Participation Exemptions
This Participation Exemptions Manual provides additional information on existing exemptions as the committee evaluated various requests during this programs history. Additional exemptions may be added in this manual to address evolving circumstances. The Participation Committee is authorized by the Board to rule on requests made by or on behalf of Members through the Committee for exemption from the Participation Program. This Committee will do this in a fair, flexible, and transparent manner. The intention is to list all exemptions, including those from the Policy Manual and additional ones that are accepted by the Participation Committee or requested by the Board.
The Policy document structure is used to help find the relevant exemptions.
B:5 PARTICIPATION PROGRAM
B:5.0.1 In order to support the Clubs organization, maintenance, operations or other activities, members are expected to volunteer their time through the Participation Program.
B:5.1.0.5 New Members joining the Club will have their required hours of work prorated starting with the month following their admission to the Club. (In practice the committee is more flexible to give new members a grace period of the month they join plus two months while they integrate into the Club.)
B:5.3 EXEMPTIONS
B:5.3.0.1 The following Members are usually automatically exempt from the Participation Program (do not require an exemption request):
- Youth Members;
- Intermediate Members under twenty-five (25) years of age;
- every Commodore and their spouse for a period of five (5) years from the time they leave that office. (i.e. four (4) years from leaving as Immediate Past Commodore);
- Directors
- all members of the LTPC;
- all members of the RAC;
- Chairs of Committees
- Members of specified Committees
- Appointees
- Other infirm or absent members (an exemption request is required)
- all Members eighty (80) years of age or older, and
- all Members seventy-five (75) years of age who have been Members of the Club for the previous 10
B:5.3.0.2 The Participation Committee is authorized by the Board to rule on requests made by or on behalf of Members through the Committee for exemption from the Participation Program. Members may be exempted on account of:
- family responsibilities (i.e. single or working parents raising young children);
- medical infirmity which would create undue hardship if the Member was required to perform the requisite hours; or
- other criteria as proposed by the Committee.
B:5.3.0.3 Travel distance is not an exemption criterium.
B:5.3.0.4 Appeals by Members will be forwarded to the Board.
Additional Exemptions
- Members of MBYC who donate materials, or services at a discounted rate to the Club, may be considered for an exemption during the current participation year. The Participation Committee will confirm the value with the appropriate committee Chair. The value should be equal to or exceed the value of the annual Participation hours that are set by the Board, to approve a single member exemption. If the value is equal to or exceeds twice the value of the annual Participation hours, a couple membership exemption may be approved. For 2025/26, these values are $360 and $720 respectively. Some examples of donated materials are gravel, bark mulch, and lumber. Some examples of discounted services are electrical, carpentry, and plumbing, for which the Club would normally pay current market rates.
- Members of MBYC who are Advertisers or Sponsors will be considered for single member or couple membership exemption for the current Participation year if they meet or exceed the values mentioned in section 1 above.
- Upon request, Members away from the club on continuous extended cruising for nine months or more may be exempt from the Participation program requirements during their absence.
Requesting An Exemption
To request an exemption, please send a brief email with the reason and/or circumstances to the committee at participation@mbyc.bc.ca
Last updated 12:00pm on 20 January 2026