STATEMENT OF PURPOSE



NEW MEMBER HANDBOOKUpdated 2014STATEMENT OF PURPOSEAccording to Article II of the Singles on Sailboats, Inc. By-Laws, as amended April 7, 1991:“The prime purpose of the corporation is to bring together single adults who sail, or wish to do so, in order that members can?Meet others with similar interests?Participate in sailing activities and?Share information about sailing.”SOS is a club made up entirely of volunteers and designed to bring together single individuals who wish to sail, whose primary function is to have a great time sailing, learning and sharing with a great group of people who like to sail, learn and share.CLUB GOVERNANCESOS’s activities are organized and run by a large and committed group of volunteers organized into committees. Each standing committee has a Chairperson who is appointed annually by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is elected by the members to serve a two-year term. Additional information with regards to SOS’s by-laws and policies can be found in the front of the membership directory and on the website. The Whisker Pole, which is the Club’s Newsletter, is an excellent source of information and contains cruising schedules, social events, articles regarding club functions, and all the Board of Director’s and Committee Chairs contact information.MEMBERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES TO SOSSOS is a non-profit organization, founded in 1978. Current membership exceeds 650, with the majority of members hailing from Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.The club’s activities include, but are not limited to, four separate but integral programs:?Sailing?Safety and Education?Social?Off-season activities, such as Brunches, Fireside Chats, and SeminarsIn order for this volunteer organization to function, SOS depends solely on its membership as the resource for creativity, cooperation and implementation of its programs. It is essential that each member contribute time and talent for the continued success of the club. Each member’s level of commitment varies, but each one of us participates.Sailing with SOSWhen you participate in on-the-water activities, your personal responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:?When you commit to going on a cruise, you are filling a space as a working crew member on a sailing vessel. Others are depending on you to be there to help on deck; to share in the provisioning of cruise meals, and to participate in leaving the vessel shipshape in her home port once the cruise is over.?Promptness is most important. “Time and tide wait for no man.” If you are unable to get to your boat or meeting place on time, it is imperative that you let the skipper or another crew member know you will not make it or are running late. You will be responsible for getting food assignments to the boat and crew. Make sure you get the phone numbers of the other crew members when you accept a skipper’s invitation to sail.?Be honest about your skills. If you have sailing skills, articulate exactly what they are. On the other hand, if you have limited or no skills, let the skipper know that as well. Many situations arise on a boat (not just emergencies), which require the skipper to know exactly who on board will be an asset and who may be a liability. Skippers need this information in order to make quick decisions about how he/she will approach certain situations on the water. ?On a cruise, you are a guest on the skipper’s boat. Whether or not your skipper is a “live aboard”, he/she expects you to respect the integrity of the vessel and all of its accoutrements, just as you would a home you are visiting. If you don’t know how to use a piece of equipment or where something (of yours or the skipper’s) is stowed, ask! Most things on a boat are where they are, or operate in a particular way, for a reason. Don’t guess, ask!Substance AbuseUnder no circumstances will any form of illegal substance be tolerated during SOS functions. Not only is it SOS policy, it is the law. Use of such substances will result in immediate removal from the function and from the club. Excessive use of alcohol is incompatible with safe boating practices and is strongly discouraged by the Board, either underway on a vessel or at an SOS raft.Sexual HarassmentIt is the policy of SOS not to tolerate verbal or physical conduct which disrupts, harasses, or interferes with a person’s environment. All forms of harassment are prohibited. The victim does not have to be the person harassed but could be anyone affected by the offensive conduct. The victim as well as the harasser may be a woman or a man; the victim does not have to be of the opposite sex. The full Harassment Policy can be view on the website: , in ‘Forms and Such’ under Board of Directors.GETTING READY TO SAIL WITH SOSWhen you join SOS you are asked to report or describe your previous sailing experience. The experience level among 650+ members runs the gamut from those who don’t know what to call the “pointy end” of the boat to those who have circumnavigated the globe.Education ProgramsWhether you’re an experienced sailor or a landlubber, sailing with SOS helps you polish your skills. You’ll gain experience on a variety of boats and with many skippers who have knowledge to share.On the Water with SOS?Basic Skills Program:The Basic Skills Program, an introduction to sailing, is a three-level study course and practicum. The Basic Skills Manual and Checkout Sheets are located on the SOS