The American Boat & Yacht Council, ABYC, was created in 1954 as a non-profit organization. The council was started to develop safety standards for the design, construction, equipage, repair and maintenance of boats.
The mission of ABYC is to improve boating safety and reduce the number of injuries and fatalities. Membership is recommended and rewarded.
Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA) is a non-profit organization that promotes local networking and leadership training. Programs include an executive leadership series, neighborhood leadership academy and the flagship series to build community knowledge. Application information is available on the website. The Greater Annapolis Chamber of Commerce joined the Anne Arundel Trade Council to form LAA in 1993. The office is located in Suite 200 of the Parole Station shopping center at the corner of West Street and Solomons Island Road/Route 2.
Founded in 1966, the Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre is a non-profit outdoor community theatre operated by volunteers. Each year between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the theatre features high-quality musicals and family-friendly shows at its unique historic outdoor setting in the heart of downtown Annapolis.
Tucked away at the end of 1st St. in Annapolis is the exclusive Severn Sailing Association. A private, members-only establishment, the Severn Sailing Association has been in Annapolis since 1960. Its bluish grey entry colors easily blend in with the other buildings on the street. With a dock to the Chesapeake Bay mere paces ahead, the view from the facility shows the simple, nautical beauty of Annapolis.
More than 25,000 real estate professionals belong to the Maryland Association of Realtors (MAR). The group offers support and advice regarding legal affairs, education and government affairs for both residential and commercial real estate. In addition to networking opportunities, MAR sponsors an annual tradeshow and conference (includes a golf tournament). It also has its own publication, Maryland Realtor; housing research department; and programs for Rookie Realtors. The MAR headquarters is located on Truman Parkway in a multi-story, red brick building with an adjacent garage near the intersection at Riva Road.
The Maryland Federation of Art (MFA) is different from other art galleries in the area because it is a non-profit membership organization made up of both artists and art enthusiasts. MFA's Circle Gallery features one show a month, which rotates between national juried exhibitions and member shows featuring local artists. The member shows are important because they give local artists in the community without gallery representation the opportunity to showcase their work. Established in 1963, The Maryland Federation of Art is the "oldest, continuously run" nonprofit art organization in the state.
Classical music lovers can rejoice: There is no need to go to Baltimore or Washington, DC. The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra has been bringing the finest in classical music to Annapolis since 1961.
Although the orchestra is located at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, it performs all over Annapolis, in venues such as its annual concert with the Naval Academy Orchestra. The orchestra is involved in many outreach programs and community education events. Its holiday pops concert is always a favorite.
