Ask Not What Your Country Can Do

Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You.

“Ask what you can do for your country.” The last few lines of the inaugural address of U.S. President John F. Kennedy delivered at 12:51 on Friday, January 20, 1961, my 20th birthday. Although the lines will be fifty one years old on the 20th January 2012 they are as relevant today as they were then and as relevant to our sailing club as they were to America.

Unlike the USA or many other clubs, we are a cooperative, a club owned by the members for the members. We have no paid president or committee of officials, we have a few who give generously, some who give happily, some who give little beyond their membership fee and some who complain. Perhaps we all fit into the slot of our personality and without each group of individuals the club would not exist.

I have long held the opinion that we do nothing more in life than invest for a return so whatever we give, the giving is its own reward. However, no one’s time is purchased and no one’s time is owned by any other. It is my experience that those who complain loudest are often those who contribute least whilst expecting the greatest return, unfortunately they often get it.

The last AGM dragged on for a long time with complaints, mostly via the questionnaire but also from the floor. Mine concerned the state of the boats and the image that it creates to other river users. It seems that those who use them should be responsible for their upkeep, particularly as they are lent without charge. The state of the club house, particularly on a Sunday morning, perturbed me when I was the deputy duty officer. At the meeting I was surprised to hear that some members seemed to think that it was the responsibility of the club to keep their valuables safe.

It is no one’s job to clean the boats so by default the responsibility for their care should fall upon the users and likewise it is incumbent upon us all to keep the club tidy. No one is paid as a security guard and no one carries the responsibility for loss other than the loser, so image, cleanliness and security are the responsibility of us all. If you use club boats please clean then, if your gear doesn’t fit in a locker, keep it in your car or don’t bring it at all. If your wallet and keys can’t be secured elsewhere, bring a sealable plastic bag, put them inside and keep them in your pocket or a pouch round your neck.

The club needs people to develop towards filling committee positions, to assist servicing boats, to help in the kitchen, to canvass for new members, write for the newsletter, to sub-contract for Bodgit PLC and many other tasks. Like many organisations we need volunteers, not for a good cause but for our cause so your work here benefits yourself first. So ask not what your club can do for you but please ask what you can do for your club.

In writing this article I have expressed my own views and opinions, they are mine and although they may be shared by others I am equally aware of the line that: “No one in the world is with you constantly, no one is completely on your side.”

Cheers!

Mike Hendra