Ahoy there! The start of the 2010 boating season has been fantastic with some nice weather for most openings so far. Congratulations to 2010 Queen of the Chesapeake Caitlin Campbell and a Big Thank You to 2009 Queen Kimberly Samm for a job very well done!!

This month’s topic is the role of the Commodore and the traditional role this office plays in the life of a yacht club. Most people are well aware of the administrative and executive functions of the Commodore, such as chairing meetings and acting as the elected president of the organization. What is not always so apparent is that, unlike other club officers, the Commodore does not have a major club job (e.g. clubhouse chairman, social affairs, cruises, etc.). The reason for this is the Commodore’s job is to represent and act on behalf of the club and its members. Your Commodore stands in for you as the club greeter, host, and goodwill ambassador to friends, guests, and other yacht clubs and organizations. While you are fishing, cruising, sailing, partying or just enjoying your club, your Commodore is investing his or her time making sure things go well both at the club and away from the club.

When away from the Club at a ceremony, meeting, or social occasion, your Commodore is ensuring your club is known and its views and interests are shared with others. This paves the way for friendship, cooperation, and fun around the water by land or sea. Your Commodore takes the lead to ensure you and your fellow members will be very welcome at neighboring yacht clubs and members of those clubs will be equally welcome at your club. Also, by keeping your club "out there" your Commodore sustains communications channels for your club and members to network and organize with other people of like interests or who share concerns about legislative, regulatory, waterway, or environmental issues.

When at the club, the Commodore is coach, ****** Yacht Clubs of Maryland – Bay Breeze (June 2010) ****** 5

cheerleader, morale officer, and model member. The Commodore tries to attend every club event not only because he or she is responsible but to show by example that strong commitment and involvement with the club is the way to success. Enthusiasm is infectious, especially when it comes from the top. Lack of enthusiasm by the leader of the club can be devastating so it is a traditional duty for Commodores to attend all major club events and, in cases where they would rather not be there, keep that thought to themselves.

The role of "being the club" as Commodore is a well earned honor for years of work and dedication. Your duties and responsibilities will be demanding of your time and not always convenient but they will give you a wealth of experiences, memories, and friends to last a lifetime. A Commodore’s "work" to attend parties and have fun is intended to be a reward. If you are a Commodore or become one some day, please give it all you have. You will never regret it.

 A question was asked regarding the proper protocol to follow regarding the introduction of a Board Member representing their club and what is the appropriate attire, if any, to be worn by the Board Member.

The question covers several protocols. Sometimes, the fact that a person is in uniform causes confusion. Although it is not often seen today, any yacht club member may wear a uniform. It is the insignia worn on the cap and uniform that denotes the position of the member. In some clubs, Board Members and other officials and junior officers wear uniforms. It depends on the club. That said, formal honors normally are rendered by a senior club officer or Past Commodore of the visiting club. In areas where gold insignia are worn, senior officers are the ones who wear gold. Members and junior officers such as Pier Captains, Dock masters, chairpersons, etc. wear black braid, limited or no insignia, and regular buttons on the white uniform. Senior officers are otherwise widely known by tradition and by the bylaws and rules or each club.

Protocol wise, the six line officers are the most senior. Examples of widely accepted senior officers ranking below the line officers are Chaplain, Fleet Surgeon, Sail Fleet Captain, and Corresponding Secretary. At the club level, Board Members are not normally considered officers of the club. However, they are club officials and it would not be incorrect to consider them equivalent to junior officers. Baltimore YC is a good example where Board Members wear traditional uniforms properly. At the association level, such as YCM, they are officers at large. In areas like ours where gold insignia are worn, association Board Members, as officers at large representing multiple clubs, wear the gold insignia and formally render honors at yacht clubs. At the club level, if a traditional uniform is worn, gold is not used and black braid is worn on the hat.

As for introductions, honors should normally be rendered by club officers and Past Commodores of the Club. If none are available, the Club Princess may represent since one of her duties is as an official representative and ambassador for her club. At the club level, as with other junior officials such as Pier Captains, Dock masters, chairpersons, etc., Board Members are not VIP guests and should not normally be introduced as part of the visiting group. If they are introduced, they should not be counted as officers for plaques and awards and should be limited in number so as not to drag out the host club ceremony. If introduced, Board Members and other junior officials should be in uniform or appropriate club related attire. If the office is a non-uniform one, preferably club related attire. A blazer and slacks is ideal. 

If a Board Member or similar official has been sent in good faith by their Commodore because no one else is available, allowing them to represent in the ceremony is a judgment call by the host and really should be discussed ahead of time with the host club. The Board Member should say a few words of explanation when at the mike. A Board Member may escort a Princess and the M/C should note that the escort is a Board Member; however, to clarify, the princess is the ranking official for club representation. She is not a club officer, does not outrank officers or Board Members for club official business, and normally lacks privileges related to the operation of the club such as voting and making motions that are afforded regular club members. Most princesses have the status (or equivalent) and associated privileges of club social members.

You will be presented with four silver shirt buttons for your whites uniform shirt at your Commodore's Ball by the YCM ranking officer.

YCM has a stock of silver cap cords and silver cap buttons. A package of one silver cord and two silver cap buttons can be purchased at a cost of $15.00.