Proposed & Seconded

[Colin24]

I'm wanting to join a yacht club. Most of the club web sites that have an application form posted require a proposer and a seconder to endorse the application. I don't known anyone who belongs to any of the clubs I'd like to join, or any other club for that matter. Never having been a member of one of these clubs, can anyone tell me how strictly this requirement is observed?
What am I supposed to do. Maybe I should start loitering around the club gates in the hope of befriending one of the members. Although I suspect I'd be more likely to be arrested.
Any thoughts.

Colin


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[Robin]

Write to the club and explain why you would like to join and that you don't yet know any members. We did that when we joined a new club 10 years back and also with a golf club, usually if they are interested they will find a proposer/seconder from within the committee. Good luck!

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[kireonriley]

in our club potential new members usualy come to the club on a clubnight and make it known they wish to join they are then intoduced to varius people who they will hopefully get on with and after a period of time when a member or two are satisfide that you are the sort of person that will get on with most other members they they will prop and second you this may seem a bit long winded but after youve been a member for a while you will realise why,all the best in yuore quest Kieron

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[waterboy]

Many yacht clubs would welcome you as a tempory member so you can evaluate the facilities, members and type of yachting activities before joining fully. To make the initial contact, you could try contacting the club secretary, telephone number likely to bein the phone book and ask if that club offers the temporary membership facility. You will be invited in for a swift interview and unless you have a serious social problem, you should be accepted. This gives you the run of the premises and the chance to meet the members. Then, after a few months you should know sufficient mebers to get that all-important proposal and secondment to join. I joined my club that way 4 years ago and have never regretted it for a single moment. Good luck.

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[VicS]

Contact the club secretary. If the club is interested in new members he will probably invite you to a few meetings as a guest and introduce you to other members. If they like you you will soon find a proposer and seconder. Be warned though, most clubs tend to be a bit cliquey no matter what they say and it will take a while before you really feel at home.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>

 

[Colin24]

Thanks for the advice.
I was hoping that I would be able to proceed something along the lines that have been outlined above.
I have written to the Secretary of the Orwell Yacht Club, introducing myself and telling him a little about myself.
Although I do feel a little awkward with the thought of needing to be ‘judged suitable’ is there a hint of elitisms there? I do hope not.
I only know the club from what I’ve seen on their web site and from what I can glean they seem like a friendly bunch.

Cheers,

Colin


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[Mudplugger]

Colin, i doubt that you will have any problems at the Orwell, a great bunch of people, but be prepared to get your hands dirty, very much a self help organisation. and pretty go ahead.....Tony W

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[Colin24]

The more I hear the more I like the sound of this club.
I've already received a reply to my email from the club secretary the tone of which was very encouraging. I’ll be happy to muck in and get dirty.
I'll arrange to go and visit the club as soon as I get back to the UK.

Cheers,

Colin


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[PeterGibbs]

Re: Proposed & Seconded- a strategy.

All clubs that I know welcome visitors. Most welcome new members - for the dosh!Turn up at a general evening / lunchtime session and announce yourself, and that you are interested in finding out more etc. By all means phone the secretary in advance, but getting to know one another is really a face to face thing. I would be most suprised if someone doesn't even buy you a drink on the spot. If you already have a boat you have the right credentials to be taken seriously.

What you need to distinguish is the club that is really a social gathering with a few activities on water, and the reverse. Most fall into one or the other.

Take a look around - if the membership is pretty advanced in years, you are looking at a social club, almost for sure, especially if there are plenty of ladies / wives around. Likewise lots of younger folks with kids says " dinghy sailing" most likely.

I agree with some of the other postings - quite a lot of clubs position themselves as "cruising" or "rallying" even "racing" A quick look at the fixture card for the season will determine how substantial this claim is.

Finally, the price of a pint of beer will tell you something about the financial state of the club. About £1.30/1.50 - looking pretty sound. £2.50 could signal a deficit or a building programme about to be announced! Likewise a large once- off signing up fee, when you join, in addition to the annual sub may put you off.

PWG



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[Jeremy_W]

In any decent yacht club if you showed up one club night (midweek) and seemed keen you'd be invited for a short sail the next weekend. At the end of that sail the skipper (usually a committee member) and at least of the crew will be happy to propose and second you - so long as you hadn't dropped a winch handle over the side or failed to offer (which will often be refused) to buy your round.

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[milltech]

Re: Another option

Choose a really posh yacht club at the farthest and most depopulated run down point you occasionally drive to and ask about membership. They'll be delighted to introduce you to a couple of members, the sub will be low rate because you live so far from the club and because of where it is, and wherever you cruise the posh badge will get you entry to every yacht club bar one in the land.

This strategy is obviously more useful to extended cruising types than those seeking a social outlet.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by milltech on 10/12/2003 11:21 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Guest]

Open night / guest nights ?

Most clubs I know off have a particular evening each month or week that prospective new members can go and have a beer - to meet and talk to existing members.

To find out when ..... try and catch someone at the club / tel or visit their yard ..... ideal at this time now that many will be in yards laying up their pride and joy ....

That way you get the required proposer / seconder etc.

<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I came - cos they said was FREE Guinness !
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