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Riverside Boat Club
796 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-492-1869
www.riversideboatclub.com

Welcome

Riverside Boat Club exists to make rowing an enjoyable and rewarding experience for our members. Our main requirement for membership is that applicants possess adequate rowing skills, and accept the club’s conduct and financial responsibilities. You are welcome whether your interest is elite competition or recreation. We accept members without regard to race, sex, or age.

If you are interested in joining Riverside Boat Club contact the Vice President who can be reached by voice  mail at 617 492 1869.  Although there a number of classes of membership, most applicants become provisional members. To become a provisional member, after speaking with the Vice President, you must attend one of the monthly meetings where you will be asked to introduce yourself and briefly describe your rowing experience and goals. Senior members will then vote upon your application.  Membership becomes effective after payment of  the initiation fee and dues.

This guide presents the history, organization, and expectations of members of Riverside Boat Club.

History

Riverside Boat Club, founded in 1869 by employees of the Riverside Press, originally occupied a small boat house at the foot of Albro Street (between River Street and Western Avenue).  This boat house was replaced by a second structure which was destroyed by fire in 1911. The construction of Memorial drive and taking of the land by eminent domain forced the removable of the boat house to its present site. The present boat house, designed by John McAuliffe, was built in 1912. Northeastern University, a tenant from 1963 to 1990, built the bay on the south side of the building.

To attract good rowers, the club hired Doug Clark as its first coach in 1983. By 1990 the coaching staff had grown to three: Olympic Gold Medalist (‘84) Jeanne Flanagan coaching scullers and masters sweep, Cecily Keifer coaching the lightweight women’s sweep, and Steve Sawyer coaching the men’s sweep. The objective of the coaching program is to help rowers at all levels of skill improve.

Coaching has helped many Riverside rowers attain success in both national and international regattas. At the 1991 Pan Am Games in Havana, Riverside rowers Karen Carpenter won  a gold metal in the women’s quad, and Molly Hoyle, Cindy Ryder Matthes, Steve Gantz and Marvin Giles won silver in their events. The lightweight women’s sweep boat, under coach Cecily Kiefer, won all events entered in the New England Regionals. At the Senior Nationals, her crew won the senior pair division. The lightweight men’s team, coached by Steve Sawyer, won Silver at the Elite Nationals in Indianapolis. Later at the Canadian Henley, the lightweight men won the senior lightweight four with, four without and pair.

Rules of the River

1. Club singles and pairs are not allowed out between December 1 and April 1 without permission of the Captain.
2. Lights are required for all boats, including launches, on the water between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise. Lighting must consist of a bow light (red/green) and a stern light (white).
3. Each boat must be equipped with a bow ball.
4. MDC regulations require both power boats and shells to identify themselves. Rowers must use painted oars identifying their club.
5. Launching and landing must be done in the same direction that traffic moves on the river. At Riverside this is upstream.
6. Overtaking boats must keep clear of a boat they are passing. However, rowers of slower boats must indicate their presence and keep close to the shore well in advance of being over taken. Rowers must respect the right of power boats to pass. If a power boats is exceeding the speed limit, one may call the MDC number posted on the bulletin board.
7. When reversing direction on the river, maneuvers should be made deliberately and quickly. Avoid turning or stopping near bridges or at bends in the river where crews of oncoming boats are often blocked. Two areas of caution are both ends of the Powerhouse Stretch and at the Eliot bridge.
8. Crews are expected to stay on the right hand side of the river, between B. U. (Cottage Farm) bridge and Watertown, with no part of the boat or oars crossing over the centerline of the river.
9. Row under each bridge in the direction of the arrows specified on the following diagram.

