US Power Squadron question

[Skip Matthies]

I am interested in what you guys think about the US Sail & Power Squadrons, the organization and/or their classes.

[Moe]

The national organization hasn't changed its name to add Sail yet, but has allowed the squadrons to. Some are Power and Sail, others are Sail and Power.

We've been members for over 3 years now, having taken Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, and Sail 101 and 102. We've self-studied, but haven't tested Cruise Planning, and really want to take Weather.

The courses have historically been traditional, with emphasis on paper charts, dead-reckoning, and in Junior Navigation and Navigation, on sextants. Only a little was given to modern electronic navigation. We liked that. Nevertheless, USPS was criticized for being out-of-touch and becoming increasing irrelevant to the public. They've completely redesigned many of the navigation courses to reverse the emphasis. We took the old Piloting, but the new Advanced Piloting and it's very different. There are also new public seminars now. I think the courses are all good and the new ones more attractive to most of today's boaters.

Organizationally, USPS has been going through the same membership decrease as many organizations, compared to the heyday when social contact was mostly face to face rather than via the Internet. Like many, they're dealing with an organizational structure that was necessary then with large memberships and slower communication (information via printed media), but is overkill and too expensive now. But like the courses situation, they recognize that and are doing something about it.

Your local squadron is only as good and as active as the membership. Some are better than others, but they're all volunteers. Our squadron's average age is probably pretty high (one of our active members was Commander when I was born), but lower than some others. Some members no longer boat, but attend meetings to see old friends. Your local squadron's water-related activities may also depend on your proximity to good boating water. Although inland, we're about 3 hours south of Lake Erie and an hour north of the Ohio River, so we do have at least some.

Hope this helps,
--
Moe

[Lovekamp]

Moe sums it up rather well. Several options to the public are offered (both boating safety and topical seminars), and courses are normally available for the cost of the books (a few local squadrons charge extra but most don't). Member courses are going to lead to Inland, Coastal and Offshore certifications while retaining the courses for rank promotion: Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigator and Navigator. United States Power Squadrons is hoping to have an internationally recognized standard for all boaters similar to what USSailing and American Sailing Association have in the charter industry.

I have been a member for two years, and while my wife and I are certainly younger than most of the other members, we have a few that are our generation. And the older folks are pretty pleasant; it is not a "party hearty" kind of crowd, and that suits me just fine. Courses, cruises (river and lake), and dinners throughout the year with people who share a common interest. Most of them even like my kids! It's pretty enjoyable.

The best way to get to know your local squadron is to take one of their boating courses (should be about $20-30). After they see you know what you are doing, you can probably get invited to a monthly dinner meeting. Meet the crowd; work the room. See if these folks are people you'd like to be around.

I'm not certain where you are located, but local squadrons with web sites can be found at http://www.usps.org/newpublic2/squadrons.html. Interestly, none of District 20's (Illinois, Wisconsin) are on the page, but those can be found at http://www.uspsd20.org/spage/index.htm. I don't know if other areas exist but are not referenced.

If I can be of any help, please email me.

Greg Lovekamp, Advanced Pilot
Land of Lincoln Power Squadron
Springfield, Illinois

[Russell]

I am currently taking advanced piloting. I think the USPS is a great unrealized organization. I wish they would think about taking a more hands on approach with boat handling. What would give them more creditablity would be to have some centralized locations so they could have week long classes(working vacations) on real boats putting what they have learned in the classes put to use. I could see a host of different on water classes.

Docking and Boat handling
Piloting on the Water (Piloting pre requisite)
Advance Piloting on the water (AP pre-req)
Sextant Navigation
Foul Weather Boat handling techniques

Don't get me started on USPS university.

[Moe]

I've told the Squadron Education Officer if USPS offered just two public hands-on courses, trailer backing and docking, they'd have a full class every weekend all summer.

--
Moe

[Terry]

Skip:
My wife & I took the Canadian Power Squadron course and learned how little we knew. I believe a Power Squadron course should be mandatory before operating a vessel for everyone. You don't know what it is you don't know until you find out what you don't know. There is a lot to be learned, I highly recommend the basic Power Squadron course for everyone. Advance courses are good too.