website, , in ‘Forms and Such’ under Education, and may be downloaded at your convenience. Members are required to demonstrate Basic Skills to a Skipper or First Mate in order to sail on weekends. Basic Skills 1 is considered to be a safety element for sailing with SOS. A crew member may sail on a weekend cruise if they are prepared to be checked out on Basic Skills 1, and a skipper consents to do the checkout. The skipper’s consent must be obtained by the coordinator. Portions of Levels I and II may be completed at Dockside Training, New Member Orientation, New Member BBQ Chats, and on day sails. Level III must be completed while under sail on a weekend cruise. The website ‘Honing My Skills’ tab provides study guides for the Basic Skills Program and other venues for learning how to sail. All Basic Skills Checkout Sheets must be completed, signed by a skipper or first mate, and sent to admn_SOS@. Please remember to make a copy for yourself and to send in each Check Out sheet upon completion. Your Basic Skills completion level can be found under “My Profile” on the website.?Intermediate Sailing Program:A sailing log and manual are provided for those members who wish to improve sailing and seamanship skills. The manual provides a comprehensive outline of suggested sailing activities and opportunities to improve your skills. It is the individual’s responsibility to update and maintain the personal sailing log and training. SOS does not maintain records of those who have completed the Intermediate Sailing Program; this is a self-improvement project.The Intermediate Skills Log can be found on the SOS website, , in ‘Forms and Such’ under Education.?First Mate Program: A First Mate is someone recognized by SOS as having achieved a high level of expertise. SOS sponsors a First Mate Recognition Program. Ideally, a First Mate sails on every boat to assist the skipper.Once you have met the prerequisites, and you feel you have the skills and experience, you may seek First Mate’s candidacy. You can find the necessary forms on the website in ‘Forms and Such’ under Education.Two of three on-the-water check-outs must be passed in order to become a Recognized First Mate with SOS.SAILING WITH SOSSOS plans many bay cruising events throughout the sailing season, beginning in April and continuing through early November.In order to register for any given cruise; skippers, first mates, and crew must submit a completed registration/waiver form to the designated cruise coordinator prior to the published deadline, generally two weeks before a weekend cruise is scheduled and one week before a day sail. SOS members can register for a day sail or weekend cruise by:Completing a paper sailing registration form and mailing it, with a check payable to SOS, Inc. for the cruising fee, if applicable, to the coordinator, ORLogging into the SOS website opening the Event Calendar, clicking on the date of the cruise, verifying the information on the sailing registration form and paying the fee for that event by credit card.?The registration/waiver form asks for your experience level, whether or not you smoke or can sail with someone who does, whether you can sail with a skipper who has pets onboard, if you have medical problems that would limit your ability to sail, the name and phone number of someone to contact in an emergency, and your name, address, email address and phone numbers. It is important to check that any form you submit to SOS is accurate and complete.?Cruise coordinators, when assembling crew to offer a skipper, attempt to provide a boat with a crew that is balanced in skill levels, taking into consideration the information supplied (where you live, your self-rated experience, any medical condition) by crew members on their registration/waiver forms. The cruise coordinator then offers the skippers the names of crew that they may invite. Crew have the right to turn down an invitation from a skipper and skippers have the right to turn down the crew offered to them.?Crew members may or may not always sail with people they know, or have sailed with before. However, this affords the opportunity to meet new people throughout the season, to provide a variety of experiences on different boats, and to help assimilate newer members in the most pleasant manner possible.?Safety is a primary consideration on all sails!DOCKSIDE TRAINING?Dockside Training is scheduled twice a year on various skipper’s boats. These events provide and opportunity to learn and demonstrate Basic Skills. Completion of Basic Skills Level I can often be accomplished at a Dockside Training Event.DAY SAILS?Day Sails are scheduled with the specific intent of having new members spend a day aboard with a skipper who is willing to demonstrate and supervise the practice of various basic sailing skills. Completion of Basic Skills I can often be accomplished on a day sail. Please bring your Basic Skills Checkout Sheets.?Day Sails allow you to judge whether sailing is truly an endeavor you wish to pursue further. Crew must bring their lunch, beverage and may bring a snack to share.?Some boats may also participate in a fun race on a day sail. This is a great way to test your skills.WEEKEND CRUISESWeekend Cruises are SOS’ “raison d’être.” Cruises are scheduled approximately every other weekend from mid-April through early November.?Although membership exceeds 650, up to 20+ boats, carrying 40-80 members participate on a cruise each weekend.?Crews average three to four to a boat: the skipper, sometimes a guest