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Volunteerism

Half Moon Bay Yacht Club is a volunteer club (we do have one part-time employee) and almost all activities of the Club happen because a member volunteered his or her time and effort. There are many different ways for members to volunteer, whether it requires a small, medium, or large-scale effort. Each contribution by a member improves the pleasure and excitement of the Club for everyone.
Below are categories in which members can volunteer. Open the tab of what interests you, and then volunteer to help operate the Club's activities!

  • Recreational Sailing
      • Participate on the Sailing Committee.
      • Oversee sailing programs under the supervision of the Sailing Committee.
      • Become a fleet sponsor to help maintain the watercraft: Cal 20's, C-15's, Flying Juniors, Lasers, Optis, SUP's, kayaks.
      • Organize and manage fleet activities.
      • Winterize boats in Fall.
      • Get boats ready to launch in Spring for the sailing season.
      • Work on boats as needed.
      • Cleanup, maintain, and improve the boatyard.
  • Sailboat Racing
      • Be Principal Race Officer (PRO) for a regatta.
      • Be on the Race Committee to help PRO run races: sound horns, raise and lower flags, record boats' finishes, compile results.
      • Operate a safety boat during the races, including setting and retrieving marks.
      • Check in racers, set up food (such as coffee and pastries before racing or lunch during racing) for racers and event volunteers.
  • Social Events
      • Participate on the Social Committee.
      • Plan and run events under the supervision of the Social Committee Chair.
      • Setup before and take-down after an event.
      • Help with check-in at an event.
      • Help the chefs cook or serve food.
  • Galley, Bar, and Clubhouse Management
      • Become a Watch Officer.
      • Cleanup and maintain the bar equipment.
      • Cleanup and organize the galley.
      • Launder kitchen and bar towels.
      • Clean popcorn popper.
      • Clean and repair ping pong table and small game sets at the Club.
      • Tidy up game storage.
      • Tidy up the lost and found, and periodically take it to a donation facility.
      • Other help to the Port Captain, as needed
  • Chefs
      • Cook a meal for members Friday night, Saturday night, or Sunday brunch.
      • Cook a meal for a themed Club event.
      • Assist the main chef anytime the Club offers a meal.
  • Membership Outreach
      • Work with Membership Manager to contact and support new members and less involved members to be more active at the club, including with volunteering.
      • Create and administer club-wide surveys to determine how the Club can engage and improve the membership experience.
      • Attend "new member" events as an existing member to welcome new members to the Club.
      • Other help to the Membership Manager, as needed
  • Media
      • Write an article for the Latest News (on member home page), Tell Tales, Spotlight, or Facebook.
      • Take pictures at an event and write a short event description.
      • Create artwork for the web site, Tell Tales, Spotlight, or Facebook.
      • Help create or revise content on the Club's website and other social media channels.
  • Facilities
      • Maintain and repair the club house, Event Center, and surrounding facilities, including the floating docks.
      • Perform grounds maintenance, such as weeding and planting.
      • Be a on a team for larger construction projects to improve various aspects of the Club's facilities.
      • Other help to the Facilities Manager, as needed
  • Staff Volunteers for Club Operations

    • Staff volunteers hold a specific title, have specific responsibilities within the Club, and take ongoing ownership of various aspects of Club operations.  The staff positions perform the following functions:

      • Manage a fleet by being a Fleet Captain: Cal 20, C-15, Laser, Opti, or paddlecraft (SUP and kayak).
      • Manage the checked out Skippers.
      • Organize, plan, and manage Youth Sailing camps.
      • Organize, plan, and manage the racing program.
      • Organize or teach Adult Sailing classes.
      • Manage the boatyard.
      • Be the Port Captain.
      • Recruit and on-board new members by being the Membership Manager.
      • Oversee the Ship's Store by being the Quartermaster.
      • Lead the Events Committee.
      • Manage the maintenance of the club house, Events Center, and grounds by being the Facilities Manager.
      • Manage the technology infrastructure of the club by being the Technical Manager.
      • Manage the various ways the Club communicates by being the Media Manager.
      • Edit and write articles by being the Tell Tales Editor.
      • Modify and update the Club web site by being the Web Site Editor.
      • Maintain and add to the Club's photo gallery by being the Photo Gallery Editor.
      • Manage clubhouse, Event Center, and other rentals by being the Event Rental Manager.
      • Represent the Club to RBOC (Recreational Boaters of California).
      • Represent the Club to PICYA (Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association).

      Although these staff positions are typically filled, the Club is always looking for new volunteers to take over a staff position should it becomes available due to the current volunteer retiring from the position or leaving the Club.

  • Board of Directors

    • The Board of Directors is the group of member volunteers that supervises all aspects of the Club, and especially the financial operations. They serve two-year terms and are nominated every other fall by a Nominating Committee appointed by the Commodore. The Board is sworn-in at the Commodore's Ball each November. The Board consists of:

      • The Commodore, who is the overall executive of the Club and the chairman of the Board.
      • The Vice Commodore, who has primary responsibility for all aspects of the Club that are on land.
      • The Rear Commodore, who has primary responsibility for all aspects of the Club that are on the water.
      • The Treasurer, who has responsibility for the financial operation of the Club.
      • The Secretary, who has responsibility for the records of the Club.
      • Two Directors-at-Large, who represent the membership to the Board and take on special projects as needed.