Important News on 2020 Rowing Season from the Board

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Board of Directors
George Baumgarten
Jack Buckley (emeritus)
Susan Campbell
Ed Craven
Kathy Desjourdy
Mark Fitzgerald
CAbbie Harvey
Lisa Hewitt-Dick
Bruce Kristal
John Liffmann
Bruce McMeekin
Eric Penanhoat 

 April 30, 2020

 

Dear CMI members and friends,

I hope this update finds you and your family in good health. Much has happened in the world, locally and at CMI since our last message. The CMI Board is meeting weekly and, together with our Executive Director, Laura Kennedy and CMI coaches, has worked creatively to launch innovative activities and to frame our summer programs. This note will update you on current youth activities, timing for our return to the water, a Zoom webinar, and ways you can help. 

Spring Youth and Adult Programs

Twenty students are participating in spring youth rowing on ergs and online via Zoom 3x/week for fitness training and expert erg coaching from Coach Karen Shusterman. A recent Cohasset Mariner article showed CMI Board Members delivering 14 loaner ergs to youth families in order to enable this program. The commitment of our middle and high school rowers inspires us all. The involvement of these students contributes to CMI’s success now, and deepens our commitment to ensuring CMI can support these programs during these challenging times. We are in the process of launching a similar online erging program for adult rowers for the month of May. The email and registration link went out this past Tuesday. 

When Can We Return to the Water?


All of us are eager to get back on the water and experience the unequalled joy, fitness and camaraderie that rowing provides. Last month, the Board formed COVID-19 safety and programming committees tasked with addressing the logistical aspects of what an on-the-water program would look like in the context of state, local and US Rowing guidelines. We are examining several scenarios to implement social distancing, cleanliness and other common-sense safety procedures so we are ready when the time comes. It is unlikely we can safely ask coxswains to hail “Ready All…Row” before early summer, but we will be prepared as soon as this becomes possible. 

Join us on Monday, May 11th for a Zoom Update with the Board

The board will host a webinar with Q&A to explain what we are planning and answer your questions. Please join us on Zoom Monday 5/11 at 7pm.  Connect -> One tap mobile dail-inone click join meeting or manually enter Meeting ID:867 5901 0852   Password: CMI2020

How Can You Help?

Your all-volunteer board’s primary focus is to keep CMI engaged in the community and afloat during the pandemic. As those who attend the CMI annual meeting know, our annual fixed costs are $60,000 per year to cover program administration, insurance, boat and equipment maintenance, and more. A portion of our program fees and fundraising efforts typically cover these costs. With reduced programming this year, we have applied for government assistance through both the EIDL and Paycheck Protection Program, and these loans, if approved, may help offset up to 25% of these costs. 

Our finance committee has determined we need donations of $20,000 to sustain CMI through the summer. We realize there are many people and organizations with extraordinary needs right now. We encourage our members to help those who are hungry, sick, or otherwise distressed to the extent that you can. In addition, if you are able, we hope you could consider a gift of any amount to help CMI through this difficult period. You can make a donation online by clicking this link-> Thank you for your Donation

We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CMI members and friends and are doing our best to keep CMI a meaningful community resource and source of friendship for you and your family. 

Stay safe!


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Eric Penanhoat

President, CMI