Statement from David Jennings, Board President
Sail Sarasota is a 501(c)(3) primarily dedicated to adult Sailing Education and is a public outreach arm of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. Sail Sarasota will be able to create a greater public awareness of our local, environmental assets like Sarasota Bay. By getting more people "on the water" we will have the opportunity to increase the awareness of our local ecology and teach people the value of protecting this environment. As such, additional endeavors could include maintenance and restoration efforts such as the Sailing Squadron's continued support of Sarasota Bay Watch joining Mote Marine and others with replenishment of scallops claims and the creation of a "living sea wall" recently completed on City Island.
The Sarasota Sailing Squadron is an exceptional example of a historic and sustainable, low impact and unique community organization. This volunteer club has excelled over the decades as a highly affordable community center, prolific educator and a safe and pleasant all-ages activity hub for sailing and other silent water sports like paddle boarding.
There have been limitations in the group's reach and growth potential. With the creation of Sail Sarasota, we now have a Non-Profit organization which will enrich the local community by providing affordable sailing instruction, participation in sailing competitions, water-safety education and increased environmental awareness through improving the relationship between boaters and marine ecology.
Funds generated by Sail Sarasota are used to purchase and maintain the vessels and equipment necessary to teach people to sail but the mission is broad and includes the possibility of developing classroom space on Squadron property which could be shared by other Non-Profits including Sarasota Youth Sailing and our local school district.
Although still in its infancy, Sail Sarasota has already demonstrated an ability to provide resources toward the mission benefiting both the donor, donee, the Sarasota Sailing Squadron and the local community.
