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The Commodore’s
Corner
January has come and gone with
all the fireworks and excitement
a new year brings us. Now let us
settle into the “love” that
February represents.
I would like to extend a big thank
you for all who attended our
Club Awards banquet and
Change of Watch Ceremony.
We had a capacity crowd in the
dining room and it was wonderful to see so many of you
there. What a great opportunity to celebrate all the
things our members and we as a club have accomplished
in the previous year and to look to the future.
on seeing the discussion from the other person’s point
of view.
Lastly, be Nice. We will never completely agree on
every decision. Sometimes, we just can’t understand
what drives someone. Let’s be honest, there are times
that we just cannot agree. We just live our lives so
differently that what is important to someone or the
factors that shape their decisions or beliefs don’t have
the same priorities in our own lives. However, decorum
should always prevail. When all else fails, be nice.
We can always find something to talk about that we
agree on. Let’s focus on our common goals and our
future without forgetting the past. We are a living
organization. We will change over time. We will bring
in new members and new ideas, but it is important to not
forget our traditions and our history.
In closing, I would like to propose a club motto for 2014:
“It’s gonna be FUN”. If we all focus on the three
principles of FUN, 2014 will be an unbelievable year.
This month I want to expand on what I mean when I say
that 2014 will be F.U.N. I think it is important that we Commodore Bobby Dewrell
all adopt a FUN attitude. That is the secret to unbridled [email protected]
success in the club. I have spent a lot time talking to
many of our members that have been a part of our
history for many years and know that the FUN attitude
is not something new at the club, it is just something
Welcome Aboard
that needs to be awakened.
So what do I mean by a FUN attitude? First, be
Friendly. I think it is important that each and every one
of us reach outside our comfort zone and meet someone
new. Sit with a new group one night at the club. When
we see someone in the club we have seen before (or
haven’t seen in a while) let's reach out to them, introduce
ourselves and tell them how nice it is to see them. Let’s
also reach out to our coworkers and neighbors and invite
them down to the Club to meet our friends here.
Second, be Understanding. Steven R. Covey said it best
in his book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: “seek
first to understand, then be understood.” As we meet
new friends or rekindle old relationships, let’s make
understanding each other a priority. We will not always
have the same beliefs on every subject, but it is
important to understand each other. What drives us?
Why are we concerned with a recent decision? Why
do we disagree on an upcoming decision? Focus first
New Members
Seth Cooke
Mike Douglas
In Memory of
Fred Dent
1934 - 2014
~ Fort Walton Yacht Club, Established in 1951 ~