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Mission Statement:

We create adventures for all people to learn and grow through recreational and competitive boating.

 

Our Vision:

Our Vision is to be the recognized leader for providing the Central Massachusetts community with a full range of high quality youth and adult boating programs.

 

Our Values:

Children We believe in providing children with boating
Safety We believe in teaching water safety skills in all our programs.
Mentoring We believe in people helping people; we are all learners and teachers.
Community We believe in a community of people coming together to learn, socialize, and support each other through boating.
Education We believe in learning and individual growth in all our programs and activities.
Respect We believe in treating all people with respect and dignity.
Boating for All! We believe in Boating for All!

 

History:

In the late 1950s, the then Natural Resources Commissioner Charles W. Foster contacted Community Boating of Boston (CBI) for help establishing a community boating organization in the Worcester Area.  Allan Fearn, the assistant manager of CBI at the time, provided plans that he drew up in college for what would later become the John F. Kennedy Boat House on Lake Quinsigamond. On July 1, 1960, Community Sailing of Worcester opened its doors with Allan Fearn as the Manager. It began by teaching children ages 12 and up how to sail. A month later, the Adult Program was up and running.

Through 1963 the program was run under the guidance and funding of the CBI’s Board of Directors.  Funding for Community Boating of Worcester was supposed to be subsidized by CBI – Boston for five years. However, in 1962 the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) issued a statement that there were to be no funds generated on MDC facilities transferred out of the Boston District.   Thus, Community Boating of Worcester had to create a separate corporation. In the spring of 1963, Regatta Point Community Sailing Inc., the 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation was founded, and Al Fearn was hired as the first manager.

From 1963 through 1999, Al Fearn ran, grew and developed RPCS, educating thousands of children and adults. Al saw the changing of the sailboat fleet from the original Rebels to the DaySailors to the White 14’s. During his tenure as manager, no child with swimming ability was ever turned away from the program, a tradition that still continues to this day.  We raise funds from our own fund-raisers and receive grants from various organizations (most notably the Greater Worcester Community Foundations) to help us provide scholarships to those children who cannot afford to pay for our youth programs.  In 1999, after 40 years in service, the state legislature approved funds for remodeling the building. At the dedication ceremony, the boathouse was named after Allan E. Fearn, the man who gave so much to the Worcester Community.

During the next 10 – 15 years RPCS had three Executive Directors, Gordon Battye (1999 – 2000), Michael Aghajanian (2000-2021) and John Mullaney(2002 -2012). In 2013 – Casey Duva became the Executive Director of RPCS (and remains in that position today), and the Board of Directors established the organization’s first five-year Strategic Plan. Two of the strategic priorities in that Strategic Plan were achieved and helped RPCS reach record revenues, and of course, record participation in our programs. Using a $15,000 grant from the George Alden Trust, RPCS expanded its’ rental program in 2014 with the acquisition of a fleet of kayaks, paddleboats, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. In 2019, using a $10,000 grant from the Fletcher Foundation, RPCS acquired the assets of Lake Quinsigamond Community Rowing to establish its’ rowing program. Revenues from the rowing program represented over 40% of RPCS’s 2022 revenues.

RPCS’s first five year Strategic Plan expired in 2019. During 2020 the Board and management engaged in a project to upgrade and modernize RPCS’ Bylaws. The proposed new Bylaws were approved by Members at the 2020 Annual Meeting.

During 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic prevented RPCS from operating all of its’ programs, with the exception of the rental program. The Board and management became focused on how our organization could survive the repercussions of the pandemic. RPCS was able to obtain two PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans totaling $74,000 (for which repayment was completely forgiven), and a $150,000 EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan) loan, which remains on our books today. These loans helped RPCS survive the pandemic by retaining management and key employees, and by helping us re-build our non-rental programs after 2020. Management and the Board of Directors began this current five-year strategic planning process in late 2021.

 

Management History:

1960 – 1963: The program was run and funded by the Community Boating of Boston’s board of directors. In 1963, Regatta Point Community Sailing, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, was founded with Al Fearn as the first manager.

1963 – 1999: Allan Fearn started, grew, and developed Regatta Point Community Sailing. Thousands of kids and adults were educated and many still keep in contact. Al oversaw the change of the fleet of sailboats from Rebels to DaySailor to White 14s. No child with swimming ability was ever turned away from the program. In Al’s last year, he oversaw the remodel of the building which was named after Allan E. Fearn.

1999 – 2000: Gordon Battye, Al’s right-hand man, stepped in and continued the legacy. He lead Regatta Point for a year and retired, but stayed involved until his passing in 2011. A memorial scholarship fund in his name continues his goal of making sailing accessible to all children.

2000 – 2001: Michael Aghajanian was hired as the Executive Director after growing up at the boathouse. He focused on building the youth camp and membership. After serving in the Marine reserves, he went on to be the Director of High Performance at Community Boating in Boston.

2002 – 2012: John Mullaney revitalized the organization with years of experience in management, team building, and youth outreach. He retired in 2012 and still keeps in touch.

2013 – Current: Casey Duva has been involved with Regatta Point since 2001. Under his direction, Regatta Point has grown by adding a rental fleet of kayaks, SUP, paddleboats and Lake Quinsigamond Community Rowing.

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