A LETTER TO OUR MEMBERS

Dear Small Point Club Members,

The Club Board hopes you all are faring well these winter days, despite the COVID situation and other world stresses. We are busy planning a respite from these uncontrollable worries for the summer months at Small Point. The season will open, barring unforeseen circumstances, under the same policies in place as last year**. As you are aware, our first concern is the health of our members, which we take seriously.

Thanks to the generous participation of the Club’s members at last summer’s July 30th event, the Club is making some long-overdue renovations to the Club kitchen during this off-season. A new commercial dishwasher, gas washer and dryers, stainless steel sink and work counter, along with some other updates will make the staff’s workload easier to manage and create a safer work environment.

This year is the Quasquicentennial (pronounced kwah-skwee-sen-ten-ee-uhl) of the opening of the Small Point Club. For those of you unfamiliar with the term (new to most of the Board members!), that translates to its 125th anniversary. Thus, we have reason to celebrate this milestone in the history of our beloved “Old Girl”! Plans are in the works for a themed event on Saturday, August 6th. An event is also planned for August 30th to observe the date of the original signing of the founding corporation documents. We will continue with our golf scramble, Fourth of July parade, art shows, speaker series, cocktail events, ladies’ nights, book club, etc., keeping in mind this special celebratory year.

As all of you are aware, inflationary pressures and supply chain issues are affecting everyone. The Club, of course, is not exempt from the increased costs. While fundraising efforts go towards renovations and interior upkeep, our annual dues cover the operational costs of opening and running the Club each summer. To meet the projected costs of the 2022 season operational costs, the Club Board is obligated to set an increase in annual dues. It is never an easy task for the Board to make this decision, but it is necessary.

As approved at our August 22, 2021 Shareholders meeting, in order to simplify the membership categories, the Club bylaws, regarding membership categories, have been revised. These, along with the 2022 dues schedule, are as follows:

Please feel free to reach out to any of our Board members with questions you may have. Prompt payment of your annual dues upon receipt of your invoice from Ginny Chaput, SPC’s account manager, is very much appreciated! Please, also, if you are able, consider becoming a Sustaining Member, if you aren’t already. The Board suggests a contribution of $500 beyond your regular $500 dues for a total of $1000. This may be out of reach for some, but know that additional income, no matter what size, would be greatly appreciated. In past years we have offered a free night to those who become Sustainers. We hope to do so this year, depending on the Covid situation.

The Board wishes to thank our members for their continued support. Our mission to maintain the Club as an essential Small Point community resource is only possible because of your commitment.

On behalf of the Small Point Club Board,
Martie Janeway and Sumner Miller, co-chairs

* From “A Centennial History of the Small Point Club” 1897-1997. Text and Editing by Thomas Hinkle and Elena Vandervoort. The original book is at the Club.

** Vaccination policy: All members must be fully vaccinated and boosted. Otherwise, a mask is to be always worn while on the Club premises, except when in the act of dining.