GREENSBORO POWER SQUADRON

Transcription

1 Vol. 32 No. 10 October 2006 BREEZE THE GREENSBORO POWER SQUADRON A Unit of United States Power Squadrons District 27 America s Boating Club Bridge Officers Commander Cdr Chuck Kammeyer, P chuck@kbsys.com Executive Officer Lt/C Tom Hamlin, P thamlin123@bellsouth.net Educational Officer Lt/C Tom Statham, P tstat@aol.com Administrative Officer Lt/C Mike Hackett, P carmikeh@aol.com Secretary Lt/C Carolyn Hackett, P carmikeh@aol.com Treasurer Lt/C Chuck Freeman cfreeman8@triad.rr.com Immediate P/C P/C Stewart Colson, JN scolson830@aol.com Newsletter Editor Lt/C Tom Statham, P tstat@aol.com The BREEZE is the official publication of the Greensboro Power Squadron, a unit of District 27 of the United States Power Squadrons, published eleven times a year. Membership meetings are held on the second Monday of each month beginning at 1930 at the First Lutheran Church, 3600 W. Friendly Avenue. Opinions expressed in the BREEZE do not necessarily represent those of the Greensboro Power Squadron or USPS. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 1 Calendar of Events October Birthdays Commander s Report Executive Officer s Report Slane Marine Pictures Educational Officer s Report Administrative Officer s Report Page 6 & 7 Breeze Advisories

2 OCTOBER 7-8 Smith Mountain Home Tour Calendar of Events 13 Membership Meeting 9 PC HAPPENING-in lieu of Membership meeting. 16 ExCom Meeting NOVEMBER 1 Public Boating Course Exam 15 LADIES LUNCHEON-NEW DATE 16 ExCom Meeting December 11 Christmas Party in lieu of our business meeting October Birthdays 2 J. Jones McCall 4 Sam D. Hummel 12 Fred J. Schultz 16 Mildred K. Wall 21 Dan W. Chance Jeff B. McCain 25 Alexander Wrenn 27 Catherine A. Freeman 27 Phyllis W. Thomas 29 William C. Barrett III 30 Ronald Pittman 31 Beverly B. Armfield Patrons of the Breeze Bob & Bev Armfield...September Song Keith & Kendra Bulla...Whisper Stewart & Betty Colson Charles Freeman Mack & Vinnie Gordy...Taterbug Mike & Carolyn Hackett...Islander Tom & Mary Hamlin Richard & Judi Howle...La Bella Clint & Jackie Jackson......Blueline John Lore......Sea Robin Betty & Jeff McCain......Adventure Woods & Julia McGinn......Blue Moon Jerry Newton....Petey Al & Alexandra Pike Betty Potter Sand Fiddler Steve & Chris Puckett Too-Tents Fred & Donna Schultz......Titantic Too Tom & Jo-Anne Statham.....Allegra Mike & Geraldine Stokes...Dad s Toy III Frances & Jim Ward.Sea Star II Thank You From The Breeze The following individuals made substantial contributions in support of our newsletter this year. On behalf of Greensboro Power Squadron, we thank the following Sponsors: Sidney C. Mitchell, JN Delbert E. Foster, AP Eddie D. Yost Thanks to your support and that of our many Patrons of The Breeze, we have had an outstanding publication this year, and we encourage your continued support. If you would like to become a Sponsor or Patron of The Breeze, contact Lt/C Charles W. Freeman, AP

