RQYS MAINSHEET 2023

Chair’s message

Planning a great future for RQYS Board Chair Melissa Hardy focuses on the four pillars which underpin the development of our Strategic Plan.

I am delighted to be reaching the end of the first calendar year under our new governance arrangements, and what a year its been for the Board, partnering with the Management Team, Committees and Volunteers, with valuable input from many members, partners and other stakeholders.

We have made good progress on developing the Strategic plan. While it is taking a lot longer than hoped or planned, it is important to get it right and why listening to Members’ feedback, comments both good and bad, throughout the year, has been invaluable.

This document will underpin our four key pillars, measure our success and help plan for the future:

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Pillar 1 – Sailing & On-Water Activities

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Pillar 2 – Membership – Benefits, Retention & Growth

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Pillar 3 – Building, Infrastructure & Asset Improvement

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Pillar 4 – Foundation Structure – Core Operational Functions

As mentioned in the Commodore and CEO reports, the Board has overseen a number of capital projects progress and has started considering the longer term capital needs for our Squadron, considering our financial sustainability and responsibilities to preserve and enhance the Squadron’s assets. Our strategy and master development plan will be key inputs to this. We bade farewell to longstanding Treasurer Andrew Gibbs during the year and thanked him for his immense contribution. We then welcomed Ben Barnes to the role and his input is proving invaluable in guiding the financial direction with our Finance Committee and financial management team. I look forward to entering 2024 and continuing to work with the Board to steer the Squadron through what is sure to be another memorable year, albeit one filled with the activity and at times disruption of the construction work at Manly and Canaipa. We are excited to extend on the foundation laid within the Strategy, and driving towards the opportunities we are presented with during the year to continue to be an organisation that Members derive great benefit from and with which they are proud to be associated.

Melissa Hardy n

Mainsheet 2023

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Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Yearbook