J&

John & Judy Gill

Thu, Jul 11, 2013 11:44 PM

Greg,

You are correct in the fact that many AGLCA members are short term, versus membership in Yacht Clubs, boat Owner's groups and the like. They join to learn what they need to know about cruising the Great Loop and after they have accomplished their objectives, they feel no obligation to give back to others who follow them -- sad but true! Other organizations such as Yacht Clubs, boat owner's associations such as MTOA (Marine Trawlers of America) are volunteer run and do not have paid staffs.

When Ron and Eva Stob started, owned and ran AGLCA, it was a "self help / hobby" enterprise and the dues simply went to cover out of pocket expenses. It soon evolved to having several rendezvous (3 -- Fall, Spring & Summer) a year with "compensated published authors" versus seminars put on by those who had completed the Loop and/or local information. Members wanted more "professional speakers -- aka published authors. Also, early on articles published in the Great Loop Link newsletter were mostly written by members (12 of ours were published). Today, other than Loop closures, articles by members are a rarity.

The reason that many members drop their membership in the Association is very simple. They got the information and benefits that they wanted prior to doing the Loop and are simply not interested in "paying back" to new members - why, perhaps because they think that they should be somehow compensated for doing so (free lifetime memberships, burgees, etc.) and think that they are helping make Steve and Janice Kromer rich from the dues they charge to pay their expenses and staff???

Most Gold Flagged Loopers consider the AGLCA Certificate of Achievement and privilege to buy and fly the Association's Gold burgee an honor and don't mind paying for the flag of honor to boast their completion of the Great Loop.

Few boating organizations or associations, paid or non paid, offer the wide range of opportunities and benefits that the AGLCA under the ownership and management of Steve and Janice Kromer do. So, my plea to all on the GL list is to stop throwing stones or pointing fingers where they are not warranted. If you don't like the Digest format for the eMail subscriber list forum, then change it to the Daily eMail format. It is really that simple. If you are an I.T. expert, they why not offer to help Steve improve the system??

Simply put, if you can afford to own a yacht suitable for doing the Great Loop, the expenses, etc. you surely can afford the ca. $150.00 Life Time Membership fee and the minimal cost to keep your Gold or Platinum burgee and decals for your boat in good condition.

Most members and former members agree that flying the AGLCA white, gold or platinum burgee instantly sets them apart from other boaters at the dock. So, if your burgee is tattered, pay your dues and buy a new one -- that of course is contingent on the benefit of telling others that you are an experienced boater who has accomplished the cruise of a lifetime and are proud of it!!!

PHOTO OF OUR BOAT WITH GOLD FLAG AND GOLD DECAL OMITTED DUT TO LENGHT RESTRICTION BY GL MODERATOR!!!

John and Judy Gill
Delaware River Sail & Power Squadron, D/5
Two J’s V, a 36 ft. Carver Mariner
Slip E-26, Sassafras Harbor Marina, Georgetown, MD
AGLCA Life Members, Gold Flag Loopers
AGLCA Harbor Hosts for the Northern Chesapeake Bay
USPS Life Members & CPS-ECP Members
eMail: < jjgill@twojscom.com >
Website: http://www.twojscom.com/GreatLoop/

Greg, You are correct in the fact that many AGLCA members are short term, versus membership in Yacht Clubs, boat Owner's groups and the like. They join to learn what they need to know about cruising the Great Loop and after they have accomplished their objectives, they feel no obligation to give back to others who follow them -- sad but true! Other organizations such as Yacht Clubs, boat owner's associations such as MTOA (Marine Trawlers of America) are volunteer run and do not have paid staffs. When Ron and Eva Stob started, owned and ran AGLCA, it was a "self help / hobby" enterprise and the dues simply went to cover out of pocket expenses. It soon evolved to having several rendezvous (3 -- Fall, Spring & Summer) a year with "compensated published authors" versus seminars put on by those who had completed the Loop and/or local information. Members wanted more "professional speakers -- aka published authors. Also, early on articles published in the Great Loop Link newsletter were mostly written by members (12 of ours were published). Today, other than Loop closures, articles by members are a rarity. The reason that many members drop their membership in the Association is very simple. They got the information and benefits that they wanted prior to doing the Loop and are simply not interested in "paying back" to new members - why, perhaps because they think that they should be somehow compensated for doing so (free lifetime memberships, burgees, etc.) and think that they are helping make Steve and Janice Kromer rich from the dues they charge to pay their expenses and staff??? Most Gold Flagged Loopers consider the AGLCA Certificate of Achievement and privilege to buy and fly the Association's Gold burgee an honor and don't mind paying for the flag of honor to boast their completion of the Great Loop. Few boating organizations or associations, paid or non paid, offer the wide range of opportunities and benefits that the AGLCA under the ownership and management of Steve and Janice Kromer do. So, my plea to all on the GL list is to stop throwing stones or pointing fingers where they are not warranted. If you don't like the Digest format for the eMail subscriber list forum, then change it to the Daily eMail format. It is really that simple. If you are an I.T. expert, they why not offer to help Steve improve the system?? Simply put, if you can afford to own a yacht suitable for doing the Great Loop, the expenses, etc. you surely can afford the ca. $150.00 Life Time Membership fee and the minimal cost to keep your Gold or Platinum burgee and decals for your boat in good condition. Most members and former members agree that flying the AGLCA white, gold or platinum burgee instantly sets them apart from other boaters at the dock. So, if your burgee is tattered, pay your dues and buy a new one -- that of course is contingent on the benefit of telling others that you are an experienced boater who has accomplished the cruise of a lifetime and are proud of it!!! PHOTO OF OUR BOAT WITH GOLD FLAG AND GOLD DECAL OMITTED DUT TO LENGHT RESTRICTION BY GL MODERATOR!!! John and Judy Gill Delaware River Sail & Power Squadron, D/5 Two J’s V, a 36 ft. Carver Mariner Slip E-26, Sassafras Harbor Marina, Georgetown, MD AGLCA Life Members, Gold Flag Loopers AGLCA Harbor Hosts for the Northern Chesapeake Bay USPS Life Members & CPS-ECP Members eMail: < jjgill@twojscom.com > Website: <http://www.twojscom.com/GreatLoop/> =============

MA

MY ALLEZ

Fri, Jul 12, 2013 12:59 AM

John you posted: MTOA (Marine Trawlers of America

MTOA stands for: Marine Trawler Owners Association

Capt Bob Kovach
Lying Sandy Hook, N.J. Anchorage
MTOA Past Director
KJ4UGE MMSI: 367482710 WDF-7261 (SSB & VHF)
Doing The Great Loop Onboard M/Y ALLEZ!
MTOA 2631 AGLCA 1969, WRCC, USCG-ARC USPS
EMail: my_allez@yahoo.com

From: John & Judy Gill jjgill@twojscom.com
To: John & Judy Gill jjgill@twojscom.com
Cc: Great Loop great-loop@lists.trawlering.com; Greg Han - Allegria hangreg@gmail.com
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2013 7:44 PM
Subject: Re: GL: GL list is the best