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Chatting With The Commodore
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Melanie Green,
WSA-OC Commodore |
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Dear WSA-OC Family:
As we begin to douse our sails on 2018, I'm reflecting gratefully on the time we've all spent sharing the camaraderie and love of sailing together! We have had some exceptional programming and events this year and I'm continually amazed at the level of support and enthusiasm you all bring to this wonderful organization.
A lot of hard work in the cockpit goes towards keeping WSA-OC running full course ahead. My sincere appreciation to our officers and committee chairs for the phenomenal job they have done this year! Your tireless efforts, dedication and support of WSA-OC is unwavering and I thank you all wholeheartedly! It has been a pleasure to work play and grow side-by-side with all of you! You all have been the wind in my sails this year and I will forever be grateful! And 2019 is off to a stellar start! I am so impressed with our incoming 2019 officers and committee chairmen. They have been hard at work for several weeks already planning amazing things for you all to enjoy next year. Don't miss the boat as the fun-o-meter is going to be off the charts!
Kindly indulge me as I veer off course for a moment, I'd like to dedicate this issue of The Whistle to my late Auntie Sharron of Newport Beach, CA. Although she was not a sailor herself, she was a true lover of the ocean and of all things nautical. She was a fiercely strong and independent woman, who taught me so much, and she brought tremendous joy and laughter to everyone around her. Doug and I know her spirit will always be with us as we cruise the waters of Newport Harbor! I hope you all have an influential person in your life who has impacted you; so please join me in this season of peace, love and reflection as I propose a toast to all those who hold a special place in our hearts - "Cheers!"
In closing, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel or Mele Kalikimaka! No matter how you say it or celebrate it, may your holidays be filled with endless warmth and merriment shared amongst friends and loved ones. I wish you an ocean full of good times, good health and amazing adventures in the coming new year.
With my deep gratitude, I say a final THANK YOU for helping to make my year as Commodore one I will never forget!
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Join us for our January meeting as we kickoff 2019 with the change of watch ceremony/installation of the 2019 board of directors. WSA-OC/WORSA is also celebrating our Ruby Anniversary, 40 years of promoting women's sailing in SoCal!
We will begin the meeting as we always do, with time to socialize and grab a drink from the bar. We'll then begin the meeting with announcements followed by the change of watch ceremony and new officer installation, which will be presided over by Gail Hine, a WORSA founding member and former SCYA Staff Commodore, immediately followed by a champagne toast with dessert.
Since we're celebrating our 40th year, we're going back to where WSA-OC began all those years ago ... to 1979 and WORSA. We'll be taking a
trip back into the history books, with several original WORSA members, on how we got our start!
We are requesting that everyone wear a blue blazer. If you don't have the requested attire, no worries! Also, do not feel obligated to purchase said blue blazer, wear a dark jacket, sweater or whatever makes you comfortable. We would just like for you to attend.
⛵️ Tuesday, January 8th
⛵️ 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Social/Happy Hour
⛵️ 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. New Business/Announcements, Change of Watch Ceremony & New Officer Installation
⛵️ 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
WORSA - A Trip Back in Time: A Historical Retrospective
⛵️ Aventura Ocean Club
24707 Dana Drive
Dana Point, 92629
949.493.9493
⛵️ Beer and wine available for purchase from Aventura
⛵️ Bring cash for our 50/50 raffle
⛵️ Meetings are open to all members, their guests and any member of the public interested in learning more about the WSA-OC.
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We're Back On the Water in January
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Our first on-the-water event of 2019 will be bringing it back to basics with Get to Know a Boat on Saturday, Janurary 19th, 10:30 a.m. in Dana Point Harbor. We will be learning or in some cases relearning about boats: from keel to masthead, pulpit to transom. This event is for everyone, but we're targeting the new to sailing or the "I just hop on a boat" members - the people who want a crash course in sailboats 101. Even if you think you know it all you might be surprised and learn something new.
