Meet Katie Yudkin: Membership Engagement Chair
on Wednesday February 10, 2021 08:26AM
"I vividly remember my first Down The Bay race, delivering the boat to Annapolis," says Katie Yudkin our Membership Engagement Chair. "It was a grueling 14 hours. The rain was coming down sideways, the boat was crashing through four-foot seas and it was COLD. But I came to realize a few things after that long night: Boy do I love to sail."
Tasked with helping FBYC members to "get involved," Katie is actively working to increase participation across YAMS, Offshore and One-Design racers, Juniors and Cruisers. "There's something special about sailing and some of the kindest people I've ever met have been on the Fishing Bay dock."
Katie learned to sail on a Tartan 10, spent a handful of years crewing and eventually bought one. Although she no longer owns a boat, she actively crews in the Offshore fleet including with Jim Raper on Rhapsody and David Clark on Corryvreckan.
She especially wants to involve the 30-40 year-old members. "I would like to find a way to better engage this age group at the club. I plan to work with the YAM chair in 2021 to put together some events that will appeal to sailors and non-sailors alike. If we are able to increase participation of our existing members, then I believe we have a better shot at boosting new membership."
Katie credits her two "incredible parents" for helping cultivate her joy for sailing. Sharing that joy with others, members and non-members alike, is her goal for 2021.