FROM THE EDITOR...
By Steve VanderVoort, Telltale Editor
It is with some real sadness that I report that Adam Wisneski is stepping down as Board Chairman of Sail Chicago. He reminded me recently that I was the one who talked him into joining the Board in 2015. At the time he seemed like a bright young guy with a lot of enthusiasm who could bring some fresh ideas and much-needed change to the organization. Convincing him to join the Board was one of the best things I ever did for Sail Chicago.
In his tenure on the Board Adam has been a virtual blizzard of activity. When there have been differences among Board members he has been a reconciler. When members have complained or needed to air their gripes, he has listened and responded. Where new ideas have surfaced, he’s been supportive. Particularly in the area of technology, he has been a real leader, offering insights and helping our technology team to develop systems that relieve our all-volunteer organization of many of the mundane chores that needlessly took up much of our members’ time. But most of all, it’s his enthusiasm, lively interest, and zest for all things Sail Chicago that have marked his time with us.
Adam, you will be sorely missed. Know, however, that your presence among us has made us a better, stronger, more resilient organization. Our very best wishes for a bright future in your move to Rochester, New York.
|
|
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN
By Adam Wisneski
It’s truly bittersweet news, but I have to announce that my family and I are planning to move to Rochester, NY, this coming spring. We made the decision to move in order to be closer to family. It’s bittersweet because we have lived here in Chicago for 10 years, and it’s the longest both my wife and I have lived anywhere. We’re Chicagoans, and we will miss this place, and Sail Chicago, dearly.
When I joined Sail Chicago in 2013, it was the only way I could afford to keep sailing and continue learning. I took Intermediate, Skipper Prep, Basic Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, and through the sea time I gained with Sail Chicago and other learning opportunities, I was able to charter a boat with friends in the BVI. Eventually, I was able to buy, refit and set out to sea on a vessel of my own. My wife and I completed an 8-month, 5,000 mile liveaboard trip from Rhode Island to the Caribbean and back on our 35’ Wauquiez Pretorien in 2018. The trip was transformational for us. Sail Chicago had provided a platform of learning and possibility for me that I can honestly say helped change the course of my life.
In 2015, Steve Vandervoort asked if I’d like to join the Sail Chicago Board. I was eager, and Steve helped welcome me into the group and encouraged my enthusiasm. The board entertained some truly wild (and bad) ideas I had at the start. Steve and the other board members encouraged me to keep coming to the table with ways to improve our organization for everyone, and I was inspired by their example of service.
Since 2020, serving as Chairman of Sail Chicago has been one of the true honors of my life. You’ve trusted me with this important position, and I have learned a lot. I’ve gotten to know many of you, and have had the opportunity to listen to your thoughts and ideas, and discover the parts of Sail Chicago that you’ve built and nurtured. I’ve learned there are few other sailing organizations that come close to what we’ve created here. It is special for the sheer fact that it is created out of thin air by the will and determination of those that choose to show up and help out.
I felt, and still feel, an urge to contribute as much as I can to Sail Chicago to help others who are starting their sailing journey just like I was 8 years ago. There are many members who depend on Sail Chicago as their only access to sailing on Lake Michigan, like I did. And, there are those who find that Sail Chicago’s ethos aligns with their own values of inclusion, learning and the power of collective effort, like I do. Sail Chicago is proof that we can accomplish a lot together when we all pitch in.
For 2022, though I’ll be living elsewhere, I’ll still be serving on the Volunteerism team to help improve the systems and communication around volunteer roles, but I will be stepping down as Chairman.
If you’re someone who has been helped or inspired by another member, if you’ve learned from someone, if you’ve had the opportunity to see the skyline from the cockpit of one of our boats, please consider making this season the one where you step up even more into the spirit of volunteerism and giving back. If you’re someone who’s been thinking about stepping into a leadership role, I encourage you to take the leap and lead a volunteer team, become a boat manager, become an instructor, or run for a board seat. We’ll need your ideas, your energy and your talents to make sure Sail Chicago thrives for years to come.
|
|
|
SAIL CHICAGO INITIATES PILOT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
By Ashleigh Luttery, DEI Committee
This year we are piloting a scholarship program as part of Sail Chicago’s commitment to increase diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) among its members within the organization as well as in the sport of sailing. The goal is to promote the sport of sailing to groups that have historically faced barriers to participation, such as people of color in the United States and people from low socioeconomic households. These barriers have included racial segregation in/exclusion from boating clubs, actual or perceived lack of access or acceptance, and/or high costs of participation in the sport. The application is open January 3 - March 4, 2022. Recipients will participate in SC’s beginner Crew classes (including Pre-Sail Orientation and US Sailing Basic Keelboat online course fees) and have membership fees covered, along with priority access to class signup.
Sail Chicago existing members can support the scholarship program by directly donating at https://www.sailchicago.org/donate. To do so when in the donation portal, simply choose “Add special instructions to the seller,” indicating donations are for the scholarship program. If members have donation question, please contact Rachel Granneman (grannemr@umich.edu) or Ashleigh Luttery (ashleighluttery@gmail.com).