[Shane]

Skip:
My wife & I took the Canadian Power Squadron course and learned how little we knew. I believe a Power Squadron course should be mandatory before operating a vessel for everyone. You don't know what it is you don't know until you find out what you don't know. There is a lot to be learned, I highly recommend the basic Power Squadron course for everyone. Advance courses are good too.

I've just completed the CPS VHF course and passed my ROC(M) exam with them. My wife and I are just in the final stretch of completing our CPS Basic Boating and agree it should be a mandatory minimum requirement. Beyond that, there's a social commoradory (sp?) within the clubs that will help get you out there safely. I know our local chapter organizes a few club sails, and they always try to pair up new & experienced boats for the rookies first few crossings of the Strait for instance. Once we've completed, I'm hoping to go back and help out with some of the next influx of classes by going through and marking assigned lessons. Not only is it a way to help out others, but to also help ingrain what I've been learning; it's not that its so difficult, but there is a lot to be learnt. While I'm itching to get out and gain practical experience, I'm also planing on continuing on with additional CPS courses in the future.


Regards,
Shane

[Chipmaine]

I am the Admin officer for the Worcester SAIL and power Squadron. And, yes, membership is dropping, but I don't know of another non profit organization that is dedicated to teaching Boating safety, navigation skills, electronics, engine repair, sailing, radar and on and on going through all facets of our sport. Everyone involved with teaching the courses are experienced boaters that volunteer their time to instruct lesser skilled boaters the skills that are needed to safely spend time on the water whether it is a lake, bay or ocean. I would highly recomend that anyone that ventures out whether a kayak or motor yacht take some form of boating class,whether through the USPS(preferred), USCGA or Boat US.

[Lovekamp]

Since so many respondents are acquainted with the Power Squadron, and because I am always curious about statistics, I decided to create a poll.

[Skip Matthies]

Greg Lovekamp, Lt/C,Educational Officer, Land of Lincoln Power Squadron, thanks for doing the poll. Could you put it on the discussion board too? The initial responses are interesting. I plan to use what I hear in helping the Arrowhead Power Squadron in our planning this coming years calendar. We are in process of changing our name to Sail and Power to better reflect who we are.

Russell from NY wrote;

I am currently taking advanced piloting. I think the USPS is a great unrealized organization. I wish they would think about taking a more hands on approach with boat handling.

We can do hands on, on the water with our members, not the general public (liability issues). Our squadron did a week long "Kodiak" trip to Catalina with the Sea Scout ship we sponsor this past August. The kids kayak'd and camped around the island with Arrowhead Squadron boats providing escort and support. The trip ended at Little Harbor with others Cruise with dozen boats. This year we are tentatively planning to offer the Cruise Planning course, Seamanship and Sail Courses as part of the trip and open it to all members - 3 courses in one week with our seasoned sailors teaching them - hands on, on the water.

We are also planning to do 2 "Skipper Saver" courses (teach the wives what and how to respond in case of an incapacitated skipper - ain't none of us getting any younger last time I checked) taught by our own experienced first mates. One course for our power boaters and one for the ladies who sail with their husbands. And we have the experienced ladies to do it.

We do more than just teach courses. We have a lot of fun together on the water and provide support and fraternity off the water. We made and entered a Cardboard Boat Race this past year with other squadrons in SoCal. It was all fun and learning. And the boat actually lasted through 5 races that day.

You can find us on the USPS website, under Arrowhead Squadron, District 13.
McSkipper

[Russell]

hi all, It is Carole, Russell's wife here. I had to add my two cents worth since he left this page open on the computer. I am on the executive committee this year and will be the secretary for next year. I joined before Russell and completed AP last year. WE are in a fierce battle with grades in all our classess we have taken and he gets his AP test tonite, i believe. I too, believe we need to do more together as a squadron, but there are not enough newbies around. I am the youngest by far on the committee, and we are slowly trying new things. We tried two on the water event this summer that the admin set up, but it was only attended by a few, the same few who do the shows, etc. How do you guys get more people involved, as I would love to know.... We are doing weather by self study, which was put on hold when Russ started AP in Septmeber. WE will re-start it after Christmas. They have asked us to teach weather after we are done with it, but I am not to sure about that--RUss and i are not good speaking in public..
What do other squadrons do to increase membership, as that is down with us too...or to retain members for that matter??
For those of you who are not members, what would get you to join and be ACTIVE members??Just curious?
THanks for letting me but in..

