On Tuesday, May 7th, US Sailing Board President Rich Jepsen, CEO Alan Ostfield, and SVP Programs & Services Andrew Clouston met with local sailors and leaders from local yacht clubs, foundations, clubs, and commercial sailing schools to discuss how US Sailing can best support their efforts. This was the sixth iteration of the Listening Tour, spurred on by US Sailing Board President Rich Jepsen, having previous events in Chicago, Los Angeles. New Orleans St. Pete Beach, and Bristol, RI.
Then on Thursday, May 9th, US Sailing held the sixth annual Stakeholders Summit at Annapolis Yacht Club. Leaders from across the sport were able to meet with the leadership of US Sailing and share ideas and perspectives about sailing in their region.
The Summit program included an update from US Sailing’s Olympic department, and small group breakout sessions on topics from youth sailing to race officiating. The roundtable environment between the attendees and the Board of Directors/US Sailing Leadership fostered an exchange of ideas, brainstorming, and ideation for topics including growing and appreciating volunteers, and best practices in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Included in the day were networking events featuring US Sailing presenting partner Sextant Wine.
Said Rich Jepsen, “Our vision for these is to learn what our constituents want and don’t want from us and gather great ideas and feedback that we will process with staff, board directors and committee chairs to help us better serve our sailors.”
Jepsen also thanked Annapolis Yacht Club for their hospitality and US Sailing’s new partner, Sextant Wines, as well as the Mid-Atlantic sailing community for the incredible investment of time and attention in contribution to the betterment of the sport.
This is the latest in an ongoing endeavor by US Sailing to connect with its valued members, facilitate discussion, encourage the sharing of best practices, and create space for members to hear from their counterparts and colleagues.