HERE WE ARE AT LAST! 

There have been rumours circulating for some time that the Bay Beaver Bugle was about to be resuscitated. It appears that the impossible is happening at last. Like most impossible things, at has taken a little longer than the possible ones.
The plan is to produce an issue around the beginning of every month, which means material should be in the hands or inbox of the editor by the 27^th of each month. Where possible email is ideal, and Word format is preferred.
Please email me at: kilahara@gmail.com . That will make it possible for me to pick it up when travelling, not always available with my Sympatico account. When away from home, my laptop is always with me, along with the plug in drive purchased from the local The Source store and Kevin, its friendly proprietor. You can also reach me by telephone at 613 399-2476.
Of first importance will be news of coming events  and important decisions by the Board. We will also carry as much general interest news as possible – such things as Head in the Corner, New Boats, New Children, New Spouses etc. will all be welcome. We will also publish information about members and friends who may have gone on to Fiddler’s Green. If it is about members, their families, their boats or anything to do with the Club – it may be important. Please pass it on.
Space will be limited, so contributions are subject to editing. 

DISTRIBUTION: We plan to make the newsletter available online, with a few hard copies at the bar. We will also endeavour to mail copies to members who do not have Internet access, but we will need to be informed of names and mailing address to ensure this.
My last involvement with the Bugle was the monthly Buglet which supplemented he annual copies of the Bugle during the time I was on the Board, and ended when I ceased to be Past Commodore. It’s been a while, but I’ll do my best. Please be patient…  

And now…
WELCOME ABOARD!

 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS FOR 2007

Dave Dodd – Commodore

Henry Pasila – Past Commodore

Barry Atkinson – Vice Commodore – House

Brian Skuffham – Treasurer

Doug Trumble - Secretary

Rob Giberson – Membership

Gerry den Hartog – Moorings

Tonny den Boer – Docks

Gary Eames – Property

Larry Tilling – Sailing School

Manager – Dennis Payne

Bay Beaver Bugle – Ross Trant

LONG RANGE PLANNING
By Commodore Dave Dodd

 Long Range Planning Session, January 6 & 7, 2007 

The combined 2006 and 2007 PEYC Board of Directors met Jan 6 & 7 to consider issues facing the Club in the future and make plans to address these issues. We reviewed the current status of all aspects of the Club and the problems and opportunities open for us to maintain and improve the Club and its value to members over the next few years. We received a good number of suggestions from members and these were integrated into our long range planning discussions on Sunday.  Some topics arising from our review and some comments from members were considered to be within the normal day-to-day responsibilities of the Board and these were referred to the appropriate Director for action.
We reviewed issues ranging from the ageing infrastructure of the Club – the building, docks, boatyard, and sailing school fleet; management systems, opportunities for improvements to the Clubhouse and member services; to the pressures for, and limitations on, growth of the Club.  In all, we ended up with about a dozen areas for action, each headed by a Director (see below).  Many of these require further definition and assessment by experts before we can decide on the action to be taken, and we will be asking for members to help work with the Directors on some of the assessments.  The Directors will report to the Board regularly on progress and further information on each topic will be provided in the Bay Beaver Bugle.
Some of the actions will have costs, and financial planning will be key to ensuring that the Clubs current good financial position is maintained.  To that end we have identified a Capital Reserve and we are dedicated to a policy of fiscal responsibility.  Of course, any major commitments will be taken to the members as per the Club bylaws.

 RACING SCHEDULE

Under the leadership of Rob Giberson, a meeting was held to plan the racing season of 2007. While at this time no Fleet Captain has been selected, a coordinator for each race has either volunteered or been coerced.
A Tune Up has been scheduled for May 9, and the first race of the Spring Series will be May 16.
Wednesday continues to be the mid-week race night at PEYC. We will endeavour to announce races in each issue of the Bugle. 

CLUB HOUSE EVENTS 

Texas Hold’em – Thursday February 1 at 1900 hours. $25.00 investment required.
Euchre Party – Saturday February 3 – 1900 hours – Admission $5.00 and a snack to share 

Last Friday, January 26, saw the first County Celtic Night which honoured Scottish poet, Robbie Burns. Once again the Haggis was piped in and duly addressed by Dr. Les Summers, whose Scottish burr was as effective as ever. The toast to the ladies was given by Brian Skuffham, and Susan responded. The dinner, except for the Haggis, was a superb ‘pot luck’ arrangement. The food was organized by Moira Coull. For many of us, even more wondrous than the Haggis was the opportunity to taste five single malt whiskies, one of which was from Ireland. Jon Wilkins did a superb job with this. John Coull assisted ably.
Music for dancing was provided by Jack Strachan, and there was wonderful entertainment by three young fiddlers and their young mother at the keyboard.
This was a superb event, and one hopes it will become a Club tradition, in lieu of the Burns Suppers for years hosted by Les Summers and Kenzie Macdonald. 

Following the Celtic gathering, the annual Chili Bonspiel was scheduled, once the harbour froze. We look for a full report in our next issue.
March 17, a Saturday, will be the Feast of St. Patrick… hint, hint to the House…