Candidates Statements for 2024 Election
Published 9:05pm on 17 Sep 2024
These Candidates, once chosen, Commodores will be installed in December 2024 at the Christmas Party, while all other offices will take effect in January of 2025.
Office: Commodore
Julie Schumann, 2024 OWSA Commodore
Thank you for nominating me to be your 2025 Commodore. The OWSA Board appointed me to serve as Commodore to finish out the 2024 term vacated by the prior Commodore. I would be honored to continue as OWSA Commodore for 2025. Since my initial appointment was a Board decision, I feel it is important that nominations come from the membership for continued leadership in OWSA. This was also a request by you, the membership. The mission of OWSA has always been, as founders Gail Taylor, Sherry Robinson and Sue Drake dreamed, to encourage and empower women through sailing. This has been my experience from the day that I joined many years ago in 2000.
Since I took on the role of Commodore, the current 2024 Board has accomplished many of the goals it set out to accomplish. One goal was to task a committee to rewrite the bylaws and restore your ability to choose who represents you in OWSA. Another goal was to bring transparency to actions taken by the board. We did this by opening up all board meetings to the general membership.
I do not take my responsibility as your Commodore lightly. One role is to represent you as an OWSA member. Listening to your voices and concerns. I welcome the thoughtful questions asked about the thought process behind the decisions your Board makes. Understanding the thinking behind a decision creates the transparency needed to avoid many misunderstandings. Another role is to help bring unity and structure to this organization so it can survive and thrive for another 30 years. There is more work to be done. I believe unity and structure will be strengthened by listening to Board members and volunteers in their positions, and allowing their creativity and intellectual thought to be brought into action.
We find ourselves upon a great milestone in OWSA, our 30 year anniversary! I am proud to have been amongst this group for 20 of those 30 years. Thank you for your support and nomination.
Office: Rear Commodore
Robin Smith
When I moved to Oregon I bought a well-loved Lido 14 that I trailered to Hagg Lake, the Willamette and one time to Willapa Bay. That last one was a little scary.
Then I got a taste of bigger boats and the Columbia because of a PE class requirement for PCC. I could take basketball, badminton, or…..drum role please..Sailing! Portland Sailing Center at Harbor One were the instructors. I didn't find my way to OWSA until I went to a friends graduation celebration at Rose City Yacht Club and someone there asked me if I knew about OWSA. I joined immediately!
As a volunteer I ran Wednesday Night Sails for 2 ½ years, and chaired the Sail for the Cause when we raised over $40,000 for Susan G Komen. I've helped with many events, meetings, programs pitching in where needed over the past 18 (I think) years.
Because of OWSA I've sailed in the BVI, USVI, Grenadines and Grenada, Bay of Islands in New Zealand, the Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands. And just returned from 10 days on a catamaran in St. Lucia.
I live on a floating house and my sweet little Clipper Marine 21, Periwinkle is tied the dock at the house and is part of WNS.
I am happy to give back to OWSA by continuing to serve as the Rear Commodore. I ask for your vote to re-elect me.
What people say about me. Robin gets things done. When faced with a difficult task Robin can look at all the pieces, do the research, find and most importantly implement the solution. She's collaborative and able to look at several sides of an issue to help achieve the best result.
I'm running for the board because I believe my unique set of skills make me an ideal candidate to serve on the board of OWSA, the organization that I love and that literally changed my life.
Business Law degree * Affordable Housing Developer * Founded & served on Non-profit boards
Office: Vice Commodore
Carolyn Morse
Growing up in San Francisco, as a kid I saw a pretty white triangles floating on the water and airplanes floating in the air. The two have become my passion. My first flight at 10 years old started my love and pathway to aviation where I worked in Portland for 12 years. At the same time, I was introduced to Sailing and became a Catalina 22 boat owner. I never would have expected that Sailing would become my life so instantly as aviation did. As an adult the vision of pretty white triangles are a whole different world now and have taken me on an unbelievable journey.
When a friend introduced me to OWSA I immediately became a member and participated in my first Wednesday Night Sail, then I was invited to crew on various boats. I continued to learn from OWSA flotilla cruises, classes that were offered and most recently the BOAST program. That is when my skills started to grow beyond basic sailing.
