD must certify and recommend them to life membership for a vote at the annual meeting.
> 
> I sure hope this clarifies your understanding and answers your concerns.
> 
> If you want to discuss this please feel free to give me a call.
> 
> Whitney Weller
> 
>>> On Apr 23, 2022, at 3:35 PM, Jeffrey Gordon <Jgordonmaine at outlook.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>  Hi Whitney,
>> I believe you had the April PYC board meeting and I’m interested to know if Lifetime Membership was discussed and the thoughts of the board.
>> Can you let me know how I might access the minutes of the meeting.
>> Thank you,
>> Jeff
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> 
>>  
>>  
>> Jeff Gordon  
>> c: 603.498.2192
>> jgordonmaine at outlook.Com
>> 
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>> On Mar 24, 2022, at 11:20 AM, Jeffrey Gordon <jgordonmaine at outlook.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>>  Looking forward to hearing what you all think. 
>>> Thank you 
>>> Jeff
>>> 
>>> Jeff Gordon
>>> Jgordonmaine at outlook.com
>>> C:603.498.2192
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On Mar 24, 2022, at 11:12 AM, Whitney T Weller <wtweller at comcast.net> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Dear Jeff;
>>>>  
>>>> Thank you for sharing your thoughts. The Board of Directors will discuss you points at the next meeting.
>>>>  
>>>> After the meeting, I will let you know our thoughts about your points.
>>>>  
>>>> Best regards;
>>>>  
>>>>  
>>>> Whitney T Weller
>>>> Commodore, Portsmouth Yacht Club
>>>> 4 Tamarind Lane, Exeter, NH 03833
>>>> wtweller at comcast.net
>>>> (m) +1 (603) 205 5795
>>>>  
>>>>  
>>>>  
>>>> From: Jeffrey Gordon [mailto:Jgordonmaine at outlook.com] 
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2022 6:16 PM
>>>> To: wsmith5125 at comcast.net; wtweller at comcast.net
>>>> Cc: roger.wells at unh.edu; lauriec15 at comcast.net; poko at comcast.net; maggie at maggiefogel.com; bgosselin5 at comcast.net; psemprini at gmail.com; rfweaver at comcast.net
>>>> Subject: Life Membership
>>>>  
>>>> 
>>>> To.The Commodore PYC  
>>>>  Dear Commodore,
>>>> At the annual meeting in October I was quite disturbed that five different members became Lifetime Members at one time. 
>>>> Looking through our membership book I now see that 25 members, or 10% hold the status of Life Members. I think this is out of control, as do other members.
>>>> The Lifetime members take up parking, they take up limited space at functions, they take up slips, moorings, and lockers.
>>>> When speaking with a few on the board they don’t feel it’s a concern as we just fill in the vacancies with paying members. I also got the impression that they don’t want to see a change as they may next in line for (Free) Lifetime Membership. 
>>>> If you recall,  a vote to expand membership was rejected a few years ago and I believe the biggest reason was the club membership felt we had enough members. I also recall the main reason for not expanding included parking, slips, moorings and the limited availability at some functions. 
>>>> I suggest we put a moratorium on Lifetime memberships until we get this down to a reasonable level, maybe a total of six. When we have an opening we then can nominate a worthy individual to step in as a Lifetime  Member.
>>>> Right now we have 25 Lifetime members, under the current bylaws it sounds as if this could  expand to 30, 40, or even 50 in the next few years? 
>>>> I think we should give recognition those who have helped the club thrive and survive.  Likewise we should  help a few older members that enjoy the club but may not be able to afford it any longer.  An unlimited number of Lifetime members will eventually hurt the PYC. 
>>>> I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this situation.
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Jeff 
>>>>  
>>>>  
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>  
>>>>  
>>>> Jeff Gordon  
>>>> c: 603.498.2192
>>>> jgordonmaine at outlook.Com
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>  
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