• Saturday, June 15th
• Saturday, July 20th
• Sunday, Aug 18th

for 2013′s Summer Work Parties.  Watch this space for more details on times, tasks, and sign-up.

Voting will begin on May 4th at Midnight. If you are eligible, you will receive an automated email from BallotBin.com which will contain instructions on how to cast your votes.

This year five members are running for the Board for open positions.

If you have any specific questions about the voting process, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee:

• Bob Pelletier, Past President and Chair, robepelleti@aol.com
• Dawn Findlay, Board Member, soserenenot@gmail.com
• Howard Griffin
• Anne Dougherty
• Paige Roberts

If you have any specific questions to the BallotBin.com voting procedures, please contact Anne Dougherty or Howard Griffin. If you do not receive your vote code and instructions and believe you should be eligible to vote contact David Bykowski.

As May 4th approaches, keep and eye out for an email from BallotBin.com. In the meantime, please review the candidate statements and their photos.

Laura Barrantes

Laura the Candidate
(to the tune of America the Beautiful)

O vibrant club of curling friends
For the chance to serve you
The monthly meetings I’ll attend
For playing all those ends
O PCC! O PCC!
You’ve shared such fun with me
And frown I won’t when complaints are spoke
Because feedback is key!

I’ve loved coordinating Women’s League
To meet and greet good folk
To do that with the entire club
I’m excited for – no joke!
O PCC! I’m hardworking
And oh quite organized
And when asked to work, I won’t go beserk
If I do, be mortified!

I’ve been a member for seven years
So it is time to run
If on the Board, I’ll serve with heart
And above all, do my part!
O PCC! I’ll be funny
And yet be serious too.
And when we broomstack, please give feedback
So I can best serve you!

Rob Chester

Since being elected to the Board of Directors in May of 2012, I’ve spent the last year in charge of operations. I’ve had a great opportunity to evaluate all of the processes we have in place, and have worked with many people in fine tuning and adjusting some of them.

In addition, I’ve spent time examining where we’ve been spending money within the operations budget and how we can better optimism our spending. Did you know that over the past 4 years we have spent $40,000 on repairs to our dehumidifier? As a result, we’re in the process of obtaining quotes for a replacement unit that will better serve the needs of our club. We’ve learned that our ‘rainy day fund’ for a replacement chiller is way under budget and as a club we need to continue to put additional revenue into that fund.

Our club is 12 years old, and our equipment is starting to show age. I’ve put together a roadmap for saving for, and replacing, aging equipment so we don’t get into a situation where it’s costing us more money to repair equipment than it is to replace the equipment.

Our ice is our product and it’s imperative that we strive to have the best ice within the GNCC. If reelected to the Board of Directors, I will continue to evaluate areas of need and come up with solutions to help make the Potomac Curling Club the premiere curling club within the GNCC.

Michael Dobbs

Reflecting on this past year at the Potomac Curling Club, I can confidently say that we are a better club then we were a year ago. We have improved our bar, upgraded our webcasting, run many successful events, and learned more about our ice. It is a painstakingly slow process, but each year we get a little better.

Having been a board member this season, I see just how dedicated so many of our members are to making our club run smoothly. Every event, every thing, and every person reflect our values and our commitment to making sure we are an outstanding group for years to come. As we learn more about ourselves and welcome new members into our family, PCC will grow and change to be the best it can be.

If I am fortunate enough to be elected to the board of directors, I promise to bring my best and reflect the spirit of our club, our facility, and of curling. I look forward to curling and working with everyone next year to make our club a little better.

Brandon Kiraly

I have been a member of the Potomac Curling Club for 5 years. During this period I have watched this club evolve. I am passionate as well as dedicated to advancing the sport of curling. In the past year, my devotion to the sport and our club has driven me to contribute more. I have been a frequent attendee of board meetings; where I have gained a greater awareness of the club’s future objectives and current issues. This has led me to develop a strong desire to participate in the decision making process that affects us all and the prospects of the club.

My primary goal and interest in serving on the board is to bring an enhanced sense of responsibility and connection to the membership. I would be persistent in my commitment to follow-up tasks to completion in order to further the club in a positive direction. I humbly ask not just for your vote, but also for your support to achieve this.

Kevin Ritter

Fellow PCCrs:

I have accepted the nomination to serve on the Board of Directors and respectfully ask for your consideration and vote. I joined the club three years ago and have enjoyed every minute of the experience. I’ve played in most of the leagues, am a member of the ice maintenance committee and volunteer whenever possible to support our bonspiels and general club needs. My professional background is in IT and Project Management and will apply these skills in whatever way possible to continue to improve our club.

This is a fantastic place filled with fantastic people. It would be an honor to serve on the Board and to help guide our club as we continue to grow and look to the future. Thank you for your consideration and, of course, Good Curling!

If there are not enough players for full teams on a sheet, doubles or even single matches are then welcome to play. Teams formed on when you arrive for that draw. If needed, preference for 5:00 draw given to those who didn’t curl at the 2:00 draw. Please sign up if you plan on playing.

