Board of Directors Election
 Election for Sail Chicago's Board of Directors opened this past Tuesday, February 27. All Sail Chicago members who have paid their 2024 membership fee are eligible to vote. Current members have been e-mailed a link to their online ballot, so check your e-mail (and spam folder) to vote. If you have not yet renewed your membership, you will be e-mailed a ballot link by the morning of Tuesday, March 5. Please renew your membership no later than noon on Monday, March 4 in order to vote.
Voting will close at the start of the Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 5 at 7pm. Results will be announced at the meeting, so please plan to attend. Information and a link to attend are on the landing page of my.sailchicago.org.
— Gerry Stacy, Board Chair
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Volunteering in 2024!
As we look forward to the start of the 2024 sailing season, the volunteer team would like to remind you to start thinking about your contribution to the life of our organization this year. There are many volunteer opportunities that take advantage of skills you already have, as well as others were you can learn something new.
The Sail Chicago Hub is now showing all 2024 available positions. If you reported your volunteer hours in 2023 and indicated that you would like to continue your current assignment, you've probably already been assigned. Check the Volunteer Assignment page for confirmation, or sign up for a new position. Remember that service time is waived for new member's first year.
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Don't have time to meet your service time requirement for 2024? Contact the volunteer team at volunteer@sailchicago.org to adjust your account and allow for selection and payment of the Service Time Waiver for 2024. Remember, if you fail to meet your service time requirement in 2024, you will be required to pay the 2024 service time waiver before renewing your 2025 membership.
There are plenty of fun volunteer opportunities available, many taking only a few hours each month. If you're not sure where to start or what you'd like to do, email volunteer@sailchicago.org.
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Boatyard Open House
Join your friends and other Sail Chicago members at the Canal Street Marina, 2059 South Canal St. on Saturday April 6, 10am–12pm. This is a great opportunity to see our entire fleet dry docked. Ever wonder what's under the waterline on a boat that you're sailing? Well, now is your chance to find out. See our maintenance teams at work and discover the fun involved in getting ready for the coming season. There will be tours, games, food & drinks, and sailing knot demonstrations.
— Rich Costello, Maintenance Coordinator
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Scholarship Application Closing
The Sail Chicago Scholarship Application will close on March 8 at 11:59pm. Recipients will participate in Beginner Crew classes (including Pre-Sail Orientation and the US Sailing Basic Keelboat online course), have membership fees covered, and get priority access to class sign up. Scholarship recipients will also have racing sign up fees covered if they complete their Crew course and would like to try racing! Please share with all who may be interested in applying.
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Social News
Our next event will be a casual midday meetup on the Riverwalk on Saturday, April 27 to watch the bridges raise for the masted sailboats. If you've never experienced this, it is a sight to see! We'll meet at Lizzie McNeill’s, 400 North McClurg Ct., around 10:30–11am. Includes 1 free drink plus appetizers for you and a guest. Meet at the outdoor patio. Boats start arriving at the Columbus Drive bridge at about 10am.
Other 2024 Social Events
Kickoff party at ColYC: Saturday, May 11, 3-6pm
Tall Ship Windy Educational Tour: Saturday, June 8, 11am. This 90-minute hands-on learning experience is a great way to enjoy physics, history and storytelling while taking an active part in sailing the vessel. Learn about maritime heritage on the Great Lakes as history comes alive with an exciting educational adventure for curious minds of all ages. Cost is $35. Children under 18 are $25.
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Friends and Family picnic: Saturday, July 20
Happy Hour events: August and September date TBD
End of Season Dinner at ColYC: Thursday October 24
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Scholarship Boating Buddies
The Sail Chicago Scholarship Program is part of our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiative with the intent to provide access and encourage participation for those not traditionally well-represented within our organization. This year, we hope to offer recipients the opportunity to be paired with 1 or 2 Sail Chicago “boating buddies” who can show them the ropes (no pun intended), help them navigate the organization, and even take them sailing. This is a great way to help support new sailors and share your experience and love of sailing! If you are interested in being a “boating buddy,” contact dei@sailchicago.org.
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Sail Chicago members learning CPR and first aid at our recent CPR/First Aid class.
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