GOLDEN CORNER LAKES SAIL and POWER SQUADRON. A unit of United States Power Squadrons. Member s Handbook

Transcription

1 GOLDEN CORNER LAKES SAIL and POWER SQUADRON A unit of United States Power Squadrons Member s Handbook 2014/2015

2 2014/2015 Bridge Commander Ed Lashley Executive Officer Ron Osburn Administrative Officer Brian Hackley Educational Officer Marlyn Stroven Secretary Bob Gulbrandsen Treasurer Ron Rapp Asst. SEO (Electives) Gene Kunkel Asst. SEO (Grade) Dan Eskew Asst. Secretary Jeanne Weiland Asst. Treasurer Ron Lang Members-at-large Temple Meek Ellen Clark Betty Snowden

3 WELCOME TO OUR SQUADRON Golden Corner Lakes Sail and Power Squadron is a hardworking, award-winning, and fun-loving unit of the United States Power Squadrons, a non-governmental, private organization. As our name implies, our boating activities are mostly on the lakes in the Golden Corner of South Carolina; that is, Hartwell Lake, Lake Keowee, and Lake Jocassee. Our operations encompass a broad range of activities, so you should be able to find a satisfying as well as useful niche in the boating community with your membership. On Lake Hartwell, our squadron works with the US Army Corps of Engineers to ensure the proper placement and maintenance of the aids to navigation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has assigned the Ashley River portion of Charleston Harbor to our squadron for the purpose of inspection of navigation aids and upgrading of chart information. We provide safety craft for sailing regattas at the Western Carolina Sailing Club, Lake Keowee Sailing Club, and other organizations. We are honored to assist the United States Coast Guard and the boating public by conducting voluntary Vessel Safety Checks on all the waterways. Off the water, we have equally exciting and useful activities in which you may participate. Inland squadrons of the USPS locate and report the condition of the thousands of Geodetic Survey markers scattered throughout the country to the National Geodetic Survey (NGS). It has all the entertainment of a scavenger hunt as we try to locate a small bronze disk that perhaps has not been recovered since the early 1900 s. By far the most important on-shore component is our education department. The squadron has an active program of public boating education courses and members only advanced courses. Public courses are geared mostly toward safe boating

4 practices and enhancing the public s awareness of the laws and regulations governing boating. Member courses are designed to make you a better, safer, and more adept boater. In addition to courses in seamanship, piloting, and navigation, the squadron education department offers courses in weather forecasting, engine maintenance, teaching methods, and conducting vessel safety examinations. The many squadron members who prepare and present these programs find it extremely satisfying. Socially, your squadron doesn t ride in anyone s wake. From the formality of the Change of Watch ceremony to a casual covered dish at a water-side state park, the squadron calendar is filled year-round with social events and entertainment for members and guests to enjoy. On the-water activities range from casual raft-ups on local lakes to cruises on other lake/river systems or the Intracoastal Waterway. We never lose sight of the fact that we got into boating in the first place in order to have fun. The next several pages of this manual expand on the organization and the operation of a squadron. Please read them carefully with an eye toward where you wish to fit in. Any or all of these activities are available for you. More importantly, the squadron, and the boating community all need YOU to become involved in these activities. Our success depends on the participation of all of its members, new and old, in the many missions that we undertake every year. Don t feel that you shouldn t step up because you are new, or because you lack experience in the organization. We are all new at something. The squadron welcomes you because the squadron needs you. It needs your help to keep charts updated, your help to find geodetic markers, your help to teach safe boating to the public, and your help to conduct vessel safety checks. If

5 your goal is to be a better boater, then participation in our member training programs and in our cruises can help you in meeting that goal. If the company of a pretty great bunch of folks with a similar interest in good boating is your objective, then be sure to set aside time to join in our social activities. Whatever, your motivation, Golden Corner Lakes Sail and Power Squadron welcomes you as a new member. We encourage you to keep up with the squadron s activities by reading our excellent monthly newsletter and to volunteer for as many of those activities as you can. Log on to our website at and see more of our activities. Ours is a young, but very successful, squadron and that success is due to the willingness of our membership to become involved in the many programs that we undertake. We look forward to having you sailing alongside. Welcome aboard!

