While the dam at Branched Oak Lake was still under construction, a group of far-sighted sailors recognized the opportunity and seized the moment. On March 21, 1968 they filed for incorporation under the Nebraska Nonprofit Corporation Act for a group to be known as the Lincoln Sailing Club and stated their purpose to be as follows:

A lease was obtained, a clubhouse was built, and other improvements were made as required by the lease to provide a place to enjoy the sport of sailing. Our lease was extended in December, 1998 for five years and is due for renewal December 31, 2004. We pay an annual fee to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for the use of site #203 - a seven acre plot. Among other things, we are obligated by our lease to:

1. ensure that the buildings, improvements, and premises are kept in a reasonable and presentable state of repair and maintenance at all times. Trash, building material residue, equipment, vehicles, etc., shall not be permitted to accumulate on the premises.
2. obey all state and local laws and regulations (this means keeping all camping trailers, boat trailers, and boats properly licensed as well as having a park permit to enter the premises.)

The club is governed by a board of directors, elected at the annual meeting. Each director is elected for a term of two years with two directors elected in odd numbered years and three elected in even numbered years.

Since the beginning, the club has been a cooperative venture, with members supplying their time, skills, and labor to get things done. It has always been the goal of the club to maintain a low maintenance environment while providing the basic necessities which allows the maximum time for sailing and socializing. Crews are organized to undertake major projects. You will get an occasional phone call or a mailing inviting you to participate. Please do so whenever possible. In addition there are many tasks that depend on the initiative of the individual members.

Members are expected to mow around their boats, trailers, and the clubhouse. Keep the mower at the highest setting. There are three mowers at the clubsite, two owned by the club. The riding mower is owned by individuals and should be used only by them. If the a mower is in need of repair, bring it to the attention of the mower maintenance appointee or the commodore.

It is everyone’s responsibility to clean the clubhouse after using it. Wipe down the tables, sweep the floor, and put back the chairs. If you use the clubhouse for a private party, leave it at least as clean as you found it.

Cleaning the outhouse is an onerous task of which everybody should partake once a year. Sweep the floor and walls, put 1/2 cup of bleach in a bucket of water and scrub the toilet seat with the brush on the wall. Slosh the remaining water on the walls and floor and sweep out. Repeat with a second bucket.

Membership - is open to owners of sailboats. Membership limit is fifty (50) members - twenty-five (25) of which are allotted to Lincoln Snipe Fleet #567. There are additional rules concerning membership in Lincoln Snipe Fleet #567. After the 50 member limit is reached, the Secretary maintains a waiting list. Multiple owners of a boat are counted as separate members. A membership includes those family members residing at the same address. One vote is allotted to each membership. A key which will unlock the gate, clubhouse, and shed is furnished by the club. For additional specific information regarding LSC memberships as well as the Lincoln Snipe Fleet #567 memberships, please see the Lincoln Sailing Club Bylaws.

Dues - are set at the annual meeting and are to be paid by April 1st of each year. Dues are based upon the family membership. (Multiple owners of a boat each pay dues.) The treasurer determines the pro-rated fee for new members joining mid-year based on a seven-month time span beginning April 1^st.

Safety - is foremost at the clubsite and in the dock area. Supervise children and drive safely. Swimming is permitted only in the swimming area, not off the docks. Swimming off the docks is dangerous due to submerged metal from the docks and is in violation of state regulations, therefore jeopardizing our lease. Fishing is not allowed in the swimming/beach area nor off the docks. Pesticides and poisons should be used only by the grounds or building committees.

The last thing in the world anyone wants is for a member or guest to get hurt. Please keep safety in mind while driving in or upon the club grounds, while mowing, backing in boats, operating the club boat, enjoying a campfire, grilling, socializing and all the other activities that make our club special.

Boat Docks & Ramp - are for use by members only for the purpose of launching, docking, and trailering boats. While away from the clubsite, members may not leave their boats tied to the docks unattended.

Licensing of personal property - As required by our lease with Nebraska Game and Parks, all members must keep their boats, boat trailers, and camping trailers properly licensed in accordance with state law.

• Boat Parking - Parking spots are assigned by the board of directors through the parking appointee and may be reassigned by them. Boats must be securely tied down. If you have a boat you would like to bring to the clubsite, notify the board or the parking appointee for approval of a spot. If you would like to relocate your boat, notify the board or the parking appointee in writing. Parking spots are assigned to the member, not the boat. Hence, when boat ownership changes, the boat may have to be relocated. Any assigned spots remaining vacant for thirty (30) days (during the season May 1st through October 1st) will be reassigned unless special permission is granted. Because of limited space, the maximum number of boats any member may park and leave at the site is three.

• Camping - Permission to park, and location of a camper site, are given by the board of directors through the parking appointee.The number of camper sites is limited to twenty-two. Paying the annual fee for a camper entitles you to a space for that season .if the limit has not been reached. If you have a camper you would like to bring to the clubsite, notify the board or the parking appointee for approval of a site. If you would like to relocate your camper, notify the board or the parking appointee in writing. A waiting list will be maintained. Parking spots are assigned to the member, not the camper. Hence, when camper ownership changes, the camper may have to be relocated. When a spot is vacated, the first person on the waiting list will be given the option of parking a camper on that site. If that person does not accept the spot, it will be offered to the next person on the list, etc. Passing on the option does not change that person’s position on the list. Any assigned sites remaining vacant for thirty (30) days (during the season May 1st through October 1st) will be reassigned unless special permission is granted. Campers over 21 feet (excluding the tongue and bumper) may not be parked at the clubsite on a permanent basis. Tent camping by members or their guests is allowed in any area except inside the circle. Electrical generators must be turned off by 10 PM.

