For those of you out there who enjoy pouring over financial statements (you know who you are), the P&L is usually a favorite. It gives you a quick snapshot or a financial scorecard for a short period of time. This is something the class leadership keeps a close eye on.

One of the key revenue drivers for the class is membership dues. We rely heavily on dues to keep the class going strong in several meaningful ways:

· Executive Secretary who is engaged with the Class

· A strong class office we have all come to rely on

· Advertising and promotion of the Class - have you seen our SOCIAL posts lately?!

· Regatta experiences at local, regional, national and international levels

· Professional fees, supplies and equipment

Make no mistake, the Lightning Class, through its incredibly generous membership and friends, is financially sound. Our balance sheet remains strong. In part to the inception of the ILCA Fund back in the early 1980's, Thank You George Fisher and friends! The various class specific Funds see wonderful donations annually, supporting so many meaningful projects and equipment upgrades driven by Class volunteers. And of course, the Fuel the Flash 2030 fundraising campaign is securing the class future for the next decades to come.

But the day-to-day “tacking and gybing” revenue we depend on to function is from membership dues. As the 2026 season begins, please make sure your membership is up to date, your crew is current as well as all your fellow fleet and district members. MEMBERSHIP MATTERS! A lot!

Membership is easy - Click Here!

Our Class Members give back so that the next generation can continue to do what we all love doing and that is sailing Lightnings. It starts with membership.

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