6 USPS ORGANIZATION & HISTORY The United States Power Squadron is the world s largest private boating organization with over 54,000 members organized into local squadrons located in the continental U.S., Hawaii, and the Caribbean. There is also a squadron in Tokyo, Japan. Those squadrons, in turn, are grouped geographically into 33 districts. These districts themselves are under the umbrella of the national organization with headquarters located in Raleigh, North Carolina. As the number of power boats affiliated with yacht clubs began to grow in the early part of the last century, yachtsmen indulging in this new propulsion method had different concerns and requirements compared to their wind-driven colleagues. The first result of this disparity was the formation of power divisions, or squadrons at various yacht clubs in the northeastern United States. Representatives of these local power squadrons eventually met and formally organized the USPS in USPS SYMBOLS MEMBERSHIP ACTIVE - Membership is available for individuals or family units. All members are Active members with the following privileges: eligibility for elective office and voting at general meetings (members over 18), taking educational courses, earning merit

7 marks, subscriptions to squadron, district, and national publications, flying the USPS ensign and the squadron burgee on your boat, and the right to wear the USPS uniform or blazer. Privileges for all members in a family unit are the same with the exception that only one copy of any given publication is sent to the home. APPRENTICE / SEA SCOUT The apprentice program is designed for interested persons between the ages of 12 and 23 (USPS bylaw 3.8) who are not part of a family unit. Members in this category may not vote or hold office, but have all the other rights of membership. SQUADRON, DISTRICT, & NATIONAL DUES Dues are for a twelve-month period and bills are mailed annually from USPS headquarters prior to the anniversary date of joining to each member or household. The amount of dues is subject to change by vote of the governing board at the various levels. Dues are comprised of National, District, and Squadron portions. The squadron membership chairman can provide you with information on dues for an individual, family unit or apprentice. PUBLICATIONS & WEBSITES The Golden Corner Lakes Power Squadron Directory is updated and published as needed throughout the year. It is distributed by to the membership. Members without may request a printed copy through conventional mail. The directory contains the name, address, spouse s name, phone number, cell phone number, and address for each member. In addition, at least once a year we publish a Member Photo Directory with photos of all the members. This directory contains some additional information, such as the member s rank in the Squadron. These directories are for squadron use only; please use them as intended.

8 Communication with members is accomplished through our monthly squadron newsletter, the Golden Anchor, and our website at They contain information on upcoming social events, membership meetings, an educational course schedule, and other articles of general interest. You are encouraged to submit articles for publication. The Golden Anchor is distributed to the membership by . Members without access may request a printed copy and the current issue is available on our website. The website also has links to our district, national, and to other boating related organizations. You will receive the District 26 newsletter, 026 True. This newsletter is published in print twice a year and electronically twice a year and contains articles of interest related to the district. It lists all district functions, times, dates, and locations. The District also maintains a website, with information on all District activities and other useful information including links to the web version of the 026 True. The USPS website, gives you access to a wealth of information about the national organization. In addition, each household will receive the national USPS magazine, THE ENSIGN, which is published four times a year. A new benefit of membership is the unique community of boaters that you can access by registering at SailAngle is a website that has been set up by boaters for the benefit of boaters giving them information ranging from help with trip planning, to recipes, to technical expertise. Access to SailAngle as a USPS member provides an easy and secure way for you to communicate with members of your squadron, your district, USPS and with specialized interest groups. There are many great features that you can take advantage of as a member such as photo sharing and group messaging. The Squadron s File Cabinet in SailAngle contains minutes from both our Executive Committee and our general membership meetings as

9 well as other documents of interest to the membership. It s a site that you ll have to explore to discover all the benefits offered. If you need assistance with SailAngle or have any questions, please contact our Commander. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Golden Corner Lakes Power Squadron is managed by a bridge of officers elected by, and responsible to, the membership. The bridge consists of the following officers: Commander, Executive Officer, Educational Officer, Administrative Officer, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers are elected for a term of one year at the annual meeting. The bridge officers, their elected assistants (Education, Secretary, Treasurer), the elected members-at-large, and immediate Past Commander comprise the Executive Committee. This committee, generally referred to as the ExCom, meets monthly to take care of the squadron operations. Various committees assist the Executive Committee. SQUADRON MEETINGS There are two types of squadron meetings, executive committee meetings and general membership meetings. Both are open to all members. The Executive Committee meets the first Thursday of each month at a selected location, which is published in the Golden Anchor. General membership meetings are held six times a year, and are generally followed by a social event. They are held at various locations in the surrounding community. Date, time, and place will be published in the Golden Anchor. SOCIAL EVENTS AND BOATING ACTIVITIES This squadron is renowned for its social events both on water and on land. A schedule is published in the Golden Anchor to assist members in planning their own schedules. Generally there

10 is at least one social or boating event per month. In addition to the monthly events, the Squadron organizes cruises on other lake/river systems or the Intracoastal Waterway, at least twice a year. The Change of Watch, held in late fall, installs the new bridge and honors the outgoing bridge. A representative from the District Bridge will install the new squadron bridge. It is the major social event of the year. UNIFORMS AND RANKS Members are not required to own or to wear uniforms, however, uniforms are available and do add dignity to more formal and official occasions. Insignia on the uniform reflect the member s rank, educational achievement, and the number of merit marks awarded. Members may wear a blue blazer with the USPS ship s wheel emblem. This insignia may be purchased from the squadron supply officer, the Ship s Store, or directly from a USPS supplier. There are advertisements in The Ensign for approved suppliers. For USPS functions, the commander has the prerogative to specify the dress code. Examples of dress codes are listed below. Others may be found on the USPS website in the Operations Manual. Dress Code A: Regulation black coat and trousers without cuffs, white shirt, black four-in-hand tie (or black bow tie if so specified), black belt, black socks, black shoes, uniform cap. Dress Code F: Regulation long-sleeve white shirt with black fourin-hand tie; regulation black uniform trousers; black belt; black socks; black shoes; cap.

