Hebe Jebes Sep/Oct 2014 | Page 8

Reports COMPETITION This issue’s competition... Mark Ashton Commodore This month’s column is something of a ‘postcard from abroad’ from me this time as we have been in the UK and Italy for an extended break this summer. I see that back at the Club we have been busy with the sailing programme this Typhoon season, despite a notable absence of breeze in some events. On the Masterplan, we have made solid progress toward identifying workable developments of the Club to both re-provide those facilities lost and to provide the stepping stones for the Club 10 years hence. The various constraints have been carefully identified to make sure that our plans will not run foul of legislation governing access for fire fighting/emergency uses and other constraints such as access to the DSD culvert and road entrance. We are still aiming to set up an information evening to show progress with this work and gather feedback from members prior to this year’s AGM to be held on 12 September. The AGM is your chance to hear and participate in the running of the Club so I encourage all members to attend if they can. This year we have had to look hard at the discrepancy between our subscriptions, which have fallen behind rises in the cost of living. As a result they are, in real terms, lower than historical levels despite the various increases in member services and staffing levels over that time. Unless we can raise charges on subscriptions to cover our fixed costs, principally staffing, we can only balance our books and achieve the mandated surplus percentage by raising other charges such as F&B and marine charges. GenCom have considered this and the conclusion is that we should strive to achieve a fair balance between subs and charges, so that all members are encouraged to use club facilities. We will be sending detailed information to all members on this in good time for the EGM that will be held as part of the proceedings on 12 September and where we need to have a vote on this change. Finally, and on a rather sad note, I must advise that two of our members, Mr Ko Chan and Mr Peter McCaffrey have passed away recently. Peter McCaffrey has held the posts of Rear Commodore and Chair of the Club Development Committee, and was a long term member of the Sailing Committee where his contribution to the 6 Hebe jebes • SEPT/OCT 2014 improvements to our sailing programme and work for clubhouse refurbishment and Garden Bar were highly appreciated. Peter and his Vixen were stalwarts of the Club’s racing events and his positive and giving style is fondly remembered by all who knew him. Our deepest sympathies are with Mrs Ko and Mara McCaffrey and their families. 今個月的專欄對我來說,是給讀者「來自海外的明信片」,因為 這個夏天,我們在英國和意大利渡過了一個悠長的假期。在這個 颱風季節,遊艇會正忙於準備各項帆船活動,而然許多活動進行 期間,都沒有太多風。 關於本會的總體規劃,我們在會所發展方面有了實質進展,確 認了可為會員重新提供的設施,以及為遊艇會未來十年的發展鋪 路。我們將會謹慎處理,確保規劃不會違反消防/緊急事故通道 的有關條例,以及渠務署涵洞和道路入口等限制。 我們計劃在9月12日召開週年大會前舉行簡報會,介紹這些工作 的進展和收集會員意見。 週年大會是各會員聽取不同意見和參與遊艇會運作的機會,我鼓 勵所有會員出席。今年我們要處理會費的差額,因為它跟不上生 活指數的升幅。實質上來說,雖然會員服務和員工水平不斷上升 ,會費卻是低於歷史水平。 除非我們可以增加會費來彌補固定支出和員工薪金,否則我們需 要增加其他收費,例如餐飲和海事設施收費,來維持收支平衡和 達到定下的盈利率目標。執行委員會考慮過這一點,並決定我們 應該努力維持會費和其他收費之間的平衡,這樣才可以鼓勵所有 會員使用各項遊艇會設施。 我們會在適當時間把有關的詳細資料送交所有會員,然後在9月 12日的特別會員大會上,就有關