Food – Tentatively, the menu will have ham, potato salad, vegetables, rolls, cookies. Suggested donation will be $3. You are also welcome to bring a dish or desert. Volunteer to help with ice prep, food, or clean up for this event.

Beverages – The ice shed cabinet will be the official beverage provider for the Final Fling 2013.

Event Finalists and Other Photos from the 2013 Cherry Blossom

Each year, the members of the Potomac Curling Club are called upon to elect or re-elect three or four members of the Board (possibly more if there has been a resignationduring the year).

Between April 20 and May 3, 2013, the membership will elect four Directors. Three directors will be elected for three year terms, and a fourth director for a one year term.

The Nominating Committee is now soliciting club members to run for the Board of Directors. If you are interested in being a leader of the Club please consider running for these important positions. The Board meets at least once a month throughout the year to ensure that the club is operating effectively.   Get your nomination in no later than March 22nd!

Make a Board nomination!

There are several Committees on which you can lead or serve, including:

• Operations (ice, building)
• Finance (budget, audit)
• Events (bonspiels, banquets, member meetings)
• Training (LTC classes, workshops)
• Member Services (internal events, awards, pro shop, food & beverage)
• Technology (website, event broadcasting, office automation)
• Governance (bylaws, nominations) and Sales & Marketing (Rentals, sponsors)

Your personal expertise, hobbies or areas of interest might not have much to do with curling, but they may be just what your club needs to succeed and thrive. The following are areas that the Board is always in search of:

• Leadership
• Competitive experience
• GNCC / USCA / USOC ties
• Experience curling away from Potomac

Although many of these assume that you have a great deal of curling experience, that’s not always true or necessary. There are other areas that require expertise as well:

• Technology
• Other sports
• Training / Development
• Advertising / Marketing
• Design
• Management skills

The most important factor in being a successful Board member is enthusiasm and a willingness to contribute.

Members of the club can also assist the Nominating Committee by nominating any member, including themselves, that they think would ably and diligently serve the club and its membership.

If you would like to nominate someone for the Board of Directors, please submit your nomination here.

Board nomination submissions (whether for yourself or another member) requires your name, your e-mail address, the name of the person you are nominating, and a brief statement of why you are making the nomination would be appreciated.

Board nominations must be submitted no later than March 22, 2013.

Each nominee accepting the nomination will be asked to provide a brief biography, picture, and statement of what they believe they will bring to the Board and the club.

Please contact any member of the nominating committee with any questions or concerns.

The Potomac Curling Club 2013 Nominating Committee is comprised of:

• Bob Pelletier, Past President and Chair
• Dawn Findlay, current Board Member
• Anne Dougherty
• Howard Griffin
• Paige Roberts

Make a Board nomination!

Matthews C. Waddell Distinguished Curling Award

Presented to a member in recognition of his or her ongoing dedicated service to the Potomac Curling Club.

Spirit of Curling Award

Presented to a member in recognition of the Spirit of Curling in that individual who, in his or her first year of curling has exhibited outstanding qualities of enthusiasm, sportsmanship and dedication to the club. Endowed with the spirit of the true curler, he or she exemplifies the finest tradition of the roaring game. (Please see Appendix A for a list of eligible members.)

Curler of the Year Award

Presented to a member (or members or team) who is a role model to other members by displaying a dedication to the sport of curling as evidenced by outstanding on-ice achievement and/or exceptional improvement in on-ice curling skills, as well as consistent on and off-ice good sportsmanship.

Potomac Ambassador Award

Presented to a member in recognition of the Spirit of Curling in that individual who has exhibited outstanding qualities of enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and good citizenship, thereby being a positive representative and ambassador of the club.

Volunteer of the Year Award

Presented to a member who has demonstrated, through the significant contributions of time, talent and effort, a powerful commitment to the continuing improvement of the Potomac Curling Club and by his or her efforts has helped deliver a high quality experience to its members and guests.

Junior Curler of the Year Award

Presented to the junior curler(s) that demonstrated outstanding curling skills, exceptional improvement, or superior training ability. Sportsmanship and volunteerism will also be considerations. Make your nomination no later than April 27th!

Make an awards nomination!

Awards recipients are chosen by the Board of Directors in a closed session. If you would like to nominate someone for an Award, please submit your nomination here.

Award nomination submissions requires your name, your e-mail address, the name of the person you are nominating, and a statement of why you are making the nomination.

Award nominations must be submitted no later than April 27, 2013.

Your recommendations for awards and the awards process are extremely important to the future of our club.

Please contact any member of the nominating committee with any questions or concerns.

The Potomac Curling Club 2013 Nominating Committee is comprised of:

• Bob Pelletier, Past President and Chair
• Dawn Findlay, current Board Member
• Anne Dougherty
• Howard Griffin
• Paige Roberts

Make an awards nomination!

And check out the updated results!

First draw: 7:15pm Friday, January 11th! Are you playing? Find out!

Download the updated draw now