11 Women may wear the appropriate color slacks or skirt with each uniform. Optional: Dark blue blazer with shirt and tie, or casual as defined in the meeting announcement. Note: The blazer is not considered a uniform. THE USPS ENSIGN AND THE SQUADRON BURGEE The USPS ensign was designed by one of the founders of USPS. All active members may fly it in place of the United States ensign (flag) on the stern staff. If the United States ensign is flown in its proper location, the USPS ensign may be flown at the starboard spreader of the foremost mast. Each squadron has its own unique burgee. The burgee may be flown from the bow staff of a power boat or at the masthead of the foremost mast of a sailing vessel. The history of the Golden Corner Lakes burgee: The yellow wedge represents the golden corner of the upstate; the six blue stripes represent the six members who founded this squadron; and the red, white, and blue represent the colors in the USPS Ensign. The six members who paved the way for this squadron are: Morgan Barnhill, Horst Boettge, Dennis McCanna, Barry Orem, Ronald Osburn, and Don Redford, with advice from Frank Clayton. The ensign and the burgee may be purchased from the squadron supply officer. He will assist you selecting the proper size for your boat. Generally, the ensign size is 1 inch fly per 1 foot of boat length and the burgee size is ½ inch fly per 1 foot of boat length.

12 SQUADRON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM The squadron education program is designed to enhance your boating knowledge and abilities. Enrollment is restricted to USPS members only. Dates, time, and location for each course will be published in the Golden Anchor. There is a fee for course materials and the exam. Members advance in grade as they successfully complete the specified coursework. Grades are sequential in the following order: Course Name Grade Insignia Seamanship S Piloting P Advanced Piloting AP Junior Navigation JN Navigation N Elective courses are usually offered during the year and may be taken in any order. Marine Engine Maintenance (EM) Cruise Planning (CP) Marine Electronics (ME) Weather (WE) Sailing (SA) 101, 102 Three other important courses offered are Operations Training (OT), Leadership Development (LD), and Instructor Development (ID). These are available to all members and are particularly appropriate for new members. After passing AP, JN, or N, and any three of the elective courses, a member receives the EDUCATIONAL PROFICIENCY AWARD. USPS issues a certificate to the member, who is then entitled to wear the appropriate insignia,,underlined with a golden stripe.

13 After a member completes all courses (all advanced grades and all electives), a CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT, also known as a FULL CERTIFICATE is awarded. This is the highest educational award and entitles the member to wear a special grade insignia in a golden box,. The member s grade is also elevated to SN (Senior Navigator). ADDITIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS Additional programs are available to extend members knowledge in fields related to boating. USPS Seminars are formal short courses targeted to specific topics and needs with a one day or less class format and valuable takeaway guides. They are held when sufficient students have been identified who are interested in one of the listed topics. Each seminar provides credits toward the Boat Operator Certification program. Currently available seminar topics are: Advanced Powerboat Onboard Weather Handling Forecasting Anchoring Paddle Smart Basic Coastal Navigation Partner In Command Boat Handling Under Sail Trim and Rig Tuning Power Trailering your Boat Heavy Weather Sailing Using Digital Charts How to Use a Chart Using GPS Hurricanes and Boats Using VHF & VHF/DSC Knots, Bends, and Marine Radio Hitches Marine RADAR Mariner s Compass Mastering the Rules of the Road Onboard Emergencies

14 There are a number of supplemental courses that you may take on your own. Course materials for these courses may be purchased from the Squadron Educational Officer (SEO) or directly from USPS Headquarters. Current topics available are: Boat Insurance Compass Adjusting Global Positioning System GMDSS and Marine Radio Knots, Bends, & Hitches for Mariners Knot Tying: The Basic Knots (CD) Marine Amateur Radio Navigational Astronomy Plotting and Labeling Standards Predicted Log Guide Sailing, Introduction to Sight Reduction Methods USPS Nautical Glossary Water Sports MERIT MARKS USPS offers the opportunity to take an active role in your squadron and in the boating community. For appreciation and recognition, any member who performs substantial effort in furthering the interests, programs, and objectives of USPS, its districts, and squadrons may be awarded a merit mark by the USPS Chief Commander. Only one merit mark can be awarded to an active member in a given year. A member who has accumulated 5 merit marks is designated as a Senior Member. A member with 25 merit marks is awarded Life Membership. If a member earns 50 merit marks, he or she is honored as a USPS Governing Board Member Emeritus.

