b'C H A P T E R T E Nadopt with confidence real local issues and toil over them. Its worth repeating: theres no other enterprise like FCW in town. Originally, it didnt take a group of neighbors long to welcome the option and sign up.Through the summer of 1983, the image of what was to be the Friends of Stage Flarbor Waterways, precursor of FCW, rather quickly came into focus. By November, it had grown enough to record 102 people as members. Through their $15 annual dues, they had established a treasury account of $1,771.25.By February 10, 2003, FCW counted 336 memberships. Current dues and donations run about $10,000 annually, and net worth amounts to $56,141.63. 2 Without question, every 2003 board member knows how important that balance is for an independent body sometimes up against sizable legal and consulting fees. FCW directors know how vital it is to keep on board a steady membershipJudy Hoyt, one of the earliest paying dues and making extra donations. advocates for a Friends For the membership committees over time,organization focused on sailing has never been downwind. By May 1986, theStage Harbor, took over the original list of memberships amounted to 97; theyalways-challenging work of building membership.By 93 translated into 170 individuals. By 1993s annualshe and others had brought in meeting, President Lew Kimball could announce326 people to FCW rolls.that 326 people belonged to the organization.Prudently, he thanked co-chairmen Judy Hoyt and Grace Busk for their vigorous efforts in seeking new names for the lodge. In the millennial year, the books showed 284 memberships, or 460 individuals.As that memorable year passed, Mrs. Hoyt, backbone of the membership efforts since the early Eighties, decided to step down. She handed over the challenge to a new board member, Ilene Bendas. Fortunately, Mrs. Bendas could sign up her husband, John, as aide-de-camp -he had the vitalWith the passing of the computer know-how. Using a Microsoft Accessmillennium, FCW director program, he turned the names and numbers intoIlene Bendas assumed the chairmanship of membership succinct alphabetical lists as a platform forfrom Mrs. Hoyt, who had been enrolling more avid waterways boosters. at the task productively for 18 years.172'