United States Power Squadrons TRUE READINGS August 2017 P a t u x e n t R i v e r S a i l a n d P o w e r S q u a d r o n A U n i t o f D i s t r i c t 5 Squadron Officers 2016-2017 Commander (410) 394-0245 killiusrj@comcast.net Executive Officer Educational Officer Lt/C Hal Willard, SN hwillard@md.metrocast.net Administrative Officer (Could be You!) Secretary Lt/C Wes Gleason, SN wesgleason@md.metrocast. net Treasurer Lt/C June Shewbridge, P oyster1@comcast.net Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron Phone (301) 475-3883 M o n t h l y M e e t i n g : 1 0 A u g u s t 1730 S t o n e y s C l a r k s L a n d i n g Boating While Busy! Hello Squadron Mates, It s become a busy summer for me and I m sure it is keeping many of you on your toes as well. But with all that s going on I hope you are getting plenty of opportunities to get in, on and around the water. I am sad to have to pass along the word that we have lost one of our longest serving members. Bob Connelly, SN, passed away this month after 55 years of membership. A Past Commander of the Potomac River Squadron, Bob earned 36 Merit Marks and served as our Chaplain for many years, a job for which he was eminently qualified. His wisdom, generosity of spirit and constant smile will be greatly missed by any and all who met him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Jane and his entire family. I hope you had an opportunity to join some of the many great boating and training opportunities taking place in the squadron this summer. Inside this issue: And don t forget to register for the Executive Officer 2 National Governing Board in September. And put the marker on your calendar for the Fall Conference in Val- Administrative Notes 3 Educational Officer ley Forge, PA. What a beautiful place. 4 See you there! Event Photos 4-5 National Activities 2017 GOVERNING BOARD 10 Sep 17 Sep 2017 Dallas TX Cruise Calendar 6 Squadron Calendar 7 News from National 8
United States Power Squadrons Executive Officer Boat Dock We ve had some great cruise opportunities and there are more to come. Be sure to check the cruise calendar and join the fun! Your squadron has also been busy serving the It s never too late for Safety! Call to schedule your Vessel Safety Checks now and your boats can be sporting this badge of honor: community by conducting dozens of Vessel Safety Checks and providing hands-on training using flares, fire extinguishers and other safety gear. It has been great fun meeting new people and if you haven t had a chance to come out to an event and help teach our fellow boaters you will get more opportunities in the near future. Our weather has not always cooperated with our best laid plans for boating as a community; unfortunately, our cruise captains had to make the tough (but correct) call to err on the side of prudence and safety and cancel the late July cruise to Slaughter Creek. But hang in there we will go back before long! Join us won t you? www.usps.org TRUE READINGS The monthly newsletter of the Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron, a unit of District 5 of the United States Power Squadrons Editorial Staff, Editor Debra Hughes, AP, Editorial Support Peter Hughes, JN, Editorial Support D/Lt Mary Jane Perigo, S, Circulation Manager PO Box 173, Lexington Park, MD 20653 Copy deadline is the 25th of the month preceding the issue date. Send all articles, ideas and comments to: killiusrj@comcast.net. Copyright 2017 Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron P a g e 2
Patuxent River Sail & Power Squadron Administrative Officer s Pier What does the job involve? Our Squadron has a mismatch. We have some very important jobs to fill, great opportunities to learn, serve, and grow in knowledge and involvement. We also have a variety of talented, smart and fun-loving members who aren t currently part of our Bridge or committees. Part of the problem is that members may not know what the jobs involve. Today we look at the role of Administrative Officer. The Admin or AO holds the rank of Lt/C, serves as a member of the Executive Committee and guides the Department through the squadron year. This Administrative Department deals with the internal aspect of the Squadron s purpose: the Fellowship part of the USPS Triangle. You would be the Cheerleader of our Squadron. The main responsibility is to encourage participation. Imagine; your job is Chairman of Fun! Boating Activities, Meetings and Housing, Operations Training, and Membership Involvement. Getting members involved in joining in fun is one of the most important aspects of the job. Asking someone to be responsible for 12 monthly meeting programs can be daunting, but asking someone what program or informative lecture would interest them may be enough to have them help line up that one program, and we are on the way. We don t need 12 programs: Change of Watch takes care of March, Founder s Day, our Christmas or Holiday Party and our Annual Picnic all lessen the burden for finding speakers. Boating Activities: we have a long history of outstanding chairmen of that committee, and it s the perfect representation of what the other committees should be. Many members help out by taking responsibility for cruises, raft-ups and other on the water functions. All it takes is a little coordination. Operations training involves working with the Chair to schedule an event and twist their arm to write articles from time to time. In addition to attending squadron and Executive Committee meetings you would be encouraged to attend District 5 events. You also assist the Commander, with the hope that you would be willing to move up to Executive Officer. Most of our long time members have enjoyed serving as Admin; Team Pax has lots of hands willing to help with parties, boating and more. So, if you think you would like more information please contact our Commander, Bob Killius or any member of the Executive Committee. It s almost as much fun as boating! www.usps.org/localusps/patuxent P a g e 3
