History of Charlotte Harbor Safe Boating Association (formerly known as Charlotte Harbor Flotilla, Inc.)   

 

Established:   May 18, 1967, ​to support the funding needs of Flotilla 98 not covered by member dues. 

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The US Coast Guard, as a governmental entity, is legislatively barred from soliciting funds from the public.  Even though the Coast Guard Auxiliary is an entirely unpaid, volunteer, non-profit organization, existing to supplement and support the administrative missions of the Coast Guard, a Flotilla is required, by law and regulation, to operate exclusively within the internal budget provided through collection of yearly membership dues.

 

These funds are insufficient to move projects forward.  It became necessary for Flotilla 98 to seek an alternative.  The Flotilla established an independent non-profit corporation so that it did not have to rely exclusively upon the contributions of Flotilla 98 members.  Bylaws were drafted for Charlotte Harbor Flotilla 98 Incorporated.  The By-laws were formalized and an IRS letter of exemption was given to Charlotte Harbor Flotilla 98, Inc. on July 15, 1987.

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Over the next decades, the corporation became necessary to raise funds to support Flotilla activities.  It has continued to support Flotilla activities to this day.  In 2003, the corporation underwrote the costs of the Harbor Orientation Tour (HOT) program.  

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The corporate fund was always open for donations.  In 2007, a 1997 Ambulance was donated to the Flotilla to support Public Affairs events and other Flotilla activities.  The Flotilla did not have the funds to maintain the vehicle, so the property was transferred into the possession of the corporation.  However, donations to the corporation fund did not keep pace with expenses.  After the economic downturn of 2008, the funds dwindled.

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In 2016, it came to the board’s attention that the former By-Laws were outdated and a renewed drive to build a solid financial base was required.  A new board was elected and took on the task of revitalizing the organization. As a result membership has been opened to the public.  New By-Laws, were approved in 2017, the Corporate License was renewed, with name change, and filed with the State of Florida.  The Flotilla 98 Inc. had become the Charlotte Harbor Safe Boating Association, Inc. (CHSBA).

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We are entering into a new era of forward motion fund development and expanded community activity with a commitment to our vision for a Safe Boating Future for the Charlotte Harbor community.