(Bridge traffic pattern image appears here in the printed guide)

(Charles River map appears here in the printed guide)

General Rules

1. Members shall contribute to the common good of the Riverside Boat Club, shall cooperate with each other, and shall keep the equipment, the physical plant, and the premises in good order.
2. Members are expected to attend the general meetings usually held on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p. m. The August and November meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month.
3. Members are expected to attend work parties (ten hours per year minimum), to work on committees, and/or serve on the Board of Directors. Members are requested to log the time spent in work parties and the job done, in a special logbook kept on the second floor. Members, however, may opt to pay a surcharge in lieu of work parties.
4. All posters and announcements for races are club property and shall not be removed. Postings may include: executive notices, the list of boat racks, the sculling ladder, the boat eligibility list, the boat use schedule and club rules.
5. Scullers who row their own boats from the club are expected to use their own oars and to paint the club colors on them per MDC regulations. Official club colors are royal blue and white.
6. Members must pay dues and fees on time to retain  their membership privileges.
7. All active members must be able to swim.
8. Boats must be drained and washed outside the boathouse on the upstream float away from ramps.
9. Land training equipment is to be kept upstairs and ergs should be wiped down after use.
10. No bicycles are allowed in the boathouse.
11. Motor vehicles are not allowed on the grass of the Riverside Boat Club unless otherwise cleared by the Board.
12. At all times the front door must be kept locked. Before leaving the dock for a row, the last person on the water must pull the bay doors down. The last person leaving the boathouse is responsible for turning out the lights, locking all five doors to the water, the door to the upstairs porch, and the doors to the street.
13. Lockers must have the occupants’ names affixed to them. Any locked lockers without names are assumed to be not reserved and shall be opened and emptied of all contents.
14. Private powerboats are not allowed to stop at the dock,  and their occupants are not allowed to pass through the boat house or use the boathouse  facilities.
15. Members who earn money through advertising with the use of Riverside colors, logo, equipment, or boathouse are expected to pay 10% of their earnings to the club.
16. The president, as the representative of the Board, is responsible for, and has authority over, all club equipment and all water related activities. If the president is not available, board members have this responsibility and authority.
17. In the event of damage to a club boat, the involved parties are responsible for all costs not covered by club insurance.
18. The club launches and engines are to be used only by the coaches or other personnel authorized by the Captain.

Dues and Fees

Membership

The classes of membership are:

1. A Senior member has full voting privilege and use of the club facilities The requirements to become a full member are: being a provisional member for at least one year and receiving an affirmative vote at a General Meeting.
2. A Provisional member has use of the club facilities, but may not vote at the General Meetings.
3. A Family membership has one vote at the General Meetings. One key is issued. Members of the family may use club facilities.
4. A Supporting membership has no vote at the General Meetings, is not issued a key and may enter the club no more than seven times per year.
5. A Life membership may be awarded by the board to those people who have given outstanding service and contributions to the club or the sport.
6. A Program membership is granted to participants in special programs sponsored by the club. A Program member  has no vote at the general meetings and is not issued a key. The scope of the membership privileges is determined by the board.

Guests

Guests are welcome to use club facilities when accompanied by a member. Guests may use club facilities including weights, ergometers, lockers, showers, boats and docks.   The host will be billed for each use. Visiting members of other clubs recognized by the Board, with which Riverside has reciprocal privileges, are not required to pay these fees.

1. A host is liable for any damage caused by their guests and must accompany them while using the facility and/or equipment.
2. Hosts  must ensure that an appropriate boat is used, sign their guests in and out in the logbook, including total mileage and their own name as well as that of their guest. Also, permission of the Captain must be obtained by the host for his/her guest to use other than novice class boats, to use boats during training hours, and for inviting more than one guest at a time.
3. A guest may use Riverside facilities three times.

Boat Use

To use Club boats a member must pass the Captain's test and receive permission from the Captain. However a member may use the gig, doubles and quads with the Captain's permission before passing the Captain's Test.  At least one rower in the double or quad must have passed the Captain's test.

Captain’s Test

All rowers must demonstrate their ability by the Captain’s test to earn the privilege of using club boats. Rowers who have not passed the  Captain's test may use a gig or double with the Captain’s  permission. Novice scullers must log 100 miles in a gig or a double, before taking the test. Sweep rowers must know the answers to the seven questions in the first part of the test. Scullers must know these answers and demonstrate rowing proficiency outlined in the second part of the test.

