How would one describe an exemplary member? Simply put, an exemplary member:

• Is active
• Volunteers to make the Club work and progress
• Abides by and supports the by-laws and regulations of the Club
• Has a long term constructive view of the Club and where it is going

Active Members

• The Club benefits by having members who are active - members who use their boats frequently, who participate in Club boating events starting with Sail Past, club racing or cruising events and who use the outstations. Moorage is one of our most valuable assets and ideally the Club would have members who make good use of the moorage services, or make way for others who can.
• Exemplary members also participate in the Club's social activities and support Club food and beverage services to make the efforts of the volunteers and staff who stage them worthwhile and self-sustaining.

 Volunteering

• The Club is powered by volunteers, and an exemplary member is also a regular volunteer. Their contributions can come from participating on the board or on committees, some of which are more in the planning vein, while others focus on events like races and social activities. As well they may participate in more hands-on projects like assisting in building or refurbishing club and outstation facilities, producing the Foghorn or the Yearbook, or taking a turn as an outstation dock master.
• Volunteers may take a hiatus after a stint in a particular project or role, but they come back again some time later. Newer members take the initiative to get involved, as not only does this help out the Club, we benefit from their new ideas and energy, and it is the absolutely best way to learn about the Club and meet many new boating friends.
• Upon joining the Club, and every year when prompted, members indicate the skills and interests they may have, and offer to make themselves available for the next year.
• Without a broad and continuing set of volunteer efforts, the Club's only option would to hire more staff or pay for contractors, which will result in higher costs to all, or for the Club to do and offer less to its members, neither of which will evolve the Club into the organization we would all want.

 Abiding by our By-laws and Regulations 

• Any organization, including the WVYC, would like to have as few rules as possible. With a large and diverse membership of approximately 700 members, we have, and need, a set of bylaws and regulations that guide the Club and its members. These also represent “fixes” to issues and problems of the past. These are on the Club website and in the Yearbook.
• An exemplary member abides by these. They keep their accounts current so as to not create a burden on the other members. They use the outstations appropriately so we do not get negative feedback or decisions from the locales in which they are located, and they improve other members' experiences there. They have the required insurance and safety gear while at Club moorage.
• They also help to communicate the regulations to those who may not be aware of them, but always in a positive and congenial manner. If there are issues or questions that come up, these are raised in order to improve the Club's operations, but again, interactions with other members, committees and staff are always done in a constructive manner.

 Long Term Interest 

• An exemplary member has the future of the Club at heart. They participate in Club annual and special meetingsand information sessions to stay aware of important issues and activities, and to provide their ideas and input. They use the monthly Foghorn newsletter and the website to stay up to date.
• They appreciate the contributions that members have made in the past and they bring a perspective of where and how the Club should evolve to in the next decade. They recognize that there are differing perspectives and priorities across the membership and the best strategy for the Club will be some form of balance among these views. Members take a constructive and objective view of the initiatives of the Club to achieve this balance and to position the Club for the future.