CORRESPONDENCE TO MEMBERS via email on Tuesday 16 June
Dear Member
I hope you are safe and well.
Like you no doubt, I am enjoying the phased re-opening of our facilities and services as the Government continues to ease the restrictions on our great club. There is a great deal to be excited and positive about and once we are allowed to compete again on-water, our Club services will be restored. Whilst we have embarked on the road back to Club normality, it will be a long and challenging road for us, while ensuring we are not compromising the health and safety of our Club community.
Over the past 3 months we have endeavoured to communicate with you and I hope it has been an appropriate amount of information – if you missed anything you can read it here. I have every confidence we will continue to navigate the Covid-19 landscape positively. Our biggest challenges lie ahead and with your ongoing support, we have the opportunity to ensure SYC livelihood remains intact for future generations. I again thank all Members for continuing to share their wonderful stories about what the Club means to them. These combined with the many messages of solidarity and support for our Club during this time have been appreciated and very humbling.
Back in mid-April I outlined we had embarked on a process to look at a range of Membership initiatives that balances our clubs financial future while rewarding your ongoing loyalty. I would like to update you and outline our plans in this regard.
Approach to Fees for SYC 2020/21 Membership Year
The SYC Membership year runs from 1 September through to 31 August. This means we will be asking you to renew your Memberships during the month of August. When considering our approach to Membership subscriptions we have extensively considered the following:
Over recent months, we have not been in a position to deliver important Club Services including the Clubs racing program and Clubhouse Member Services
Acknowledging that SYC membership is based on an annual and not a user pays basis, it is absolutely appropriate to offer to reward (and not take for granted) the loyalty of members during this time
We are a Membership based organisation and SYC is your Club
As custodians of this great Club, we have an obligation to ensure that SYC is viable not only today but on an ongoing basis
For the 2020/21 Membership Year we will be offering the following support to Members:
All Members will be offered a 25% discount on the subscription component of their 2020/21 Membership fees (excludes food and beverage vouchers and the FMP2 Levy)
A freeze (no price increase) on 2020/21
Membership fees
Marina fees
Marina Maintenance Fees and
Boat Yard Fees
If you are in a position to pay your membership fees in full without the discount, this would be amazing and would greatly benefit our Club during this challenging period. The next you will hear from us on the renewals is when we issue your Membership statements in late July.
Membership Promotions
From 1 July through till Opening day on the 3 October, we will be running various promotions, namely;
current crew members of 5+ years can upgrade to Full Membership with no additional joining fee
member get member – if you sign up another member, you will receive $25 in food and beverage credit for every Member you sign up ($25 to both proposer & seconder, excludes youth) – why not sign up your beloved partner or a family member?
join in July, get August free – for any new Member who signs up in July, you will get August free
no reinstatement fee for previous Members – for all past Members who would like to re-join in the same category they can do so before the end of September and there will be no re-joining fee
At the same time, we will be campaigning our Membership slogan “It’s great to belong”. If you would like to assist us with this campaign, we are looking for Membership ambassadors, please drop CEO Richard Hewett a line on 9599 0999 / [email protected]
Looking ahead, we would love to think all SYC Members will remain SYC Members. If you would like to renew but are having financial difficulties, please reach out to us so that we can discuss your circumstances and SYC Membership.
Thank you for taking the time to read this important SYC information and thank you for your continued support.
Please look after yourself, warm regards & stay safe.
Ashley Trebilcock
Commodore
Sandringham Yacht Club