of the skipper and/or 2-3 crew, one of whom may be a first mate. Assembling crews for each skipper from the list of members who register for a particular cruise takes place about 10 days before the cruise at a coordination meeting.?After the coordination, you will be invited by a skipper or first mate and given the details of the weekend. You will find out who your fellow crew members will be, given directions to the boat, which meals you are expected to bring, and when you are to meet for departure. Promptness is important in order to cast off and arrive at the destination on time.?The coordination process is key to the success of the cruising program, as stated earlier in the Members’ Responsibilities section of this Handbook. If any steps in the process break down or go unacknowledged, the program breaks down. Remember: You are a guest of the Skipper and it is important to keep him/her informed if you are not coming or running late.What to Bring?A completed Medical Form in a sealed envelope with your name on the front. This should be given to the skipper for safekeeping. Remember to take this with you at the end of your cruise.?Clothes should be brought aboard in one soft duffel or collapsible cloth bag which can be stowed efficiently. No hard suitcases! Remember space is limited!?Although crew members are advised to dress in layers, it is not necessary to have infinite change of clothes. Travel light! Pack the absolute minimum?A change of shorts, slacks, sweats, sweaters and lightweight loose-fitting long sleeved shirts (to protect against overexposure to sun).?Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and suntan lotion (NO OILS please). Remember that the sun’s rays and their reflection off the water can cause severe sunburn.?Sailing gloves.?Foul weather gear --- yellow and orange are recommended for higher visibility on the water.?Deck shoes: Non-skid white-soled, as other colors may mar the deck.?Personal gear should include appropriate toiletries. However, we usually leave hair dryers, curlers, curling irons, or electric shavers at home because boats do not have AC power away from the dock to operate them.?Sleeping bag, pillow, and towel.Optional Gear ? Bay Chart Book or charts of the area; Binoculars, preferably 7 x 50; Camera; Basic Skills Checkout Sheets.Food?Crew members (including skippers’ guests and First Mates) share equally in provisioning for the cruise, with the exception of beverages. You should provide you own water, juice, coffee, tea, and soda. If you wish, bring beer and wine to have at the raft-up.?Each crew member will be asked to provide and/or prepare at least one meal while on the cruise. If you have any questions on how you should provision for your meals, check with the person who extended the invitation to sail. ?If it is necessary to cook your meal, you will most likely be cooking on a two-burner stove, either alcohol or propane gas. These stoves take longer to cook meals than the ones at home, so plan ahead, either by pre-cooking your meal, or by making the meal quick and easy. Some boats do not have ovens. Check with the Skipper or First Mate to make sure.?Gourmet delights are quite possible, but keep the preparation on board to a minimum.?Lunch menus should be simple to assemble and eat. You should plan to serve food items that can be held in one hand, leaving the other hand free for safety and/or crew responsibilities. Lunch is usually served underway.?Perishables should be brought in Zip Lock plastic bags for stowage in the ice box.?Some liquids, such as juice or iced tea can be frozen prior to the trip and stowed in the ice box or ice chest as additional “ice” until ready for use.?Beverages, with the exception of wine, must be brought aboard in plastic or aluminum containers.?Not all skippers allow Red Wine as it stains. Check with your skipper to see if should be left ashore.?You are preparing a meal for a party of four, give or take one or two. You do not need to bring aboard giant, economy sizes of anything. Bring only enough for your scheduled meal. You will be discarding or taking home whatever is not used. Be mindful of the lack of storage space on board.?Ask the Skipper or First Mater which staples, utensils, condiments, etc. are on board prior to the cruise.CRUISING ETIQUETTE? RaftingRafting is the art or science of securing 2 or more boats together either in a circle or a line at the end of a day of cruising, giving people an opportunity to socialize. The building of a circle raft is a complicated procedure which is done under the direction of a designated Raft Captain. Boats enter into the raft according to size, and other factors. A crew member needs to be proficient on the VHF radio, attentive and responsive to his/her skipper. Responsibilities of the crew begin with the approach to the raft and do not end until the boat is secured, both port and starboard, to adjoining boats.?Food Preparation/Clean upAlways check with the Skipper with regard to appropriate timing of the meal being prepared. It is helpful to stow the food in layers in the ice box according to when it’s to be prepared and served. The StoveSafety is a prime consideration, since you’re dealing with highly flammable materials in an enclosed space. Ask the Skipper’s permission before you attempt to light or operate the stove.ServingKeep your serving plans simple and expeditious. The fewer dishes, pots and pans used, the fewer to wash. Boats do not have an infinite water supply.Clean UpHeating water during the