Welcome CBI 2013 Sailing Season

Welcome one and all to CBI's 2013 sailing season.  Perhaps you've heard the phrase "the more things change, the more they stay the same?" That describes CBI pretty well.  We have some pretty significant changes happening this year..   We've got a new database.  It allows us to sell memberships online. Soon we'll be able to sign up for classes online too.  We can keep track of who is sailing when, and that is important for keeping everyone safe on the water. We've got new classes and curriculum. Most of our changes over time are incremental.  Small bits of evolution which add up over time to big differences.  In 1998, my first year as CBI's adult program director, we sometimes had only two or fewer safety launches in working order. Today our fleet of launches includes a total of 10 vessels and I can state for the record and  unequivocally that our great staff today are just spoiled rotten by having launches that work all the time!  In 1998 we had no connection to this thing we've all grown completely dependent on - the web.  When the weather forecast called for a chance of thunderstorms we watched the sky.  When we heard thunder or saw lightening we knew it was time to evacuate the river - usually too late for comfort. Today we monitor weather web sites and can evacuate the river before the lightning is upon us.

The list of changes over time seems quite large and I'll save more reminiscences for another time.   However there are some really big things that stay the same at CBI and they are more important than what changes.  CBI is first and foremost a community of members as opposed to consumers.  Most of our classes in the adult program are taught by other member volunteers. Volunteer members offer informal instruction daily. Volunteers work on special projects and serve on committees helping us to manage our affairs. Volunteers help organize harbor trips, Sunday morning  racing, Tuesday night racing, Wednesday night racing, and Friday night racing.  Sometimes volunteers organize swing dances! Without the hundreds of volunteers who join our spring and fall work parties I don't know how we would get our fleet hauled and stored in November and then launched and rigged again in March. CBI thrives because of volunteer engagement.  So I encourage you folks who are new to CBI this year, to get your helmsman rating, get sailing and then lend a hand. Maybe start off by offering informal instruction to other new members who are following along behind you. BTW we teach a "How to Give Informal Instruction" class to help you out.

"The mission of Community Boating, Inc.  is the advancement of sailing for all by minimizing economic and physical barriers to the sport of sailing.  In addition, CBI enhances the greater Boston community by using sailing as a vehicle to empower it's members to develop independence and self-confidence, improve communication, foster teamwork, and acquire a deeper understanding of community spirit and the power of volunteerism."

Welcome and Cheers!

Charlie