1. How to contact the Captain and the Captain’s representatives
2. What to do in the event of an accident.
3. How to report damage to a boat.
4. The boat use schedule.
5. Boat use priority.
6. Boat weight capacities.
7. How to use the log book.
8. The “Club Rules” and “Rules of the River.”

The second part of the test, specifically for scullers, involves demonstration of ability to:

1. Rack the boats.
2. Launch.
3. Paddle (square and feather).
4. Turn (pivot).
5. Stop quickly (holding water).
6. Row backwards (backing water).
7. Dock (both bow first and stern first).
8. Perform boat maintenance duties.

Open and Restricted Boats

Only members who have not passed the Captain's test must receive permission to use the gigs. All other boats are restricted and permission to use them must be obtained from the Captain.

Boat Schedule

1. A member may reserve a single or double for three sessions per week. Requests for the use of any club boat must be addressed to the Captain on the bulletin board or in the logbook. Permission is granted when the request is initialed by the Captain. The time slots for the reservations are:

5:30 AM to 6:45 AM

6:45 AM to 8:00 AM

5:00 PM to 6:15 PM*

6:15 PM to 7:30 PM*

If a scheduled sculler has not launched an assigned boat before the beginning of a coached session, another eligible sculler may take the boat. Also, If a scheduled sculler has not launched a assigned boat by five minutes after the  beginning of a session without coaching, another eligible sculler may take the boat

If a rower does not plan to row in a reserved slot, s/he should note it in the logbook as soon as possible, so that others may plan for that slot.

2. Club boats may not be reserved for the time intervals listed below. Authorized club members may row Club boats at their convenience during these times.

Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM*
Sunday all day*

* Club boats may not be on the river after 5:00 PM Friday and after 10:00 AM Saturday and Sunday between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.

3. The Captain’s permission must be obtained to use club equipment outside the hours of 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM, and to remove equipment from club property. Equipment includes, but is not limited to, boats, oars, car racks and boat trailer. Equipment must be properly signed out in the Equipment Loan Book. Requests for the use of any club boat must be addressed to the Captain on the bulletin board or in the logbook. Permission is granted when the request is initialed by the Captain

Equipment Care

Logbook

1. All members must make an entry in the log book at the beginning and end of each row. Entries shall include the names of all rowers, boat name, time of departure, and return, number of miles rowed, and the accumulated mileage of both the rower and the boat.
2. Users of  club launches and engines must make an entry in the log book at the beginning and end of each use.
3. Check the logbook to see that everybody is off the river before locking the bay doors.
4. The logbook serves as a means of communication. Neither the logbook nor any of its contents shall be removed.

Equipment Damage

1. Damage to, or loss of, any equipment must be reported immediately to the Captain and President, entered into the logbook, described on the damage report form and signed for. Damage report forms are on the shelf below the logbook. A note should be placed on the damaged equipment.
2. The involved parties are responsible for all costs not covered by club insurance.

Boat Rack Policy

Racks are assigned for one year by the Captain prior to the rowing season. Racks are assigned on the basis of service to the club, number of miles rowed in the previous year and seniority.

Annual Award of the Rack Privilege

Rack Maintenance

1. If a rower is unable to consistently to utilize the  boat in an assigned rack, s/he must notify the Captain as soon as possible.
2. The Board of Directors may revoke a rack assignment. 

Constitution of Riverside Boat Club

Article 1
Name and Principal Office

The name of this club shall be "Riverside Boat Club of Cambridge" and its principal office shall be at 769 Memorial Drive, City of Cambridge, County of Middlesex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 02139.

Article II
Objective

The objective of this club shall be the encouragement and furtherance of aquatic and athletic sports among amateurs, more particularly the instruction and improvement in and enjoyment of the art of rowing and the promotion of a friendly and social spirit among its members.

