IT provided an insight into the inner workings of the Royal Southampton for members anxious to know more about the factors which guide the future of their Club. And provided an opportunity for those who simply wished to have a niggle about something.
 
The first in a seris of forums with the Club's flag officers at Gins Clubhouse gave just that opportunity.
 
The aim was to provide members with a chance to question the Commodore and Flag Officers on any matter involving the Club and for an exchange of ideas.
 
The Royal Southampton already has excellent communications to keep members in touch with Club affairs through its website, Yachter magazine and both regular electronic and print news and other bulletins. These have been developed and refined to become the envy among our peer clubs, and yacht clubs with whom we enjoy reciprocal arrangements around the world.
 
But of necessity the website does not always answer the questions you are dying to ask.
 
That’s why new Commodore Peter Armitage and his flag officer team, have set up the new series of forums to give members the opportunity for a face to face insight into what happens behind the scenes to enable the Royal Southampton be efficient and effective as one of the most prominent of royal yacht clubs, live up to its proud traditions and be able to run some of the best racing and cruising programmes on south coast waters, while mounting lively and enjoyable social programmes both at Gins and Ocean Village. Oh yes, and have two of the finest waterfront restaurants and sailing venues in the heart of the country’s most popular sailing waters.
 
But the Commodore and his team are the first to acknowledge that a two way exchange of ideas are an essential ingredient to running our Club. The first forum opened ideas on improving the service the Club provides for its members, gave an opportunity to question the top team on why things are done in a particular way and maybe gave mnembers a clearer perception of the way the Club operates.
 
The Commodore plans to run the member forums on a regular basis, and the next will be held at Ocean Village.