Pauli Kaiser:
If you participated in G.O.T.-Flashes last year and recorded getting out on the water at least 10 times, you may remember receiving not only a sticker - but also a heartfelt, handwritten note from Pauli Kaiser. Pauli is quick to point out that many others deserve recognition as well. And she’s right - the Lightning Class thrives because of countless volunteers who give their time and energy in ways both large and small. Together, those efforts make our class what it is. Pauli is a wonderful example of that spirit, and we’ve heard from many members just how meaningful her personal notes have been to them. Read more about Pauli here: Volunteer Spotlight: Pauli Kaiser
Bob Astrove:
Bob Astrove has been instrumental in helping to build community within the Lightning Class for many years. He has worked tirelessly to create and maintain, prod and nurture, the Classic Boat group. When the LOYALS formed in 2024, he quickly became a part of the core group, raising his hand to provide a multitude of ideas, and then to plan and execute. Bob is THE person responsible for the Volunteer Appreciation Form highlighted above. It’s hard to list all the ways Bob contributes to the Class, but check out his spotlight for some of them: Volunteer Spotlight: Bob Astrove
John Ring:
John Henry Ring is a treasured and valued member of the Lightning Class, the New England Lightning District, and the Buffalo Canoe Club Lightning fleet. John’s dedication to the Class recently resulted in the creation of the new, streamlined web app to track your GOT-Flashes days. He goes out of his way at regattas to help others and has spent numerous hours working with Boat Grant teams, offering anything from a cold beer after a rough day on the water to helping step/de-step masts for the team. Read more about John: Volunteer Spotlight: John Ring
Mark Schneider:
As with many other volunteers in the Lightning Class, you might not be aware of all that volunteer Mark Schnieder does for the Class. Mark has been instrumental in streamlining the loading and unloading of containers of boats for the Worlds, or special container shipments intended to grow fleets in Europe and South America. Virtually every boat shipped into or out of the US for the last ten years has gone through Mark’s caring hands. Mark’s second volunteer passion is getting boats on the water by matching prospective buyers with good used boats. Especially with new people coming into the Class, it’s important to get them into a good boat based on their expectations. Read more about Mark and his match-making efforts: Volunteer Spotlight: Mark Schneider
Maya Weber:
Over the past several decades, the Class has made a deliberate and sustained effort to cultivate the next generation of sailors through initiatives like the Boat Grant program for college sailors and the U32 program for post-college sailors. As part of this commitment, Maya Weber has brought a refreshing energy to the U32 effort, eagerly stepping up to take on assignments and consistently delivering work that is both exceptionally fast and of outstanding quality. Along with Jenna Probst, she has made the annual U32 regatta one of the highlights of the season, and an excellent entry point for young sailors new to the Lightning Class. Learn more about Maya and the U32 movement: Volunteer Spotlight: Maya Weber
John Rudd:
A lifelong sailor in the Finger Lakes region, John spent most of his professional career working for not-for-profit hospitals where he learned the value of volunteerism. About 15 years ago, he was given a 1946 Skaneateles Lightning #1674 that was in need of repair. Around that same time, he visited the Finger Lakes Boating Museum for help, and the next thing he knew he was asked to serve on the Museum’s Board of Trustees. Through the museum and the ILCA, he became aware of the growing effort to promote and preserve the heritage of the Lightning Class. The inspiring story of how he is giving back to the Class and his part in establishing the Lightning Class Hall of Fame can be found at Volunteer Spotlight: John Rudd
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