Article III
Membership

The club shall consist of the following classes of members who shall be entitled to clubhouse privileges.

1. Life Members. Life membership shall generally be reserved for the purpose of honoring persons who shall have been of lasting and outstanding service to the club or to the sport of rowing. It shall not be awarded as compensation for specific services rendered. Life members shall have all the rights all privileges and responsibilities of senior members, but shall not be liable for any dues and fees. A person shall be elected to life membership only by unanimous vote of the Membership Committee and the Board of Directors present at the meeting at which membership is proposed. A nomination for life membership may be submitted by any senior member.
2. Senior Members. Any person who shall have attained the age of eighteen years shall be eligible for election as a senior member after a period of one year as a provisional member or as a junior member. Senior members may hold office in the club and shall be entitled to cast one vote at any meeting of the club at which said member is present. Senior members shall be elected by two-thirds vote of those senior members present at the meeting to which application is made.
3. Provisional Members. Any person who shall have reached the age of 18 shall be eligible for election as a provisional member after, except in the case of a junior member, having been a guest of a senior member for a period of four weeks. Provided that a novice at either sweeps or scull must also log a minimum of 50 miles of rowing under the supervision of the host member prior to application. A provisional member may apply for senior membership at any time after twelve months as a provisional member and will continue as a provisional member if that application is denied. Provisional members shall be elected by a simple majority of those present  at the meeting to which application is made. The Membership Committee, by unanimous vote, may designate a person a provision member temporarily until the next meeting to which an application for such membership is presented.
4. Junior Members. In order to provide the opportunity for younger persons to engage in rowing under the supervision of club members, any person under the age of eighteen may be eligible for election as a junior member after having been a guest of a senior member for a period of four weeks, provided that a novice at either sweeps or sculls, must also log a minimum of 50 miles of rowing under the supervision of the host member prior to application. Junior members shall be elected by two-thirds vote of those present at the meeting to which the application is accepted. A junior member may not hold office in the club and shall have no vote. At age eighteen and after at least a year as a junior member, a junior member may be eligible for senior membership. If not so elected, such junior member shall become a provisional member.
5. Supporting Members. Upon application, a person age 18 or over may be elected as supporting member by a two-thirds vote at a meeting to which application is made. A supporting member may not hold office in the club and shall have no vote. A senior, provisional, family, or junior member may be transferred to and from supporting membership status. A supporting member may be reinstated to provisional member status upon payment of appropriate dues and fees. A supporting member will have limited access to club facilities as established by the Board.
6. Family Membership. Any senior or provisional member with a spouse or with children under age of 18, or 22 if a full-time student,  with an interest in rowing may apply for a family membership. Each family member shall be elected by two-thirds vote of those present at the meeting to which application is made. A senior member who is part of a family membership shall retain his/her right to vote and hold office. However, only one vote per family membership shall be allowed.
7. Program Membership. The purpose of this membership shall be for enabling individuals and groups to participate in competitive training programs offered by the club.  The terms of  program membership, including privileges and fees shall be determined by the Board of Directors and by two-thirds vote of those present at a meeting of members at which the board's recommendation is presented. 
8. No guest shall be permitted to log more than 50 miles without being proposed for junior or provisional membership.
9. Voting  upon applications for membership shall be by secret ballot unless waived by unanimous consent.
10. All persons holding comparable memberships in the club prior to the adoption of these by-laws shall continue as life, senior, or supporting members as the case may be.

