2021 CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Ballots will be emailed to members on November 2, 2021. All votes must be received by November 21, 2021.
 
Results of the election will be announced during the Annual Meeting on Monday, December 6, at 7:00 PM via Zoom. The meeting access link will be provided via email. The newly elected Board Members will begin serving immediately.

There are eleven positions on the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club Board. Five Board Members' terms are up: Chevaughn Dixon, Phil Giller, Jack Gilman, Allyn Greenfield and Kevin Horbatiuk. There are six candidates for these spots.

All positions being voted for are "Member-At-Large." All Board positions are for a two-year-terms. After the election, the newly elected and sitting Board Members will determine who will hold the executive positions of Commodore, Vice Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer and House Captain.

The six candidates for Board of Directors were asked to respond to three questions regarding YPRC. Their responses can be viewed below by clicking each candidate's name. Members can vote for up to five of these candidates.
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LEE WORDSMAN
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Describe your involvement with YPRC.
I’ve been a member of YPRC since July 2020. During that time, I’ve participated in numerous club paddles. This year, I’ve paddled in club-organized paddles an average of 2-3 times a week throughout the season. I have also participated in many volunteer work parties and assisted the House Captain in a few unofficial boat repair sessions. I’ve enjoyed a few Tuesday night potlucks, participated in the Manhattan Circ, paddled with the club on the East River and Cold Spring outings, and supported the Commodore in a few activities that called for someone with a history of the boat house or YCC.  Reengaging with the club after being away for 30 years has been wonderful.  Additionally, my daughter Riley has also become an avid kayaker and YPRC member.  Riley has participated in the Teen program and volunteered with Hudson River Riders.

Describe any leadership role or volunteer work you have done for the Club.
I have helped organize a small-group paddles to Piermont and to the GW bridge as prep paddles for the Manhattan Circ, and one to the Tappan Zee Bridge.  I have also participated in numerous club paddles at which I have, on occasion, been asked to take a lead or sweep position. 
 
My volunteering work with the club includes the following:
 
  • Moving boats at JFK marina in the preseason
  • Building a wall in the Boat Building Workshop
  • Deploying the dock this spring
  • Painting the club house
  • Participating in Beczak environmental program (Oct, 2021)
  • Volunteering on the water with Hudson River Riders twice
  • Participating in the rack construction on the south side of the club
  • Repairing boats with the House Captain.
  • Participating in the YPRC History Committee

3. What can you offer to the Club as a member of the Board?
I’m an outgoing person that loves to engage with people. I love talking about the history of the YCC/YPRC and I love teaching new people about kayaking.  I’m a ready volunteer and look for chances to participate. I’m happy to serve as a worker but if needed, am comfortable in a leadership role.  Finally, my history growing up in the City of Yonkers and my background as an Environmental Scientist with expertise in regulatory compliance may also be of value as the club continues to navigate the political waters of Yonkers and Westchester County. 
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ATUL SHEFFEY

​Describe your involvement with YPRC.
I joined/paid April 2021. Starting paddling June 2021. Since June, I’ve participated in some of the Kayak Skills Clinics, New Members Paddles, (regular) Members Paddles, Weekly (Tuesdays) Member Paddles, Moonlight Paddles, Cartop Paddles, Rescue Class, and a couple Friday Kayak Tour paddles.
 
Describe any leadership role or volunteer work you have done for the Club.
I help members at the boathouse, specifically carry their boats, rinse off other members' PFDs, spray skirts, paddles, help move items, help people get in and out of boats, etc.
 
My volunteering work with the club includes the following:
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  • Being an Ambassador three times this summer
  • Attending and participating in board meetings
  • Participating in assembling the dock in May
  • Purchasing and donating to the clubhouse a new metal water hose - which appears to have solved the repeated/notorious hose breakage problem. 
  • For the Moonlight Paddle at Lake Sebago, assisting Lee with loading and unloading some of the boats (even though I own and transported my own). I also followed him to Lake Sebago (when he drove the trailer of club boats) having my hazard lights on behind him as an extra set of eyes and safety measure.
  • Helping out readily when asked and when not asked.
 
