Page 3 - 2020 Yachting in Chicago

MESSAGE FROM THE COMMODORE
CHICAGO YACHTING ASSOCIATION

By Commodore Sandra Smith

60th anniversary
t has been three years since I was elected and installed as I want to thank
Commodore of the Chicago Yachting Association. Two of the Randall Schmidt,
Iyears were planned and the third year, well. All in all, I have Vice Commodore,
enjoyed serving as Commodore. for his tireless
effort to get certain
Upon taking office, I wanted to develop a program sponsored by Sandra Smith, Commodore
issues taken care
the Chicago Yachting Association that would focus on children of all
of and corrected. I
colors who would not necessarily have access to the lakefront and
appreciate you for making sure our monthly Bridge meetings and
or boats. This program was very successful, the two years we were
Board meetings stayed on track by allowing CYA to use your Zoom
able to have it, brought over 125 children to the lakefront where
account. Thank you for your advice and your assistance. I wish you
they enjoyed boat rides, lunch, and book-bags filled with school
the best of luck as you take the Chicago Yachting Association to the
supplies. The children came not knowing what to expect but left
next level.
with a new outlook on becoming future boat owners. I hope the
Chicago Yachting Association will continue this program. In order To La Rue Watson, Rear Commodore, even though we were not able
for boating to continue to be a successful recreational sport, we to have the annual Commodore’s Cruise, you have continued to be
need to get our younger generation interested in boating. by my side, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
This year will go down in history as being a difficult year for To James Caldwell, Treasurer, thank you for your support and I
everyone in the world. Covid-19 has changed/affected our lives in wish you much success as you continue your journey in the CYA.
so many ways: our personal lives, our jobs, social events, etc. At the
To Scott Gordon, Secretary, the newest member of the CYA Board
beginning of the boating season we did not know if there would
thank you for accepting the position and for your dedication.
be a boating season this year. I was asked by Scott Stevenson, VP
of Westrec, to be a part of a task force to work on putting together
To the two Past Commodores Walter Lisowski, and Casey Chlebek,
rules and regulations to present to the Mayor of Chicago that the
thank you for your dedication, advice, and service.
Chicago Boaters would adhere to during the boating season in
order to get the Harbors open so that our season would not be a
To Past Commodore Betty Lerner and Chuck Goes, thank you for
complete loss. After months of preparation, the recommendations
your continued dedication with the Yachting in Chicago Magazine. I
were presented to the Mayor and the Chicago Park District. The
know this year was difficult, but because of your hard work we were
recommendations were accepted. On June 22nd the harbors were
able to continue this annual publication.
finally able to open and the 2020 boating season began. Even
though there were several restrictions we had to adhere to, such as And to my two advisors, Past Commodore Walter Vartan and Past
the number of people allowed on your boat, no dock gatherings and Commodore Scott Baumgartner, thank you both for always being
not being able to raft off in the playpen, we were still able to enjoy there for me, providing guidance when needed. I really appreciate
our shortened boating season. I am looking forward to getting back you both.
to some type of normalcy in the years to come.
Again, it has been my pleasure serving this wonderful organization.
Over the last three years, I have really enjoyed serving as I pray for its continued success and I will always cherish the
Commodore of the Chicago Yachting Association. During this last memories and friendships I have made.
year we could not do the things we were able to do in the past,
See you on the water soon.
like our annual Commodore’s Cruise, our annual CYA Celebration
and just being able to have our monthly CYA board meetings. Even
though we were not able to meet monthly, thanks to technology,
we were still able to conduct business and move forward with our
organization.
Sandra D Smith
Commodore, Chicago Yachting Association

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