Article IV
Board of Directors and Officers

1. Unless otherwise directed by the membership or otherwise specified by the By-laws, all matters of governance of the club in every respect shall be determined by the Board of Directors including without limitation the setting of dues, fees, assessments and numerical membership limits, the maintenance of order, the protection of club property, the handling of club funds, the discipline of members and all other matters incident to successful continuation of the club into the future in accordance with its objectives. The Board of Directors shall have no power to render the club liable for any debt exceeding the amount of money which shall at the time of contracting such debt, be in the treasury and not needed for discharge of prior unfunded debts or liabilities of the club. A decision of the Board of Directors may be overruled only by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at a meeting called for that purpose on two weeks notice. At such a meeting each member of the Board of Directors shall have one vote on the issue in question.
2. The Board of Directors shall consist of eight members as follows: the President, The Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Captain, plus three Trustees elected at the Annual Meeting. To ensure continuity, at the first election following adoption of these By-laws, one Trustee shall be elected for a 1 year term; one Trustee shall be elected for a 2 year term and one Trustee shall be elected for a 3 year term; and thereafter one Trustee shall be elected for a 3 year term at each subsequent annual meeting. The Board of Directors shall meet not less frequently than once a month and five members shall constitute a quorum.
3. Terms The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Captain shall take office immediately upon their election at the annual meeting and shall serve for a term of one year and until successors are duly elected. Officers are eligible for reelection. Vacancies in any office may be filled for the balance of the term by the Board of Directors.
4. President. The President shall be the chief officer of the club and shall preside at meetings of the club and of the Board of Directors. S/he shall be a member ex-officio of all committees. S/he shall communicate to the club such matters and make such suggestions as may in his opinion tend to promote the welfare and increase the usefulness of the club, and shall perform such other duties as necessary incident to the office.
5. Vice-president. The Vice President shall perform all duties of the president during the absence of the president. S/he shall be a member ex-officio of all committees and shall be chairman of the Membership Committee.
6. Secretary. The Secretary shall issue all notices, keep a record of the meetings of other members of the club, the proceedings of the Board of Directors and of other matters concerning which a record shall be at all reasonable times be open to the inspection of any senior member of the club. The Secretary shall conduct all correspondence pertaining to the office and shall have custody of the seal, if any, of the club.
7. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep an account of all moneys received and expended for use of the club and shall make disbursements authorized by the Board of Directors. All sums received shall be deposited by him in a bank or banks approved by the Broad of Directors, and s/he shall make a report at the annual meeting or when called upon by the President. Funds may be drawn only on the signature of the Treasurer. The duties of the Treasurer, under the approval of the Board of Directors, maybe delegated to an assistant treasurer. The funds, books, and vouchers in his hands shall at all times be subject to verification and inspection by the elective officers of the club. At the expiration of his term of office, the treasurer shall deliver to the successor all books, money, and other property of the club.
8. Captain. The Captain shall have charge of the Club's boats and the placement of member's boats and their use and storage under the direction of the Board of Directors, shall see that proper repairs are made and equipment furnished, and shall enforce the rules of the club relating thereto. S/he shall ex-officio be a member of the Regatta Committee.

Article V
Election of Officers

1. The elections of club officers shall take place annually at the time and place of the annual meeting. Any senior member who has been such for at least 2 years shall be eligible for office. Any senior member who has been a club member for at lest 1 year may also be eligible if two-thirds of the voting members present approve such nomination.
2. An officer may be removed from office only by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, followed by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a meeting specifically called for such purpose on two weeks notice. The person charged shall have no vote on such issue.
3. Nominations and Elections. Nominations are held for club officers and trustees at the October general meeting. A nominee has one week to accept or decline the nomination. An official list of nominees for all positions will be posted after the meeting. At the Annual Meeting in November the elections of club officers and trustees will be held. Each candidate has five minutes to give a campaign speech, followed by a question and answer period to be controlled by the election monitor.

Article VI
Meetings

1. The Annual Meeting of the club shall be held on the second Tuesday of November in each year, unless adjourned by the Board of Trustees, for election of officers and trustees, receiving reports, and transactions of other business.  Monthly meetings may be held on the first Tuesday of any other month by decision of the Board of Directors or by the membership at a previous meeting.
2. The President may at any time, and upon written request of eight senior members, the secretary shall call, a special meeting with two weeks notice to the membership.
3. The presence of one-third of the total number of senior and life members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.
4. The order of business at the Annual Meeting shall be as follows:

a. Call to order
b. Reading of minutes from previous meeting
c. Reports
d. Election of officers
e. Unfinished business
f. New Business
g. Adjournment

5. The order of business may be altered or suspended at any meeting by a majority vote of the senior members present. The usual parliamentary rules as laid down by Robert's Rules of Order shall govern when not in conflict with these by-laws.

