2022 Executive Candidates

Before we settle in for what will hopefully be a short and forgiving winter, each and every member at APSC is invited and encouraged to join us in a look back upon the year we’ve had, and also look forward to the next to come. The opportunity to do this is at APSC’s 2020 AGM.

During this Annual General Meeting, held virtually via Zoom on November 18 at 7 PM, your board of directors will provide a final update and summary of their year, new ideas will be brought forth for the year to come, and the 2022 Executive Elections will take place.

In order to facilitate openness and efficiency during this year’s election process, it’s my pleasure to introduce your candidates. Continue below to meet your candidates and learn more about their unique plans for Aquatic Park in 2021.

To a refresher on the positions and what each one entails, visit this post: APSC Executive Positions

Remember: nominations remain open and all positions are considered available for any member to run for, regardless of whether the current director is choosing to run for reelection or the number of candidates currently running. Reach out to communication@aquaticpark.com to submit interest.

Commodore

John Ross, nominated
My goal is simple – Work together to minimize the time we have to spend worrying about how the club is running so that we can maximize the time we can spend on our boats. Throughout my 16 years as a member and various positions on the board over the past 5 years, I’ve been an advocate for open communication, and ensuring the board is accountable to the members. As Commodore I will continue those efforts, and make sure we’re all aligned on the goals of the club and how we measure success.

APSC has a number of challenges before it. When dealing with the challenges It is important to make sure the subject mater experts have he required context, understand the expectations, then communicate the options. Troubleshooting and leading teams is something that I do daily in my day job as Director of Engineering for a tech company. I hope to use my skills as Commodore to lead and support the other executives, and help them to build teams that can efficiently get the job done. This will allow us all to spend more time doing what we all really want to do – enjoy our boats.

Michael Fong, nominated
As your board member in 2020 I delivered strong results for APSC through leadership and collaboration with our Executive Board, Revenue Canada and TRCA. A strong track record of achievement is needed to lead our board to sustain our club and to improve membership value

As your commodore, I will deliver the following:

1.    Club mast crane for safety
2.    Grow membership and revenue to improve our membership value
a.    0% fee increase (last 2 years fees increased by +8%)
b.    more free social events
c.    reduction of 5 work hours for everyone
3.    Solve club essential service issues immediately – Work barge, dock structure and cart. Implement multi-year replacement and maintenance plan
4.    Build a strong collaborative relationship with TRCA to fortify APSC’s future

Below are my key achievements and qualifications. Past performance is the best predictor of future performance.

• Increased APSC revenues by +26% and reduced waste and variable expenses by 40% ($8,800 savings) in one year
• Rejuvenated APSC clubhouse, executive sponsor to House & Ground director. Successfully acquired board director votes on all projects
• Solved 3-year Canada Revenue tax audit and saved over $7,000 in penalties for APSC
• Full TRCA authorization granted to reduce APSC property tax directly with MPAC annually.

I am passionate about our club, leading your executive team and delivering results for APSC, it would be my honor to serve the membership as your Commodore. 

Vice Commodore

Kate Wilson, nominated
I have spent the past five seasons at Aquatic Park engrained in the community that we share, and know from both my time as a member as well as member of the executive, the amount of work that goes into fostering and maintaining the club that we have. It’s with this in mind that I look to shift into the role of vice commodore, providing more direct support to each member of the executive.

Treasurer

Mike Rossiter, nominated
If re-elected treasurer, I intend to bring a fiscally responsible approach to making much needed club improvements. I believe in balanced budgets, a healthy reserve fund, and careful investments in crucial areas of club infrastructure.

Social Director

Andres Pang Becker & Chris Speed, standing for reelection
Bringing together the folks of APSC to enjoy fine food and music is what the Social Committee has always done.  We have had the opportunity to help provide memorable gastronomic experiences from breakfast of gourmet café and artisan, vegan organic carrot cake to brunch with farm fresh, free-range heirloom eggs to dinners of rare steak and Italian marinated chicken, to the Thanksgiving entrée with turkey, ham, or stuffed portabella.  Each soirée was garnished with dancing to live music under the stars with sailing friends. 

2020 and 2021 have been cautious, challenging years; it gave us all the chance to reassess and affirm our desire to gather and celebrate as a club.  We shall, all things willing, set sail in a grand gravy boat to party once again (as responsibly as ever) in this uniquely green setting of Tommy Thompson Park.  Let’s anticipate 2022 with a tune in our hearts and a hunger in our gut for a good time.

Yours in friendship.

Race Director

Fred Valier, nominated
Being a new member I enrolled in the boat committee this summer and thanks to the coaching of the race team I really enjoyed it. It was with surprise and sadness that I heard about the departure of Racing Director, Kean Moynihan. I will not fill Kean’s shoes single handedly, so as racing director, my approach will be to seek mentorship from past directors and get support from this year team and new volunteers to tackle the responsibilities and all the tasks involved. 