3 From the Commander Chuck Kammeyer, P Executive Officer Lt/C Tom Hamlin, P After returning from the D-27 Council/ Conference in Wilmington, I would like to reflect on some important topics that were discussed concerning the rate at which many squadrons are losing members. Our squadron lost 7% of our membership last year which was typical of what has happened throughout the district. There are a number of things we can do as a squadron to turn this 7% loss of members into a significant gain. Ø Use the current program Power of One. Every member encourages someone to join our squadron. Show friends and neighbors the benefits of squadron activities and functions. Ø Strongly encourage boating friends to take the Public Boating Course. Then throughout the course invite the class members to take part as a guest in our squadron activities. Ø Become a vessel examiner. The more members we have involved with the community, the better chance we have of showing our value as an organization. Ø Once we get a member we must keep them interested and involved. Find out what types of activities they enjoy and what their needs are. Ø Keep the meetings interesting and casual. Have entertainment at the meetings which is interesting and pertinent to boating activities. Ø Set up a mentor program to keep personal contacts with new members. Ø Always have assistants for chairman of events. Then move the assistant up to chair the position the next year. Ø Make a special effort at meetings and events to get to know a new member or any member you only know by name. It makes a difference to feel like you belong to an organization that cares about you as an individual. Thanks to Commander Freeman who helped organize our first trip to Smith Mountain Lake for the Home Tour. About 14 of our squadron members had the opportunity to walk through some beautiful homes on the lake, get decorating ideas, have some quality time on the water, and good fellowship with squadron members. Bill Young chaired Operation Big Sweep held again at Belews Lake this was yet another service opportunity to clean up the waters that we enjoy as boaters, have time on the water in our boats, and fellowship. Activities are winding down as we move in fall and winter months. It is time to begin the maintenance on our boats and put them up for the winter awaiting spring and warmer weather to get back on the water. This is also time for new beginnings for our squadron as new bridge officers for 2007 start calling members to hold leadership positions for next year. Please keep an open ear and willing spirit and attitude as you receive these calls. You are the future of the organization. Not only should we be aware of the importance of inviting new members into our squadron, we should be equally aware of retaining current members. If each of our members would diligently work at the points mentioned, I know we would be well into the positive numbers of growth for our squadron. 3

4 4 Field trip to Slane Marine in High Point 11 September

5 Educational Officer Lt/C Tom Statham, P Administrative Officer Lt/C Mike Hackett, P NATIONAL NEW YORK GOVERN- ING BOARD MEETING During the recent Governing Board held in New York, the following items were discussed: 1. There was a National proposal to waive the educational requirement for membership on a three year trial basis. After the three years, the existing requirements would come back into effect if the Governing Board took no further action. Each squadron could elect whether or not to implement its provisions within their individual squadron. It appears the membership was split almost 50/50 on the resolution with some feeling that we had reduced our standards enough already with the other half seeing the need to open up the membership to experienced boaters who would be interested in and support our organization. Due to confusion surrounding the individual squadron s implementation, the vote has been postponed until the annual meeting in February to give more time for the squadron commanders to discuss the provisions of the proposal with their members before a final vote is held. 2. A resolution was passed to reduce the number of membership categories by eliminating the Adult Family and Junior Family member and replacing them with one category- Active with attached family. This proposal was viewed as a way to simplify the membership categories and help in the recruiting process. The proposal passed and the new national dues will be $33.60 for an active member and $50.40 if there is an additional family member, regardless of the number. 3. The National Ship s Store has a new website, To celebrate, beginning 1/1/07 when a member orders online or by telephone and provides their certificate number, 5% of the purchase price will be split between the member s squadron and their district. The Member Benefit s Committee is developing an agreement with Boater s World whereby member purchases from that company will receive a 5% discount with an additional 2% of the purchase price being donated to USPS. Many thanks to those of you who made the extra effort to attend our September meeting at Slane Marine. From all the comments, I think everyone enjoyed hearing the story of Tom Slane and seeing in progress his impressive talents in boat restoration. The weekend of October 7 th is the Smith Mountain Lake Tour of Homes, and those attending will be talking about this outing at the Chili Cook off on the ninth of October. For our November 13 th meeting Max Kern and Sam Zealy have engaged Ben Casey who will come from Raleigh to speak on Life Along the Waterways: Exploring NC Rivers. This presentation is made possible through a grant from the North Carolina Humanities Council s Humanities Forum, a Speakers Bureau of the NC Humanities Council. This will be a great program for those of you who have traveled the NC waterways or want to do so. Mark your calendars now for our Annual Christmas party to be held December 11 th again at Centenary Methodist Church on Friendly Avenue. Be thinking about the covered dish you will bring. Also put some planning thought into the gift you will bring. Historically everyone brings a children s gift or two labeled with the gender and age for whom the gift is appropriate. Parents and /or grandparents often bring a gift labeled specifically for their child. All extra gifts will be donated to the Children s Home Society. Get out on the water every chance you get! 5

