Special Member Meeting - Voting for New Board members
The Board has called for a meeting for Saturday, April 1st at 10:00 AM to vote for new board members. The current nominees are: It is not too late to submit names for Board nominations. Those interested should submit their names, or those who they would like to nominate to president@nereidbc.org.

We need a quorum (simple majority) of members plus proxies to conduct this vote as follows:

• If you have already submitted a proxy, you made proceed as is without attending the meeting.
• Anyone who has not yet signed a proxy will be sent a proxy by e-mail to sign and return to jadl153@aol.com if you plan on not attending the meeting.
• You may attend the meeting to cast your vote. If you had already signed and returned a proxy, you may rescind your proxy at the meeting prior to the vote.

Allison Zolowsky's backgrond and interest
I have been a part of Nereid Boat Club for about 8 years, and like many, I have seen it grow and become the strong force it is today, both on and off the water. Nereid has been such a critical part in my life, helping to shape my rowing career and move me forward in life. Without Nereid, I wouldn't be where I am today, and I am so very grateful. 

With all that the boat club had given me, I want to give back. With my competitive training and high-level racing experience, I want to help propel the club forward and deeper into the heart of competitive rowing, because I believe if you aren't competitive, you won't succeed. In order to offer the best to all athletes, juniors, collegiate, open, masters, there needs to be a shift from thinking of ourselves as "just a little club along the Passaic", to a small BUT strong, feisty, no-quit club that can hang with the big rowers. Not only will it help set the juniors up for recruitment to strong and competitive collegiate programs, but it will attract similar athletes home from college over the summer and winter, and invite masters who want to remain competitive, and can be relaxed at the same time. 

I love Nereid, it has been and will continue to be a big part of my life, and I want to help it continue moving forward to the best of my ability.

Thank you.

Allison Zolnowsky 

Eli Avizov
Most everyone knows Eli, his background, his accomplishments, his passion for rowing and his dedication to the Club. Eli is very giving of his time to help out wherever and whenever he can around of the club. Eli feels his skills can best benefit the Club as its Lieutenant and a Board member. He is looking forward to the membership's support so that he can give back.

Gerri Zhang background and interest.

Dear fellow rowers, 

Please accept my apology for missing the AGM. I am very sorry about my absence. I've been a Nereid member for two years, which is about a third of my very long and exhausting rowing career with no notable rowing achievements to brag about. I learned to row during high school in Ann Arbor, Michigan, we were called the Huron River Rats. They had a saying, "once a River Rat, always a River Rat"...I agree, the number of times I've gone swimming at Nereid definitely qualifies me as a Passaic River Rat.

When Bob asked if I was interested in joining the Board, I was absolutely surprised and that surprise soon turned into excitement. I would love to have the chance to give back to the club and rowers who added color to my life. I moved from the bright lights of NYC to a glorified high-rise jail cell in an urban food desert, this was before Whole Foods came to Newark. Reaching out to Nereid was the best decision I made that year. The membership chair answered my email inquiry within hours, drove over just to show me around the boathouse and got me started on private lessons that led to group lessons where the coaches and club members welcomed me with encouragement and open arms. I went from a night owl to an early bird because I wanted to row. From just two years, I'm already deeply indebted to the boat club and the many individuals who shaped my experience. I can't imagine the amount of work individuals have put into the club behind the scenes; to me, changes to the boathouse, boats and oars often appear like magic.

I don't believe it's a coincidence that some of the nicest and most dedicated individuals I've met are rowers at Nereid. I look forward to furthering Nereid's mission and the club's culture of inclusiveness and compassion.

Thank you,
Gerri

Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed this Saturday after the special meeting to help Peter Wilcox install the boat canopy over the rack housing the SHP boats. You help would be very much appreciated.