Article VII
Committees

1. The club shall have at least two standing committees: a Membership Committee of five persons and a Regatta Committee of five persons. Additional standing committees may be established from time to time by the Board of Directors. Members of these committees shall be appointed by the Board of Directors which shall, unless otherwise provided herein, also designate the chairperson of each committee. Three year terms shall be staggered so that one or more expire each year. No person shall serve more than two consecutive three year terms. Elected officers and trustees may also be appointed to these committees. Appointments may be revoked at any time by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
2. Membership Committee. The Membership Committee shall be responsible for screening prospects for all classes of membership and reporting its recommendations to the membership for action not less often than quarterly. It shall be established and publish its ruling regarding applications which are not inconsistent with these by-laws. The Vice President shall be chairman ex-officio.
3. Regatta Committee. The Regatta Committee shall be responsible for the planning and supervision of all regattas for which the club is host, and in cooperation with the Captain and individual competing members, for coordinating participation of the club and its members in regattas and other competition hosted by sister organizations. It shall establish and publish rules regarding such activity which are not inconsistent with these by-laws.

Article VIII
Liabilities

Nothing herein shall constitute members of the club as partner for any purpose. No member, officer, agent, contractor, or employee shall be liable for the acts or failure to act of any other member, officer, agent or employee of the club. Nor shall any member, officer agent, or employee be liable for his/her acts of failure to act under these by-laws, excepting only acts or omissions arising out of his/her willful malfeasance.

Article IX
Mail Vote

When in the judgment of the Board of Directors, any question shall arise that should be put to a vote of the membership, and when it deems it inexpedient to call a special meeting for that purpose it may, unless otherwise required by these by-laws, submit the matter to the membership in writing by mail for vote and decision, and the question thus presented shall be determined according to a majority of the votes received by mail within two weeks after such submission to the membership, provided that in each case votes of at least fifty percent of the senior members shall be received. Action taken in this manner shall be as effective as action at a duly called meeting.

Article X
Expulsion

If any member shall be charged by any other member, in writing addressed to the Board of Directors or any member thereof, with conduct injurious to the good order, peace or interest of the club, or at variance with the requirements of the by-laws, the Board of Directors shall thereupon inform the member charged in writing. If upon inquiry the Board of Directors shall be satisfied of the truth of the charge, and that the same demands such action, the Board of Directors shall request the charged member to resign, and if such charged member declines to do so, shall refer the matter to a regular or special meeting (notice of the purpose of which shall be given to the membership two weeks in advance of such meeting), and the club, after the presentation of the case, and hearing the person so charged if such person desired to be heard, may proceed to expel such person. A motion for expulsion shall be decided on a secret ballot, and the vote of two-thirds of the members present shall be necessary to expel. The person shall have no vote on such issue.

Article XI
Amendment

Articles of these by-laws (except Article XIII) may be amended or  repealed by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting, provided that notice of the general character of such amendment or repeal shall have been given at the preceding meeting.

Article XII
Club House Privileges

No intoxicating beverages shall be allowed in the premises without express permission of the Board of Directors.

Article XIII
Dissolution

The club shall not be dissolved or the boathouse disposed of as long as ten members in good standing are willing to contribute, and this article with respect to dissolution shall not be altered or amended unless by unanimous bote of all the members present at a regular or special meeting, provided that due and sufficient notice of the purpose of such meeting be mailed to each member not less than 30 days prior to the date of such meeting. In the event of dissolution of the club pursuant to laws of these by-laws, the remaining assets of the club shall be given to the National Rowing Foundation (United States Rowing Association).