Upcoming Events Dec 16 Ugly Sweater Day Jan 1 Change Vital Batteries Jan ? Race Meeting Feb 11 Super Bowl Jul 28 Olympic Sailing Dear Members, I'm excited and honored to serve as your Commodore this year. I have been a member of ECSC since the day I was born...sailing in the youth program and even DJing the beach parties when I was 13.   My wife and I now have a 3rd-generation sailor that we look forward to teaching the ropes to one day (Calihan is 15 months old... so we have a while). When it comes to leading our Club, Rick and the 2023 board have put us in a great position to have a successful 2024 sailing year.   Below are some of the items the board and I will be working on.   Please don't be a stranger and feel free to reach out to me if you have any comments, suggestions, or concerns about any of these items.   My email address is evanwilliamsjr@gmail.com. Club Stats Memberships 283 Slip Wait List 6 Wet Slips 174 plus 2 temp Water Level 788.62 (790 Normal) Lake Acreage 1,360 Total (850 south end) F & D Dock Replacement:   The Club has paid the down payment on the new docks and they should have begun fabrication by now.   The install will likely be when the weather turns warm enough in March or so.   The vendor is under contract to get them installed before our sailing season begins.   This is the same vendor that installed the current docks 25 years ago.   See my comment below about budgeting for the rest of the docks to be replaced within 5 years. ECSC Budget:   We are meeting Tuesday evening this week to discuss and approve a 2024 budget.   I'm happy to say that 2024 ended with quite a surplus of cash.   Our committee heads seem to be fiscally responsible, as it is common for us to end the year under budget in many categories.   However, my goal is to approve a budget that allows for enough cash to be generated to begin the last dock replacement by the end of 2028 (5 years) without a special assessment.   By the time you read this, I may have already sent out a different email talking about the 2024 budget and the changes we approved. New Lease with Parks:   We have a meeting scheduled in December to pick up this conversation again.   The Parks Dept requested that we wait until their busy season was over to start discussions, so we're regrouping with them on this topic this month.   My goal is that we can sign a lease with a 10+ year term and keep the rent similar to our current annual payment. Facilities:   The Club grounds look great.   Bill, Erich, Ki, Dennis, and now Pat (our new Harbormaster) have spent a lot of time clearing out derelict boats and fixing up our Club.   I'd like to keep the momentum going with maintenance items such as installing more gravel where needed and trimming some overgrown landscaping back to a reasonable level. Right:   Our 2023 Sailor of the year:   Geoff Endris   The Ramp:   It had a bunch of rip rap placed on the west side of it so that any trailer wheel (during launch) that would have fallen off the ramp before, will now hit that rip rap.   I think this will help considerably. Assigned Dry-Dock Slips:   We are in the process of installing railroad ties at the front of each dry-dock spot so that each spot can have a designated number.   Once this is complete, the harbormaster will be able to assign dry-dock slips to members.   This is a big change but it is needed since we moved to having members pay for dry-dock storage last year.   Hopefully 2025 will be the first year that we can assign dry dock slips. Safety & Club Liability:   The Club is looking into what kind of liability we have for potential injuries to members, guests, and volunteers.   We may add new coverage to our existing insurance plan.   We may also make new waivers for volunteers to sign. Well, those are the major items on my to-do list as Commodore going into 2024.   We'll see what the new year brings! Happy Holidays and see you all in 2024! EJ Williams Commodore Right: Our 2023 Sportsman Recipient: Karl Guerra

Facilities

Bill Harrington

Erick Rose

ALL of the water has been off for a week or so, thanks to the help of Erich. The last mowing/leaf blowing has been completed…thank you Danny. If you have trash to get rid of, the last trash-can emptying will be Monday the 27th with the dumpster being emptied once a month through the winter. Please use the dumpster after Monday. The hand washing station has been removed until spring. Right:   Our 2023 Boat of the Year:   Special K   The Harbor Master and I have moved a few boats and trailers around to make winter parking easier for all. Evidently there are a few trailers left in the upper field, please remove them this this week. Sometime over the winter into spring, "F" dock and "D" dock will be replaced. There will be a big work party in April to help get the Club cleaned up and ready for the 2024 sailing season.

