Information
Information
May/June 2004
Included in this issue:
- Another Year Older
- 2004 Annual Dues
- Membership: We Need You
- Clean-Up and Helping Hands
- Home of the Seahawks—Division Champions
- Safety First
- Forest Knolls Pool Board
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Another Year Older
Forest Knolls Pool is entering its 41st season in 2004! Opening Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 29 during Memorial Day Weekend. As part of the expanded North Four Corners, Northwood Village and Sligo Woods communities, Forest Knolls Pool is in the heart of your neighborhood. As always, new members are welcome to join in the summer fun and enjoy the peaceful, picturesque atmosphere at Forest Knolls. Last year we welcomed 30 new members to our roster and in 2004 we want to add even more!
Since the end of the 2003 season, the Board has been working on many initiatives—including finding a way to get a new roof on the bathhouse. A special assessment of $40 per membership was approved to defray the cost of this project. Any money remaining after completion of this project will be used to fund other capital improvements necessary to maintain the pool, buildings or grounds. This is a benefit to the entire membership and we appreciate your support and understanding.
2004 Annual Dues
Rising costs are everywhere, and the Forest Knolls Pool Board is sensitive to minimizing costs because we realize we can not afford to make it "unaffordable" for people to join or maintain their membership. However, the cost of operating the pool and also providing resources to make needed improvements or repairs has once again created the need to increase the annual dues. Please note this increase is less than 10% and the funds generated will be used to keep Forest Knolls a going concern with improved facilities and professional staff.
Membership: We Need You
Forest Knolls Pool needs more members! Non-profit organizations depend on increasing membership levels to ensure continued success. Forest Knolls is at a critical point and we need to generate increased membership levels to survive. In 2002, we established a membership goal of 150 total memberships. To date, we have 143 memberships, including approximately 10 in-active members. At the time this newsletter went to print the numbers were not exact since not all the membership renewal information had been received. Although we have shown improvement in the last two years, WE HAVE TO DO MORE!!!
In 2004 we need to maintain our current active membership levels and encourage more people to join. Singles, couples, and families alike. Every membership category counts! With the booming real estate market in our area, we have lots of new neighbors, and many of them are unaware of Forest Knolls Pool. If you have a new neighbor, share the secret and let them know that Forest Knolls is in the heart of their neighborhood! Spread the word today!
As added incentive, the Board has approved a special offer for current members to earn a rebate of $75 for every new member they refer that joins by July 1st 2004. The offer is unlimited, so the more referrals, the bigger the rebate—you might even be able to earn back your own membership dues for the summer.
Another way to help the pool is to get involved. As a small, non-profit organization, Forest Knolls Pool depends on its membership to ensure we survive. Volunteering counts toward community service credit for high school students too! Lend a hand or make a suggestion on how to support your pool. All ideas are welcome!
Clean-Up and Helping Hands
Just like a house needs a little cleaning every spring and fall—Forest Knolls Pool needs sprucing up before opening day. As always, every weekend in May is devoted to preparing the pool for the season. This year we started early and have accomplished a great deal in a short time. The pool has been painted and we will begin filling it soon. But there are many other things that need attending to besides the pool. For example, stocking the office, cleaning the bathhouse, trimming and maintaining the lawn and flowerbeds, and organizing the deck. There are still a few weekends in May that you can come down and lend a hand for a fe hours. Bet yet, make it a family affair—we have jobs for EVERY AGE GROUP!
Volunteers can also support the renewed Membership Drive, organize social events during the summer and keep the SNACK BAR fully stocked. If you are interested in volunteering for ANYTHING, please contact a member of the pool's Board of Directors and we will find a way to use your skills and make it fun too!
EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS! We also need donations, so if you have something you think the pool might be able to use, please let us know.
Please don't shy away if you only have a little time to commit or something small to donate. We need everyone and everything to make Forest Knolls Pool a place to remember and a place to come back to year after year!
Home of the Seahawks—Division Champions
New Season! New Coaches! New Swim Store!
Come and meet the Coaches on Saturday, May 22, from
Drop in and introduce yourself to Kevin Falkenstein, our new Head Coach, and say hi to Kendra Williams, our new Assistant Head Coach. You can register for Swim Team, and buy a new team swimsuit if yours is too small or worn out from last year. We'll have team T-shirts and team swim caps available that day, as well as visors, and a few team duffle bags. Before you buy new goggles, check out the assortment we'll have on hand at the new Seahawks Swim Store . We'll also have other swim essentials such as shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, and goggles de-fogger.
Parent Volunteers Needed
Forest Knolls Swim Team Parents have always been there to help make the Seahawks a success, and we're counting on you this year.
If you'd like to become a Certified Official, or just learn about what is a legal swim stroke (the details are pretty interesting), please take time to go to one of the following Certification Clinics:
- Sunday, June 6th or 13th, 8:00am at the Olney Indoor Swim Center.
- Wednesday, June 16th, 6:30pm at Kenmont Pool by Wheaton Plaza.
- Tuesday, June 22nd, 6:30pm at Potomac Woods Pool—Stroke and Turn Only (Rain date for this clinic is June 24th)
For details about officiating call Paul Kiehl at
New Program: Coaches-in-Training
Starting this year, there will be a new program called "Coaches-in-Training" designed for team members who would like to make a commitment and work with the Coaches to teach the younger swimmers the strokes. You can earn Community Service Hours and make a big difference for the team. Stay tuned for details.
Can't wait to get more information about the Seahawks Swim Team? There are "two" Team Reps—all you gotta do is call!Safety First
SAFETY is a PRIORITY at Forest Knolls Pool. We have made several improvements with a focus on safety including the addition of a second drain in the baby pool, a new lifeguard chair and a backboard with stabilized head support for emergency use.
Also, please remember to use rubber protective pants over diapers for youngsters using the baby pool. Supplies are available at the snack bar for a nominal fee. All LifeGuards are well trained in water safety and emergency procedures to ensure everyone has a safe and fun time at the pool.
PLEASE REMEMBER:
- Know and OBEY the posted Pool Safety Rules
- Review the Discipline Policy with your children and sign and return the Consent Form.
- Remember the Guards are not responsible for making your child stay on pool property AND Forest Knolls Pool is not responsible when your child leave the pool property.
- Ensure a responsible person is with any child under the age of eight (8) years old.
- Help keep the pool area free of trash by using the receptacles provided as appropriate.
Forest Knolls Pool Board
The Forest Knolls Board of Directors extends a warm welcome to all our returning members and we hope the 2004 season brings new faces and friendships to the pool. We will do our best to provide quality service to the organization and welcome any comments or suggestions to make activities at the pool more enjoyable for everyone.
Please feel free to contact any of the Board Members if you have a concern or require additional information. Please see the membership section for more information and a Membership Application.
Again, we need your help and support to make Forest Knolls Pool a place to ENJOY today and a place to come for summer fun year after year!