Program Interns

Teens who turn 14 by June 15, 2010 are eligible to apply for this program. Over the course of the summer, Program Interns will be expected to work 20 hours at the Club, at times that are mutually agreed upon by the intern and club manager. We expect these interns to assist the club manager and staff at special events (BBQs and Olympics, for example) and help the staff in a supporting function (Saturday morning races, rigging boats at 9am, the tennis tournament, prepping the 4th of July float, maintenance, for example). Program Interns will volunteer the first 10 hours of their hours to the Club and receive compensation for the second 10 hours. The Club will document the volunteer hours, which may be valuable to some interns for school community service requirements.

Requirements for Program Interns:

• Age 14 by June 15, 2010
• Committed to work 20 hours, at mutually agreed upon times
• Receipt of completed intern application by January 30, 2010

Junior Interns

Teens who turn 15 by June 15, 2010 (“first year interns” during the summer of 2009) are eligible to apply for this program. Junior Interns (“Juniors”) will assist the club manager and staff with daily duties and will support the staff in program areas (arts & crafts, sailing, swimming and tennis). Juniors may rotate through more than one program area during the summer, depending on their skills and the Club’s needs. We anticipate that Juniors will work 15-20 hours per week, for 3-5 weeks during the summer; this will be determined based on the final staffing configuration, the Junior’s skills and the Club’s needs.

Requirements for Junior Interns:

• Age 15 by June 15, 2010
• A 3-5 week commitment to the Club (see application for more details)
• Completion of a Red Cross Adult/Child First Aid with CPR class
• Receipt of a completed intern application by January 30, 2010

Senior Interns

Teens who turn 16 by June 15, 2009 and who worked at the Club during the 2009 summer (“second year interns” last season) are eligible to apply for this program. Senior Interns (“Seniors”) will assist the club manager and staff with daily duties and will support the staff in program areas (arts & crafts, sailing, swimming, and tennis). We anticipate that Seniors will focus on one or two program areas during the summer, depending on their skills and the Club’s needs. We anticipate that Senior Interns will work 15-20 hours per week, for 3-5 weeks during the summer; this will be determined based on the final staffing configuration, the Senior’s skills and the Club’s needs.

Requirements for Senior Interns:

• Age 16 by June 15, 2009
• Served as a Junior Intern (“second year intern” during the summer of 2009)
• A 3-5 week commitment to the Club (see application for more details)
• Completion of aRed Cross Adult/Child First Aid with CPR class
• Receipt of a completed intern application by January 30, 2010

Hello. My name is Pam Dickinson and I am President of the Block Island Club.
Welcome to the 2009 season: the Summer of the Great Salt Pond

Welcome New Members
I especially want to welcome new and newer members. The Club is a continuum of members who start out fresh-faced and new and become increasingly involved and committed to the place as the years go by. For those of us old-timers, please make an extra effort to welcome the new faces, both adults and children. You new members are the future of the Club and we are very glad to have you.

Thank Board Members
I want to thank this really exceptional board for all the great work we did this winter and highlight a few of the things we accomplished and have on the docket yet to do.

1. The renovation. Within 12 months, this board planned, fundraised for and completed a major renovation of our facilities. We have a new roof, beautiful new windows, a new electrical system, and completely rebuilt docks. I would especially like to thank board member Jane Musky for shepherding us so expertly through this project. This renovation cost the Club $110,000, of which we have raised $85,000 and have $25,000 still to go. If you have not yet donated to the capital campaign to fund this renovation, there is still time! Arts & Crafts is busy building our thermometer to gauge our progress and we will accept your check, cash or credit card at any time at the front desk. Simply tell Chris or Elizabeth you are making a donation to the capital drive and they will make sure the money goes to the right place and the thermometer is filled in!

2. Count-me-ins. You can also contribute to the capital drive by signing up for one or all of the count-me-ins we are posting tonight and will continue to post over the next week or two. These are open events with a limited number of sign up spots and range from a family bbq on the beach to an open air kids’ movie night (think drive-in, without the cars) to a special event mysteriously titled, Chris and Tim’s Excellent Adventure. Sign up sheets are here tonight and will continue to be posted at the Club until the event fills up. I really encourage all members and particularly new ones to use these events as opportunities to connect with other families, and help us raise money in the process.

