Tickets still available - deadline extended! don't miss the ASI Election Dinner

Please join us this Saturday, October 22, 2011 for the ASI Election dinner. The event begins at 6 pm at Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center, 8768 North Territorial Road, Plymouth, Michigan 48170 (actually in Salem Township).

Dinner includes Herb Roasted Chicken, Pasta with Marinara sauce, salad, potatoes and vegetable, rolls, cake, coffee and tea. The cost is $22 per person. All who eat must have a reservation. There can be no exceptions since ASI must pay for all who eat.

Election of three new Trustees will follow dinner. The nominees, to date, are:

• Don Sharpe
• Don Kapit
• Christian McTurk

There will also be an opportunity, at the dinner meeting, to nominate a candidate from the floor, and write in a candidate.

Please call your reservation into our sail secretary, Lisa Drumm, NOW. You can reach Lisa at 248-393-4280, Office Hours: 8-10am, Mon-Fri

IMPORTANT: Vote on proposed Article XIII at Election Dinner this Saturday

The following is a proposed amendment to ASI's Bylaws.  This amendment will be voted upon by the general membership at the Election Dinner on October 22, 2011.  As a proposed amendment to our Bylaws, a 2/3 vote of approval of the membership at the Dinner is required for acceptance.

ARTICLE XIII - ASSET ACQUISITION

A. Asset acquisition refers to the purchasing of any vessel, real estate or other asset of $10,000 in value or greater.

B. All asset acquisition decisions can only be be at a formal board meeting.

C. The general membership must be informed of the intent to bring an asset acquisition motion at an upcoming board meeting at least two weeks prior to said meeting.

D. All board trustees must be personally notified of the intent to bring a asset acquisition motion at an upcoming board meeting.

IMPORTANT: Vote on proposed Article XIII at Election Dinner this Saturday

Interlake takeout scheduled for October 22 - - Don Caley

The Interlake takeout will be the morning of this Saturday, October 22. 

Yes, sadly, it is the end of the sailing season for ASI. But there is still the necessary business of putting the boats away for the winter. It's not hard work - some of us masochists even call it FUN - because there's almost always a good turnout so the work is distributed evenly.

We all meet at Crawford Farm - see the map - at nine to divide into teams. Most of the work, initially, is at the lake. The 'lake' team readies the boats for transport to the farm, and assembles the gear and dockboxes for transport to Milford for winter storage.

The team trailering the boats takes them, one by one, to the farm. As the boats arrive at the farm, they are removed from their trailers and prepped for shrink-wrapping by the 'farm' team.

The 'Milford Storage' team unloads the gear as it arrives, and packs it away in our 'sailhouse' in Milford. 

It sounds complicated, but with a good turnout we usually wind things up by twelve or one, leaving plenty of time to get home, clean up, and get ready for the Election/Dinner meeting that evening. 

We'll see you at the farm at nine, and at the dinner at six!

Keelboat decommissioning 2011 - - Marilyn Leece

The temperatures plummeted, the rain was pouring, the wind was blowing!

The only thing that didn't "blow away" was our crew spirit!

It's been a wonderful sailing season, (too short in Michigan) but the boats are now ready for their long deserved rest. I always think of the boats as "sleeping in their cradles". In Spring, they wake up and come to life again!

Jessica and I would like to express our thanks to everyone that braved the elements to help with decommissioning Interlude and Overture; our Level 2 sailing vessels.

A special thanks for a wonderful sailing season to:

• Craig Smith: Maintenance Director 
• Jack Townsend: Asst. Maintenance Director 
• Mike Perrin: Overture Boat Capt.
• David Barbour: Overture Asst. Boat Capt.
• Claire Zepeda: Overture Asst. Boat Capt. 
• Jerry Brady: Interlude Boat Capt.
• Kate McCrae: Interlude Boat Capt.
• Chris Lamb: Interlude Boat Capt. 
• -John Buyle: Time Share Scheduler (you're the best!) 
• -Judy Martens for always offering a helping hand when needed. 

-And the many Level 2 members that contributed their time and effort in maintaining the Level 2 boats.

There's still more work to be done for decommissioning!

Please watch the Burgee for details.

Marilyn Leece & Jessica Hogg

Level 2 Co-Managers

Shrink Wrap Sunday October 23, 2011 - - Joe Jaeger

Sunday, October 23 (the day after the L1 Takeout), we will be shrink-wrapping our Interlake fleet out at Crawford Farm.  This is a big job and we could certainly use your help.  All are welcome!

