Becoming a Member

Guidance Notes for Membership Applications

The Royal Lymington Yacht Club is a prestigious, well run, and friendly club of high reputation both on the water and ashore. New members are always welcome. These Guidance Notes are written to encourage a smooth application process for candidates for Membership of the Club, and are designed to answer most queries from proposer, seconder, and applicant.

We aim to be:
"Successful on the water, friendly and welcoming ashore"

The Club's objectives are to encourage and promote yachting in all its aspects, and to maintain a clubhouse and other facilities for the use of members and visiting yachtsmen. The emphasis of the Club is very much on the practical enjoyment of sailing and motor-boating, to which the extensive racing and social programme is an adjunct.

The future of the Royal Lymington Yacht Club relies on its Membership. The General Committee as the executive of the Club is likely to look favourably on the candidate who would enjoy the Club, who would “fit in”, and who would play an active part afloat or in the Clubhouse. Social acceptability is important, as is the appreciation of the Club ethos.

Applicants should be aware that Club membership will require a commitment to abide by the provisions of the Club’s Articles and Regulations. These are available in the Club Handbook and also on the Website by clicking on the links which appear on the ‘How to become a member’ page.

Upon successful completion of the application process, New Members will be required to authorise payment of their annual subscriptions by bank direct debit authorisation and this will remain a requirement during their subsequent period of membership.

Spouses/Partners

This is a family-oriented club, and a candidate is encouraged to bring his/her spouse or partner (of either gender) into membership as a Family Member. Candidates should be aware that spouses/partners who do not become full or family members will be deemed guests whose use of the Club will be limited to no more than six visits a year and also shall be required to sign the Visitors Book.

General reminders

Please do not propose or second a candidate if a professional or business relationship exists between you (Article 6.8) nor shall both proposer and seconder have a close family relationship with the candidate.

Letters of support are an important part of the selection process. Such letters should be sought from Members of the Club or, when applicable, from Flag Officers of the candidate’s other yacht club/s.

Membership Process

At the 2004 Annual General Meeting of the Club, approval was given for Applications for Membership to be processed in one of two ways.

• Full Membership - you are entitled to all privileges and full use of the Club and its facilities from the moment you are elected. You will, however, have to find other Full Members to propose and second you.
• Provisional Membership you may have full use of the Club and its facilities but no voting rights and you don't need to pay any entrance fees until you become a Full Member. This method is ideal for those new to the area who may not know any Club Members sufficiently well.

Both Full and Provisional applicants must satisfy the requirements of Article 6 (Election of Members). It is important to show ‘active involvement in yachting’, whether this is in large yachts or small dinghies whether sail or power. Ownership of a boat is not a prerequisite for selection. Sailing organisational skills, instructional ability, race or event management, etc. are all very acceptable.

Full Membership

For a Candidate to join in this way, the Proposer and Seconder have to have known the Candidate personally and well, preferably but not exclusively in a yachting capacity. They both must be Full Members of at least two years’ standing.

The Proposer
1 Completes the Proposal Form, giving as much detail as possible including all known particulars of the Applicant’s yachting experience. It is often useful to include a covering letter to give further relevant background information that has not been covered in the Proposal Form.
2 Signs the Proposal Form as a Declaration and a Recommendation.
3 Returns the fully completed Proposal Form to the Secretary expeditiously.

The Seconder
1 Completes and signs the Seconder’s Form as a Declaration and a Recommendation.
2 Returns the fully completed Form to the Secretary

The Applicant
1 Completes the Applicant’s Form that gives personal particulars and family details. It is important to give in depth information concerning the yachting experience to date.
2 Writes a letter, addressed to the Secretary, saying why he/she wants to become a Member of the Club. Helpful content of this letter would include the prospective candidate’s future intentions in the yachting context.
3 Obtains supporting letters from two Members (helpful but optional).
4 Returns the fully completed Form, supporting letters (unless sent direct by their originators) and covering letter to the Secretary

The above three, Proposer, Seconder, and Applicant are encouraged to return the documents rapidly, and the Office will then progress the application. Once the application documentation has been received, the names of the Candidate, and of the Proposer and Seconder will be posted on the Club Notice Board for a period of 28 days.