United States Power Squadrons Educational Officer s Report Lt/C Hal Willard, SN Boating season is underway, and we continue to get requests for boating education! As a main pillar of the mission of the United States Power Squadrons, we want to meet this demand for both our membership and the boating public. We can use additional instructors to meet the demand for additional course offerings, and would love to work to get you certified to teach the MD boating course. We have interest in teaching Seamanship and are working with Jim Dawson, SN, and our members to coordinate a time and place for the next session. The next MD Boating course will be held in Solomons hosted by the Southern Maryland Sailing Association. The course will be taught on Monday, August 14, and Tuesday, August 15, and conclude on the 22nd. This session is open to members of SMSA and the general public. As always, I am looking for your requests for the advanced courses, elective courses and seminars that you want us to offer this year. Drop me an email or touch base with me at the monthly dinner meeting and we will work on cueing up the educational opportunities that you need. Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron cruisers enjoy a delicious dinner and wonderful camaraderie during the Oxford, Maryland cruise www.usps.org P a g e 4
Patuxent River Sail & Power Squadron Photos from Oxford, Maryland: P/C Don Kilpatrick, SN, and, manned the Patuxent River Sail & Power Squadron booth at Point Patience Marina in Solomons. The turnout was somewhat light but they did hand out a variety of informational items and conduct vessel safety examinations. Cruise Captains JT and Michele Torres (right) planned and executed a relaxing and enjoyable cruise from here in the Patuxent River to beautiful Oxford, MD. From left, PRS&PS cruisers Lori Gleason, Jim Shewbridge, P, Pacita Ismael, JN, Abdel Ismael, JN, P/C Bob Prior, JN, Cheryl Budd, JN, and June Shewbridge, P. Not Pictured: photographer Lt/C Wes Gleason, SN P a g e 5 www.usps.org/localusps/patuxent
United States Power Squadrons Cruise and On the Water Events Calendar for 2017 Here is our plan so far Put these on your calendar now and we will make adjustments where necessary to account for weather, etc. Dates Event / Destination Cruise Captains Notes August 19 Raft-Up (Mill Creek) plus Dinner ashore at The Lighthouse Inn Come by land or sea! Times to be announced. September 16-23 Northern Bay Cruise Port Plan via Sail Angle P/C Mike Walter, AP, and P/C Barbara Walter, AP, (410) 394-3232 Stretch those Cruise Muscles October 7-14 Southern Bay Cruise Ports TBD P/C Don Kilpatrick, SN, (410) 326-6994 October 21-22 Tilghman Island, MD Knapp's Narrows P/C Bob Blevins, AP (301) 862-9514 Bob Stammerjohn, SN, and Lt Jim Brueggemann, JN, demonstrating proper fire extinguisher use during live fire training for members of the Potomac River Yacht Club Association holding a cruise-in at Point Lookout Marina. www.usps.org P a g e 6
Patuxent River Sail & Power Squadron Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron Calendar 2017 Date/time correct as of press time; watch your email or Sail Angle for any changes or visit the squadron web site: www.usps.org/local usps/patuxent Date Time Event POC 3 August 1830 Executive Committee Meeting Home of P/C Bob Blevins, AP, and D/Lt Lenore Blevins 10 August 1730 Squadron Dinner Meeting @ Stoney s Clark s Landing 410-394-0245 410-394-0245 7 September TBD September 5 October 12 October 26-29 October 1830 Executive Committee Meeting Home of P/C Bob Blevins, AP, and D/Lt Lenore Blevins Fall Fish Fry and Picnic 1830 Executive Committee Meeting Home of P/C Bob Blevins, AP, and D/Lt Lenore Blevins 1730 Squadron Dinner Meeting Location: TBD D/5 Fall Education Conference Valley Forge, PA D/F/Lt Bob Blevins, AP 410-394-0245 D/F/Lt Bob Blevins, AP 410-394-0245 See Mark 5 Newsletter and Web Site for Details Demonstrating the effectiveness of and proper technique for deploying smoke flare daytime emergency signals. www.usps.org/localusps/patuxent P a g e 7
Safety / News from National The Lone Star State wants you If you re attending the Dallas Governing Board Sept. 10 17, 2017, make your hotel reservations soon! Come for the meetings and stay for the friendship, fun, sightseeing, entertainment and great restaurants. For more info email: Vincene Aquilato: antarvin@hotmail.com Read more at: https://www.usps.org/php/reservations/meetingin fo.php?mtg_id=32 New Introductory Videos Available In June, the Board of Directors approved the use of the name America s Boating Club in marketing United States Power Squadrons. Introducing America's Boating Club was produced in three-and-a-half-minute full-length and thirty-second pull-out versions to help attract new members through public communications. Target audiences are outdoor enthusiasts and sociable adventurers comprising over 15.5 million US boaters the next core demographics for us to recruit after baby boomers. The purpose of the videos is to arouse awareness, interest, and desire in adopting the safeboating lifestyle and taking action by joining USPS. The videos can be played at public meetings, embedded in squadron websites, and posted on squadron Facebook pages. Links can be emailed to prospective members for playing and sharing with friends and family. P/D/C Marty Lafferty, AP TRUE READINGS PATUXENT RIVER SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON PO BOX 173 LEXINGTON PARK, MD 20653