Since WSA-OC is comprised of sailors of all levels of experience, we're hoping to establish a mentorship program by pairing up our experienced members with those that are newer to sailing. The Get to Know a Boat event will be our maiden voyage with this endeavor. Several of our experienced sailors will be providing the instruction for the event. By participating in Get to Know a Boat it will get you ready for the Sailing Convention for Women in February!
If you would like more information please contact our Rear Commodore and on-the-water events coordinator,
Kt Reiter. Additional information will be provided once registration has been received.
Sign up now for only $25!
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We'd like to acknowledge the generous end-of-year donation we recently received from one of our members. This donation was matched by a family foundation which made the gift twice as valuable to us.
As our programs expand and our efforts to support local community service projects grow, our operating expenses increase. As you plan your end-of-year giving, please consider WSA-OC. Many employers also will match charitable giving to 501(c)(3) organizations such as WSA-OC. You can direct your end-of-year gift to:
- WSA-OC General Fund
- WSA-OC Scholarship Fund
- WSA-OC Community Service Projects
- WSA-OC OSeas Race Team
Donations may be sent to WSA-OC P.O. Box 937 Dana Point, CA 92629 or via
Square (scroll to the bottom of page). Thank you for your support!
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Our final event of 2018, the Holiday Party, was a lot of fun and actually got started several days before; when the board of directors got together for a WSA-OC baking day, which was the brainchild of commodore elect, Karen Pacella. Thankfully she put on her commodore-in-training hat and got a bunch of non-bakers baking. And if we do say so ourselves, the result was really delicious cookies - at least we think so based on the empty platters at the end of the night.
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We're so cool, even Santa can't stay away! Santa, otherwise known as Karen Campbell's husband Jim. Photo: Regina Stewart
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The actual party kicked off with an opportunity to mix and mingle with WSA-OC members and their guests by participating in the icebreaker event. As everyone mingled they also had an opportunity to bid on our silent auction items. We are really excited to announce that we raised over $2,000 to benefit our newly established scholarship fund. Well done and thank you!!!
We also danced along to the music provided by Heartland; ate a delicious Hawaiian themed dinner; participated in a gift exchange and had some fun and funny photographs taken by Regina Stewart, which you can
see here.
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Mark Your Calendars Now!
Upcoming 2019 WSA-OC Events* |
The following is an up-to-date list of WSA-OC and affiliate events* that we have planned for the first half of 2019. More events and details will be added as planning continues and as the events get closer. As each event gets closer, more details will also be provided via the WSA-OC social media accounts - Facebook and Instagram.
For more information, view our
All Events
page on the website.
All of our on-the-water events are for WSA-OC members only, unless noted otherwise. Cancellations will be assessed a $5.00 fee to cover our credit card fees. No-shows or cancellations made within 48 hours of event cannot be refunded.
January 8th, 2019
~ ~ WORSA - A Trip Back in Time: A Historical Retrospective
February 2nd ~ ~ Sailing Convention for Women
February 5th ~ ~ NO GENERAL MEETING
February 23rd ~ ~ Social Sail
March 5th ~ ~ An Irreverent Look at Maritime History
March 16th ~ ~ WSA-OC Regatta
April 2nd ~ ~ General Meeting
April 6th ~ ~ Cal 20 Regatta
May 7th ~ ~ General Meeting
May 12th ~ ~ Sea Gals
May 18th ~ ~ Full Moon Social Sail
June 4th ~ ~ General Meeting
June 22nd ~ ~ Summer Sailstice
*Subject to change
Black = meeting | Pink = on-the-water | Green = OSeas | Orange = affiliate event | Purple = community service
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Affiliate Organization Events
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The following are affiliate events that we have been invited to participate and attend. Please be sure to visit their websites or click on the hyperlinks to view additional information. Remember when attending affiliate events, you are doing so as a representative of WSA-OC.
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Mark your calendars now for two important dates:
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
~ Early bird registration fee $200
~ Registration fee will increase in January
February 2nd 2019
~ Sailing Convention for Women at BCYC
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Great news! Sailing Pro Shop is offering WSA-OC members 15% off of your in store purchase or phone order. Includes regularly priced items only.