If you know someone within your network who may be interested in applying, please share the application link here. The application can also be found on Sail Chicago’s homepage banner at sailchicago.org.
|
|
U.S. COAST GUARD SEARCH AND RESCUE
 Let’s say that you’ve fallen overboard in a high sea and your shipmates on board can’t find you, so they call the Coast Guard search and rescue team. The team knows that they have to get to you as quickly as possible, but how do they go about it? They could criss-cross a large area in their rescue boat, but that takes a lot of time. Instead they perform a Vector Search (VS). To learn more, click here. Thanks to Sail Chicago member Ed Schroeder for sending us this enlightening presentation.
|
|
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FULFILL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
Our Sail Chicago Board has compiled a list of volunteer opportunities available to fulfill members’ annual service requirements. Most of these opportunities are essential to our organization’s mission. Here’s a list of available positions:
- Boat Managers and Deputy Boat Managers
- Boat Team members
- Sails Manager
- Essential Equipment Manager
- Electrical Lead (Apprentice)
- Rigging Lead (Apprentice)
- Social Director
- Deputy Treasurer
For a more detailed description of each position, please click here. Even if you think you may have met your service requirement, consider helping out in one of the listed areas. You’ll be doing yourself and your fellow sailors a great service.
|
|
SEMINAR ON SAIL TRIM, FEBRUARY 19
C olumbia Yacht Club is sponsoring a seminar on sail trim, February 19, 11:00 am. Quantum Sails experts Farley Fontenant and Todd Basch will be on hand to discuss all things sail trim with some of the best in the industry. To learn more and to register for the seminar, click here.
|
|
NEW SKIPPERS TO HELP LEAD PRE-SAIL ORIENTATION SESSIONS
By Dan Hazlett
We will soon begin holding our Pre-Sail Orientation (PSO) sessions for new members and students. As an exciting change this season, we are planning to have newly-minted skippers help lead these sessions. PSO sessions will be held remotely for 90 min on various days throughout the season (mostly in the early season, starting in late April). We are looking to hold training to lead the PSOs in early April.
This is a great way for new skippers to share their recent experience with future skippers while getting a refresher themselves on the key info about Sail Chicago. If you were skippered out in 2021 (or another recent year) and are interested in this unique volunteer opportunity, please reach out to volunteer coordinator Lois Vasquez for more information.
To stay informed on topics specific to new skippers like this one, join the #skipper-class-2021 channel on the Sail Chicago slack workspace.
|
|
SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS
By Norris Larson
Jay Owens, our bookkeeper and past treasurer, joined (AYH) Sail Chicago in 1987. He had been sailing with a friend out of Chicago until his friend moved in 1986. He discovered Sail Chicago and went to join, but was told by Marg Benson that all classes were filled for the season. He tried again the next season and after taking classes with Oren Kipplinger, Jay checked out on the Rhodes, the cruiser ER, two pocket cruisers, and our Shields. His wife also took lessons and learned to sail after Jay agreed to marry her in church if she went sailing, too. Jay raced in Rhodes and the Shields. He has also sailed in the British Virgin Islands and the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior.
Jay taught classes on Rhodes and the cruising boat, Emotional Rescue, and took on the role of treasurer for Sail Chicago working with an AYH employee who kept the books. When Sail Chicago initiated its plan to separate from AYH, Jay worked on the committee and applied his financial acumen in negotiating the break. The major item was the transfer of ownership of boats to an independent Sail Chicago. Jay continued as treasurer well into the 2000’s when the role was taken over by several successors. Jay now confines his volunteering to bookkeeping and work on the routine maintenance needed to keep our boats in good shape and in the water.
Jay is a retired CPA. His work as treasurer, bookkeeper, and financial negotiator is an excellent example of how professional skills members bring to their volunteer work benefits Sail Chicago. Originally from Denver, Jay moved to Northbrook in 1970 and then to Chicago in 1985 and has lived here since then except for a two year hiatus in an overseas job. He and his wife have three adult children and live in a high rise on the near north side.
[Author’s note on Sail Chicago history.] AYH is the acronym for American Youth Hostels. Sail Chicago was one of several outdoor activity clubs that were a part of the Chicago chapter. Emotional Rescue was an Alberg 30 we lost in a storm and which was replaced by Priorities. During the storm Emotional Rescue broke loose from its mooring in Monroe Harbor and was smashed against the south harbor seawall. The Shields (which we no longer have) is a sleek 30-foot racing boat with a tight cockpit and no cabin. Think Maserati. At one time we had an active Rhodes racing group, racing locally and away, trailering a Rhodes to races around the lakes.
|
|
NAUTICAL HUMOR NEVER HURTS
Winter blues got you down? Tired of your COVID isolation? Well here’s something we hope will bring a little smile to your lips. You might even want to share these with your kids or grandkids.
|
|
SAIL CHICAGO REMINDERS
Who to Contact
Need information on an area in Sail Chicago, but don't know who to contact? Just click here.
Join or Renew Your US Sailing Membership at a Discount Through MVP
Sail Chicago members can join or renew their US Sailing membership at a $10 discount through the US Sailing Member Value Partner program.
Sail Chicago Gear
Purchase gear with the Sail Chicago logo on it. Caps, shirts, pants and other gear are available. To shop now, click here.
Like us on Facebook
You'll get updates, reminders, and other information on Sail Chicago events and activities. Click here.
Shop Amazon Smile and Donate to Sail Chicago
When you shop online at Amazon Smile, Sail Chicago will receive a donation of .5% of your eligible purchases. It's a great way to both give and receive. To get started, click here.
Missing Previous Issues of Between the Sheets?
You can always find the current issue and an archive of previous issues of Between the Sheets at the first (and open to the public) page of the Sail Chicago website.Look under "News/Newsletter."
|
|
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Click on the links below to find more information about Sail Chicago.
|
|
|
|
