Oct 27, 2022 Newsletter

Hello NMRC!

It was sad to take the big boats apart at Solon Township on Saturday, especially given the lake was perfectly calm, it was warm and the sun was shining, but it’s done. A most excellent group of volunteers arrived with tools in hand to remove, label and store the riggers and seats and bag up the shoes to keep everything safe and easy to reassemble next Spring. We even got the 8 up on the top shelf of the trailer so it is ready for next steps to protect all the boats next weekend.

Thanks to all who helped including Rich and Lyn Bahle, Joe Carter, Monica Carmen, Carol Adler, Jodi Hummel, Gary Chleboun, Doug Verellen, Elizabeth Roth, Susan O’Conner, Cindy Opie, and Randy. Many hands make light work!

Head of the Charles

Congratulations to NMRC Board Member, Diane Hamilton for her participation and impressive finish at the Head of the Charles (HOTC) in Boston, MA! HOTC is the largest 3-day regatta in the world with over 2000 boats, 11,000 athletes and 300,000 spectators lining the river.

Here’s what she had to say: “It was a picture perfect autumn day for rowing: upper 50s, dead calm, and not a cloud in the sky. The spectacle of that many competitors and the roaring of the crowd was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I felt honored to be in a boat with some women who had done this many, many times, one whom is 89 years young and has picture-perfect form.”

Diane’s crew placed second in the Women’s Veteran 70+ 8!

While down there Diane was able to get a great deal on 4 sets of slings we have been needing at both locations. She got the U of M crew to bring them back and our own Rich Prager was able to pick them up for us. Thank you both!

Solon Township Update

Derigging and Fall Clean up scheduled for this Saturday, October 29th, 9am. We will be putting the final touches on the winter storage of the boats and trailer and cleaning up the oarhouse and storage shed and getting things ready for winter. We’ll also do some fall clean up of the park so bring a rake and a broom if you are able. Please let Susan or Mindy know if you are going to be able to make it. We need a minimum of 8 volunteers to help with the boats.

Winter Training

Winter Indoor Rowing Opportunity! Solon Township has approved our use of the Solon Township Hall in Cedar on Wednesday evenings to get us in shape for next Spring! We will need at least 4 - 6 members to bring their ergs to the class. Signups will be on iCrew and more information will be coming soon. Tentative start date/time will be November 9th at 5:30pm.

Planning Meetings

We are working on a schedule for planning meetings to get organized for next season and to work on member recruitment and fundraising. It will be a great opportunity for all members to participate in the growth and direction of the club.

Volunteer positions needing to be filled:

Fundraising: The club is in need of a person who can take on the role of Fundraiser Coordinator. We will need a team of at least 3 members to join this team. The club needs ongoing funds to acquire much-needed equipment for the 2023 season as well as to cover operating costs not covered by membership fees. If you have any experience in this area, please send an email to: members@northernmichiganrowing.club and let us know you’d be willing to take the lead on fundraising.

Grant Writer: Do we have a grant writer in our midst? Now that we have a second year of financial records in the books, we are able to apply for specific area and statewide grants that could make a vast difference in our ability to provide affordable rowing opportunities for all. If you have any experience with this, please send an email to: members@northernmichiganrowing.club and let us know. There are grants available right now that we can start applying for; we just need someone, or a team of people, willing to be responsible for this area. Thank you so much for considering this.

Membership: We are also looking for a Recruitment Coordinator to lead a team for membership recruitment. While we hope everyone is planning on rowing with us next year and bringing their friends along with them, rowing clubs need to participate in ongoing recruitment. We want to be able to expand our rowing opportunities by making sure we are filling session slots at both locations. Email: members@northernmichiganrowing.club if you’re willing to help with recruitment.

All of these positions are vital for the sustainability of our club.