The answer is priceless!, but if you had to put a figure on it, clubs could not afford the expense.
For the past 20 years I have been the CEO of 3 large yacht clubs in various parts of Australia. I have seen many hundreds of volunteers over those years. They are amazing people and their efforts never cease to amaze.
We are so lucky to have dedicated volunteers that spend countless hours in all sorts of roles at our clubs. We simply couldn’t operate without them.
The photographs feature 3 such volunteers, who combined had dedicated over 120 years to volunteering. Each week these men were involved in yacht race management and on average they spent around 10 hours a week on a start boat, come rain, hail or shine, so that thousands of sailors could enjoy the sport of sailing.
In addition to these hours they also maintained the race committee vessels, attended meetings and briefings, enjoyed prize presentations and when things didn’t go quite right they were pulled into protest hearings.
Putting a price on the efforts of these 3 great men is impossible, but conservatively here goes, 120 years x 52 weeks x 10 hours per week = 62,400 hours x $0 = ❤️
That said, it’s not a one way street.
Recently talking with one of these long-term volunteers he explained that it was his life.
He felt that contributing provided him with a sense of worth. He enjoyed the camaraderie and the friendships formed over many years with other volunteers, clubs members and staff. It gave him a reason to get up some mornings, and it gave him something to focus on, particularly once he had retired from work.
Many members, fellow volunteers and staff from the yacht club that he had served for over four decades recently attended his funeral. There was an outpouring of emotion and respect for this man who had worked tirelessly and gave so much. The love for this man was obvious and he will be missed by many.
I am proud to be his son.
No doubt, he and his two race management buddies, who have also recently passed, are calling the shots from a start boat in heaven.
May Dad (Ray), Ron and George Rest in Peace.
What is the value of a club volunteer? Priceless!
Ron Yeates, Ray Evans, and George Ottewell
By Craig Evans, CEO Fremantle Sailing Club
Craig is the CEO Fremantle Sailing Club who an experienced CEO & General Manager with 20 years of managing three of Australia’s premier yacht clubs. Responsibilities include membership services, facility development and maintenance, hospitality, boatyard/ shipyard management, marina management, sport management, sail training, property acquisition & development, project management, governance, dispute resolution, team building and mentoring, contract and lease negotiation, public relations and financial management.