Social

Jen Curtis

Karen Orndorff

Hello Fellow Sailors! After many successful years as our Social Chairperson, Vickie Greenough has now accepted the position of Vice Commodore and I’ve moved from Assistant Social Chair to Social Chair.   I’d like to thank Vickie for all her hard work over the years, as she’s done an amazing job!   Joining me this year, as Assistant Social Chair, is Karen Orndorff.   Over the years, Karen and her husband Kenneth have done a fabulous job hosting many different events at the Club.   We are looking forward to an incredible 2024 social season! Right:   Summer Beach Regatta   Each year, I look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new people down at the Club.   For those who don’t know me, I’m Jen (Knapp) Curtis.   Along with my husband, Ryan, we sail a Precision 23 with our two children, Patrick (7) and Avery (5).   Eagle Creek has been a second home to me since I was born.   Our children are the 4th generation at the Club...along with my cousin’s two boys.   Eagle Creek Sailing Club is a shared family passion. In November 2012, I joined the board and ran the Ship’s Store for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.   For many years, I’d been involved with the social events at the Club...volunteering to help on events my grandparents and parents hosted. I eventually started hosting the Hornback Chili Cookoff with my cousins, and becoming the Assistant Social Chair in November 2021.   Our Club is truly awesome, and I look forward to continuing to contribute what I can to help make it even better. When our membership renewal comes around after the beginning of the year, if you are interested in volunteering with any of our social events (or work), please indicate while you fill out your renewal.   We’re always looking for hosts for our events, volunteers to help those events run smoothly, or to help with special projects we might have.   You’ll earn work credits for your time and efforts and meet some fantastic people who help make our Club the wonder that it is! So, here’s wishing all our members a very Merry, Happy, and safe Holiday Season! Above:   Summer Beach Regatta

Racing

John Kohne

Nancy Goff

Fellow ECSC Members Trailers have been retrieved, boats have been pulled, and sails have been rolled and folded. Another great year at the Club has been tucked into bed along with cherished memories. Having Mondays and Wednesdays pass by without seeing friends at the Club is already starting to feel difficult despite the lingering feelings of a wonderful Final Bash at the Colts complex. Attempting to deal with the ending of each passing season can best be addressed by focusing on the coming one. Your racing committee is doing this by planning winter-racing meetings that look at what was good and bad about last season and plan new improved activities for nest year. Getting us all together again throughout the winter will hopefully soften the loss of not seeing each other regularly at the Club. We intend to first get the PRO and Race Committee together after Thanksgiving to critique this past year's races and regattas...and to organize our recommendations for the racing program for the coming year. We are doing this with the thought of carrying this forward to the racing members in winter meetings in January, February, and March. Announcements about these meetings will be coming directly after we have some idea of the racing budget for next year. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones and we will be in touch with you soon about the details of our gatherings.

Technology

Michael Denny

Hello ECSC Members! My name is Michael Denney and this is the very first Telltales article for the newly created Technology Chair.   I am honored to have been chosen for this position by the commodore, EJ Williams, and I look forward to the responsibilities that come with this position.   I have always loved volunteering and helping where I can and this new position fits my skills and abilities perfectly. Right:   Jordan accepting his 2023 Award   This is my second year on the board and Evan Williams has taken over the Publicity Chair this year.   I will be working closely with Evan to ensure the availability of the Telltales and to assist with any technical needs that board members may have.   If any Club member needs assistance with technology, I am also personally available to help as much as I can. Previously the Publicity Chair was also responsible for Technology although this was not clearly spelled out in the description of the position.   Times are changing, and technology keeps advancing.   It is my goal to help the Club keep pace with these changes.   Separating Technology from Publicity will allow Publicity to focus on the responsibilities of that position while allowing me, as Technology Chair, to focus on the technical aspects of the Club. My goal over the last year was to completely overhaul our website with a sleeker and more efficient version that is easier for everyone to use.   Although, I admittedly had a difficult time handling the responsibilities of Publicity as well as making these improvements.   I am excited to have a more targeted scope of responsibilities which will allow me to make the improvements that the Club needs. Left:   Lady Sailors in their regatta   I am working hard already this winter on a new version of our website.   This isn't a minor undertaking and I expect the process to take at least a couple of months...although, I expect to have the new version live before the beginning of our next sailing season for 2024!   The current version of the website will not be lost - and will be archived and available moving forward. If you have any suggestions or recommendations for improvements you would like to see or features you would like added, I urge you to reach out to me at technology@ecsail.org.   The website is for all members of the Club.   Your opinions and suggestions are incredibly valuable to me.

