The First Hundred Years: Clearwater Yacht Club, 1911-2011

Chapter 11 Formal Club Traditions Research in a wide variety of organizations from corporations to service and social clubs has shown that a group’s shared culture plays a pivotal role in promoting coordinated activity and smooth operation and that the group’s history, symbols, and rituals reinforce that culture (DiMaggio, 1992; Kunda, 1992; Lindsey, 2001). At Clearwater Yacht Club, there are five traditional events that serve as the ritual symbols of the CYC culture: the Change of Watch , the Blessing of the Fleet , the Commodores’ Ball , the Annual Cruise, and the Annual Membership Meeting . Each of these events embodies elements of the club’s mission “to encourage yachting by the public; to promote and assist in making members more proficient in seamanship and navigation; to provide good food, refreshments and maintain a suitable clubhouse, anchorage and facilities for the recreation and use of its members and their families; to promote the social welfare, entertainment and diversion of its members, their families and guests.” 105