Stop by and support a small, locally owned business!
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WSA-OC and LB WSA have made a reciprocal agreement to welcome members from each group to attend the others monthly meeting. There is no obligation to join the other organization. However, participation in club events is restricted to members only, unless otherwise specified.
The LB WSA group meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. at Seal Beach Yacht Club, in Long Beach
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It's Not too Late to
Renew or Join for 2019
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WSA-OC Membership Makes a Great Christmas Gift!
Are you a previous WSA-OC member and are considering re-joining? We are opening our arms to anyone who was a member in 2015, 2016 and 2017 to join for the renewal price of $70 for 2019.
This is the same price offered to our 2018 members who renew. Come back, meet new friends, go sailing and see how we've grown!
Please note that WSA-OC membership runs on a calendar year, January through December; there are no rolling memberships.
Renew for only $70. Available to 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 members
New members can join for $85
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WSA-OC, without you and your continued support would not be the club we are today. Thanks to all of you for joining WSA-OC and believing in us and our mission.
Welcome aboard to our newest members:
Denise Nunez
Liz Schoff
Melissa Vizcarra
Happy Sailing!
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NEW Fall/Winter
M
erchandise in Stock Now!
Limited Quantities!
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| The Ship Store is open 24/7. Our logo merch makes great gifts |
We have some fantastic new cool weather items in the Ship Store and they also make fantastic Christmas gifts!
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Some of the new Fall/Winter WSA-OC logo merchandise
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Order online now to guarantee your purchase before it sells out! Items ordered now, can be picked up at our December Holiday Party.
Buy now
, so you're outfitted for our next event or your walk around town!
Add a
WSA-OC Logo to Your Own Items
If you have personal [fabric] items that you would like to have the WSA-OC logo embroidered on we can do that for you! The cost will depend upon number of items received, but will be between $10 -$15 per item
, which is the cost of application. For an additional $10 you can have your item personalized i.e. name, boat name, etc. (one line only).
Contact us for info.
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We will NOT be having a February meeting. However, we'll be reconvening on March 5th with the program
An Irreverent Look at Maritime History presented by our own David Veeneman.
The location of the meeting is yet to be determined.
Please watch our website and Facebook pages for additional information about the program and meeting details.
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⚓️ Woo hoo! We have a new
webmaster! Doug Green has agreed to take on this vital behind-the-scenes role for WSA-OC. With that being said, we all owe a huge THANK YOU to Kathleen Brown who stepped back into the role several months ago on an interim basis, until a permanent webmaster was found.
⚓️ 2 YEARS. 30 VOYAGES. 300 WOMEN.
eXXpedition Round the World 2019-2021 is an all-female sailing voyage and scientific research mission. Over 38,000 nautical miles and 30 voyage legs, starting and ending in the United Kingdom, eXXpedition crews will explore plastics and toxics in our ocean, via four of the five oceanic gyres and the arctic.
Does this sound like something you'd be interested in? The eXXpediton team is currently taking applications to be a part of their crew.
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Members Only
Facebook Group
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One of the perks of WSA-OC membership is accessing the exclusive
content that can be found on our private, members-only, Facebook group page. The page is very dynamic with a lot of member interaction.
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| Click on photo to link to group. |
Any group member can start a post, add photos, comment, etc. It is a forum for both official WSA-OC announcements and informal content. Friends have literally been made, crew spots filled all thanks to the easy, open communication between
members. As we've said before, "The more you put into this group [WSA-OC], the more you'll get out of it!"
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2018 WSA-OC
Board of Directors
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WSA-OC
Commodore
Melanie Green
Vice Commodore
Karen Pacella
Rear Commodore
Brenda Highley
Treasurer
Barbara Kelley
Secretary
Vallerie Gonzales
Membership Director
Cheryl Case
Communications Director
Valerie Rhodes
Jr. Staff Commodore
Risa Scott
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Newsletter Editor
Tracy Gallucci
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