The TellTale January 2026

Sail Chicago Tell Tale
Issue 1: January 2026

Service Reporting Time

Happy New Year, and farewell to 2025! Thank you to all members who gave so much of their time last year to keep our organization running. We all enjoyed a great summer of sailing because of you.

Now that 2025 is over, there is one last job to do—service time reporting. This is an important step in the annual process because it:

— Helps maintain accurate service and position records
— Confirms that members met their 2025 service time requirement
— Lets Sail Chicago know if you want to continue in your current role(s) in 2026
— Gives an estimate of how much time members are spending contributing to the organization.

Members should have already received an email from the volunteer team listing their roles for 2025. Click through each position, provide an estimate of hours spent doing the work, and indicate if you would like to continue in that role in 2026. If any of your service contributions were missed, you’ll be able to indicate that also.

Please complete your reports as soon as you can after receiving them. The reporting process will be closed after March 1 and signup for 2026 service jobs will open. Remember, any service time contributed after January 1 counts toward 2026 service time and membership renewal for 2027.

If you have any questions about helping to run the organization, the ways you can contribute, or the reporting process, please contact the volunteer team at volunteer@sailchicago.org.  

Help Shape the Future

Sail Chicago needs your feedback! Please take a few minutes to complete a short member survey. Input helps improve programs, increase access to sailing, and strengthen community.

Complete Survey
Matching Gift Challenge

From now until Jan 31, all donations up to $2,500 will be matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to a generous Sail Chicago member. Your financial support helps Sail Chicago thrive and is fully tax-deductible. Please consider donating.

Donate Now
Service Time Requirement Increase

Starting in 2026, the annual service hour minimum will increase from 20 to 25 hours. Most members already exceed this, but for others, consider it a friendly nudge to get more involved, meet new people, learn new skills, and share in the ownership that makes this organization so rewarding.

Note that this is the minimum hours going forward. If you report at least 20 hours of service time from 2025, your service time flag for this year will be set. You'll need to contribute 25 or more hours in 2026 in order to avoid the service time fee in 2027.

2026 Season Leadership Roles

Sail Chicago Board Officers and Committee Leadership roles have changed for 2026. Please be sure to contact the appropriate member if needed.

Officers:

Shawn Joseph, President and Chair of the Board; Emily Wilt, Vice Chair; Gerry Stacy,  Treasurer; Chad Skarpiak, Secretary

Committee Leadership:

Safety Committee: Shawn Joseph and Tim Rice; Administration/IT: Chad Skarpiak and Suhail Ansari; Maintenance: Ben Carls and James Wyeth; On-the-Water: Franck Cappello and Matt Smith; Mariners: Emily Wilt and Alan Street; Finance: Gerry Stacy and Shelby Koos. 

Please also note that any member interested in a leadership role on these committees—which collectively run our organization—is encouraged to reach out directly to the respective board or committee leaders. We welcome conversations and are always looking to grow leadership across the organization.

Columbia Yacht Club Tour

Sail Chicago would like to invite any current member who is interested, or simply curious, to participate in a special, private tour of the club ship and to learn more about membership at Columbia Yacht Club (COLYC). The plan is to coordinate a small group in February (date and time TBD). The tour will include a history of the ship and its construction, an overview of membership benefits and offerings, and an opportunity to to ask questions in person.

Many Sail Chicago members are already members of COLYC, and we deeply value this long-standing partnership. COLYC has joined Sail Chicago for both our season kickoff and end-of-season events, and we’re excited to offer this experience for members who would like to learn more. If interested, please email Shawn.joseph@sailchicago.org for follow up, date, and time confirmation.

Custom Burgee and Lapel Pins

Sail Chicago now offers custom burgees and lapel pins for members. Orders will be available for pickup at the Winter Happy Hour (date/time TBD). Supplies are limited, and payment should be sent via Zelle after placing an order, along with order details.

Order Now!

Merch for Sale

Check out our cool line up of Sail Chicago merch. We’ve sourced T-shirts, polos, jackets, fleece, and hats from top quality vendors, all embroidered with our burgee logo. Take pride in Sail Chicago and wear your merch at social events and on the water. Gift cards are available in increments of $25.00.

Buy Merch
Contact Us
Shop for cool Sail Chicago Gear 
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View previous issues of The Telltale

Sail Chicago Mission Statement  |  Member Benefits  |  Fleet Locations  |  Member Log In  
Member Registration  |  Sail Chicago Rules and Regulations  |  Board Meeting Minutes
Instruction  |  Sailing Weather

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The TellTale November 2025