Sailing is a Team Sport!

Published 9:00pm on 10 Jul 2026

Kate Gillespie, 2025-2026 Social Director

My love of sailing brought me to OWSA. I was thrilled to find that I could expand my sailing skills and
network by becoming a member at a very affordable price. I valued being in this community of kindred
spirits who were so willing to share their time and resources to help me learn, so I began volunteering.
Julie Schummer and Carolyn Morse asked me to consider running for a board position. As I'm retired
and have previously served on more than a dozen boards or public commissions, I readily agreed.
As the Social Director, I have fun interacting with current and potential members. Joanna Volkoff
(Membership Chair) and I collaborate to increase memberships. Carisa Bohus oversees our Fireside
program. Her quarterly sessions help new and potential members to meet seasoned members, learn
about OWSA programs, and practice their knot tying skills. These meetings also inspire women to join
OWSA. Kris Freitag schedules and hosts our monthly NautiDrinks happy hours at various locations in
the Portland Metro area. This is a casual, fun opportunity for new and potential members to chat
informally—I have overheard many women making plans to sail together during shared laughter and
story swapping. Rounding out my team is Kathi Brandt, our volunteer coordinator. Kathi keeps track of
volunteer opportunities and participation.

I am wrapping up this two-year term in December. Its a good time for someone to step in with new
ideas and energy to increase social interactions among our members and the general sailing
community. I think our members love to have fun, and we need some fresh ways to network and enjoy
water-based activities.

I am proud that 1/3 of our members responded to our survey last fall. The survey provided timely
feedback for our board retreat last November. A solid majority of survey respondents requested more
programs and resources for our intermediate and advanced level sailors—the board responded by
investing in our fleet, increasing the opportunities for racing, and adding new speakers to our monthly
general meetings on topics (including engine maintenance, safety procedures and provisioning). Survey
respondents also requested more social activities, including game nights. We had two in the last year,
and members want more of these. (If you know of any sailing games, please tell me?)

Our members have a wide range of sailing interests and skills. I think we need a more thorough
inventory of knowledge and expertise that members would be willing to share, including boating
activities, maintenance, how to upgrade boat features, simple repairs and a host of topics of interest to
sailors.

I am grateful to have worked with our OWSA board members. We've worked well together, with
strong communication, and great accountability. During these two years I've made several good
friends. Please consider volunteering as a board member, committee chair, or occasional helper. We
need your help!