Page 6 - Jan-Feb 2020

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 • KWASIND
Neil Rooney, CCM CCE
General Manager and Chief Operating Officer
neil.rooney@rcyc.ca
Another year passed and with 2019 behind us we now look toward 2020 and what it might bring for RCYC. Here are a few things your Management Team and Staff are planning for:
Director of Sailing search has been underway since early November and much progress has been made. This is arguably one of the best sailing job opportunities in Canada, so we have high expectations for the successful candidate. We cast a far reaching net including promotion of the opportunity in Scuttlebutt North America, Sail1Design, Sail Canada and Eurosail. Our Search Committee of internal experts comprised of Scott Collinson (Chair), Karen McRae, David Scott and Jean Treadwell have managed significant outreach through their contacts across Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand so the word is well out there in the international sailing community. Long/short listing has occurred and we are now beginning the interview stages. We will provide more updates as the search progresses.
Director of Food and Beverage search is also well underway. Typically December is the busiest month in this industry so things slowed down from mid-December through the New Year as expected. We are the third or fourth largest club in Canada for the size of our F&B operation so this is not a straight forward recruitment. We also have very high expectations for this individual with a focus on staff training, operating standards and service excellence delivery. We still expect to have this person hired before the end of January with a February start date.
Property Manager search is progressing a little slower. We have struggled between hiring someone with engineering qualifications and someone with property management/ repair qualifications over the recent past. It is a tricky role because we need a balance between these different backgrounds. We technically have five properties with all the infrastructure and complications that this brings.
Island Clean Up has continued over November and December. It is looking significantly better than it did back in October. Snug Island Cottage removal is dependent on approvals and permits which may see this project delayed into March but regardless of timing, it has been approved and will proceed before the Island opening up for 2020.
Member Satisfaction Survey will be launched imminently and will allow Management to set a baseline performance scorecard for how you feel 2019 went. Obvious issues are apparent and resulting with some of the restructuring
decisions but we are a large organisation with many moving parts so it will be invaluable to get a read on the overall operation from you. We can benchmark our results with similar clubs and then also benchmark improvements year on year. You will see this quickly arrive in your inbox if it has not already.
Auxiliary Launch/Pontoon Boat is included in the approved Capital Budget from the Meeting of Members’ last November. We are working on an operating plan and schedule but will consult and communicate with all members before any final plans are set. The benefits are significant; firstly, this type of ferry will allow for roll on/off with full accessibility for anyone with travel restrictions. It will provide support service to Kwasind and Hiawatha especially during peak demand and shoulder seasons. It is much more efficient to operate and will allow us to run a service from Yonge Street to the Island. In addition, should Cherry Street area construction be more disruptive than anticipated, we can utilise this service to ease access challenges. We will also realise savings from the current Water Taxi fees paid on an annual basis.
Staff Recognition is an important commitment and I am delighted to recognise the following dedicated individuals for their tenured service to RCYC:
Housekeeping: Marine Services:
Sports:
Membership & Marketing:
Food & Beverage:
Juanita Castro (5 years)
Mark Turuk (5 years) Connor Barnett (10 years) George Garland (15 years) Carlos Mancebo (25 years) Michael Holtom (30 years)
Yomi Kobayashi (5 years) Joshua Mapes (5 years) Agneiszka Kuczalska (20 years)
Thomas Szabo (25 years)
Chris Horvath (5 years) Thangarajah Kandiah (20 years) Helia Pacheo (30 years)
We celebrated in style at the Staff Holiday Party and everyone had a great time.
General
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at RCYC so far. The welcome by Members and Staff has been fantastic. Thank you for your patience as I try to get to know everybody and continue to learn about the Club and its operation. I’m excited for a very successful 2020 season.
GM & COO MESSAGE