The days of David Bowe and his ilk, others who turned the Cat Island Regatta into an event that brought honor, glory and quality exposure to the general community, are gone.
In recent times, the event has had its problems. There are new plans afoot however to recapture the successful, wholesome culture of past eras, under new President of the Cat Island Club Pat Strachan.
Strachan, in his acceptance speech, enunciated as much. In thanking members of the club for electing him, Strachan proceeded to chart a new course of direction with 10 priority objectives to strive for during his 2013-2015 tenure.
They are: to install air-condition units; to repair bathrooms and the ceiling at the clubhouse in New Bight, Cat Island; to structure the club for it to operate more smoothly and efficiently; to review the constitution and by-laws of the club and make changes; to stage successful regattas in 2014 and 2015; to create an honorary members category of the club; to make a strong effort to interact with all members, former and new, particularly the elderly ones; to heighten the profile of the club; to implement the appropriate procedure for the vice president in Cat Island to function efficiently and effectively; to award scholarships and to begin the process of the Cat Island Sailing Club and convention centre in New Providence.
That's a tall order.
Strachan is quite ambitious indeed, but if his track record as a boxing champion and a real estate icon is any indication, the club has the right person for the job, one who can "weather" whatever storms that may develop within the club or with projects, in particular the famed regatta.
"My fellow Cat Islanders, the management and operation of the sailing club has been an ongoing challenge for some time. There appears to be no accountability and transparency to the executive committee in Nassau. Obviously there is room for concern. Over the next two weeks, I shall meet with the vice president in Cat Island and will determine the way forward. I can almost guarantee you that a change is "gonna" come. Our mission is to ensure that the 2014 regatta is a great success, not just financially but also in that the organizing of the event is efficient and effective and that the workers are motivated and encouraged," said Strachan.
He also urged that the new culture includes a greater interaction of all concerned with the club. Strachan has established a special arm to achieve that goal.
"I believe we ought to delegate responsibility throughout our membership. We ought to encourage members to become more involved. Thus, I wish to appoint Pauline Romer-Williams chairperson for the sub-committee named the Food Preparation Committee. She will head the committee with responsibility to prepare the menu of all the food for the events over the next 24 months. She will be ably-assisted by Leona Fowler. I wish to encourage Ms. Romer-Williams and Ms. Fowler to utilize as many younger and newer members on the committee, as is possible.
"This committee is a sub-committee of the Ways & Means Committee. They shall be accountable to co-chairpersons Past President Sammy Smith and Karen Marsh," said the new president.
Aware of the huge challenges he faces, Strachan remains convinced that there could be a turn around for the better that will benefit from. He is especially determined that the entire program orchestrated by the club will result in enhancing the image of the regatta and Cat Island.
Following are the major committees and subcommittees:
Race Committee: Chairman Past President Maxwell Burrows; members Keith Daxon, Sammy Smith (past president), Karen Marsh, Patsy Strachan, Kingman Brown, Christine King (past president), Marcian Mortimer, Lakeisha Wright and Ian Rolle.
Sub-committees: Badge, Vandacker Jolly; artists, travel/living committee, Karen Marsh; sailing club bar, Maxwell Burrows; outside bar, Sammy Smith; entry tickets, Patsy Strachan, Karen Marsh and Eden Zonicle; sailing club renovation, Keith Daxon; public relations, Ingrid Romer, and program and float, Christine King.
Ways & Means Committee: Co-chairpersons Sammy Smith and Karen Marsh; members Bunny Ingraham,
Kaywana Edgecombe, Pauline Williams, Christine King, Luther Brown and Aliea Rolle.
Sub-committees: Food preparation - chairperson Pauline Williams; members Leona Fowler, Wendy Rolle, Aliea Rolle, Venera Russell, Van Rolle, Patsy Strachan and Ingrid romer.
Ticket Distribution committee: Chairperson Patsy Strachan; members Karen Marsh and Christine King.
Fundraising Committee: Chairperson Christine King; members Andrea Sturrup, Patsy Strachan, Karen Marsh, Marcian Mortimer and Maxwell Burrows.
Cat Island Sailing Club Convention Centre Committee: Chairperson Kaywana Edgecombe; members Ian Rolle, PP Maxwell Burrows, Christine King, Sammy Smith and Patsy Strachan.
Scholarship Committee: Chairperson Aliea Rolle.
Public Relations Committee: Chairperson Ingrid Romer; member Malinda Brown.
The 2014 Cat Island Regatta is scheduled for August 1-4 in New Bight.

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