Board of Directors Nov. 21, 2026 Election and Annual Meeting
The official Sarasota Sailing Squadron (SSS) Annual Meeting and Board of Directors Election is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 5-6 p.m. It will take place alongside the traditional club Drumstick Regatta event earlier that morning.
Dear Members of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron,
The governance and voting process underwent a major update following an official bylaw review. In late 2025, legal counsel determined that the club’s older bylaws did not legally authorize third-party digital voting platforms (like Election Buddy). To fix this, the Sarasota Sailing Squadron Board held a major Special Election and Meeting on March 14, 2026, where members voted by paper ballot to amend the bylaws and officially permit secure internet voting moving forward.
The official Sarasota Sailing Squadron (SSS) Annual Meeting and Board of Directors Election is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 5-6 p.m. It will take place alongside the traditional club Drumstick Regatta event earlier that morning.
There are three vacancies on the Board of Directors for the Nov. 2026 Election.The vacancies are Education Director, Sailing Director, and Secretary. These positions are 2-year terms. In brief, the following are the definitions of these positions, as stated in the Bylaws on pages 15 and 16. For a fuller understanding, please consult the SSS Standing Rules, pages 3-5. All of these documents are available on the Squadron website. To access them, go to www.sarasotasailingsquadron.org, click on the 'About' tab in the top menu, and select 'Governance' from the dropdown options. There you will find the Bylaws and Standing Rules.
Education Director: “The Education Director will schedule seminars, lectures, and videos on topics of interest to the membership.”
Sailing Director: “The Sailing Director shall have oversight of all Squadron club level scheduled and organized sailing activities, and shall encourage organized sailing activities. The Sailing Director shall oversee and encourage the promotion of the Squadron cruising activities.”
Secretary: “The Secretary shall keep written minutes of all board and membership meetings and shall report at each meeting. The Secretary shall keep all Squadron records except those pertaining to the office of Treasurer.”
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Nomination Committee Chair role has changed. Thank you, Augie Mimica, for your volunteerism. If you are interested in any of the above Board vacancies, please get in touch with the Nominating Committee Chair, Susie Baumann.
The Nominating Committee will accept names of interested Candidates until the close of Saturday, Sept. 5th, 2026, and will conduct interviews the following week. The Nominating Committee will report its slate to the SSS Board at the monthly Board meeting on Tues., Sept. 15th at 6 p.m. for approval.
Write-in candidates may be nominated by a single letter of nomination, signed by ten adult Members in Good Standing of the Squadron, and delivered to the Nominating Committee chair by Saturday, Sept. 12th. Write-in candidates do not require SSS Board approval.
Come to the Squadron to meet the slate of Candidates on Wednesday, October 14th, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Light snacks will be provided.
Each membership is a household family membership and is entitled to one vote. Only the primary member on the account will receive an Election Buddy ballot on Wednesday, Oct. 21st. The primary member is the individual listed first on the membership application, unless a different person has been designated in writing with the SSS office before the election. Spouses and additional family members are not eligible to vote. Electronic voting closes at midnight on Friday, Nov. 20th. Paper ballots and proxies will be available in the SSS office until the election closes at noon on Saturday, Nov 21st.
The SSS Board cordially invites you to join them on Saturday, Nov. 21st at 5 p.m. for the 2026 SSS Annual Meeting to thank those Board members who have dedicated their time of volunteerism to the betterment of the squadron and welcome those newly elected candidates.
I encourage each of you to consider taking on an active role at the Squadron. The SSS is a volunteer-driven organization, and we are only stronger together.
If you have any questions or concerns about this year’s Election process, don't hesitate to get in touch with me. You may also reach out to the Nominating Committee Chair, Susie Baumann, or any of the Election Committee members, Janet McCoid and Dave Lattie, for assistance. We are all available to help with any questions you may have regarding nominations or the election process.
Cordially,
Susan St.John, SSS Election Judge
Election Committee members, Janet McCoid and Dave Lattie
Susie Baumann, Nominating Committee Chair
Nominating Committee members,
Renee Braddon
Jon Dowd
David Hobbs
Mark Reece
Steve Sabato