During that period, the Membership Secretary will arrange for the Applicant to meet two Members of the General Committee in the Clubhouse for an informal interview.

If possible, the Proposer will accompany the candidate to the interview(s) as a courtesy to effect introductions. However, the Proposer should not remain during the meeting.

In the Club the emphasis is very much on the family. Whether or not the Applicant’s spouse or partner is also a candidate for Family Membership, he/she should be invited to the interview - this is essential if they are included in the application.

Election

After the above 28 day period has elapsed and provided that the interviews have taken place the application will be considered by the General Committee at their next meeting.

A favourable decision will be communicated to the candidate direct by the Secretary and the Proposer informed. Very occasionally a disappointing decision has to be given. This will be communicated by the Vice Commodore to the Proposer whose responsibility it is to inform the unsuccessful candidate.

Provisional Membership

It is not necessary for the Applicant to have a Proposer or Seconder for this kind of membership. However, within twelve months of the date of their election, the Applicant must have found two Full Members who are willing to stand as sponsors and act as Proposer and Seconder to endorse the Candidate’s Full Membership. No further interview will be necessary.

The Applicant

1 Completes the Application form obtainable from the Membership Secretary or on this website. This requires personal particulars and family details. It is important to give as much information as possible concerning the yachting experience to date.

2 Writes a letter addressed to the Secretary, saying why he/she wants to become a Member of the Club, and explain the circumstances that have prevented them for applying for Full Membership. As this is the initial contact that the Club has with the prospective Provisional Member, this letter will be made available to the General Committee and Membership Sub-Committee. With that in mind, the content of the letter should include a brief career history, any additional information of yachting skills and experience, and his/ her future intentions in the yachting context.

3 Provides references to confirm the above. These may be by means of letters of recommendation from other sailors of good standing, for example Flag Officers of other clubs or sailing friends who understand the ethos of a club such as ours. Evidence of yachting experience, qualification, or distinction in previous sailing activities would also help. Please note that emails providing references should come directly from the referee to the Club, and not via the applicant.

4 Returns the fully completed Form and covering letter to the Secretary. Ensures that the supporting evidence and letters are lodged with the Membership Secretary

Once the above paperwork has been received by the office, the name of the Applicant will be placed on the Club Notice Board for 28 days. The Membership Secretary will arrange for the prospective Provisional Member to be interviewed in the Clubhouse by two Members of the General Committee as soon as possible after receipt of the application from the candidate.

Whether or not the Applicant’s spouse or partner is also a candidate for Family Membership, he/she should be invited to attend the interviews and must do so if included in the application.

The applicant should be aware that Provisional Membership is not a forgone conclusion, and that the completed application, including the interview reports, will be considered by the General Committee. The Committee’s decision will be communicated by the Secretary to the candidate as soon as possible. The Applicant will then be required to pay his or her subscription, but not the entrance fee.

Conversion to Full Membership

The Provisional Member has one year to get to know other Members of the Club and for Members of the Club to get to know the candidate and the respective family. During this time he should become sufficiently involved in the Club to identify two Full Members to act as Proposer and Seconder. The Proposer and Seconder must both be satisfied with the applicant’s suitability for the Club. On receipt of a Proposer’s and Seconder’s support the Membership Secretary should be informed and the Full Membership application will be submitted to the General Committee for consideration. On approval of the application, the entrance fee will become payable by the arrangements in force at the time.

Unfortunately, failure to provide sponsors within the twelve-month period will automatically cancel the Provisional Membership. However, in case of difficulty in finding a proposer or seconder, the Provisional Member(s) should consult a Flag Officer or the Secretary. A short extension of Provisional Membership may be allowed to enable and application for Full Membership to be processed. If the Provisonal Membership lapses, re-application for Membership of the Club will not be allowed for a further year.