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Benefits of Membership

• A great variety of courses to choose from:
  As a USPS member, you and your family can enroll in a great variety of advanced grade and elective courses which are only available to USPS members.  These courses include Seamanship, Coastal and Inland Navigation, Offshore Navigation, Weather, Engine Maintenance, Marine Electronics, Cruise Planning and Sail.  In addition, USPS offers more than two dozen self study courses on such subjects as the Water Sports, Boat Insurance, Oceanography, Preparation for Coast Guard Licensing, and much more.

• Meeting with other boaters in your area:
  As a member of a local squadron (and there are approximately 450 squadrons throughout the USA, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands) you will join with other knowledgeable boaters in your area who are familiar with the local waters, the best anchorages, and marinas and boat repair shops.

• Participation in a variety of on water activities:
  As a USPS member you're automatically invited to join in the squadron and district cruises, rendezvous, predicted log contests, raft-ups, and other on-water activities.

• Savings on Boat Insurance:
  There are many marine insurance companies which provide discounts to those who complete advanced boating courses. This savings can be significant.

• USPS Networking with other members throughout the USA, Canada and even more distant areas:
  Thinking of boating in a river, lake or ocean far from your home?  USPS has a Port Captain program which will provide names and telephone numbers of local USPS members who know the territory.

Requirements for Membership

Membership is by application and is for anyone who shares our common love of boating, has met the requirements below, and who is interested in advancing the objectives of the organization: the education of members, participation in civic programs, and the creation of an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie among members.

Active members must be at least 18 years of age; there are no age limits for family members.

The requirements are simple:

• Pass the USPS Public Boating Class  final exam or equivalent boating course (see below ) or have other acceptable qualifications.
• You will then be asked if you are interested in membership in the Santa Clara Power Squadron.  Answer "YES"!
• Fill out the membership application.
• The Squadron Executive Committee reviews and approves your application.
• Write a check or pay by cash your membership fee.
• You're a member of Santa Clara Power Squadron - WELCOME!

Class attendance is NOT required.  If you feel you are a very knowledgeable and experienced boater, you can apply to take the exam at any time.

Types of membership:

Active Member - provides full membership privileges and responsibilities, which include voting, holding elective or appointed office, serving on and/or chairing a committee, earning a merit mark, attending and participating in meetings and social activities, taking educational courses, paying dues, receiving a copy of the monthly National magazine - Ensign, receiving a copy of the monthly Squadron newsletter – “The Bell” and flying the USPS Ensign and SCPS burgee. Minimum age: 16.

Additional Active Member - one who resides in the same household and is in the same squadron of an active member.  This member pays 1/2 the National dues of the active member.  This member enjoys all the rights and privileges of an active member.  Minimum age: 16.

Family Member - available to members of the family of an active member.  This includes the spouse of an active member and all persons related by blood, legal adoption or marriage, who reside with or are dependents of an active member.  Family members may attend and participate at all General Meetings of the squadron, but may not vote nor hold elective or appointed office.  Family members can take educational courses and attend social functions, but they cannot fly the USPS Ensign or APS burgee and they cannot earn merit marks.  Dues for this member are less than those paid by the Additional Active Member.  No minimum age.

Junior Family Member - a dependent of an active member who resides in the same household and is less than 16 years of age.  A junior family member is accorded all the privileges and responsibilities of family membership.

Note: A husband and wife may both elect to hold an active membership.  There must be at least one active member per household.

Basic boating safety course, equivalents and other acceptable qualifications required for membership:

• The USPS Boating Course or the USPS Boat Smart Course  

• The self-study America's Boating Course. The required examination can be arranged through Santa Clara or any other squadron

• Any other National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved basic boating safety course.  If you have been licensed by any state requiring boat operator licensing, you have probably passed a NASBLA-approved course. 

• Equivalent courses from:

  • U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Boating Skills and Seamanship or Sailing and Seamanship

  • Canadian Power Squadrons, Boating Course

  • American Sailing Association, Basic Keelboat Sailing Course (proctored exam)

  • U.S. Sailing, Basic Keelboat Certification Course

• Other acceptable qualifications:

  • U.S. Naval Academy Graduates

  • U.S. Coast Guard Academy Graduates

  • Merchant Marine Academy Graduates, Deck Officer

  • U.S. Coast Guard, license

If you would like to join us, please contact: