February 26, 2023 Newsletter
Hello NMRC,
We hope everyone has been enjoying their winter activities and is beginning to dream of getting on the water soon. We definitely are! Your NMRC board has been busy with weekly meetings in February working on recommendations from the planning meetings. Member outreach is ongoing and we assume every member has been fielding questions about our club from friends and family. Now is the time to reach out and encourage them to consider rowing with us this upcoming season. Today we are announcing our membership plan for the 2023 season along with our first social of the year.
2023 NMRC Membership Plan
We are very happy to announce our new membership for the upcoming season. Based on feedback and planning sessions, members will join for one fee that covers both membership and rowing. The membership will cover operating expenses, insurance, coaching fees, and repairs to current boats and equipment. Fundraising will be essential for the purchase of much-needed or upgraded shells, oars, and equipment.
The 2023 Season Plan includes:
Unlimited rowing during scheduled open rows at both locations on Glen Lake and Lake Leelanau. Our rowing schedule will be finalized with coaches closer to the season. The sessions will be determined by our membership numbers and coach availability. We plan to be on the water June-September with additional weeks possible on either end, weather, and water temp permitting.
Use of NMRC small boats outside of scheduled class time with NMRC coach's certification.
Ability to rack personal shells based on available space. Club boats will have first priority, then racked boats from last year, then first-come first-served. If you are interested in racking a boat, email members@northernmichiganrowing.club A waitlist may be needed.
Discounts on Individual coaching rates, NMRC clinics, Learn to Rows, and Intro to Sculling classes.
There is an additional $50 one-time per member fee to participate in organized large boats (Team Boats).*
Early Bird Membership Registration by March 18th: $400**
Regular Membership after March 18th: $500**
* This fee is to help cover the cost of coxswains and hold your seat. It is not due until a boat has been put on the rowing schedule. Further details will be coming.
**It benefits the club financially if memberships are paid by check (no additional fees taken out). PO Box 113, Cedar, MI 49621. Email members@northernmichiganrowing.club if you pay by check to get your iCrew account updated.
This membership fee can be paid in iCrew, Link Here. If you have any trouble getting into your iCrew account, text Mindy at 231-714-7457
Payment plans or scholarships will be made available to those in need.
***Additional options for a social membership and short-term trial membership are currently being developed.
NMRC’s First Member Social of 2023!
Please save the date for Wednesday, March 15th, 6-8pm at Solon Township Hall. We hope you can join us (and bring an interested friend) to reconnect and learn more about our 2023 programming. More fun details and an RSVP to come!
Fundraising
NMRC membership fees are based on the financial needs to run the club at two locations. Our tax-exempt non-profit status allows us to seek additional funds necessary to continue fulfilling the equipment needs the members have identified.
Equipment needs with approximate costs (‘used’ costs are estimates based on previous purchases or what has been listed the last year on row2k) are:
6 pairs of regular-sized sculling oars for Glen Lake ($750 per pair new-$4500 total, ‘used’ have been searched for but not found)
Quad for Glen Lake ($4-8,000 ‘used,’ possible $1000 for riggers to turn a 4+ into a 4x)
Rack for Quad at Glen Lake (cost hasn’t been estimated yet)
1-2 doubles for Solon Twp Park (anywhere from $2-7,000 ‘used’ each)
Rack for doubles and singles at Solon Twp Park (cost hasn’t been estimated yet)
Solon Township Park location has additionally asked for:
2 singles ($2-4,000 each)
quad with oars ($4-8,000)
Vespoli 8+ ($2-4,000-our Resolute has limitations for hip width of our rowers and coxes at bow and stern of the boat)
Fundraising is imperative to get what we need to maintain our membership and fulfill member expectations.
We ask every member to commit to fundraising on behalf of the club. A business sponsorship plan to seek donations is in development. We will share that with all of you once it’s complete. We are also seeking additional members to join the fundraising team that currently consists only of board members. This commitment will be roughly 1-3 hours per month.
If you are in a financial position to support NMRC with a donation today, it would help the club to acquire equipment in time for the season. We thank you for considering this.
Summary Upcoming Dates
March 15th NMRC Social, 6-8 pm at Solon Township Hall
March 18th Last day for Early Bird Membership Registration on iCrew
June 3rd National Learn to Row- We will plan a Free Learn to Row event for this weekend.