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Boathouse Rules & By-Laws

Club Rules
 

DEFINITIONS:

  • Board of Governors (6 officers and 5 directors as per WCC By-Laws)
  • Boats (Canoes, Kayaks, Outriggers and Coaches Launches)
  • SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard)
  • Good Standing (fully up to date with dues, fees, insurance waiver and no pending complaints)

MEMBERSHIP:

  1. PRIVILEGES: The privileges of The Washington Canoe Club herein (“club”) shall be extended to members in good standing, except as hereinafter provided.
  2. CLUB ROSTER: The club roster shall consist of a list of the members, officers, directors and personnel of committees and shall be available upon request from the membership committee or the Board of Governors.
  3. COMMUNICATIONS TO MEMBERS: The club endeavors to communicate with members by email, social media, the Internet, postal mail and/or public notices placed on or in the club house. It is the responsibility of members to ensure that the club has up to date contact information, to include mailing address, phone numbers and, if applicable, email addresses. The club assumes no responsibility for communications to members who have out-of-date contact information on file with the membership committee.
  4. DUES AND FEES: You have the option to pay your annual dues in full in January of each year or subscribe to a quarterly automatic debit.
  5. WCC Membership dues are paid annually at the beginning of each calendar year. Dues are paid for the period-of-time from January to December. Payment options include a one-time full payment due by January 31st of that same year or quarterly payments due at the first month of each quarter (January, April, July, October).
  6. All storage fees must be paid by January 31 regardless of if you opt to pay your yearly dues one time annually or by subscription quarterly.
  7. CANCELLATION POLICY: Dues are paid on an annual basis.  If cancelling membership at any time throughout the calendar year (Jan- Dec), the full-year’s dues are required to be paid.  Quarterly payments will continue and no refunds will be issued to members that paid in full. 
  8. ARREARS IN DUES: (Resultant denial of club privileges) club privileges and admission to the club grounds may, after due notice of such contemplated action, be denied to any member in arrears in dues, such notice to be at the discretion of the club’s Board of Governors.
  9. A member dropped from the club roll for non-payment of dues shall be advised by the Treasurer, informing him or her that he or she has been dropped, that his or her boat(s), SUP(s)and other property at the Club will be sold or disposed of by the House Committee unless payment of the delinquency is made at once in full along with prepayment of 1/2 (or full) year of the following year. Any funds derived from the sale of such property shall be paid to the Treasurer for deposit to the general funds of the club for disbursement as such.
  10. AQUATICS MEMBERS: Aquatics members shall not be permitted to bring guests to the clubhouse without express permission from the club coach. Aquatics members shall not be permitted on the club property unaccompanied by a full member or coach without express permission of the coach. Aquatics members shall be allowed locker space when club facilities permit but shall not be allowed to store or otherwise keep a canoe or any other type of boat on club property except for such racing craft as may be stored after Aquatic’s committee approval.

  11. GUEST CONDUCT: Members are responsible for all actions of their guests at all times, while on club grounds and or using its facilities. Members are also responsible for collecting and submitting a signed club liability waiver for each guest.

 

CLUB GROUNDS

 

  1. ADMITTANCE TO THE WCC GROUNDS AND FACILITIES: Keys and combinations to the club gates/locks and related facilities may be secured from a member of the Board of Governors of or the Membership Committee. Such keys and combinations are solely for the use of full members in good standing and their use by non-members or guests are strictly prohibited. Guests shall not be admitted to the club grounds and facilities unless accompanied by a member.
  2. USE OF CLUB PROPERTY: Members shall be held personally responsible for any loss or damage of club property while in their possession, such damages to be assessed at the discretion of the Board of Governors. This responsibility also extends to loss or damages caused by guests of members. Club property may not be removed from club grounds by members without the prior approval of the Board of Governors or its designate.
  3. USE OF CLUB GROUNDS AND FACILITIES FOR SOCIAL EVENTS: Club grounds and facilities may be used for member social events, at the discretion of the Board of Governors, and following an official member request submitted to the entertainment committee chair 30 days in advance of the proposed event date. Detailed information regarding the date, time, size and nature of the event must be provided to the Board of Governors through the Entertainment Committee for advanced approval.  Fund-raising events on WCC grounds must be specifically identified and approved as such. The host member is responsible for collecting signed waivers from guests.
  4. PERSONAL PROPERTY OF MEMBERS: Personal property of members shall be kept only in assigned storage areas, racks, etc. The property of a member on club grounds is at the member’s own risk and the club assumes no responsibility for the loss, damage, or destruction of such property by any means or agent.
  5. Upon notification of the death of a member, the aquatics committee or a member of the Board of Governors shall create a written list of any property of the deceased member. The Board of Governors shall immediately communicate with the family of the deceased member, informing them of this personal property and notifying the family that the club will not be responsible for such property after 90 days.
  6. USE OF THE PERSONAL PROPERTY OF OTHERS: The use of the personal property of others, without the express permission of the owner, shall be strictly prohibited. The Board of Governors may expel or discipline any member using the property of another without permission.

