Race information, 1977 - 1978
Scope and Content
This collection is divided into 4 series: Race information, Administrative information, Miscellaneous and Volumes.
Race information; Though it varies somewhat over time and special circumstances, the usual flow of information is an early warning during the first quarter of the year's race dates, usually a spring and fall race. At the beginning of the second quarter, a First Race Notice is sent that gives general information about where and when, arrangements for anchoring/mooring and dinning, and the requirements for entering. A Final Notice is mailed the week before the race, usually in June. This Final Notice includes a listing of the boats entered by class, a sail number sequential identification list, class starting times, race courses, the rules of the race and any general last minute instructions. In June or July, spring results are mailed, usually with the First Notice for the fall. The fall Final Notice goes out in September. Final results for the fall race and combined results for the year are mailed in October.
In some instances newspaper articles about specific races and magazine articles about the Club's race activities in general or a special event, their 50th for instance, are filed with race results or are loose.
Administrative information: Administrative activities are directed to providing a spring and fall race and promoting the "good fellowship of sailing." Most administrative data is generated by three Board of Governors' meetings (minutes and board and committee chairmen reports) and membership notices to, at one time, a Winter Party, the Annual Meeting and Shore Party and special communications to the membership such as the Commodores Winter Newsletter.
Miscellaneous: This file contains information for which it is helpful to have a rather complete file on a subject in one place rather than mixed in among other data (planning and venue studies), a copy of the history of the Club at the time of its 50th anniversary, procedure write-ups and personal files of officers of the Club.
Volumes: Membership information was kept in a small ledger until 1948. At that time a "Members Book" began being published annually. There is a complete file of "Members Books."
In addition to the membership roster, the "Members Book" includes the current officers and committee chairmen, constitution, by-laws, individuals who have won the perpetual and special trophies since inception, a summary of each trophy's deed of gift, past officers, the fleet and, recently, the deceased and new members since the last booklet.
Communications about new members has changed. Currently, a list of proposed members (posting) is mailed to the membership for review. If there is no objection, membership is automatic after 30 days. In early years the election of new members was communicated to members but apparently without any membership review.
These postings are often included with race notices and will be with the "Race Information" when so noted on the race notice. Otherwise they will be with "Administrative Information."
There are also two scrapbooks in this collection, one of the Bermuda Race of 1932 and another of Off Soundings activities from 1935-1938.
Dates
- Creation: 1977 - 1978
Restrictions on Access
Available for use in the Manuscripts Division.
Extent
From the Collection: 16 box(es) (3 volume(s))
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts Repository
G. W. Blunt White Library
Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.
112 Greenmanville Avenue
Mystic CT 06355 United States
860.572.5367
collections@mysticseaport.org