Since some support structures will already be put on place on Saturday, the plan is to meet at 11 am, and immediately get to shrink-wrapping.  You will be given direction and this is a great time to learn more about shrink wrapping our boats.  With your help (and light winds), we could feasibly get through all the Interlakes in a single day.

Additionally, if you're interested in helping with the keel boats (to be done the following weekend), please come out to 'practice-up', so to speak, on the Interlakes.  They are a much more manageable and a valuable first step in developing your 'shrinking' skills.

Hope to see you on Sunday (and Saturday, of course).

Keelboat decommissioning 2011 - - John Tiley's viewpoint

It started with a single sailor walking down the long rain soaked dock in the cold being pushed by gale force winds to boats heeling to starboard in the slips as the rigging hit the masts in chorus....But even a little rough weather didn't deter the ASI JBM sailors that followed from gathering together to caringly put their boats away for the season as old friends met up again.

Many hands made it easy and fun as the crews slowly removed the lines, sails, some hardware and rails to be refinshed, did oil changes, pink pop, coffee, hot cider, and dogs went along with gale force docking practice as check lists were checked; cars were stuffed with sail bags, cushions and gear for safe keeping till next spring.

The captains were reconized, a group picture taken as we took our last ride to the fuel dock for 2011. And it ended with a single sailor walking the dock as the sun finally coming out. Thanks to all for a great season.

Recent Operations Team Approval - - Joan Swain

At the last Operations Team meeting (2nd Monday of month to which all are invited),  I proposed that the vacant Assistant Level 1 Manager slot be devoted to Student Mentoring (#3 from my Burgee alert last week).   Those in attendance gave quick approval.

L1 student mentoring is not a new concept.  That's what practice sails have always been about.  And the expansion of group sails, started a few seasons back by Bob Dallos and John Johnston, has been invaluable.  However, lately we were learning that some students, not able to take advantage of varied modes of outreach and inclusion, were feeling adrift.   That's not a good feeling for any sailor, let alone a new one.    

So, over the off-season - small in numbers, but mighty in thoughts - some  members, who have had a growing concern with guiding students to become rated and more familiar with the Club,  will be meeting to start formulating measures to reduce the probability that any L1 student feels disconnected.   There are already ideas on how to start this process, and I expect some plans will reincorporate the 1:1 mentoring from years past. 

The main barrier, however, may be finding the best member willing to take on this position, now that it's official. I have in mind a made-for-this-slot member, but others may rise to the top.  We'll know by Spring who has stepped up.

2011 Stony Creek Decommission - -  Heidi Dzendzel

Wednesday, October 19 will be Stony Creek’s decommission evening. In case of inclement weather, the date will move to Thursday, October 20.

Anyone interested in helping can arrive as early as 5pm and we will work as late as 7pm. Wear warm layered clothing based on the weather conditions including rain gear, boots and gloves if necessary. Bring a camera (if you wish), a flash light and your sail pass to record your volunteer time.

The process is orchestrated by a team leader. Helpers can step-the-mast down and secure it for transport. We will demast one boat at a time. For your safety, when you arrive, please wait for instructions. Coffee, cookies, M&Ms and good conversation will be served while you wait.

Kensington boat take out is Saturday, October 22, 9am to generally 12pm. Level 1 volunteer hours, are needed at Kent as well. Stony boats need to be driven back to the farm early so the trailers can be used to transport Kent boats from the lake back to the farm.

Drivers: If you have a trailer hitch with a lighting package and you can transport trailers back to the Crawford farm in Milford, please email Heidi. You will need a 1-7/8” ball to transport a ½-ton boat and trailer and a 2” ball to transport the utility trailer which weighs a ton. The hauling assignments and instructions will be released the week of take out. I will work with you at your convenience.

It is always sad at the end of a sailing year, but in a quick six short months a new adventure will begin. Think about sending in your applications for the 2012 season early before February 1st; and receive a discount rate. Contact Lisa at asisailsecretary@att.net

All you new Level 1s and Level 2-4s should be happy to help your fellow classmates to accomplish what you have completed. There will be a whole new group of excited students awaiting your help to guide them through the system just as you were helped in your year. You can make the difference. Sign-up to help teach: shore school, shore intro class, water instruction, and practice sails. Contact me, or MaryJane mjbacinski@aol.com by March next year. It is a rewarding feeling to know you’ve participated in a fellow sailor’s success.

