CLUB MATTERS
Club members rally to save Cape Cod Skating Club
by JOANNE VASSALLO JAMROSZ When the Cape Cod Skating Club in Barn-
stable, Mass., found its membership numbers dwindling, it became painfully apparent that the future of the organization was in jeopardy. T at’s when club members decided to fi ght and bring the club back bigger and better than ever.
So far their eff orts have been successful. Working with U.S. Figure Skating, the club’s
new board of directors has provided its leader- ship with a road map to succeed. “Everyone rallied,” said new club president
Kelly Starke. “New board members came in with fresh ideas and new energy, bringing every- one together. T e most important part of this plan was keeping our membership fee at the ab- solute minimum. Fundraising is a crucial part of our club; all members are required to participate in fundraising. When we told the parents the new plans for the club, everyone was on board and excited to join.” T e club is now housed at the Hyannis
Youth and Community Center in Hyannis, Mass. T e center and the club cross-promote each other’s programs and events, creating a symbiotic relationship. T e club is also recruiting through several up- coming events. One of those events off ers club prospects the chance to skate with the Barnsta-
(Back row, l-r) Cape Cod SC members Melinda Jacobs, Deirdre Kyle, Jen Lawrence, Kara Beal, Lori Andres, Kelly Starke, Mary Shearley; (Front row, l-r) Megan Jacobs and Sarah Jacobs
ble Blades Ice T eatre Showcase team. T e event is being publicized through area schools, as well as the rink, the club’s new Facebook page and the Basic Skills program, which is run by the Barnstable Recreation Department. “Recently we signed many new members
just by talking to all the parents at the Basic Skills program at HYCC,” Starke said. “We also have a Facebook page and website that people follow, and we are planning a test session for the end of March. Our members of the Barnstable
Blades teams will also be participating at the National Showcase in August.” Starke found many new board members
deeply believed in the club and happily joined the team to turn it around. “As a member of the Cape Cod Skating
Club back in the old Kennedy Rink before the current HYCC rinks were constructed, I en- joyed skating with my children, my friends and their friends,” club vice president Deirdre Kyle said. “It was the only sport we could do togeth- er, with everyone enjoying the exercise as well as the socializing.” In addition to off ering local fi gure skaters
the opportunity to enter competitions, test and take advantage of practice ice, Kyle would love to see an hour or two of ice each week set aside for family skating. Club treasurer Lori Andres hopes to see the
club grow beyond a learn-to-skate program. “Being a club breeds excitement that builds
a program,” Andres said. “It has its place not just for the individual but for the growing family of skaters who encourage each other to continue skating and improve their skills even well into college. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of something like that?” Starke agrees. “I believe in our club, because I believe in our skaters and our community,” she said.
34 APRIL 2013
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