AGM Meeting, March 10, 2026, Commodore’s Report

HTSC Commodore Report: March 2026

This will really be more of a “We” report instead of a Commodore’s report. All of us

have enjoyed an active year filled with fun, camaraderie, and growth.

Last year it became clear that the club was running in the red and drawing down our

rainy-day funds, so the issue needed to be studied and addressed. We created a

Financial Sustainability Committee chaired by Scott Collinson. His team includes

Barry Thomas, Monica MacKinnon, Doug Hyde, Tom Ferreira, and Glenn and Linda

Brodie, with me looking in.

First and foremost, our property tax issue needed to be resolved while complying

with newer government corporate reporting obligations. PC Don Meinhold, Stafford

Patterson, Marcia Talley, and VC Eric Patterson all helped, and the EC approved the

Law Office GSO to represent us in Nassau. More than 80 pages have now been

submitted. As of one week before this meeting, we remain optimistic that we may be

successful in voiding the current $32,632.05 tax bill with penalties for unpaid past

years, although nothing is ever certain when dealing with the Department of Inland

Revenue.

It’s been a very active season on the water. Racing is led by Scott Collinson and Joe

O’Neal, with RC team members Di Hunter, Beth O’Neal, Roger Erickson, Ed Hayes,

Doug and Cheryl Both, Kate Barr, and me. Boats coming from Marsh Harbour can

now communicate with the Race Committee through a permanently installed VHF

with a mast mounted above the clubhouse. The mast also includes a live weather

sensor for our weather station and an AIS ground station reporting vessel positions

in the Abacos. These community-based features share valuable information with

boaters and island residents, including Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue,

which now has improved ability to locate missing or overdue boats.

Assistant Fleet Captain Steve DeMenna stepped up while Scott St. Clair has been

off the island tending to medical issues. Club cruises have been well attended, with

more scheduled.

House Committee Chairmen Janet Hardy and Beth O’Neal arranged our weekly

Stand Ups and orchestrated our most successful HTSC Ball ever. They formed an

ad-hoc committee including Nancy Rowell, Carol Buettner, Maureen DeMenna,

Tammy Collinson, Sarah Hollifield, and Lisa Daniels. Event founder Kim Stoltz

served as auctioneer, and the ten-member team raised $24,252 for the kids—

Ladies, you ROCK!

Treasurer Barry Thomas has been managing our finances while Lisa Shadek serves

as Club Secretary. Bill Hand and Assistant Mike Hardy have been busy with

clubhouse upgrades and will supervise major repairs to the foundation and cistern

during the off-season.

Membership Chair Carol Condon continues to manage slow membership growth,

helped by the addition of an online membership form that simplifies joining the club.

Have you seen our website? Absolutely world class. Webmaster Linda Brodie, with

the assistance of Glenn Brodie, has made it easy for members to register for events,

pay dues, and buy club swag. Members can also watch a live stream of our harbor

and listen to the Cruisers Net every morning at 8:15 on VHF 68 from anywhere in

the world.

As you can see, it takes an army to run our entirely volunteer club. Your help is

sincerely welcomed as we continue adding qualified new members to share in our

enjoyment.

It’s up to all of us to spread the word and our enthusiasm throughout our community

so friends and families can enjoy membership in this great club. I’m excited and

stand ready for the challenges of next season.

Respectfully Submitted,

John Barr

Commodore