[Frank C]

Carole - welcome abd, no problem with you chiming in. Several of the members' "Admiralty" do the same, time to time.

However, a slow response to your question above isn't related. I think there are very few members active in the Aux or PS programs, so don't be dismayed by slow response .. there's not a lot of material to work with. Best in that program!

[Catigale]

Hello Carole - Stephen here from around the corner in Delmar NY

Ive had many discussions with sailing groups (informal and formal) about the 'demise' of the sport and we conclude the problem is always one of family commitments. We have twin 9 year old girls at home, and are probably on well on the lee side of the overscheduling craze but even so, getting a weekend free or a set of evenings for any activity is plain impossible imho.

Its the families that are the first to disappear from the groups when I look around..my college friends in upstate NY (age 45-50) are the youngest people in their YC!!!


When we first got the boat in 2002, I had tons of book knowledge, with little practical experience, so Barbara took the USCGA course set with two 4 year olds accompanying her in the course...



When she sat for the exam, she told the instructor she had 15-30 minutes depending on how tired the kids were..so she whipped through it, (and aced it of course.... )

[Skip Matthies]

We tried two on the water event this summer that the admin set up, but it was only attended by a few, the same few who do the shows, etc. How do you guys get more people involved, as I would love to know....
They have asked us to teach weather after we are done with it, but I am not to sure about that--RUss and i are not good speaking in public..
What do other squadrons do to increase membership, as that is down with us too...or to retain members for that matter??

Hi Carol,
and Russel too,
We have approx 100 members in our PS. There are probably 30 active and about 15 or so do the majority or all of the work. Social Security is not to far off in my future and I am one of the younger ones. I learn alot from the old salts. Our squadron also hooked up with a Seascout outfit 2 yrs ago and that has brought some new ideas, new experiences and a few younger members.
We have a monthly race in Long Beach Harbor where we invite prospectives to be rail meat and rope pullers. That helps sometimes as far as membership. But our numbers and the numbers of squadrons around us in Southern Cal continue to decline.
I believe Catigale has it correct as far as it being a time problem. So much for modern technology making life easier and having more "liesure time."
And then there is the Lake Mohave Squadron in Az that just started - put together 55 new members and has all ages involved. Go figure?
I think USPS is in transition. It may or may not make it. The new courses may be the orgs salvation. I've resolved myself to enjoying and learning from what is in the squadron. And I do my best to share info about the fun and learning I'm having in USPS.
There are get togethers that I've attended that have been birthed on this site too. That may be the future of boating orgs and entry level boating education.
So IM humble opinion - do w/the squadron what is fun for you. If you don't want to teach, don't. There are many other ways to help out. Tell others what you enjoyed, even though events were only attended by a few. I believe attraction works better than promotion in the end.
And the best way to get more members is by squadron members telling people about the positive experiences while teaching public boating courses and doing VSE's.
There are those among us who do tend to take things too serious at time and turn people off. One person refer to us as the "Boating Police." I referred them to the CGAUX (jsut kidding costies).
Most important - enjoy your or are you guys a blue one?

And I too would like to know

For those of you who are not members, what would get you to join and be ACTIVE members??Just curious.

McSkipper

PS: Frank, I don't understand

so don't be dismayed by slow response .. there's not a lot of material to work with. Best in that program!

[Frank C]

PS: Frank, I don't understand

so don't be dismayed by slow response .. there's not a lot of material to work with. Best in that program!

Poorly phrased, I guess. It was just a word of encouragement to Carole that a slow response to her comment was not due to (her phrase) "butting in."

Rather, delayed response was more likely because there aren't very many members here who participate in those Orgs. Or otherwise, they seem not to write much about USPS (nor Aux) in these pages.