Posted on by VP Communications

March 13, 2025 Newsletter

REMEMBER: newsletters will begin coming out TWICE per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) beginning next week. Generally, Tuesday newsletters will be full of “things to do” while Thursday newsletters will be more regatta focused. If there are other people in your family that need to be added to the newsletter list, please make sure to send an email to [email protected] to be added to the newsletter list. In the alternative, you can always view our newsletter archives on our website.

1. *LAST CALL* DOES YOUR ATHLETE HAVE ALLERGIES/DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
2. *RSVP NOW* PARENT SOCIAL: FRI, MARCH 21
3. *NEW* SEEKING A TEAM PHOTOGRAPHER
4. REGATTA VOLUNTEER NEEDED, SAT. MAR 22
5. *NEW* NOMINATING COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
6. *NEW* BOARD AND COMMITTEE POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR SHADOWING!
7. NEW SPIRIT WEAR AVAILABLE
8. *SAVE THE DATE* SENIOR NIGHT – FRI., APRIL 25, 7p
9. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

WAIT – THERE’S MORE?

1. *LAST CALL* DOES YOUR ATHLETE HAVE ALLERGIES/DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
If so, we need you to fill out this form ASAP: Dietary Restrictions & Allergies Form. You only need to fill out this form if your athlete needs some accommodation for their food allergies or dietary restrictions. Please contact Gloria Totten, Team Dinners Coordinator, via Slack with any questions.

2. *RSVP NOW* PARENT SOCIAL: FRI, MARCH 21
We hope you can join us at a Parent/Guardian Social on Saturday, March 21 at the home of Maz and Fredy Chinoy from 6-9p. This is an opportunity to get to know other parents, meet some coaches and members of the board and learn more about the sport and season. This gathering is a potluck! Please RSVP and bring something to share. Wine will be provided by our hosts, but feel free to bring any other beverage of choice. The RSVP Sign Up Genius lists the location and directions, so make sure you check it out!

3. *NEW* SEEKING A TEAM PHOTOGRAPHER
Have you seen our collection of team photos on SmugMug? Wonder how you can get those cool racing photos of your kids at regattas? Whether you’re a professional, hobbyist or amateur photographer, we want your help in turning this season’s events into memories. The team photographer will work with the VP Communications to take photos at events they attend as well as collect photos from parents and athletes to post to the team SmugMug. Contact Jenn McRobbie, VP Communications, via Slack if you are interested in taking up this role. P.S.: This role will fulfill your volunteer requirements for the year.

4. REGATTA VOLUNTEER NEEDED, SAT. MAR 22
It’s an early morning shift, but it sets you up to be in the PERFECT place to watch races while satisfying a VASRA volunteer credit. We are still looking for a volunteer to work Grandstand Concessions from 6:30-9:30a at the Polar Bear Regatta on Saturday, March 22. If you are interested, sign up here: 2025 VASRA Regatta Sign Up.

This is also a gentle reminder that if you sign up for a position at a regatta, you’re expected to show up. If it is a regatta weekend and you are unable to fulfill your duties, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Lisa Veigel, so that she can try to help you find a replacement for your shift.

VOLUNTEER CREDIT REMINDER: Each family is required to do 5 volunteer shifts/credits, one of which should be a VASRA task. Athletes are also expected to volunteer (3 credits for novice athletes, 5 for returning athletes). Failure to meet your volunteer credits by the end of the season will result in a $200 per credit charge. If you want to learn more about volunteering, sign up to participate or just keep up with the current volunteering opportunities, visit our website: www.woodsonrowing.org/volunteering.

5. *NEW* NOMINATING COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We are seeking volunteers to serve on this year’s nominating committee. The nominating committee will identify parents with interest in serving on the Board in the 2025/26 school year and beyond! The nominating committee would submit recommendations for future Board members by mid-May 2025. This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow parents and to also get a feel for what each Board member does. Ideally, we would have a MINIMUM of 2 parents step up for this role, one from the boys’ team and one from the girls’ team. But, the more the merrier. If you are interested in serving on the Nominating Committee, please contact Catherine Backmeyer on Slack to find out more on what the responsibilities entail.

6. *NEW* BOARD AND COMMITTEE POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR SHADOWING!
While the Board is, thankfully, fully staffed this season (https://woodsonrowing.org/board-of-directors/), there will be several roles available next year due to term limitations and graduating athletes! If you are at all interested in any of these roles, please contact the current committee member (just search the role on Slack and the current member’s name will pop up). All would love a “shadow” to help learn the ropes so that there can be a smooth transfer of information throughout the season! Roles that we already know will be available next year (with others potentially arising) are:

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

  • Treasurer
  • Secretary
  • Senior VP (non-voting, has interest in potentially becoming the Board President in 2 years)

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON:

  • Membership
  • Fundraising
  • Sportswear/Uniforms
  • Booster Liaison

KEY SUPPORT ROLES:

  • Craft Show Coordinator (shadow needed ASAP for this role. This person would start right away shadowing Gail Lee, who has several years of experience with one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. The Craft Show takes place at Woodson in early November.)
  • RAFT Coordinator
  • Restaurant Night Coordinator

7. NEW SPIRIT WEAR AVAILABLE

We have a limited number of 2025 sponsor t-shirts and tank tops available to purchase for $20 a piece! Check out these options and more on our website at Woodson Rowing Spirit Wear! Share the website and links with family members so that they can also sport their support near or far!

8. *SAVE THE DATE* SENIOR NIGHT – FRI., APRIL 25, 7p
It seems so early to be talking about how our very large group of seniors (16!!!) will be moving on from the team next year! Plans are clearly in the very early stages, but parents of seniors – mark your calendars now! Senior night will take place at the team dinner on Fri., April 25 at 7p.

9. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

This calendar is constantly updated as events are added. Scroll here for a quick rundown of what’s up and coming. Where relevant and/or available, links are provided for more information. You can also see a visual representation of our calendar on our website: https://woodsonrowing.org/calendar/

Graphics of our various schedules can be found at the links below:
Winter Conditioning (October through February)
On-The-Water Practice (late February through May)
2025 Regatta Schedule (March through May)

Important dates: 

MARCH:

  • Sat, 3/15: VASRA Work Day #4, 8a-noon or 1-4p, Sandy Run
  • Fri, 3/21: Noodles & Co. Restaurant Fundraiser AND parent social
  • Sat, 3/22: Polar Bear Regatta (Varsity Only), Sandy Run
  • Sat, 3/29: Noxontown Regatta, St. Andrew’s, Middletown, DE

APRIL

MAY

WAIT – THERE’S MORE?

RECRUITMENT:

Direct interested athletes and their parents to our interest form or have them send an email to our membership team at: [email protected].

STAY UP TO DATE: Join the newsletter by sending an email to [email protected] or view the newsletter archives on our website.

INTERESTED IN SPONSORING WOODSON ROWING?

Visit our Sponsorship Page or contact Woodson Rowing Fundraising.

Can’t sponsor but want to donate?Check out our Donors page for instructions and information on how your donations benefit our team!

NEED SWAG?

There are many ways for you to shop and benefit the team all while sporting your support! See our Spirit Wear Page for more info!

VIEW AND UPLOAD PHOTOS: Visit our Woodson Rowing photos page for more information on how you can help protect our legacy with photographs!

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