The Waiver of Educational Requirements

At the Annual meeting in Jacksonville, a waiver of the requirement that all new members pass a boating educational test was passed. This is a three year "experiment" and in 2010 the previously existing procedure is slated to resume. Of course, some intervening action by the governing board or the annual meeting may change that.

Some squadrons have suggested (and may perhaps even voted on) a change in their bylaws to reflect this situation.

ComR suggests that no action is either required or even desired -- for two reasons.

• The National Bylaws (Section 3.3) state that membership is contingent on "... policies established from time to time by the governing board."  Member admission is still subject to age limits, willingness to commit time and effort, and payment of dues and entrance fees.  The Governing Board has delegated the admission process to squadron ExecComs, and local admission policy should be decided by the ExecCom, not the membership at-large. 
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• The waiver includes the aforementioned "sunset" provision. Were a squadron to change its bylaws in 2007 it would than have to change them again in 2010.

ExecComs wishing to set local admission policy may adopt standing rules of the ExecCom or give instructions to the squadron MemCom.  These are simpler to develop and may be adjusted locally when circumstances require."