15 With each of these awards comes special status, a new insignia to wear on the uniform, exemption from all dues for life members, and a special award from the Chief Commander for the fiftieth merit mark. CIVIC SERVICE BY USPS MEMBERS Cooperative Charting One of the major civic services of USPS members is cooperative charting. This is the contribution of correction data for nautical and aeronautical charts, reports on marine facilities and aids to navigation to the National Oceanic Service (NOS). USPS contributes the largest number of chart corrections to NOS. Reports on the condition and status of geodetic survey marks are reported to the National Geodetic Survey (NGS). Our squadron has an active co-op charting committee and conducts surveys on a regular basis. National Safe Boating Week - This event is usually held in May. Squadron members are often called upon to make media presentations in support of safe boating. America s Boating Course - This course is offered several times per year at convenient locations. It is free to the public although there is a nominal charge for course materials. The course is taught by members of Golden Corner Lakes Sail & Power Squadron as a public service. A certificate is given to everyone passing the final examination. Persons interested in becoming members of squadrons must successfully complete this course, or other approved boating courses, prior to applying for membership. Vessel Safety Check (VSC) - The USPS has joined forces with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary to perform vessel safety checks. Vessels passing this voluntary examination are awarded a VSC decal. After training and an examination, Our members become certified to examine boats for equipment and conditions required by federal and state laws. Our Vessel Safety Examiners must complete five checks a year to retain certification.

16 MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT Golden Corner Lakes Squadron works on the committee system. Each bridge officer is responsible for certain committees and committee chairpersons, under his or her leadership, to accomplish certain goals. All committee chairs and members are volunteers contributing their time, energy, talents, and expertise to achieve these goals. Each of us has areas of interest or capabilities that can serve the squadron in some way. It takes the contribution of every member to have the best squadron in District 26 and in USPS. Your squadron involvement helps you to earn merit marks. Members are urged to call the squadron commander or a committee chair and volunteer their talents. INSURANCE PROGRAM One of the benefits of membership in USPS is access to the USPS boat insurance program. We are called preferred risk boaters. This program offers a broad coverage at very competitive rates. It is open to all types, sizes, construction, and age of boats. Premiums take into account your educational achievements. Additional discounts may be given as you successfully complete advanced grades and elective courses. Check for other companies that may offer a discount for USPS members. BoatU.S. AFFILIATION USPS members, who are also members of BoatU.S., are granted a substantial dues discount to BoatU.S. because of an agreement between the two organizations. Just follow the instructions on the BoatU.S. membership application.

17 USPS A TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION USPS, its districts, and its squadrons have been granted taxexempt status under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. This status is very important, and the preservation of this exemption is the responsibility of all its members. Members, who participate in functions of the USPS in an official capacity, may deduct certain expenses as charitable contributions on their tax return. These expenses include transportation, parking fees, tolls, reasonable expenses, postage, telephone bills, supplies, dues, and other miscellaneous cash expenditures. See your tax advisor for details.

18 LIST OF COMMON ABBREVIATIONS AO Administrative Officer AP Advanced Pilot /C Commander C/C Chief Commander Cdr Commander CCh Cooperative Charting Com Committee D District D/C District Commander DEO District Education Officer ExCom Executive Committee HQ National Headquarters 1 st /Lt First Lieutenant JN Junior Navigator Lt/ Lieutenant (as in Lt/C) MM Merit Marks N Navigator NEO National Education Officer OM Operations Manual P Pilot P/ Past (as in P/C) S Seaman SN Senior Navigator Sec or Secty Secretary SEO Squadron Education Officer Sqdn Squadron Treas Treasurer V/ Vice (as in V/C) VSC Vessel Safety Check XO Executive Officer

19 Past Squadron Commanders Horst Boettge, SN 2002 Ronald Osburn, SN 2003 Don Redford, AP 2004 Steve Pietrowicz, SN 2005 Lee Carroll, AP 2006 Jurgen Kleinau, SN 2007 A. G. Caldwell, P 2008 Kathy Redford, AP 2009 Ben Bee, AP 2010 John Ozols, AP 2011 Harvey Welch, AP 2012 Jim Snowden, SN 2013 Jim Hublou, AP 2014

20 Information for this booklet was assembled from the Lake Hartwell Sail and Power Squadron Handbook. It was modified by Lois Barnhill, and updated for Golden Corner Lakes Sail & Power Squadron by Kathy Redford, Barb & Ron Osburn, Ed Lashley, Horst Boettge and Teri Zahn. Revised 20 November 2014 GCLS&P9 ZAHN/ GCL Mbr Hndbk.doc