Volunteerism

Volunteerism at Fishing Bay Yacht Club

Fishing Bay Yacht Club is proud to be a “participation” yacht club. This means that the success of our racing, cruising, instructional, and social programs relies heavily on the active involvement of our members. From regatta organization and race management to event planning and club maintenance, FBYC runs on volunteer power.

Your Commitment as a Member

FBYC members are expected to contribute a minimum of two (2) days of service per year by volunteering on one or more of the Club’s committees or assisting with events. This expectation applies to all members, new and long-standing, and is outlined in the FBYC Membership Application.

Volunteer support is essential to:

Hosting a robust calendar of racing and social events
Keeping membership dues affordable
Building camaraderie and community within the Club
Passing along skills and traditions that make FBYC special

Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteering is more than just a responsibility—it’s an opportunity.
By getting involved, you can:

Meet new people from all fleets and experience levels
Learn about race committee work, safety protocols, and event logistics
Share your own talents and expertise
Strengthen your sailing knowledge—on and off the water
Help shape the future of the Club through your input and efforts

How Our Volunteer System Works

Annual Chair & Volunteer Assignments

Early in the year, Division Officers and Board Members assign Event Chairs for the many racing and social events on our calendar. These Chairs are responsible for planning and staffing their events and are encouraged to reach out to the general membership for help.

Chairs often need volunteers for:

Race Committee and Mark Boat crew
Registration and check-in
Grill and galley duty
Set-up, clean-up, and logistics
Junior event supervision
Event communications and scoring

The Club maintains a strong tradition of multi-generational participation, where entire families contribute their time and talents.

Three Keys to Volunteer Success

To make our system work effectively, we focus on three important areas:

Communicating who is in charge
- Each event has a Chair listed on the FBYC website.
- If you want to help, you can find their contact info and reach out directly.
Knowing member interests and skills
- Members are encouraged to share their preferences and expertise through the MyFBYC volunteer portal.
Tracking participation for future planning
- Volunteer history is recorded so that future Event Chairs can easily identify members with past experience in specific roles.

Volunteer Tools on the FBYC Website

To streamline volunteer coordination, FBYC has developed several web-based tools available under the MEMBERS section of the club website.

✅ MyFBYC

A personalized member portal where you can:

Enter and update your volunteer preferences
Indicate interests for your entire family
Track your volunteer history

✅ Event Pages with Volunteer Positions

Each regatta and event page includes:

A list of needed volunteer roles (visible only to logged-in members)
A clickable “Email Interest” link to notify the Event Chair
A section that displays who has volunteered (updated by the Chair or Event Manager)

✅ Event Manager Tools

Chairs and Event Managers can:

Log in and record names and roles of their volunteers
Update participation data after the event for Club archives
View volunteer history for recurring events

✅ Other Volunteer Resources

Located in the “Volunteering” section of the website’s Members Area:

The System – a guide on how to use the volunteer platform
Search Lists – search for volunteers by event, role, or name
Recent Volunteers – see who has been active recently
Volunteer History – shows where your service has been recorded

After the Event

After each event, we ask Chairs to:

Record the names of all volunteers
Note the roles they served in
Ensure this information is saved for use by future event organizers

This archive helps us recognize our volunteers and improve planning and consistency from year to year.

We’re Still Growing

FBYC continues to refine its volunteer systems. While we are still learning how to use these tools to their fullest potential, they are already making a big difference in helping the Club operate smoothly and professionally. As we become more familiar with them, we expect our programs to become even more efficient, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone.

Thank You for Your Service

Every hour volunteered contributes directly to the vitality and success of Fishing Bay Yacht Club. Whether it’s running a race, grilling burgers, moving marks, serving drinks, or rigging junior boats—your help matters.

🎉 Thank you for stepping up, showing up, and being part of what makes FBYC a thriving sailing community.

Want to get involved or not sure where to start?
Visit MyFBYC or reach out to any Event Chair, Division Officer, or Board Member. We’ll help you find a way to plug in.