Thank you for making this a fun and successful 2011 season. I want to thank you in advance for volunteering.

Heidi, Stony Creek Level 1 Manager

Welcome Patrick MacArthur, new Manitou maintenance captain - - Craig Smith

Peter Fulda has decided to step aside as captain and will function as the captain assistant. Peter has served as captain for many years and has done a remarkable job. Thank you Peter for your dedicated service.

Patrick jumped right in this Saturday at the keelboat prep for takeout. He has great mechanical skills and is eager to put them to use on Manitou. There was a good turnout Sat. for the preparation for takeout on Tuesday. Patrick along with others has got a great start on tackling the many issues that need attention on Manitou as well as normal winterizing tasks.

Patrick has asked for volunteers for captain assistants so please get with him and help out.

The following are important dates to put the keelboat under wraps for the long winter: 

• Haul Out - Tuesday, October 18, 8:00 am
• End of Season Maintenance - Saturday, October 22, 9:00 am
• Shrink Wrapping - Saturday, October 29, 9:00 am

Thanks to Marilyn and Jessica for the food, treats and drinks and making the keelboat preparation run smoothly.

Keelboat Haul-out - - Peter Fulda

As the evenings grow shorter it is time to plan for our annual winter lay up. While a successful sailing season draws to a close, it is always important to prepare the boats for the next one. Keep the following dates in October in mind:

• Haul Out - Tuesday, October 18, 8:00 am
• End of Season Maintenance - Saturday, October 22, 9:00 am
• Shrink Wrapping - Saturday, October 29, 9:00 am

Please support your boat captains, assistant captains in ensuring the successful winterizing of our boats. These activities represent opportunities to catch up on your needed volunteer hours while enjoying the camraderie of your fellow ASI sailors.

Level 2 Class 2012 - - Bill Lane

Become a Level 2 Captain and Sail the Level 2 O’Day 28 foot Keel boats Interlude and Overture on Lake St Clair

Learn the basics of:

• navigation and GPS
• docking a keelboat
• anchoring
• keelboat sailing
• radio operation
• boat systems
• rules of the road for power boats
• and much more

Prerequisite are:

1. Declare sailing ability by submitting a sailing resume to head of Level 2 instruction and have sailed the Interlake 8 times as a Level 1 rated sailor this year.

2. Be an ASI member and Level 1 Sail Pass holder with all volunteer hours up to date.

3. Complete and present a certificate showing completion of US Power Squadron or US Coast Guard Auxiliary Safe Boating / Basic Seamanship course before the start of Level 2 classes. The class must have a navigation component. The “America’s Boating Course” has the component. Classes are offered by the Ann Arbor and Birmingham Power Squadrons in October.

Sail longer and farther than ever before

Contact Bill Lane, Level 2 head instructor, for details

248-891-6125

Email: wjl6355@gmail.com

Level 3/4 class for 2012 - - Bill Lane

Level 2 sailors, it is not to early to be think of joining the level 3/4 class for 2012

Sail to interesting ports such as:

• Thames River
• Port Huron/Sarnia
• Goderich
• Kincardine
• Port Elgin
• Harbor Beach
• Tobermory
• Killarney
• Georgian Bay and the finest cruising area in North America.
• The North Channel

Enter beautiful coves such as: Cover Portage Cove, Snug Harbour, Marianne cove, The Pool, Benjamin Islands and Browning Cove.

Learn advance navigation techniques and enhance your knowledge of GPS

• Do off shore sailing work
• Advanced anchoring
• Boat provisioning
• Crew organization
• Sail to a destination overnight

Prerequisite are:

Have a Level 2 sail pass and work hours current.

Sail the Level 2 keel boats 8 times this year of which 4 or more of the sails you were the captain.

