Welcome to a special edition of our newsletter where we will discuss how we are “governed” and provide some proposed by-laws which will be voted on at the in-person meeting scheduled for Tue, 9/24 at 7:30p in Woodson Cafe A.

1. PROPOSED NEW BY-LAWS

2. WAIT. WHAT AND WHO ARE “THE BOARD”?

2. WHY DOES A HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS TEAM NEED A BOARD OF DIRECTORS?

3. WHY DOES THIS MATTER TO ME?

4. OK, COOL. BUT WHY DOES THAT MATTER?

5. QUESTIONS?

6. REGULAR BUSINESS

1. PROPOSED NEW BY-LAWS

The members of the Board of Directors would like to propose revised by-laws to be approved by the membership. Pursuant to Article IX: Section 2 of the current by-laws, please consider this newsletter to provide notice that a general membership meeting will take place on September 24, 2024 at 7:30p in Woodson Cafe A. While the primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss the upcoming season, part of that meeting will include a discussion and vote on the revised by-laws, which can be viewed here: Proposed by-laws.

Changes proposed include, but are not limited to:

• Change the legal name to C.G. Woodson High School Rowing Program and clarify operating under names
• Add a non-voting Senior VP position to the Executive Board and formally add the Booster Liaison and Webmaster as members of the Board of Directors
• Change the title of the VP of Team Liaison and Activities to “VP Activities”
• Change the notice requirement in Article IX: Section 2 from 2 weeks to 1 week

2. WAIT. WHAT AND WHO ARE “THE BOARD”?

The Woodson Crew Boosters Association (aka “the Association”) is an incorporated, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) that was established to support the Woodson Rowing Program. The Association is governed through formal by-laws. The Association is managed by a Board of Directors made up of Officers (the Executive Committee) and Committee Chairpersons (aka “the Board”).

Members of the Board of Directors are elected by voting members of the Association at the Annual Association Meeting held in late spring. Here are the current board members and their positions, as voted upon and approved at the last parent meeting of the 23-24 school year:

2. WHY DOES A HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS TEAM NEED A BOARD OF DIRECTORS?

Woodson Rowing is a varsity sport at Woodson High School, but we do not receive funding from Fairfax County Public Schools or Woodson High School. As a result, we have some oversight from the high school, but are managed by the Woodson Crew Booster Association. The Woodson Crew Boosters is an all-volunteer, parent-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 

Board of Directors responsibilities include, but are not limited to, hiring coaches, fundraising, financial management, logistical support, the purchase and maintenance of program equipment, and, of course, staffing the Woodson Rowing cheering section at regattas. The Board is NOT a supervisory body responsible for the day to day management of the coaching staff, training program, or student-athlete boat assignments.

3. WHY DOES THIS MATTER TO ME?

Well – as a family or athlete who is interested in participating in Woodson Rowing, you’re part of the Woodson Crew Boosters Association! Voting members of the Association include parents/guardians of Woodson Rowing student-athletes. Non-voting members include, but are not limited to, the Woodson coaching staff, the Principal, and the Director of Student Activities (DSA).

4. OK, COOL. BUT WHY DOES THAT MATTER?

Part of the business of the Association is to review and update the by-laws that govern us. The by-laws were last updated in 2018 – so it’s time for some small revisions as noted above. According to Article XXI, Section 1 of the current by-laws:

Section 1. These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed, or new By-Laws may be adopted by the vote of two-thirds of those members present at any regular or special meeting of the general membership, provided notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new By-Laws be contained in the notice of such meeting.

So, that’s what we are doing with this special newsletter! We’re providing notice of:

• Recommended amendments to the by-laws
• The date, time and location of our next general membership meeting! (Reminder: Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 7:30p in Woodson Cafe A). This meeting is in conjunction with the parent and athlete information session.

5. QUESTIONS?

Any questions, comments or concerns re: the Proposed by-laws should be directed to the Booster Board President at [email protected].

6. REGULAR BUSINESS

WAIT – THERE’S MORE?

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

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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