What can you offer to the Club as a member of the Board?
I can offer the Club my time, guidance, effort and work on various projects, putting in time during my after-work hours and weekends.
 
I am on two other boards (work-related) and effectively manage five offices. I say this to express that I do have expertise and knowledge of administration/management that I can help the club as a board member. I like assisting in reforming work/organizational practices and processes to help organizations prosper.
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ALEX MORALES

​Describe your involvement with YPRC.
I have been a part of YPRC for five years and counting, and in those years, I have participated in the Hudson River Riders public program as well as many club tours as a guide. 
 
Describe any leadership role or volunteer work you have done for the Club.
My leadership includes running the Hudson River Riders program while Chev and Phil were out of town as well as aiding any participant whether it be for River Riders or YPRC on the water on land to ensure that they have the best paddling experience possible!
 
What can you offer to the Club as a member of the Board?
I will strengthen our ties with the younger demographic of the community by having us work with Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE) and other Yonkers public school entities. As a board member I plan on broadening the diversity within the club for age and ethnicity. During COVID, younger generations were robbed of experiences. To provide them a breath of fresh air, I’ll make it my duty to provide them an outlet to the outdoors via the club. I know how much the club has benefitted me in terms of sharpening my character as well as igniting a love for the outdoors. I want to share that opportunity with the youth especially the kids in Yonkers. The younger generation is the future, and if we put time and care into them creating a strong foundation for them, we are paving a road for not only a stronger club, but community as well. 
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MICHAEL MCHUGH

​Describe your involvement with YPRC.
I’m a newer member of the club, having joined at the start of the 2021 season, but I’ve been kayaking for many years prior to joining YPRC.  I’ve been able to participate in a number of different paddles this past year including the skill sessions, the Saturday morning fitness classes, weekday paddles as well as one of the moonlight paddles. 
 
Describe any leadership role or volunteer work you have done for the Club.
I’ve been able to volunteer in a couple of different ways at the club this past year; from assisting in building a new boat rack and moving boats in the Alexander Street yard, to helping Hudson River Riders when they needed assistance with the public program.
 
What can you offer to the Club as a member of the Board?
I have a background in construction, and I will be able to assist the club in physical matters such as maintenance and repairs in and around the boathouse and the JFK Marina.  Over this coming winter, I’ll be going for my instructor certification, so next season I would be able to assist the club further by helping out with group paddles. I have a good deal of experience working in a group environment, personally as well as professionally, and I know how to communicate with diverse groups of people fairly well.  
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JACK GILMAN

​Describe your involvement with YPRC.
I have been a member of YPRC since its creation in 1999 and have participated in many YPRC events, including Mayor’s Cup races, boat building instruction and work parties. I have also enjoyed many Tuesday night paddles and barbeques.

Describe any leadership role or volunteer work you have done for the Club.
I was Commodore during our first two years and have served for ten years as House Captain. I have volunteered for many work parties, help with dock installation and removal, and twice helped paint the clubhouse as well as maintaining the House and kayak fleet. In the last two years, I have led many trips for our members. I also have been doing new member orientations for many years, on-boarding people new to the club.

What can you offer to the Club as a member of the Board?
I will continue to do what I can to keep YPRC a friendly place for our members to paddle and enjoy our camaraderie. All members are welcome to help out with all our programs, being a Board member gives me a more administrative role also.
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PHIL GILLER

​Describe your involvement with YPRC.
I have been a member for ten years and have been a Board Member, Vice Commodore and House Captain at JFK Marina. I coordinate most of the club trips and instruction, I run the public program with Chevaughn Dixon and I apply for grants to help the club provide service to the members and community
 
Describe any leadership role or volunteer work you have done for the Club.
I have helped run the public program for ten years and run rescue classes and paddles.
 
What can you offer to the Club as a member of the Board?
I offer over 20 years of proven leadership; besides YPRC, I am on the Advisory Board of the Hudson River Water Trails Association. I along with others run the New York City Water Trail Association and I am a Level 2 Kayak Instructor through the American Canoe Association. I have a good working relationship with Yonkers Mayor's office and Parks Department.