First Mates History
First Mates began with an organizational meeting at Roche Harbor restaurant in October 1986. The first official meeting took place in our new clubhouse on February 12, 1987, with Marjorie Jefferies as President. The group was originally a ladies auxiliary, and payment of annual dues was a requirement of membership. In 1995 First Mates voted to open membership to all members of the San Juan Island Yacht Club (SJIYC), and dues for the following year were eliminated.
The purpose of the organization is “to encourage and promote fellowship and interests in all aspects of the SJIYC and the Club facilities.” An important function of First Mates has been to sponsor fund-raising activities, such as fashion shows, Shaw Island Classic spaghetti dinners, and the selling of SJIYC apparel, membership pins, emblems, and burgees. Moneys acquired from fund-raising activities in excess of that for operating costs are used “to purchase materials and equipment for the clubhouse and/or support community activities that are related to the purposes of the SJIYC and First Mates.”
Currently Board meetings are scheduled currently for the second Wednesday of the month; all members are welcome to attend these planning sessions. Special events and luncheons are held on the second Thursday of the month, and both members and guests are welcome to attend. For all First Mates events, notices are published in the Mud Flat Monitor, including “clip & mail” coupons when information and moneys are needed in advance.
