Canadian Yachting April 2023 - 34

wind
Shifts
Paul M. Rellinger, Editor-in-chief, The Port Hole
There's something inherently frustrating about armchair quarterbacks.
This
I hold to be true; a personal conviction based mostly on
my 40-plus years of sitting down for media interviews of the
disenchanted. While many I've talked to offered solutions,
demonstrating a sincere desire to right a perceived wrong or
injustice, or make something better to the benefit of all, far
too many stopped frustratingly short. It was someone else's
problem to fix. They raised an issue but then they wiped their
hands of assuming any responsibility in the formation and
implementation of a solution.
CPS-ECP, like any organization of its size and scope, has in
its midst its fair share of armchair quarterbacks. That's to be
expected and should be embraced. Divergent and thought-provoking
opinions are healthy, forcing us to look inward at ourselves
as an organization and ensure we're checking all the
boxes to the benefits of all members. We should, and must,
encourage such feedback on what we do, why we do it and
how we do it. We otherwise risk standing still and that should
never be where we want to be.
But equally key to CPS-ECP's health and growth is providing
the opportunity for those with progressive ideas to sit at the
table where strategies are developed and decisions related
to those strategies are made. Each year, such an opportunity
is presented in the form of the call for nominations to the
CPS-ECP board of directors; a bid to get those armchair quarterbacks
onto the playing field where their enthusiasm and
passion can do the most good.
As detailed in this edition, there's a long list of what qualities
are sought of board director nominees. On first look, it's adPublished
by Authority
of the Board of Directors
Editor-in-Chief
Paul Rellinger
Canadian Power
and Sail Squadrons
Graphic Designer
Nour Bawab
Proofreaders
Louise White, SN
34 CANADIAN YACHTING | APRIL 2023
Photographer
Louise White, SN
Published 6 times per year:
February, April, May, June, October,
December, Copy deadline is ten
weeks prior to publication.
Editorial copy and correspondence
should be sent to
theporthole@cps-ecp.ca
Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons
| Escadrilles canadiennes
de plaisance
26 Golden Gate Court
Toronto, ON M1P 3A5
1-888-CPS-BOAT
F. 416-293-2445
theporthole@cps-ecp.ca
www.cps-ecp.ca
mittedly a little overwhelming. There's a lot there to digest. But
really it comes down to one criterion trumping all the others
- commitment to CPS-ECP and passion for its mission. I'm not
involved in the shortlisting of candidates but, for my money,
that requirement must be fully evident. All the rest is a bonus.
Nominations for board directorship close May 31st. It's a big
commitment, no question, with its associated three-year term.
As such, putting your own name forward, or that of a CPSECP
colleague, is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly.
But there is a sizable reward waiting - the opportunity to see
your ideas and associated direction put into actionable steps
to the benefit of the organization you're passionate about.
That's a pretty good payoff.
There's a reason CPS-ECP has fulfilled its mandate since 1938
and continues to remain relevant in a world where associations
have come and gone with regularity. At varying points along
the way, many took the next step and chose be part of the
solution as opposed to being on the outside looking in.
If you really believe what you express about any perceived
CPS-ECP shortcomings, roll up your sleeves and take action to
make things better, whether that's at the national, district or
squadron level. Short of that, if you're not lighting any candles,
don't complain about being in the dark.
As always, your contributions to The Port Hole are always
welcome. Email your articles and/or photos to paulrellinger@
hotmail.com ■
48'
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http://www.cps-ecp.ca
Canadian Yachting April 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Yachting April 2023
