Ann Arbor Rowing Club is a member‑owned, nonprofit organization. The club is financially managed and operated through an elected Board of Directors. The program fees directly fund the club’s operations, including:

• Coach salaries

• Day‑to‑day operating expenses

• Insurance

• Equipment purchases and maintenance

All board members—including high‑responsibility roles such as president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary–serve entirely as volunteers. Their donated time helps keep membership and program costs manageable.  AARC also relies on volunteer committees whose members contribute their time and skills in areas such as:

• Website and communications

• Newsletter production

• Boathouse structure and dock maintenance

• Fundraising and marketing

• Regatta planning and operations

• Rowing clothing and merchandise

• General club logistics

 

Every AARC member plays a role in keeping our club functioning well. When first joining the club, and upon rejoining every year, all members sign an agreement affirming that they will:

• Attend at least two of the three annual workdays, and

• Participate in routine boathouse tasks such as sweeping the boathouse, towel washing, dock cleaning, and coxing sweep boats (or driving a safety launch for practices).

This shared stewardship not only fosters ownership and helps spread the workload among the membership, but keeps the club safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone.

The mission of the Ann Arbor Rowing Club is to provide and promote a safe, affordable, and educationally rewarding rowing experience for residents of Ann Arbor and the surrounding area. To accomplish this, a portion of member fees is set aside each year to provide financial assistance for those who need help covering program costs. Because this fund is finite and variable, the Scholarship Committee will be using additional criteria to determine how limited funds are allocated as demand increases. These criteria will include the rower’s involvement in community and club activities (listed below).  The stewardship tasks that are the responsibility of all members do not specifically contribute to the determination criteria.

FYI-- In 2026, AARC secured two opportunities that generate direct funds for the club based on volunteer hours contributed. 

• May 30-31 – Dexter/Ann Arbor Run; $100.00 per shift

• July 10-20 – Rowfest (Ypsilanti) - club reimbursed $10/hour

    Areas that need volunteer help 

·        ·Spring Adopt a Highway

·         NLTRD

·         Boathouse committee—occasional projects

·         Dex/Ann Arbor Race Volunteer

·         Weed cutting

·         Adaptive rowing practice

·         Rowfest volunteer

·         Summer Adopt a Highway

·         MCI river course preparation

·         MCI race day

·         Fall Adopt a Highway

          Website development

          Committee chairperson

          Boat Cleaning and polishing

 Spring/Summer/Fall workday attendance fall into the expected club stewardship responsibilities of all members. 

Financial assistance can cover a portion of class fees and/or monthly program fees but cannot be applied to any other fees associated with participating with AARC, such as boat rack rental fees, regatta fees, social events fees or purchase of club apparel and gear.  Applicants should be familiar with the current policy and understand all expectations.