Membership

Jessie Wriedt

First and foremost, a sincere thank you is in order for the contributions of our past Membership Chair, Perry Cameron - and the former membership assistant, Jane Schmidt (also a previous Membership Chair).   Perry's creation of a user-friendly member database from scratch has laid a solid foundation for us to build upon while Jane's dedication and knowledge has been a guiding force.   I'm honored to follow in their footsteps. I want to extend my gratitude to the Club for their support during my nomination and election to the board.   Your confidence drives me!   I'm eager to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Right:   Jesse accepting his 2023 "Award"   In this upcoming term, I am excited to support our Commodore and existing/new/prospective members.   Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging will be my guiding-light.   So, everyone who loves sailing can enjoy the same warm welcome that my husband and I had!   Let's ensure our Club remains a welcoming place for all who seek the camaraderie and excitement of sailing Eagle Creek! As we navigate the waters of this new term together, I'm filled with anticipation for the challenges and opportunities that await us.   Here's to a year of smooth sailing and fair winds for our amazing sailing community! YEAR 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 ACTIVE 260 265 268 278 279 282 283 NEW MEMBERS 25 15 17 28 15 20 18 SLIP WAITLIST 1 1 1 0 1 5 17 NON-RENEW 26 14 19 18 17 20 23 From above, I am pleased to say our Club has seen consistent growth before, during, and after the pandemic! Final Business WINTER STORAGE boat counts start on December 1st annually.   If your boat will be on the property this winter, make sure it sports the current year sticker and correct member number.   The requirement is that your sticker be affixed to the PORT BOW AND TRAILER TONGUE.   If you are not in compliance, you still have time to fix it!   For anyone not in compliance, you can find stickers and markers in the race shed by 5pm on the 1st to correct your situation. Right:   At the Colts Complex for our Annual Bash   The final count should happen around the weekend of December 9th. Avoid a DOUBLE winter storage fee, get your sticker updated ASAP!

Publicity/Communications

Evan Williams

As mentioned by Michael, I’m taking over the Telltales…once again.   I handled it for 16 years from 1997 until 2012 – during which we changed from a printed/mailed version to web-based, started the Club website, and setup E-Mail blast system for Club announcements. EJ talked me out of “retirement.” Right:   Celebration after the Ladies Regatta   It’s my hope to recreate the same format used back then to help communicate Club happenings. Please be patient while Michael and I try to figure out how to incorporate my “old style” into his new website.

Safety & Education

Abigail Harlan

2024 Season Survey We are looking forward to a great 2024 season!   Please complete the below survey to ensure we are fulfilling the Club's mission of growing our wonderful sport of sailing! Season Survey DEI Subcommittee A subcommittee was formed last season to ensure our Club is inclusive and invites people of all backgrounds to join, grow, and thrive in the sailing community.   Last year we adopted our DEI Statement in line with Indy Parks and US Sailing: "Eagle Creek Sailing Club strives to celebrate the diverse people and families that make up Marion County and our surrounding communities.   We are committed to providing equitable, safe, and inclusive access to sailing, social activities, racing programs, and sailing education." This initiative is in its infancy, and the committee will work hard to establish short and long term goals. For more information on what US Sailing is doing in this area, visit https://www.ussailing.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion For more information on what Indy Parks is doing in this area, visit: https://www.indy.gov/.../diversity-equity-and-inclusion-at-indy-parks Thank you to the members who have already shown support and enthusiasm for this initiative!   If you would like to become involved or join the subcommittee, please contact Abigail Harlan at education@ecsail.org.

Final Bash Awards

Sportsmanship Karl Guerra Sailor of the Year Geoff Endris Boat of Year - 1st Special K Boat of Year - 2nd Spontaneous Combustion Boat of Year - 3rd Dancer Broken Mast Bob Hickok Party Trophy Jordan Kane

2024 Board Meetings December 5 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD