2025 BPYC Commodore’s Letter
May 2025
Click here for a PDF Version
Happy May everyone – I hope this letter hits you the same way the weather we’re all waiting for eventually does, meaning, better late than never! I’ll aim to keep this brief and focused squarely on the most important updates for the Membership as we all look forward to enjoying sunny skies, warm temperatures, and 10-15 out of the Southwest.
2025 Flag Officers & Committee Chairs – I’m pleased to share that once again the full slate of last year’s Officers has been reelected, including Mike Massey as Vice Commodore, Adrian Mott as Rear Commodore, Taylor Barstow as Treasurer, and Daisey Carroll as Secretary. All Committee Chairs have also volunteered to remain in their positions for 2025 – their names and roles can be found on the BPYC website, please reach out to them if you’d like to get involved and help support the Club.
BPYC Management & Staff John Hennedy will return for his eleventh season, entering his second decade as our rock, otherwise known as our General Manager! Please stop by to say thanks and give John a hug or a handshake this season – BPYC would not be what it is today without him. Mike Massey and Dave Houle will return as part-time launch drivers, Patrick Donaghue will be with us full time and Chris Dakers and Jack Webb will be returning as junior launch drivers. Finally, I’m pleased to announce that Meadow Hughes will be reprising her role as one of our core launch drivers for the second half of this season!
2025 Calendar and Social Events – This year, Opening Day is Saturday, June 14th and Closing Day is Sunday, September 21st. Events this season include:
Tuesday, June 17: Tuesday Night BBQs begin
Sunday, July 6: Fourth of July Pig Roast
Saturday, July 19: Member’s Social Cocktail Party
Sunday, August 3: Windsong Race and Cocktail Reception
Saturday, August 16: Commodore’s Social Cocktail Party
Sunday, August 31: Chowder Luncheon
Our Annual Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday, August 2nd. Please note that due to declining participation over Labor Day Weekend, we are moving the Windsong “big boat” Race to the Sunday following the Annual Meeting and attaching it to a fun and casual get together on the lawn that evening. Look for more information to follow, but please mark your calendars for this fun event. If you don’t have a boat to race, sign up to crew and we will do our best to get you out on the water!
BPYC Junior Sailing Program – BPYC JSP is dedicated to promoting and teaching seamanship and sportsmanship in a safe and fun environment. Many thanks to Olivia Hennedy for her continued stewardship of the JSP Committee, and I’m thrilled to welcome back Emma Jones as our Program Director! The Program Calendar is available on the website and registration is open. Olivia will be following up shortly with details, but for the time being please take note that the JSP program is set to begin on Monday June 30th and end on Friday August 22nd, and the registration deadline for this season is Monday, June 16th.
Membership Update – BPYC enters the 2025 season with a robust membership. We have a small number of openings – if you know of anyone who is interested in joining, please contact myself, John Hennedy, or David Millet. Reminder for any Members with children turning 26 that they are eligible for automatic entry with no initiation this year only.
Financial Update and 2025 Budget – The Club again delivered positive financial results in 2024. We will present more complete numbers at the Annual Meeting, but total revenue was $376,826 including $348,566 in operating revenue, $13,950 in first-year premiums, and $14,310 in income from the Goldenrod Fund. Total operating expenses were $346,033, resulting in total net income of $30,510. Despite this solid overall performance, astute accountants (or even competent mathematicians) will note that the bulk of our surplus came from one-time or investment contributions, not from net operating income. The reality we are facing is that costs are rising, dues are not, and we are in danger of relying on factors outside of our control to keep dues artificially low.
This is not a responsible or tenable position for the Club nor the Membership. We must adhere to our mission of being an accessible community Club, and this means balancing keeping dues low with protecting the long-term viability of the Club against reasonable projected capital needs out to a 10-year horizon. As such, the Board voted unanimously to raise dues approximately 10% across all categories for the 2025 season. Based on this, we have approved a 2025 budget with projected revenue of $379,550, projected expenses of $336,033, resulting in a projected net operating income of $43,517.
Member Dues and Fees – As mentioned above, dues across the board have been raised by approximately 10%. The new dues levels are as follows:
Family: $1,700
Individual: $1,050
Junior Family: $850
Junior Individual: $525
Contributing: $575
There are no changes to Member fees related to lockers, boat storage, etc. Following positive feedback, we are carrying forward the new payment process from last year. You will soon receive an invoice directly via email to pay your dues online. This invoice will include a button to easily pay via credit card with no log in required. We kindly request that you pay your invoice online, but you may print the invoice and send in a check if you prefer. Important note: due to the date of this letter the deadline for dues payment has been extended to June 30th, after which a 15% late fee will be applied. Please email [email protected] with any questions.
On a more lighthearted Membership note, I’d like to extend a thank you to Marnie Black and Christy Millet for their efforts to reinvigorate the Club Store through our partnership with Falmouth’s own Regatta Custom. I know many a BPYC-bedazzled item appeared under the Christmas tree last season thanks to their efforts, and we will be distributing another digital flyer with links to merchandise soon so you can be fully outfitted for Opening Day.
Capital Budgeting and the Next 100 Committee – The Board is reexamining our 10-year capital budget this year and will produce a fresh projection for presentation at next summer’s Annual Membership Meeting. Factored into that will be findings from the Next 100 Committee’s process, as the Next 100 initiative is focused on addressing an existential threat to the Club that is separate from our 10 Year Capital Plan. The Next 100 Committee has been busy this Winter commissioning an updated survey of the Club grounds, which is nearly complete, and which will form the basis of discussions amongst the Board, the Membership, and the broader community about options available for ensuring the long-term viability of the Club and Clubhouse. Look for more information, and opportunities to engage, as the season progresses.
Forward Looking - There are several key objectives that continue to guide our efforts for the Club including Sustainability, Physical and Financial Health, Community, Affordability, and Professionalism. Your Officers and Trustees remain dedicated to making progress against each of these goals, and we ask for your continued partnership as we strive to maintain BPYC as a unique and enduring part of the Pool community.
As always, I would like to sign off with deep gratitude for the Officers, Trustees, Committees, employees and the entire Membership for their many contributions to the Club – especially everyone who has ever volunteered their time. The moments you give today translate into memories that last a lifetime not just for the current generation, but for all those that follow.