Subject: Note from New D/C Richard Remski, SN

Message: " All District 24 USPS Members

First I want to thank all of you for your confidence and support as I enter my year as D/C in D/24! We had a
great Spring Conference in Dayton last weekend, and actually were able to arrive and check-in in spring-like
weather. We won't talk about the freezing rain as we all tried to leave on Sunday morning! It was really an honor
to have Chief Commander Frank Dvorak and his wife Vivien visit us for our conference. That way we were sure
that the Chief's message didn't get garbled in delivery by the Chief's representative. The Chief was very
complimentary about the health of our district and impressed with the participation we had in this well-attended
conference. There were three 50th Merit Mark Member Emeritus awards presented on Saturday evening along
with seven new Life Members! That adds up to 325 MMs for 10 folks in our district. The Chief said he
has never seen so many of these at one district meeting before. The chief's message includes highlighting the MOA between
USPS and the Brunswick Corporation, the largest boat manufacturer in the US, and also an agreement and meeting
with the national leadership of the CGA which has led to agreement for closer cooperation between the two organizations.
The chief also indicated that CGA has been trying to get on-water training for about 10 years, but has not cleared the liability
insurance hurdle. He offered the CGA the opportunity to join USPS and take our BOC program training as USPS members.
Two other main topics he brought to the table: he asked for a show of hands for and against mandatory life jacket wear on all
boats under 18 ft, and got a highly positive response from attendees. He also polled us regarding mandatory Federal boating safety
education at a higher standard than the current rash of on-line courses. Here the interest of D24 members was not as largely positive,
although still more for than against.

As we move into the new watch year, Julie and I look forward to visiting all the squadrons in our district as we go through the annual
changes of watch. We also plan on coming to various squadron activities and events through the course of the year and to stay in touch
with all our members. We would also like to encourage all members to watch SailAngle and the D24 website for activities in the
other squadrons in our district. Don't hesitate to join in on any squadron activities you find of interest. In the past couple of years,
several folks in D24 have attended other squadrons' activities and have had lots of fun.

Our district is healthy, our education programs are excellent, although we do need to work harder on recruiting and retention so our
membership stays viable. Another challenge I want to pass on to each of you is, in DEO Larry Samuels' terminology, the third "R":
reenergizing. Many of our squadrons have more seasoned folks as long time members who are no longer active boaters. Go out of
your way to invite them on one of your formal or informal activities, especially if it involves some on-water activity. While they may no
longer have boats of their own, I'm sure they would enjoy being on the water again! And you might well capture them to help on
other squadron projects as well. Thank you again for your confidence and I look forward to seeing all of you at the changes of watch
and other squadron activities throughout the year.

D/C Dick Remski, SN

USPS D/24

Dayton Sail and Power Squadron