Watch Hill Yacht Club

The information for Watch Hill Yacht Club is as of the organization's most recent filing in December '20. This organization is located in Westerly, RI. It has been in existence for 64 years, following its founding in 1956.

Organization Classification

The IRS classifies organizations according to the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) system. The NTEE system helps the IRS assign a 3-character code to each organization to describe the organization's activities.

The Watch Hill Yacht Club's NTEE code is N60. The "N" tells us that the organization is classified under Recreation & Sports. The "60" tells us that the organization is focused on Amateur Sports. The NTEE describes Amateur Sports organizations as those that provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn, become competitive in, and enjoy organized recreational activities, sports, or games of their choice. These programs may be offered by local clubs and provide coaching assistance, access to equipment and facilities, and may sponsor athletes to participate in amateur competitions. The Watch Hill Yacht Club is committed to promoting and supporting yacht racing and boating activities for all of its members and their families, while ensuring safety and camaraderie with the ability to further their passion for boating.

Program Areas

Program Area 1: The Junior Sailing Program offers sailing instruction and racing events for members and non-members between the ages of 8 and 18. This program is a part of the general fund and provides a valuable opportunity for young individuals to learn and engage in the sport of sailing.

Program Area 2: The organization's junior and senior entertainment program area focuses on organizing social events for all members.

Program Area 3: The regatta program area focuses on sailboat racing for both members and non-members of the organization.

Organization Staffing

Watch Hill Yacht Club has 42 employees, none of whom were paid more than $100k according to the organization's most recent 990 tax filing. The organization does not rely on volunteers for support.

Board Governance

The Watch Hill Yacht Club appears to be well-governed based on the information provided. The organization has 20 voting members, all of whom are independent, indicating a diverse and unbiased decision-making process. The absence of potential conflicts of interest further strengthens the integrity of the organization's governance. The fact that the board meetings and committee meetings are documented demonstrates a commitment to transparency and accountability. This ensures that decisions and discussions are properly recorded and can be reviewed if needed. Additionally, the organization has a conflict of interest policy in place, which requires the disclosure of any conflicts that may arise. This policy helps to prevent any potential conflicts from influencing decision-making. However, there are a few areas where the organization could improve its governance practices. The absence of a written whistleblower policy may hinder the reporting of any unethical or illegal activities within the organization. Similarly, the lack of a document retention policy raises concerns about the organization's ability to maintain important records and documents. Furthermore, the organization does not substantiate or review leadership or officer's salaries, which could potentially lead to excessive compensation or misuse of funds. Additionally, not providing copies of the 990 to the board prior to filing may limit the board's oversight and understanding of the organization's financial activities. Overall, while the Watch Hill Yacht Club demonstrates several positive governance practices, there are areas where improvements could be made to further enhance transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.

Organization Growth

The Watch Hill Yacht Club has experienced a decrease in program service revenue, investment income, total revenue, and total expenses from 2015 to 2020. However, there has been a slight increase in employee salaries during this time period. Additionally, the total number of employees has decreased by one. Overall, based on the given data, it can be concluded that the Watch Hill Yacht Club has not grown over the given time period.