Motor Boats - The Lincoln Sailing Club owns a motor boat which may be used for fleet races and authorized events promoting sailing. Lincoln Sailing Club provides for annual maintenance costs, license, insurance, etc. Operators must familiarize themselves with the safe and careful operation of this boat as well as fuel mixture, launching, etc. The boat maintenance appointee will be glad to give you a lesson in the operation of the committee boat. The club boat will not be operated with more passengers than rated for. The Sundancer Pontoon boat is rated for no more than 8 persons or 1650 pounds. Please allow for the safe rescue of members who need assistance. No pets may ride on board. All children ages 13 and under must always wear a PFD when on the committee boat. Nebraska law requires any motorboat operator under 18 years of age to complete a Boating Safety Course and be in possession of a course certificate when operating the boat. You must be at least 14 years of age to operate a motorboat in Nebraska. Please do not attempt to repair the club boat unless an emergency situation exists. Contact a member of the Boat Maintenance Committee or the Commodore. Motor boats other than those designated as safety or work boats may not be launched or retrieved from the Lincoln Sailing Club site or use the dock.

Private Parties - may be held on the site Monday through Friday. Schedule parties through the Commodore in advance. This does not exclude other members from using the site. Clean-up after parties is mandatory.

Visitors & Guests - must be accompanied by the host member while at the club. Guests may not launch or retrieve their boats at the clubsite nor bring their pets. Be sure your guests are aware of all the rules and abide by them.

Pets – If you bring pets, keep them out of the clubhouse during meals.

Construction - of any kind must be approved by the board of directors.

Planting - of any perennials, trees, etc., must be approved by the board of directors. Planting of annuals (flowers) in the immediate vicinity of a camping trailer is not subject to approval.

Game and Parks Commission - All contacts with the commission must be made by the commodore or an assigned member.

Purchases - All purchases (with the exception of propane) must be approved by the board in advance or you may find yourself paying for some neat stuff you bought for the club. Shortages of supplies should be reported to the purchasing agent. If you empty a propane tank or find one empty, take it to town and have it refilled. Submit the invoice to the treasurer for reimbursement.

Tractors - There are two tractors on the clubsite. These tractors are owned by a group of members - not the club. The club pays a membership to the tractor owners group for use of the tractor for launching the committee boat and the docks. However, only the individual tractor owners may drive the tractor. If you need to launch the committee boat and are not an owner, ask one to assist you. The Snipe Fleet Captain or the Commodore will know who the owners are.

• Private vehicles at the club site. Only vehicles used for launching boats may be stored at the club-site. To prevent the club from becoming a used car lot, each vehicle must be owned by at least five members with a demonstrable need for such a vehicle. The board will issue permission on a case-by-case basis, taking condition and safety into account The owners must keep the vehicles in good repair.The board may require a vehicle to be removed because of safety, environmental pollution or aesthetics, and may remove the vehicle from the club site and store it at the owners’ expense.

Committee chairmen and appointees are appointed at the first board meeting. Each committee must have at least one director as member. Early in the year (March or April) or whenever appropriate, committee chairmen and board appointees should submit a detailed proposal of any projects they plan to undertake complete with cost estimates, drawings, and other pertinent information to the board of directors for approval.

Building Maintenance - Monitors all permanent improvements to ensure they are maintained in good condition., i.e., clubhouse, outhouse, sheds, Laser rack, Laser ramp.

Docks - Responsible for keeping docks in good repair and taking steps to reduce boat damage and improve safety. Responsible for getting docks into and out of the water in a timely fashion for each sailing season. Please notify a Dock Committee Member or the Commodore if the docks are in need of repair.

Grounds - Responsible for basic grounds improvements and maintenance. Keeps mowers and other tools (rakes, shovels, string trimmer, etc.) in good repair and arrange for service, cleaning, winterizing, etc. Make sure gas cans are filled with proper gas/oil requirements and clearly marked as far as which mower takes which gas. Coordinates general mowing of grounds (individual members will mow around their boats, trailers, and the clubhouse). Oversees removal of existing trees and planting of all new trees and shrubs.

Boat and Camper Parking - Maintains map of assigned boat and camper parking places and empty spaces. Provides board with a copy and puts a copy in the clubhouse. Reminds members to make sure their boats are securely tied down. Assigns new parking places, installs new, and maintains old tiedowns. Maintains waiting list of any member that would like to relocate to a different parking place.

Social Events - Organizes several social events during the season to encourage member participation and socialization. Acts as contact person with Cornhusker State Games and coordinate the club’s responsibilities for this event.

Boat Maintenance - Keeps committee boat in good repair. Makes sure boat is properly stocked with life jackets, anchors, shotgun shells, race committee flags, a working fire extinguisher, etc. Makes sure adequate supplies of gas and oil are present at the clubsite at all times.

Beach – Monitors condition of beach, access, ropes, maintains a clean and neat environment.

Purchasing Agent - Responsible for keeping basic supplies in the clubhouse, i.e., paper towels, toilet paper, matches, a working fire extinguisher, first aid supplies, propane, lanterns, etc. Any shortages or suggestions for new items should be directed to this person. However, any member who depletes a propane tank or finds an empty one on the grill should take it to town and have it refilled. Submit the invoice to the purchasing agent or the treasurer for reimbursement.

Registered Agent - Make sure we operate within the law to maintain our non-profit status. Provides permanent mailing address for contact by governmental agencies.

• Snipe Fleet Since the Snipe Fleet operates as autonomous entity within the club, it is required to abide by the same rules that apply to individual members: Its dues have to be paid by April 1 and member information has to be in the Club’s possession at that time; the Fleet may assign boat parking space only with the concurrence of the Club’s parking appointee; and the Fleet will assist in enforcing compliance with state and local laws and regulations as well as the Club’s.