A Century of Service
South Shore Yacht Club Auxiliary
Founded in 1915 to support acquisition of the fledgling club's first floating clubhouse, the SSYC Auxiliary has a long, proud tradition of service to the organization and to our broader community. Over time its members have attained full, equal partner status in advancing South Shore Yacht Club.
In the early days the focus was on raising money for capital improvements to the converted lumber schooner LILLY E. It didn't have a kitchen or dining room, so auxiliary members did all the cooking and baking for the club from their home kitchens. Today their role has expanded immensely to include extensive charity work, raising money for nonprofit groups including Bay View Community Center. The auxiliary also participates in the community’s holiday Giving Tree.
This active, highly visible group takes a special interest in beautification of the SSYC grounds. It also provides critical support for the SSYC Juniors Organization, with members serving as advisors and chaperones. Auxiliary annual donations support the juniors' Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas parties. These sold-out events are open to children and grandchildren of club members. Since 1983 the auxiliary has been assisting the Junior Advisory Committee in running the annual Kaszube Cup Regatta. During the three-day invitational youth-sailing event, auxiliary members staff the race committee, prepare meals and serve as cleanup committee for the regatta.
Auxiliary members will be there chipping in anytime there's a big bash. They'll be at the table in the lower lounge selling SSYC gear when 1,000-plus racers descend on the club every year for the Queen's Cup® Race.
Since 1989 the Auxilary has raised well in excess of $140,00 for SSYC improvements. The auxiliary led renovation of the lovely stone wall on the north and west sides of the clubhouse. Projects often center on the kitchen and dining room. Thanks to the auxiliary, new chairs are purchased and old ones re-upholstered. Auxiliary fund raising also supports acquisition of new technology such as an upgraded phone system and new office computers.
Gone are the days when women were second-class citizens at South Shore Yacht Club. Women could join SSYC starting back in 1988. In the modern era many auxiliary members also are full SSYC members. Membership remains open to members' spouses, with no requirement that they too join the club.
There's nothing excluding men from joining the auxiliary, although none have so far. It might be yet another thing that changes in the future.
2023 SSYC Auxiliary Officers
President - Sharon Scherr
Vice President - Cindy Zydzik
Recording Secretary - Mary Nold-Klett
Corresponding Secretary - Ann DeLano
Treasurer - Sandy Bednarek
Financial Secretary - Fran Aring
Auditor - Susan Peterson
Board of Directors
1st Year Board Kristin McCall
Kim Wall
2nd Year Board Christine Martin
Veronica Roberson
3rd Year Board Pat Rakowski
Jan-Marie Weiler
Committee Chairs
Parliamentarian - Karen Dickinson
Life Membership - Jan-Marie Weiler
General Membership - Cindy Zydzik
Ways & Means - Christine Martin
Entertainment - Veronica Roberson
Publications - Kay Putney
Historian - Christine Martin
Sunshine - Ginny Ishag
Hostess - Pat Rakowski
House Comm. Liaison - Cookie Mueller
SSYC - Sharon Scherr
Nominating - Fran Aring
Become a Member of the Auxiliary
Not an active member of SSYC yourself? Looking to participate in the fun and care of your family club? The South Shore Yacht Club Auxiliary welcomes new members!
Joining the SSYC Auxiliary is easy! Are you the spouse (male or female) of an Associate, Active or Life member of SSYC who is in good standing?
Then you can join us!. Follow any of the convenient ways to request and submit your application.
- Print and fill out an Auxiliary new member application
- OR contact the Club office for an application
- OR call or email Christine Martin, our Membership Chairperson who can also answer any further questions you may have, at 414-795-4171 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - THEN submit your application to the Club office or Christine
Dues are just $30.00 per year and the initial application fee is only $5. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month, except January and July and begin at 7:00pm unless otherwise stated. You can find our next meeting in the Events section on the bottom right, via the Auxiliary calendar link to the left, or on the SSYC overall online calendar.
We hope to make your acquaintance soon!