Contact Bill Lane, for details

248-891-6125

Email: wjl6355@gmail.com

Hello Level 1 Sailors - - Bill Lane,  Level 2 Head Instructor

A major requirement for the Level 2 Keel Boat class is having taken a basic boating class ('America's Boating Course', see below). Below are a list of the local US Power Squadrons that are offering the class this fall. It is important to meet this requirement  in October because it will be unlikely that the classes will be offered until March 2012. This requirement must be met  to start the class. It you have any questions, email or call me at 248-891-6125

---------------------------------------------------------

America’s Boating Course

Squadron:       Birmingham District: 9 - Web Site

Contact:        Lt/C Thomas J. Smith, JN

Phone:  248-877-3092 Email:  tommyjohn1248@yahoo.com

Location:       West Bloomfield High School

• Address:        4925 Orchard Lake Rd
• City:   West Bloomfield, MI 48323
• Start Date:     OCT 10, 2011
• Time:   07:00PM
• STATUS:         Accepting Registrations

Squadron:       Birmingham District: 9 - Web Site

Contact:        Lt/C Thomas J. Smith, JN

Phone:  248-877-3092 Email:  tommyjohn1248@yahoo.com

Location:       St Joseph's Mercy Hospital, Franco Communication Ctr

• Address:        44405 Woodward Ave
• City:   Pontiac, MI 48341
• Start Date:     OCT 10, 2011
• Time:   07:00PM
• STATUS:         Accepting Registrations

Squadron:       Birmingham District: 9 - Web Site

Contact:        Lt/C Thomas J. Smith, JN

Phone:  248-877-3092 Email:  tommyjohn1248@yahoo.com

Location:       Stony Creek High School

• Address:        575 E Tienken Rd
• City:   Rochester Hills, MI 48306
• Start Date:     OCT 10, 2011
• Time:   07:00PM
• STATUS:         Accepting Registrations

Squadron:       Flint District: 9

Contact:        Nora Fisher

Phone:  810-238-1529 Email:  NFisher565@aol.com

City:   Burton, MI 48519

STATUS:         Schedule Pending

Squadron:       Ann Arbor District: 9

Contact:        Bob Buchanan

Phone:  734-971-6589 Email:  BuchananRA@msn.com

Location:       WCC Main Campus, Business Education Bldg. Room 270

• Address:        4800 East Huron River Dr.
• City:   Ann Arbor, MI 48105
• Start Date:     OCT 04, 2011
• Time:   06:45PM
• STATUS:         Accepting Registrations

LEAVING TOWN SEEMS TO WORK - - Joan Swain, L1Manager

Since I'm heading out of town again tomorrow, I won't be at the Interlake take-out nor election dinner this Saturday. So I'm grabbing this chance to express my appreciation to members who made sailing at Kent Lake this year the greater success that it was, with some specific names below. 

• Knowing that I was going to miss 7 weeks of the season this year, I was a bit concerned about being out of touch. Guess what? This season was better than last! So much was accomplished by YOU. And more may be coming as your other ideas are in the works for next year:
• Two members stepped up to organize more group/practice sails at Kent Lake and garnered reliable side-kicks along the way
• A thoroughly enjoyable 1st annual Celebration of L1 students sprung from the mind of one of those side-kicks, evolving as others gave input
• A new member, having gotten his feet wet as our new head of the Club's annual August picnic, readily hauled out some of his tailgating gear to take on the task of cooking the hotdogs and burgers at the Celebration we gained greater flexibility for dockmastering hours more on-water testers responded to the call
• Ideas to improve the transition from student to rated member started flying end-of-season, filling my inbox and ears, and now......(hear the trumpets, drum roll, and cymbals clash)....we have an official L1 position for mentoring. Also.....
• An idea to take Interlake sailors up a few notches in sailing skills came to the fore and another expansive-thinking mind came up with what may be a mini-miracle if we can pull it off next year.

Though addressing only the gains in Level 1, I believe I speak for all members in expressing a big THANK YOU to David, Dave, John, Dana, Ray, Anne, Ron, Deb, Pam, Judy, Blaise, JoAnne, Mike, Marlin, Heidi, Dan, Steve & (a different) Dan for contributing - sometimes again & again & again - to the current and potential growth of our Club.

While I enjoyed more traveling than usual this season, I think I should be required to make similar plans to get lost next year. Hey, doing so helps Level 1 be better!! See you at the January meeting.

A few more things...       

Remember to put October 22 on your calendar! Three important events: Interlake takeout in the morning and the Election/Dinner meeting in the evening, plus keelboat decommissioning at JBM. For details on these events see articles above. See you all there!

The next Burgee will be Tuesday, October 25. Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net by Sunday for inclusion in that Burgee. But send pictures as attachments, please!