3. The website. Hopefully many of you are using this terrific new tool we have to disseminate information and communicate with our members and potential members. I thank Club member Michael Rock, an amazing designer who not only put in countless hours designing our website, but also designed our beautiful and classic new logo this past fall. I encourage you to check the website frequently for calendar updates and other information. We have a new area on the home page called This Week which highlights special events each week and any changes to the previously published schedule. We’ve never before had a way to communicate so broadly and universally to our membership and we really hope people will take advantage of it.

The Summer of The Great Salt Pond

The board thought we would try something new this summer by creating a theme for the season. Given the importance of this great Island resource and the threat to it from Champlin’s renewed expansion bid, the board decided to revolve this summer’s activities around the Pond. We are joining with other groups that use the Pond to create co-activities and stronger bonds between those of us that love and use this magnificent resource. Look for the following new and existing events throughout the summer:

1. Flotilla on July 11th: Kids from the Club, BIMI, CGSP, and other independent families will decorate their boats and sail around in a floating parade. Corrie Heinz, President of the CGSP will bless the fleet.

2. Swim to Bean Point on August 2nd: This will be a mini-fundraiser for the Salt Pond where the kids will get sponsored for their swim. Being a kid-event, this is not meant as a big fundraiser, it is more an opportunity to get them personally involved in supporting the Pond.

4. CGSP Parents Party on July 25th: Mindy and Bob Ignarri have graciously invited us all to their beautiful home, better known as The Breakers, for a CGSP sponsored party to learn where the Champlin’s fight stands while sipping wine and enjoying the sunset from Mindy and Bob’s back lawn. Look for an invitation in the mail for this special event.

5. Thursday night and Saturday morning races throughout the summer where we mix with sailors from all over the Pond. On July 23rd the Club will host a special Thursday Night Race where we will run the committee boat and host a pot luck supper after the event for all racers. We even plan to set a small Opti course that night off Andy’s Way so bring the kids and mark that night as one not to miss. Even if you don’t sail, come and enjoy the evening as a diner and spectator.

The Staff
I want to take a minute to introduce our wonderful staff. Of special note this year, each member of this talented group is an experienced Club employee with all but one returning from last year, and one an alumna from a few years past. Many of them have been here longer than I have if you consider they started at the Club as five and six year olds! Please welcome our:

Manager Elizabeth Berube
Assistant Manager Chris Bergan
Head Sailing Instructor and Waterfront Director Andy Sherman-Ash
Assistant Sailing Instructor Jack McManus
Assistant Sailing Instructor Liz Noonan
Assistant Sailing Instructor Anna Musky-Goldwyn
Co-Head Tennis Instructor Tara Deieso
Co-Head Tennis Instructor Tannar Combias
Head Swimming Instructor Sarah Levinsky (returning after a two year absence)
Assistant Swimming Instructor Meg Taylor (jumping up from our Intern program)
Arts & Crafts Instructor Grace Ignarri

We look forward to a wonderful season with this enthusiastic, knowledgeable and smart group of young adults.

Thank You Gifts
Finally I want to take a moment and single out a few people who went above and beyond the call of duty this year. I mentioned our building project earlier tonight and I especially want to thank our contractor Bill Carey and his head carpenter Kim for their extraordinary effort and workmanship. They were out here in all kinds of weather, clinging to the roof to get the windows in and shingles on and did so on-time and on-budget! Please accept these gifts from the Club, courtesy of Club member and renowned photographer K.C. Perry. Thank you K.C. for contributing these beautiful works of art. I also want to thank Michael Rock for the work he did for the Club this year on the website, logo and numerous other projects with one of K.C.’s pieces. Unfortunately Michael could not be here this weekend but I none-the-less wish to acknowledge him tonight in front of you all and will hold his gift until he arrives.

Thank you for your attention for these past few minutes and please enjoy the food, drinks and rest of the evening. Approach me at any time with questions or suggestions. We look forward to a great 2009, The Summer of the Great Salt Pond!