OWSA is a place to build confidence, meet like minded women, get involved with community and develop sailing skills through their education opportunities. For those reasons I have been volunteering at general meetings, events, picnics, Nauti Drinks, committees and much more.
Recently I accepted the interim Vice Commodore position followed by interim Secretary on the board of directors. My intention is to continue to promote OWSA as a wholesome safe community of women where sailing brings us confidence, courage and joy!
Office: Treasurer
Janiece Brown
I volunteered to become the Treasurer in March when many on the board quit. It has been an experience learning the online system.
Having been involved in setting up several businesses with Quickbooks, its different learning a new system, but very educational at the same time.
I used my boat in June for the race clinic classes. That was another learning and very rewarding experience.
Although I have been a member off and on for a few years, I never realized what an amazing organization this is. I would like to continue being the treasurer and helping in any other way I can fit into my schedule.
Office: Secretary
Fran McKay
I am honored to be nominated for the role of Secretary for the Oregon Womens Sailing Association (OWSA). Having recently joined the club, I have been impressed by the strong sense of community and shared passion for sailing. After moving to the Pacific Northwest in 2022, Ive been eager to find more opportunities to get back on the water and connect with others who love sailing as much as I do.
My sailing journey began in 2018 as a crew member on a Capri 22 racing team in Illinois. This summer, I achieved my ASA 101 certification through Island Sailing, and while Im still working on developing my skills as a helmsman, Im excited to continue learning alongside fellow sailors at OWSA. The chance to meet new people who share this passion has been a highlight of my time with the club so far.
In my professional life, Im a Financial Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with over a decade of experience. Prior to that, I was a Chemical Plant Manager and worked in the chemical industry for 22 years. Ive held various leadership roles in service organizations and am currently serving as Secretary for the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County in Vancouver, WA. My background has given me valuable experience in managing responsibilities and keeping communication organized, which I am confident will contribute to my effectiveness in supporting OWSAs mission and operations.
Sailing offers not just the thrill of being on the water but also the opportunity to form lasting connections. Im eager to bring my skills to the Secretary position and contribute to the continued success of the club.
Thank you for considering me for this role.
Office: Social Director
Kate Gillespie
I fell in love with boats as a child. First canoes, then at summer camp on Vashon Island in Puget Sound I transferred my infatuation to a 17 Lightning sailboat. Lovesick, I began wandering through unguarded marinas to drool over the captive boats! Now that Im retired, I am thrilled with the activities and membership of OWSA. We have fun learning together, feeling the wind on our faces as it propels the boats we sail, and spending time with kindred spirits
I am an intermediate sailor who longs to sail on blue waters where I can swim or snorkel without needing a wetsuit. In the last year I participated on two flotillas: in the San Juan Islands/Canadian Gulf for 10 days (Meetup) and the British Virgin Islands (OWSA) for 8 days. These adventures fostered friendships I cherish.
Thus, I would enjoy the role of OWSAs 2025 Social Director. My commitment is to help our members form new friendships and expand their sailing networks. Lets work together to continue to grow our membership, engage more women in nautical fun, and strengthen our ties to other Northwest sailing organizations.
To the board, I bring decades of experience leading nonprofit, for profit, educational and civic boards and commissions.
Office: Programs Director
Candice Chance
Thank you for nominating me to be the Programs Director. I was a beginning sailor when I first joined OWSA in 2020. Since then, I have participated in OWSAs educational and sailing programs, including the Cruising program, which motivated me to join other OWSA members in obtaining my ASA 103/104 certification in the San Juans last year. That accomplishment was followed by a flotilla in the BVI earlier this year, with OWSA women skippering and crewing a total of four chartered boats. It was an amazing experience I never imagined I would have. Without OWSA, these opportunities would never have been possible for me.
This year I served on the committee tasked with drafting amended Bylaws for presentation to the membership for approval. Recently, I was appointed by the Board to serve as the Programs Director for the remainder of the year. I am now asking to be elected to a full term.
I accepted the interim appointment because I saw there was a need to be fulfilled, and I believe volunteerism is the heart of OWSA. I have personally benefited from the outstanding programs we offer and realize none of them would be possible without the creative and dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to make them happen. Serving as Programs Director provides a meaningful way for me to give back by listening to and supporting those volunteers, while collaborating on ways to strengthen and enrich the programs they lead. I would be privileged to continue serving in this role.
