With this spring edition of the Rudder, I am pleased to announce the beginnings of a number of new ideas and advancements ACBS is making for the benefit of membership.

The last weekend in February, a wonderful cross section of ACBS Directors, Executives, Past Presidents, Chapter Presidents and Members from across the country met in Chicago. We all participated in a strategic planning session to help set a short and long term course for the Antique and Classic Boat Society. During this worthwhile and productive weekend we looked at ourselves, uncovered some sensitivities, developed a framework for long range planning, set short and long-term goals, established fundamental areas to attend to ensuring our success, assigned individuals to move us forward, charted a sound course while having some fun.
Our key strategic areas are: Membership Sustainability; Chapter Partnerships; Communication Activity; Planning & Organizational Renewal; Activity (Event) Robustness; Revenue/Financial Health.

We are preparing a “Road Map” of these key strategic areas for presentation to membership, which will be published in the summer edition of the Rudder. Many thanks to our facilitator Becky Bruns and those in attendance. I really appreciate all the wonderful and creative ideas.

By unanimous Board decision, ACBS has become a “Friend” of the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY. The decision commits us to a financial contribution helping insure the Museum’s future plans and successes. Equally as important, this commitment re-establishes the relationship between the two organizations. As a result, ACBS membership will benefit with Antique Boat Museum discounts and membership benefits. We hope to establish this same type of synergistic relationships with other like-kind organizations in the future.

By the time you receive this edition of the Rudder, there will be a little time left before the Spring Quarterly Meeting. Paul Merryman and his crew at the Southwest Chapter are our hosts for the meeting and Keels and Wheels show. They have worked very hard planning for a spectacular event. Please consider attending this gathering in Seabrook Texas. In addition, mark your calendar for the Summer Quarterly Meeting at Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, June 25-27, in conjunction with their 30th annual Boat Show.

In closing, as always, I want to thank all of you who volunteer both on a local and International level, while I encourage others to participate. You are the lifeblood of this organization. When you take part, the new acquaintances you make will amaze you while the places you visit will intrigue you. While always remembering, fun is the operative word.