Florida Commodores Association

March 18 -19, 2011 Meeting

Clearwater Yacht Club

The FCA was honored to be hosted by the Clearwater Yacht Club and CYC Commodore Sandie Ramsden. This meeting was especially notable because CYC is celebrating it's 100th anniversary.

FCA members attending were impressed with CYC and it's amenities. The weather could not have been better and everyone enjoyed the patio, tiki bar and dock area during evening cocktails and the Saturday evening Sundowners ceremony. Our appreciation to CYC General Manager, Tom Brusini, for his assistance in coordinating the event, along with the friendly, efficient and professional CYC staff.

Brad Kendell, Paralympian, US Sailing Team Alphagraphics, gave us an inspiring talk about his progress and training for the 2012 Trials. Equally inspiring was a talk by David Yates, Director, Clearwater Marine Aquarium. David detailed the amazing story of Winter, a young dolphin who has been fit with a prosthetic tail and continues to amaze and inspire with her progress.

In keeping with our tradition, we introduced the Sundowner Ceremony to CYC and it was a wonderful reminder of the things that we honor....and those things that make us all great.

Several things were noted during our business meeting: Fleet Captain John Slattery reported on the progress of the 4-Star Commodores Program...a program to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Florida Commodores past and present (see further information on the web site and the Journal for more details and info.) Beverly Plummer was nominated and confirmed Quartermaster. She is now the go-to person for all FCA ties, table flags, shirts etc. Phyllis Seaton has agreed to serve as Ambassador Coordinator. We will be working to better define and implement the Ambassador Program. The vision is that the Ambassadors, in addition to identifying and working with potential new chapters, will work with Chapter Presidents and enhance communications with FCA. We need your ideas, input and inventiveness.

Make your plans now to attend the Summer Meeting at Halifax River Yacht Club, July 22-23, 2011.