2011 in Review
The Grosse Pointe Youth Nautical Education Foundation completed a busy year on October 31, 2011 as our activities increased to fulfill our mission to promote national and international amateur sailing, maritime education, competition and water safety in our community. The foundation allocated funds to support or sponsor the following activities during the 2011 fiscal year:
- GPYNEF provided financial support to both Grosse Pointe North and Grosse Pointe South Highschools to support their Varsity Sailing programs to encourage growth and competition.
- A Grant was provided to support the Olympic Level International campaign by a local Grosse Pointe sailor – Ian Robinson. Ian’s international campaign participated in the French Nationals in July, the 420 European championships, the Buzzards Bay Regatta and then on to the 2011 U.S. Sailing Youth Championships in Newport, RI. Ian continues on an aggressive race schedule through the winter and back to Europe next summer all to hone his skills for a future Olympic trial.
- Funding was provided for an Educational Racing & Skill Clinic staffed by world class sailors to provide race instructions and tips to support young sailors from all over the Mid-West as part of the Junior Olympics.
- GPYNEF sponsored the US Sailing Junior Olympic Sailing Regatta August 12-14 that drew some 125 competitors from Michigan, Ohio, New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. This was a very successful event that drew compliments from the out of town competitors as well as from US Sailing.
- A grant was given to support the GPC Team races held at the Grosse Pointe Club which was a DRYA event.
- We provided funding to sponsor the University of Michigan Carrie Price regatta in September 2011 which included sailors from colleges and universities from around the Midwest.
The GPYNEF fund raising to support these and other planned operations begins with the Annual Summer Breeze Party held in May along with the Great Lakes Boating Festival. The 2011 Event Chairmen were Ted and Mary Huebner and with over 270 persons in attendance, it was a great success. Mary’s “Chair-ity” concept offered a new and creative approach to this year’s Auction items.
Funds are raised through the live auction at the Summer Breeze Party and a portion of the ticket price which is a designated donation. Individual donations are received throughout the year either through our web site or using the envelopes enclosed with the annual report.
New for 2011 is also a Sailors Recognition program where interested individuals can purchase an engraved brick to recognize the junior sailors. These bricks are placed at the GPYC in the area designated for sailing just prior to crossing the drawbridge.
The Board
Board members are to serve terms as designated by the by-laws of the foundation.
- J. James Morrow – Chairman
- James A. Anderson – Vice Chairman
- Sloane R. Barbour – Treasurer
- Mark R. Weber PhD – Secretary
- J. Theodore Everingham – Outside Director
- Brian J. Geraghty – Outside Director
- Financial Advisor & Audit – Polk & Associates
- Michael D. Murray
Plans for 2012
Current Plans for the GPYNEF funding for 2012 will include individual donations and proceeds from the Summer Breeze Party planned for Friday, May 18, 2012 which will be chaired by Maureen and Tony Bromwell. Activities and projects for the GPYNEF for 2012 will include the following:
Junior Olympics
Based on the outstanding results from the 2011 Junior Olympics event, US Sailing requested us to again
sponsor a Junior Olympics Event in the Grosse Pointe Area. This event is now planned for July 6, 7 and 8, 2012. We will
again expect junior sailors from around the Midwest states as well as sailors from the DRYA to compete in this event.
High School Varsity Sailing
GPYNEF will again provide funding to the Grosse Pointe North and Grosse Pointe South
High Schools for their Varsity Sailing programs to promote participation and a competitive atmosphere.
5 College Scholarships
New for 2012 is a plan to award five $1,000 college scholarships to students who have met the
qualifications. These scholarships will require some level of sailing experience and academic achievement. The programs
will be announced during the winter of 2012 at the local high schools and in the local press.
Other
We expect that other funding opportunities will come forward during 2012 similar to what was experienced during
2011. The GPYNEF will continue to provide grants and funding to events that are constant with our mission statement.
Future Projects
The GPYNEF is working with US Sailing to bring the 2014 Youth Champs to Grosse Pointe in 2014. This is a national week-long event that draws the best sailors from around the world.