WOW Creativity Connection

WOW, What a

Year! By Sonia Sandoval

At the beginning of this year, I declared that the theme for the Women’s Committee would be “Creativity.” Little did I know how creative we would all be in 2020. We created with the best information available as the pandemic evolved and uncertainty prevailed. We adapted, learned how to Zoom and interact with each other in new ways. The pandemic left us yearning for the basics: connection with people and nature. The need for connection became evident in our Women on the Water Sonar Sailing Program. For the 2020 season, the program was oversubscribed and at capacity with 40 women participating. Now more than ever, women yearn to connect with other women, learn in a judgment-free zone, and want to be on the water. This was all possible thanks to the collaboration and work of Ivan Sagel, CYC’s Keelboat and Adult Education Director, Julie Means, Lead Instructor, the CYC Communications Team, and the Women’s Committee.

As we sought to connect with each other and return to some sense of normalcy, the Women’s Committee hosted the first-ever Chicago Yacht Club Patio Party. The Patio Party was an homage to the Race to Mackinac Porch Party at the Grand. The event was hosted in a socially distant fashion. The history and story of the Race to Mackinac came to life with the Mac history and stories shared by Nancy Snyder. Barbara Mahaffey closed the evening with a witty and fun poem that spoke to the experience of the “land crew”.

At the end of August, the WOW Wine and Paint Night was held in the tent on the newly-raised corner of the club grounds. Led by staff member Genevieve Boyle, CYC Dockmaster and senior in art at Loyola University, we used acrylic paints to create an image of a sailboat on the water while we enjoyed delicious treats from Chef Larry and socially-distanced conversation.

The Employee Furlough fund was another way that the CYC Membership showed the strength and power of our human connection. Chicago Yacht Club Members showed their empathy and appreciation for Furloughed Employees by donating $20,660 to the Employee Furlough Fund. The Women’s Committee and the furloughed Employees of the Club are grateful for your kindness and generosity during these challenging times. Thank you! We look forward to seeing you at our and the remaining events for 2020 which include the annual Holiday Party on December 3 and an Evening with Wintrust on December 10, featuring a fireside chat on leadership with Ed Wehmer, CEO of Wintrust.

Creativity and Connection