meal is a great head start for clean up. Detergent is hard to dispose of, so use sparingly. We repeat-- water is limited! Keep in mind the thru-hull drain hose under the sink is not much bigger than a garden hose, and it can be difficult to unclog. Boats do not have garbage disposals.?SocializingIn SOS, raft-ups offer one of the best opportunities for getting acquainted. Some crew members provide hors d’oeuvres to share before dinner when the day’s sail is recounted and other sea stories are swapped. Other diversions in the raft-up include dancing on deck or singing sea chanteys and other folk songs. Boat hoppers are asked to cross from boat to boat on the foredeck, not through the cockpit of any boat unless you have been invited to visit by the host skipper and/or crew.END OF CRUISEThe skipper has generously provided his or her boat. It is SOS policy to leave the boat “shipshape”. Once the cruise is over and you are back in port, you must participate in cleaning up the boat -- both in the cabin and on deck.?Remove your gear from the boat.?Remove any left-over food from the ice box and/or dry storage areas.?Clean or wipe down the ice box and head according to the Skipper’s request.?Stow any lines, fenders or sails that need stowing.?Hose down the deck to remove any salt water residue or marks that may have been made during the course of the sail.?Check with the skipper about any other task he/she may want attended to before you leave the boat.REFUNDSCruising refunds are issued in accordance with SOS Policy:Member cancels before the deadline.Member cancels after the deadline and is replaced by another person.Skipper cancels and the member cannot find another boat.Event is overbooked.Cruise is canceled by the Cruising Chair or designee.NOTE: You must call the Skipper if you are unable to sail. Many times there is crew left ashore waiting for an opportunity to sail.NOTES FOR NEW SKIPPERS?Before you can sail your boat with SOS, it must be “activated” by the Safety Committee. “Activation” involves the completion of boat information on the Skipper-member’s profile on the SOS website and review by the Chair of the Safety Committee. This process can be expedited by contacting the Chair of the Safety Committee. See the Whisker Pole for contact information.?Safety is of primary concern to SOS. Club policy requires your boat to be properly insured and maintained. We recommend an annual Courtesy Marine Examination. Some of our members are Coast Guard Auxiliary-qualified to offer the Courtesy Marine Examination.?Before each cruise, you should review with your crew your onboard safety equipment. Make sure all aboard, whether crew or guest, know how to operate the VHF radio, engine, and the head. Man Overboard procedures should be reviewed and practiced during the cruise. A Pre-cruise Checkout Form will be sent to you by the coordinator each time you sail to assist you with this review.?Members and guest must sign a waiver for each cruise agreeing not to hold SOS or its officers liable for injury. Skippers are covered by their own insurance in the event of an accident. When you become a member and each year you renew, you will file an electronic waiver of liability. Non-members sailing as guests must sign and submit a paper Registration Form which includes a Waiver. This form can be found on the website in ‘Forms and Such’ under Cruising.?A Skipper will be offered a first mate on his/her first cruise or day sail with SOS. Cruise coordinators, when assembling crew, attempt to balance the skill levels of the crew offered to you. You may request specific people as crew. You may also reject any names on the list of proposed crew. However, on those cruises to shore-based locations where slip fees are paid, SOS will not cover the cost of your slip fee unless you have left at least one berth available for the cruise coordinator to fill.?We suggest you be the one to initially contact your crew. In this way, you extend the invitation, letting the crew begin to understand they are guests on your boat. You can also use the time to develop an understanding of their skill level and developmental goals. You may ask one of them, such as the first mate, to coordinate the food.?Skippers may bring one guest who does not pay the sailing fee, but does share in the provisioning with other crew members. The guest must submit a signed waiver form to the coordinator. Skippers and their guests are also required to pay for all land-based activities, such as parties.?Skippers are required to certify insurance annually.?As a skipper you may obtain further information, discuss policy issues and recommend any changes in policy through the Skippers Advisory Committee. Contact information is in the Whisker Pole.?Included in your membership packet is a copy of The Skipper’s Handbook, which details the Club’s sailing program. A copy can be found on the SOS website in ‘Forms and Such’ under Skippers. If you did not receive one, contact the Membership Retention Chair listed in the Whisker Pole.CLUB EVENTS - OFF- SEASONSOS has a strong commitment to helping members develop sailing skills. Aside from the on-the-water opportunities described earlier, SOS organizes a Spring Training Day annually before the sailing season begins. Other seminars and Fireside Chats, which focus on various aspects of sailing, are held during the off-season.?Spring Training:This all-day event is sponsored and coordinated by SOS. Spring Training is held at a local community college and includes workshops