Commodore Hiram Betancourt

Thank you to the incoming Bridge for stepping up to the plate and assuring our membership has solid leadership representation. I want to introduce myself not just as the Seabacs Commodore for 2010, but also as a recreational boating enthusiast, just like many of you who are excited about the future of our organization.

The Seabacs Boat Club’s members and volunteers work hard to live up to our reputation as one of the friendliest boat clubs on Puget Sound waters. This year marks the 49th year for Seabacs, a Boeing Boat Club founded in 1961. Through the years we have accomplished many things for Seabacs and the Boeing recreation community. We are a group of mariners whose friendship and camaraderie make our club extraordinary. Each month on the second Monday we meet to have discussions that include social time, idea sharing, program development, and a collaborative business meeting.

Last year, we had an exciting number of cruises and events that drew members, chair-persons and officers together as working teams. I feel privileged to be leading a great group of people dedicated to making Seabacs a fun boat club. Last year’s memorable Annual Awards Banquet was an awesome team effort that reflected the work of eight individuals who pulled together a very successful event. My appreciation goes to those who made it possible. As Commodore, one of my goals will be directed towards improving communications and establishing documented procedures. Additionally, I’d like to surpass our standard goal of 70 registered members, and expand our financial resources.

As for documenting procedures, it is very important to me that documented procedures be written by and for the membership. Procedures are simply written guidelines for doing something, often called desktop procedures. These do not conflict with our bylaws, but enhance them. Alternatively, documented procedures from individual members can offer a mentoring view to forthcoming chairs and officers. I see this as opportunities to share knowledge and at the same time become better communicators.

This year I will make an attempt to establish a working board environment. I’d like to see all members and volunteers (including board members) working together on planned events and activities. I would like to see the executive board work together in decision-making and not always turn to the Commodore for decisions. The executive and expanded board chairs will meet and work together to decide which decisions can be made by individuals and which decisions need to come to the board. Optimistically, the board will merge the strategy and overlooked efforts as a team with the talents of board members as individuals.

We welcome speakers and guests year-round from reciprocal yacht clubs and safety boating organizations. Through the years we have had fund raisers to support our gifts to the club and to the planned cruises, awards banquets and social balls.  We are recognized for participation in the Daffodil festival with the help of our membership involvement and boating enthusiasm.

A requirement for Seabacs membership is that you are either a Boeing employee, Boeing retiree, a dependent of a Boeing employee or retiree or a contractor exclusively serving Boeing. We welcome all boaters, be they sail or power or rowboat.  Our purpose is one of camaraderie in and out of the water.  We sponsor more than a dozen cruises every year as well as social and community events. In addition to on the water activities, we have a full calendar of social events and educational training seminars during the year, all of which you can read about on our website and track on the Club’s calendar (www.seabacs.org).

Hiram Betancourt