After two strange and difficult years rebuilding a program for next summer will be a joy. Icebreakers, Wednesday night races, Post-race meals, Award dinners, Friend and family fun races, even board and PHRF-LO meetings are all part of the success of a great summer, 

My goal is to continue to develop those activities and to hopefully create a comprehensive and thriving program that provides learning and fun opportunities for sailors of all skill levels.

House & Grounds

Slav Domurat, nominated
I will be running again. My main key points for next season will be:

1. Upgrade batteries to Lithium Ion with more solar on the roof.
2. Replace our deck in front of our clubhouse if members will step up and do the work.
3. Replace second part or our walkway all the way to the docks.
4. Build our storage shed next to the washroom at the back of our clubhouse.

I am counting on our members to step up and help with our improvements of the club.

Harbourmaster

Brian Burchell, standing for reelection
I would be pleased to stand again for the Harbourmaster role. I feel there is so much more to do and I frankly enjoy working with my team.

John Komac, nominated
I have decided to put my name forward as Harbour Master this year. I am trained as a mechanic.  

I am putting my name forward as I am surprised that our docks and moorings have held up for so many years without any scheduled maintenance and now we are paying the costly price of having to begin the process of replacing docks that could have been avoided. 

I am open to all new ideas and opening up the opportunity for all interested members of the club to collaboratively be involved in the process of ‘docks in and out’ and mooring maintenance. 

I would suggest that each person examine their mooring ball, for security and distance from other mooring balls prior to launch and if there are any questions or issues, that I will address them in a timely manner. 

I have a true passion for APSC and would like to see the club kept updated and maintained over the next few years to avoid huge costs to repair or replace docks, mooring and the barge that we face this upcoming season.

Chief Duty Officer

Nick Scribner, nominated
Hello APSC Community
Nick Scribner Owner of Emotional Rescue, Whitby 27. And I am here running for Chief Duty Officer Position.I Fell in love with the club this year.

This was my first season and it was really great getting to know some of my fellow sailors, and their families. I thought the Chief Duty Officer would be a great position to fill. I would be proud to be in charge of the duty officer and shuttle service.

If appointed I would like to do a trial implementation of splitting shuttle shifts, making it half days so the volunteers can perhaps enjoy some sailing the same day. Again this would only be a trial and if the response is negative we can resume our regularly scheduled shifts. It would be an honour to be part of board for this great sailing club and cherish the opportunity to help out! Have a great off-season. And we’ll see you soon!!!

Safety Director

Adam Frolic, nominated
We have all walked to the docks and just looked around, so happy to be there.  APSC is an amazing place.  It’s a place I go to relax, enjoy company, and sail sometimes.  And in some ways, I let my guard down.  I can do that because I know that my predecessors on the Safety Committee have had my back in that regard.  I want to use my experience with Toronto Fire to keep it that way, as well as anticipate where safety concerns lie, and take action.  

More than ever there is an expectation that we run a safe club that looks out for all its members, and we can’t turn a blind eye to the reality of litigation, should something happen. I will use my experiences and those of everyone at the club to see where the dangers lie, before there is an emergency. However, we must also be ready if there is one.

Let’s worry about our sheets, not our safety. Leave that to me.

Membership Director

Greg Graham, standing for reelection
Objective:  secure even more rockstar sailors for APSC.

Communications & Marketing

Hans Paabor, nominated
I’m writing to express my interest in standing for the position of Communications director.  I am an old sailor well past my best before date.  APSC is a sailing afterlife for me.  I had given up sailing after more than 40 years at three prior clubs and  a succession of  vessels that had  gotten bigger over time. The boat had become too much for me and I was no longer able  to pursue my passion, which was basically getting away from my club for as long and as often as I could.

During my first boat less winter in memory I had the thought that I maybe I could manage a little boat in a protected harbour.  APSC came immediately to mind and I’m so glad it did.

All that is to say I would welcome an opportunity to give back to the club what I am able.  I think I could be useful in this position.  I have served as communication director at a former club along with some other positions and would welcome the opportunity to serve at APSC.

Member at Large

Tim Kirkwood, standing for reelection
I plan to stand as member at large!  My aims for the winter and spring are to continue working as liaison to the City and the TRCA, alongside the Commodore and Board.

• We have yet to secure an okay from Authority regarding paddle-boat space rentals. The process will take several months, but I’m confident we can secure the right to welcome some paddlers, and then proceed per the will of membership.
• Also seeing to the planting of native species, grasses and plants on the edges of our “beach”by volunteer horticulturists from the TRCA. Will likely be done in Spring. I will begin updating the progress of these objectives on the website.
• Continue sitting on the board of the Outer Harbour Sailing Federation.
• I would like to volunteer to help Slav coordinate members to finish painting the washroom building and clubhouse this spring and summer.

Secretary

No Member Running/Nominated