From the President

Dear LBC Members:

I knew it was going to be tough to fill the shoes of our out-going President, Doug Keeney, since he has done such a terrific job over the past two years but then I realized the task of writing the update from the President each month is now on me! It is not fun trying to follow up his informative, professionally written “Behind the Scenes” each month

Over the Holidays I read an interesting article on the need for society to re-find their “third place” after these last few years If you are unfamiliar with “third place” it is a term coined by a sociologist in the ‘80s that describes a place outside your home (1st place) or work (2nd place) where you can relax and hang out

According to the article, as our office has moved more to the home and our homes have become smarter: order food in, shop online, and watch Netflix; many people are missing the importance of the Third Place The author even goes so far as to say the next epidemic will be isolation and lack of relationships!

Important characteristics of a great Third Place: 1 "engaging conversation where humor and wit run free” 2. Good food and drink to accompany conversation 3. There are “regulars” 4 “You want to return to have fun ” As Members, I believe these are the underlying reasons we are all attracted to a place like the Louisville Boat Club It is not just a place to go eat or a place to exercise It should be a place where you relax, recharge, improve your skills and be with friends

Our recent LBC survey results certainly enforce the importance to you of these characteristics of a 3rd Place Your current Board of Directors and LBC Staff are laser-focused on following through on the wellthought-out suggestions from the survey and improving in any areas that did not meet acceptable standards

I encourage each of you to do something new for you at LBC this year Whether a new racket sport, more time on the river, a fitness class, or bocce…make your visit to the Club enjoyable

Talk to you next month, Tom

Campbell