Active Membership
Active Members (Senior Members and Life Members) in good standing have access to and use of all facilities and equipment owned by the Club, as described in the Constitution and By-Laws of the Club and summarized below. There is a membership cap of 300 dues paying members; the cap is based on an agreement with the city to get approval for the renovation in 1987. A member who is two or more quarters in arrears is not a member in good standing. The Treasurer can impose a fee (currently $50) for any dues owed that is more than a month late.
Boats and Training Facilities
Senior membership entitles an individual full use of the PBC building and equipment. PBC offers a variety of boats for the use of its members, including singles, doubles, and quads. There is also a fleet of canoes, paddleboards, and kayaks available for member use. For more information on everyday equipment usage, please contact Club Rowing Committee. To learn more about PBC's competitive programs and using race fleet equipment, please contact the Racing Committee. PBC utilizes iCrew for members to reserve and track club-owned and private equipment. If you have need assistance with your iCrew account, please contact the iCrew Coordinator.
Voting
Senior members have voting privileges for PBC’s Board of Governors and Float Officers, as well as any special elections. Senior members can run for any position of PBC governance during elections held in March and September each year. Should you have questions, please contact the Director of Elections.
Racks and 20-row Rules
Senior Members are able to request a club rack for their private single scull at PBC, based on availability. Members that have a rack for their private single are expected to row their boat a minimum of 20 days per year. The required minimum must be completed during the timeframe of the Main Docks being in (late February) and before the Main Docks taken out (mid-November). Failure to do so could cause them to forfeit their rack. This is enforced through logbook counts during this specified timeframe and ensures that rack holders are fully utilizing them throughout the main rowing seasons. Note: Rowing a private single multiple times in one day will only count as one day's completion. There is a lengthy wait time for a rack and is a club resource in high-demand. For more information, please contact the Rack Coordinator.
Lockers
Senior members are also entitled to maintain one locker, based on availability. There is often a waiting list. If you would like a locker, please email the appropriate volunteer: Men's Locker Coordinator or Women's Locker Coordinator.
Volunteer Expectations
PBC is a volunteer-run organization. In addition to rowing out of and racing for PBC, all members are expected to contribute regularly to the management, maintenance, and operation and repair of the facilities and equipment. To learn about volunteer opportunities, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
Membership Portal and Club Communication
PBC’s website includes member management functions for updating your contact information and paying your dues. Please keep your information current via your individual membership portal. Subscribe to the Forums to stay informed on what is happening at our club. Review the Document Repository to access PBC’s governing, business, and membership documents.
Reservation and use of the PBC Ballroom
Senior and Associate Members may reserve the PBC ballroom for their own private events, subject to special guidelines and committee approval. For more information, please contact the Events Coordinator.
PBC Waiver and Release of Claims
Prior to using the facility, PBC requires all guests and members to complete the annual Waiver and Release of Claims. Please review, download, sign and submit your waiver using this link here: PBC Waiver and Release of Claims
Family Privileges
Spouses and minor children (through the age of 18) of Senior members may also use the club. Once a child turns 18, they are eligible to convert to a Senior membership in their own name without having to go through the application process. Please contact the Membership Committee for more information.
However, if a spouse or child wishes to maintain their own single scull at PBC, they must have their own membership.
Non-Resident Membership
Senior members moving away from the Washington, DC area may choose to become a Non-Resident member. Non-Resident membership is designed for Senior members who are absent from Washington, DC for a continuous period exceeding four months. Non-Resident members may be asked to vacate lockers and store private boats in locations not suitable for everyday use. Please contact the Membership Committee for more information.
Associate Membership
If you are staying in the area but find you are not using the club, you can maintain social privileges as an Associate member. Associate members have access to the club and may attend club events including annual/semiannual meetings, but have no rowing, erging, or lifting privileges, no voting privileges, and are not permitted to store boats or keep a locker. Once you move to Associate status, you cannot return to Senior status for at least a year. This was to discourage members from moving to Associate for the winter months and then returning to Senior status in the spring/summer months. Please contact the Membership Committee for more information.
Guest Membership
Under special circumstances, the PBC Board of Governors may extend Guest membership to members in good standing of other rowing clubs, who are stationed in the Washington DC metro area for short periods of time. Guest members are asked to provide a letter of good standing from their home club. Please contact the Membership Committee for more information.
Membership Requirements for Racing Program Participants
Participants in Club-sponsored racing programs must be Senior or Life members of the Club. However, due to the long waitlist for membership, the Club will allow individuals to participate in Club-sponsored racing programs as “participants with competitive privileges” provided they (i) apply for membership prior to participation with a racing program, (ii) are, and remain, confirmed participants in such racing program, (iii) are current with all fees payable to the Club, and (iv) otherwise meet the specific requirements of the racing program to which they are attached. Members and Non-Members that are participating in Racing Programs are assessed fees for participating in the programs that are designed to cover the expenses, including coaching, regatta entries, gas, boat repair, etc. The Board resolved the following at the May 2012 Board meeting: That members competing on the club's teams shall not pay more for dues and team fees combined than nonmember participants do for team fees. For more information, please contact the appropriate racing program coach/captain or the Racing Committee Chair.
Questions?
Hopefully many were answered. But if you have more, you can contact the Membership Committee.