BPYC Commodore's Year End Message

As Commodore of BPYC, I wanted to share a few end-of-year thoughts with BPYC members.

Our yacht club had a very successful 2023.  We planned & participated in numerous events, including:

• Bowley's Marina/BPYC Opening Day ceremonies.
• BPYC Kid's Fishing Contest.
• BPYC Sock Burning - this was free to attend for members.  BPYC provides Burgers & Dogs, soda's & beer.  The 2023 Sock Burning collected over 85 pairs of socks that were donated to "My Sister's Place."  (A comprehensive Women’s Center that provides day resources for women and children experiencing homelessness & poverty in Baltimore City.) 
• BPYC's 4 annual cruises.  (These are always fun.  If you haven't been on a yacht club cruise, you might want to consider it for 2024.)
• BPYC's annual Crab Feast.

For 2024, your BPYC Bridge Officers and Board of Governors are planning exciting & new events.  These are in addition to the 2024 events listed above.  New Events will include:

• BPYC annual four yacht club cruises.  We are trying something new this year.  Our Fleet Captain, Russ King, is working hard to identify great locations for the cruises.  In past years, these cruises have always been a group favorite, but we'd love to see more members attending.  To help make this possible, Russ is working hard to schedule the 2024 cruises on non-holiday weekends!  Details are forthcoming.
  
• Friday night "Socials" at the marina.  These are being planned to be a fun, new way of meeting other BPYC & marina members in a relaxed, easy to attend setting.  The schedule & details will be sent out in the near future.
  
• Weekend "Raft-Up's."  These are being planned to be very local, making it easy for all to attend.  Because the raft-up's  will be close to Bowley's Marina, members can come for the day, overnight, the entire weekend, or come & go as you're able!
• After hours pool party's.  this is in the idea phase only at this point.  Details will be sent to members as they become available.
• Online Store. We are working on getting an "online store" opened on the BPYC website.  The store will sell BPYC gear such as burgee's, T-shirts & hoodies.  Until our online store opens, we will continue to take orders & sell our gear at all yacht club events.  Orders can also be sent via email:  BowleysPointYC@ gmail.com.
  
• BPYC membership Cards will once again be issued to all members, once 2024 membership renewal is complete.  These cards have been found to allow access to other yacht club facilities & even provide discounts at certain fueling locations.  I encourage members who find new benefits from their BPYC membership and/or membership card to let me or another of your Bridge Officers know.  We will start a list of these benefits & locations and post them on the BPYC website for all BPYC members benefit.
• Boat for Vets Day.  We are working on arrangements for interested BPYC members to participate with other area yacht clubs in "Boats for Vets" day.  This is an incredible event.  Basic details can be viewed @ https://www.usvetconnect.com/boats-for-vets.  BPYC participation details are forthcoming.
  
• BPYC General Business Meetings will again be held in-person, or by Zoom for members unable to attend in person.  Meetings are held in the Chandlery and are announced by email ahead of the meeting date.  All members are welcome, and encouraged to attend!
• The BPYC 2024 Events Calendar will be posted on the BPYC website in the very near future.  The calendar changes as new events are planned, so check back regularly!
  

Ideas for new BPYC events are always welcome.  If you have an idea, please reach out.  Email addresses for each Bridge Officer are posted on the BPYC "About Us" webpage.

Volunteers for all events are always needed.  Feel free to contact any of the Bridge Officers if you wish to volunteer for an upcoming event.

Thanks for belonging to BPYC!  I wish you a Happy 2024.

Tom Bachur