 

BOATS

 

  1. BOAT and SUP STORAGE: The club provides member storage for boats and SUPs on an as-available basis, subject to the current payment of annual dues and fees for any boat or SUP in excess of those provided by annual dues. Storage fees are posted on the Club website and are subject to change on an annual basis. Fees are paid on a calendar basis. Storage is provided for full members of the club or paid members of the aquatics program, with the prior approval of the Aquatics committee.
  2. Boats and SUPs stored at the club must be registered with the Aquatics committee, labeled on their rack, and/or logged in the logbook for the indoor (downstream) boat bays. Any boat or SUP not registered, labeled, logged, or otherwise identifiable is subject to removal from club racks.
  3. Boats and SUPs shall be considered abandoned and become the property of the Club if member’s dues and storage fees are more than six months in arrears. Boats and SUPs considered abandoned are subject to sale or disposal, at the discretion of the Aquatics committee.
  4. RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF BOATS: The Commodore or his designate shall have the authority to forbid any member or guest from taking a club boat or SUP onto the water when in his judgment it appears unsafe to do so.
  5. CLUB RACING BOATS: Club racing boats and SUPs may be secured for training purposes by any member participating in the aquatics program, subject to the prior approval and supervision of the club Coach. Members are responsible for any damage to club racing boats and SUPs and are expected to report any damage immediately.
  6. USE OF CLUB RECREATIONAL BOATS BY MEMBERS: The club maintains a fleet of recreational kayaks, canoes, SUPs, paddles, and PFDs for the use of members and their guests. These boats are identified with a sticker reading “Property of Washington Canoe Club” and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Boats, SUPs, and paddles not clearly labeled as belonging to the club should be assumed to be private property and governed by rule 10, above. Safety equipment should be used as age, experience, conditions and the law require. Members assume all risks while using club boats, SUPs, and equipment. Members are requested to inform any member of the Aquatics committee of club boats, SUPs, and equipment in need of repair or maintenance.
  7. USE OF CLUB RECREATIONAL BOATS BY GUESTS: Guests may only use club recreational boats and SUPs while accompanied by members. Members are responsible for any damage or loss of club recreational boats, SUPs, and equipment while in use by their guests. Guests are required to use safety equipment as age, experience, conditions, and the law require and complete an insurance waiver.
  8. BOATS and SUPs ON DOCKS: Boats placed on the club dock shall be arranged leaving the front of the dock for immediate arrival or departure, or loading and unloading. No boats and SUPs, with the exception of the OC-6 Outrigger Canoes or others designated by the aquatics committee, shall not be left on the floats, even temporarily. All vessels and equipment must be put away immediately following use. Boat slings are for assembling, disassembling, repairing, and cleaning only.

 

GENERAL RULES

 

  1. SWIMMING: Swimming in the Potomac River is inherently dangerous and any swimming from Club docks is at the risk of the member or their guest.
  2. SWIMMING COSTUME: Suitable swimming costume must be worn and it shall be the duty of the Commodore to enforce this regulation. (This regulation dates to the earliest known rules of the Club and is maintained for the amusement of members rather than any desire of the Commodore to enforce.)
  3. PARKING: Limited parking is available for boat access as needed by members only.  Members must display a WCC sticker or magnet on their cars and park only within the designated area. Overnight parking, guest parking, or parking outside designated parking areas is strictly prohibited and cars will be towed at the owner’s expense.
  4. SMOKING: Smoking is not permitted at the WCC.
  5. DOGS AT THE CLUB: Dogs are permitted at the club but they must remain leashed and attended to at all times.
  6. SUGGESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS: Suggestions and complaints will be gladly received and considered by the House Committee or by the Board of Governors. Current contact information can be found on the “contact us” page of the washingtoncanoeclub.org website.
  7. BREACHES OF RULES: It shall be the duty of every member to report any breach or violation of the club rules. Breaches of the rules shall be reported to members of the Board of Governors.
  8. CONFLICTING RULES: No rules herein shall be construed contrary to the club Constitution and By-Laws.
  9. CHANGES TO THE RULES: Full members in good standing have the right to suggest a change, admission, or removal of specific WCC rules to The Board of Governors for consideration and a vote. The majority vote by the Board of Governors shall stand.