6 BREEZE ADVISORIES This section is to provide information to GPS members. POST UPCOMING EVENTS HERE. If you have a boating related item for sale, list it here. If you are looking for a partner to charter a boat, post it here. If you run across a new marina or restaurant on the coast that you think others might enjoy, let us know. Contact Tom or if possible TSTAT@AOL.COM Past Commander s Happening P/C s Chili Cook-Off & Member s Dessert Bake-off Monday, Oct 9, 2006 The Past Commander s Happening will be held at the October 9 membership meeting. A number of P/C s will bring their own special Chili to serve to the membership. A select panel of non-p/c judges will decide the winner. Members who think they would like to compete are invited to bring their own small pot of chili to be entered into the competition judging only not for the meal - but please let us know. Members are encouraged to bring their own special dessert to be enjoyed by the other squadron members and to be entered into the Dessert Bake-off - which will be judged by a panel of P/C s. The cost for the meal will be $7.00 per person bread and ice tea will be provided. This membership meeting/event will be held at the Centenary United Methodist Church on West Friendly Ave at 6:00 pm. Food will be served at 6:30. Make your plans to attend and enjoy a delicious Chili meal with Special Desserts. Sign up sheets will be available at the August meeting, or you may make your reservation by mailing your check: payable to Greensboro Past Commanders, to P/C Stewart Colson, 112 West Avondale Drive, Greensboro, NC Cut off date to make meal reservations is Monday, October 2, The membership meeting will begin after the meal approximately 7:30 pm. URGENT REQUEST!!! It s that time of year again and we need members to come out to the Lewis Recreation Center on Pisgah Church Rd. starting 13 September at 1900 to help assist the Instructors of our Public Boating Course. We would really like to have new members, old members and members looking for ways to get involved with the Squadron a little more. Please call 1/Lt Bill Davis, to help. Don t forget that you can become a sponsor or patron of the Breeze to help off-set the cost of printing and mailing the newsletter. Contact Lt/C Chuck Freeman, JN for more information. 93 Bayliner Jazz 14 ft, 2-seat 90 HP, with trailer & cover. Hasn't been in regular use in 10 years. Low hours, clean. $2500. Small enough for inexperienced boaters, strong enough to pull a skier. Great alternative to jet skis. Mark Gibson: day , eve , gibsonlj@triad.rr.com 6

7 The Need For Blood Never Takes A Vacation This year the 4 th Annual GPS Blood Drive will be held Tuesday October 17 th and Wednesday October 18 th at the Nussbaum Blood Collection Center, 1701 Yanceyville Street, Greensboro. Times: October 17 th - 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. ; October 18 th - 8:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. We Need: Volunteers to Donate Blood Volunteers to Staff (greeters, canteen workers, etc.) for two hour time periods Sandwiches (suggest peanut butter & jelly, chicken salad, pimento cheese) Cookies Sign-up sheets will be available at the September and October meetings as well as posters that can be posted at your work place or neighborhood. You may register ahead for an appointment to donate by calling the Red Cross office at And, also remember that you may give blood in surrounding areas and on different dates, just be sure to ask that the your donation be credited to the Greensboro Power Squadron and your donation will count as one of us! Not only does our blood drive help many people who need this Gift it is also an extension of our squadron s civic obligation. Please, join me in making this one of our most successful blood drives. Join us for a fun cruise on Oct 6th, 7th, and 8 th for the 16 th Annual Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour. Seven homes and one condo will be open for viewing by boat at Smith Mountain Lake each day from 10 AM until 5 PM. Tickets cost $25 per person if purchased in advance / $30 on the day of event. This squadron event includes viewing the homes, rafting for lunch at the bridge on Saturday where shopping & additional food is available and going out to dinner Friday and Saturday evenings. This can be a one-day 2 day or 3 day event depending on your schedule. We can assist in finding a place to stay since some of our members have homes on the lake. You may bring your boat or ride on one of the boats already attending the event. If you don t want to view the homes, you can still attend and have a fun time on the water. Since tickets must be ordered by mail by September 13, please send your checks to Chuck Freeman before that date. We will not purchase tickets without receiving your check. Contact Chuck Freeman or Chuck Kammeyer for additional information. AHOY LADY SQUADRON MEMBERS Sign up now to join the past commanders at the annual ladies luncheon on Wednesday, November 15th at the O Henry Hotel. This year s luncheon will feature Charlotte Webspinner telling stories of Amazing Women at Sea which includes stories about women pirates. Charlotte is a popular North Carolina and regional storyteller known for her array of colorful hats and unusual songs as well as her animated telling style. She travels around the world to sample cultures and collect stories and she specializes in telling intercultural and international folk tales and legends, personal stories of family and career experiences and especially tales of courageous women and pirates. Charlotte also happens to be Lt/C Tom Hamlin s talented sister; perhaps we can talk her into telling some tales about Tom. Make your plans now for this entertaining afternoon. 7

8 Lt Sam Zealy Jr, P 1403 Sunset Dr. Greensboro, NC Please deliver to: Boats featured here, come from our WEB site. Anna Bee 8