on boating skills, boat maintenance, and other sailing related topics. Courses are scheduled for sailors of all skill levels and include the following:?Weather?Charts and piloting?Radio operations?Knots?Sail trim?Rules of the road?Galley duties?And much moreSpring Training has become a major event on the SOS calendar, and has been highly informative and beneficial to all those who participate. This seminar is held in March and is strongly suggested, regardless of your skill level, that you participate as a “student” or as a presenter. one who can share any sailing expertise or experience you may bring to the club. Registration information and course descriptions are published in The Whisker Pole.?First Aid and CPR Training:It is strongly recommended that all members receive training in First Aid, CPR, and AED use. The American Heart Association offers courses.?Flare and Fire Safety Demo:Safe-use techniques demonstrated by instructors, you are given the opportunity to fire aerial flares, set off hand-held flares, and extinguish a small controlled fire using a fire extinguisher. Dockside Training:Sessions are usually held twice a year. This is a great opportunity for new members to meet each other and complete some of their Basic Skills Check-offs. Socializing at the end of the day is held in a nearby restaurant where many members share stories, cocktails, and a meal.?BBQ’s:New member BBQ’s are held during the sailing season and are perfect meet and greets for new SOS members. Topics usually related to new members’ questions and concerns about sailing with the club. Other topics maybe targeted for Basic Skills Check-offs.?Fireside Chats:Fireside Chats are hosted by members in their homes on weekends from November through March. These informal get-togethers feature a speaker who leads a discussion on a topic of interest such as rafting, anchoring, charts, piloting, and knots.Brunches:One of the highlights of the SOS off-season (November to April) is the monthly Sunday brunch in Annapolis where we get together for food, drink and socializing. A speaker or sailing-related presentation is featured for the group’s information and entertainment.?Committee Work and Other Ways to Participate:The sheer number of those involved is testimony that SOS functions are greatly enjoyed. Our social and sailing events occur primarily due to the commitment of time and energy by members of the club.Many opportunities exist for members to “get involved.” The pay-offs are an extraordinarily well-run club, the personal satisfaction of getting the job done, and the opportunity to meet other like minded individuals. Members are encouraged to participate in any of the following:? Newsletter.Assist the Editor in producing the monthly issue of The Whisker Pole.? Social:Assist the Social Committee Chair in planning for and putting on various SOS shore side social activities. Major social events on the SOS calendar include: Holiday parties in December, Thanksgiving Dinners in November, the Anniversary Party, a Seafood Feast, a Halloween Costume Party.? Education: Assist the Chair of the Education Committee with various training programs offered, such as Spring Training, Fireside Chats, and BBQ’s.? Safety: Assist the Chair of the Safety Committee in addressing on-the-water and shore-side safety munications/Marketing Assist the Chair in reaching out to the sailing community to create an awareness of SOS and its many sailing, safety, education, and social programs for munity Relations: Assist the Chair by participating in SOS Community outreach projects, including the club’s annual entry in the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade, Hospice Cup and other community outreach programs in the area.?Membership: Become an Area Contact for new and prospective members by being willing to accept phone calls until 9:00 PM at home on weeknights.? Brunches: Assist the Chair in planning the monthly Sunday Brunches that are held in Annapolis from November through March. ? Weekend Cruise and Day Sail Coordinators:Match crew, including First Mates, with available boats for a Weekend cruise or a Day Sail. The duties involve receiving registrations then assembling the crews to offer skippers.? Boat Helpers:Volunteer to help our skippers with Spring Commissioning and Fall Winterization of their boats.OUTSIDE SOSMany excellent sailing schools on the Chesapeake Bay offer weekend as well as extended three-four-and five-day courses.The US Coast Guard Auxiliary and US Power Squadron offer boating and water safety-related courses during the “off season.” Most courses are once or twice a week for six to twelve weeks.CPR and First Aid courses are helpful courses for SOS members to take. Check your area for what is available.Area community colleges generally offer boating and related courses through Adult Education programs.By calling 1-800-336-BOAT you may find out about various sailing and boating courses available in your area.MEMBERSHIP BENEFITSAs a member of SOS, you are privileged to enjoy unique opportunities to develop sailing skills, friendships, and your own self-worth as a club participant and volunteer. A direct correlation exists between the benefits you gain and your commitment to learning and improving your sailing skills,developing new friendships, and offering your expertise and experience to the functioning of an all-volunteer organization where sailing, safety and a good time are primary. ................
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