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A Unit of United States Power Squadrons® - District 28 Sail and Power Boating  Boating is fun..We'll show you how |
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Phoenix Sail and Power Squadron
A Unit of United States Power Squadrons® - District 28
Sail and Power Boating
Boating is fun..We'll show you how
®The last General Membership meeting of the squadron was held at the Deer Valley Airport this month and as usual it was organized and led in an exemplary fashion by our Commander David Allocco. I have to give David credit for enthusiasm and exuberance in making these get togethers interesting and fun. His leadership has been well received and a hallmark of his tenure. The concluding portion of the program was an impromptu story telling of nautical episodes and experiences by various members. I hope that we can continue with this venue as there were several members who were not able to tell their boating related stories due to time limitations concluding the evening.
Later, on the way home from the meeting, I remembered a discussion I once had with Phil Wright a long-time senior member of our group who has since passed away. He told me that the most important and all encompassing value of our membership in the squadron was its commitment to education. No matter what other benefits we all derive from our membership the various educational opportunities for both members and non members alike are the most important elements of the organization.
As I read Jackie Wanta's discussion of why she is continuing her membership due primarily to the ability to hone her skills as an accomplished mariner I was pleased to note that we are continuing in this effort with the presentation of weather and seamanship classes. I also noticed that we have endured a year without an educational officer. In spite of this, Tim Harrington has unofficially orchestrated an education program with help from many others. A tip of the nautical hat to Tim for this work.
As the members of the Nomination Committee look for new and enthusiastic bridge officers, I hope that a member will step up to the helm and fill this very important position.
Speaking of bridge officers, there are many ways for members to become involved with the operation of the squadron. We don't want to fall into the trap of having 10% of the membership doing 90% of the work. There are many ways to participate and become facilitators and activators. Do not hesitate to let Bill Johnson and Tim Harrington know of your interest and willingness to serve.
Don't forget to mark your calendar for attendance at the coming Change of Watch on January 16, 2010. This will be a special evening in recognition of the outgoing and incoming bridge as well as a celebration of our 50 years of existence. We will also include a general meeting in these activities so it will be a full and interesting evening at the Union Hills Country Club. Watch for your invitation in the mail and please respond in a positive manner.Safety Officer's Report
P/C Roger Clark, APThis material is from the Sept-Oct 2009 issue of Small Craft Advisory. The writer works for a children’s hospital, which leads a program called Safe Kids Louisville and Jefferson County (Ind.) This group works with the Louisville Metro River Patrol to encourage children to wear their life jackets. When the Patrol does a boat inspection and finds children wearing their life jackets correctly, it gives out Texas Roadhouse coupons and gifts for the children. The program is considered successful and preferable for rewarding good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior. Safe Kids and the Patrol “recommend that children ages 14 and under wear PFDs non only on boats but also near open bodies of water or when participating in water sports.” And the patrol advises against children 14 and under operating personal watercraft. (Another article in the magazine recommends a minimum of age 16 to operate a PWC, and 18 years for rentals.) Safe Kids also encourages parents with these reminders. Do enroll your kids in swimming classes tau8ght by a certified instructor, but don’t assume swimming lessons or life jackets make your child “drown proof.” These precautions are important, but they’re no substitute for constant adult supervision.
Nobody should swim near a dock or marina with electrical hookups or lighting. Swimmers can be electrocuted in the water and drown. Make sure the skipper or pilot of the boat your child is on has passed a boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. For more information about safe boat operations, contact the local state boating office or US Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Learn cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In less than three hours, you can learn effective interventions that can give a fighting chance to a child who has fallen into water and become unconscious. Local hospitals, fire departments and recreation departments offer CPR training.
Educational Officer
SEO@phx-usps.com
Courses@phx-usps.com
Administrative Officer
Lt/C Jerry Anderson, PPlease don’t tell the mobs of boaters that crowd our lakes in the summer months, but right now is the greatest time of the year to be out on our lakes! Wow! The skies are clear and sunny with mild air temperatures, and the water is still not too cold. Monsoon storms are a fading memory. Traffic on the ramps and out on the lakes at this time of year is extremely light resulting in smooth waters. In short, conditions are perfect for a day out on the water, or an entire weekend or week out on the lake. Several of our members headed to Lake Powell on 7 – 11 October. (See a selection of photos in the online version of the Bos’n’s Pipe.
Lake Powell can always be counted on to provide unparalleled beauty as well as adventure. This lake always presents challenges and opportunities for us to test the knowledge we have learned in the Squadron, and indeed, this trip was no different. Our group of boaters’ actions on the lake reflected most favorably on the Phoenix Sail and Power Squadron, and they make us all proud. From the pictures I saw from Terry Gray, it appears the fishing was not too shabby either. Terry, thank you for stepping up to lead this rendezvous.
On the (extended) weekend of 16 – 18 October, we went to Lake Pleasant for a pleasant time and were not disappointed. Many stayed the whole weekend near the ramadas by the sail shop where the sail class received last minute instructions before heading for the lake for some “hands-on” sailing experience. On Saturday, the power boaters dropped anchor in Deer Cove where the sailors joined the raft up for lunch before heading back out for more sailing experience. In short, an enjoyable time was had by all. If you missed it, next time please let someone know you would like to attend and we will be sure you are included. If you need a boat ride, we will get you hooked up.
Thanks go out to three effective instructors for making our Operations Training class, held on October 24, a very successful event. Bob Schloeman, David Allocco, and Lee Whitehead trained seven newer members in the ways of the Squadron and how to get things done in the Squadron. The importance of training new members to be leaders in the Squadron cannot be stressed too much for the continuation of our organization depends on it. Thanks also to Bill and Connie Johnson for graciously providing the classroom facilities.
Now is the time to firm up your plans to attend the annual South of the Border Rendezvous in Cholla Bay, Mexico to be held 13 - 15 November. Many members will be staying at The Reef RV Park between Rocky Point and Cholla Bay or in the local hotels. Finalize your reservations now. Early November is always a perfect time to visit the Rocky Point area, and with Ron and Rose Werner in charge again this year, this unique rendezvous is certain to be another memorable Squadron success.
The next General Membership Meeting will be held at Joe’s Crab Shack on the evening of 19 November. Joe’s Crab Shack is located at 1606 West Baseline, Tempe, which is the northeast corner of I-10 and Baseline. Plan to be there and meet your Squadron friends for a great seafood dinner and evening of fellowship.
Other upcoming events you don’t want to miss include our annual Thanksgiving Turkey Fry at Bartlett Lake on November 21. This popular event will again be held at the day-use area at Rattlesnake Cove. The annual Squadron Christmas party is also not that far in the future, so make your plans to attend that, as well. It will be held at the beautiful home of Willie Burgeson in Chandler on 12 December. Plans for this event are currently under active development, and another fun time is assured.
Secretary
Lt/C Joe Warren, JN
Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. Williams James.
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