[Psml] USCGAux Transfers to USPS

[R. Sweet]

John and All,

We have made a conscious move to open USPS to CGAux members.  Most
Auxiliarists are experienced boaters who clearly have interest in offering
their services and participating in a boating organization.  

The Ed Dept has opened the door by accepting certain CGAux Educational
programs as meeting the requirements of some of our courses.  In particular,
we will accept the full CGAux BS&S program for our Seamanship; their BCN for
our Piloting; and the ACN for our Advanced Piloting.

As to accepting a CGAux member, or any other applicant, that is up to the
squadron that the individual applies to.  There is no automatic acceptance.

At the Annual Meeting C/C Marshburn announced that he and Steve Budar,
National Commodore of the CGAux, would be sending a letter to those
Auxiliarists who recently declined to continue their membership due to the
security requirement imposed by Homeland Security.  That letter would invite
these individuals to apply to USPS for membership.

By all rights, we should welcome these folks with open arms.  That is not to
say that we must accept them - that is a local squadron decision.  The
security requirement to retain CGAux membership is considered by many to be
quite onerous and intrusive, especially for a volunteer organization.  From
the Homeland Security perspective, CGAux members are likely to be exposed to
sensitive information and operations in the performance of their volunteer
duties.  This is not a simple criminal background check, but far more
extensive.  Declining to undergo this investigation in no way should be
considered a negative statement about the individual.  It's a matter of
personal choice.

As an organization of boaters, furthering boating and fellowship with
boaters, we could probably not find a better group of potential members.  We
also want to welcome current and continuing CGAux members as well.  We are
different organizations doing different things - not competitors.  I, for
one, welcome dual membership and believe that current and former CGAux
members should be welcome and respected in USPS.

Regards,

Bob Sweet
ANEO

-----Original Message-----
From: psml-bounces at usps.org [mailto:psml-bounces at usps.org] On Behalf Of John
& Judy Gill
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 8:43 PM
To: aep at mindspring.com
Cc: United States Power Squadrons Mailing List
Subject: [Psml] USCGAux Transfers to USPS

USCGAux Transfers to USPS

At the 2nd Annual Greater Philadelphia Boat and Water Sports show  
held on 22-25 March the writer was staffing the Northern D/5  
Squadrons (5 Squadron's in the greater Philadelphia area) when a  
USCGAux officer came to our booth to say hello.  The Auxiliary's  
booth was only promoting Vessel Safety Checks, not public boating  
courses?

The Auxiliary officer stated that we (USPS) were going to have a  
great increase in our membership very soon.  When we asked why, he  
stated that the USCGAux Commandant has strongly recommended to all  
Auxiliary members, who do not pass the Federal and State Security  
Clearance, that they "transfer" their memberships to a local USPS  
Squadron.

When I told him that USPS was a private nonprofit organization with  
specific membership requirements, including local Squadron approval,  
he further stated that their National Commander had recently been to  
a "major" USPS meeting to obtain approval of such Auxiliary members  
becoming USPS members.

At this point we listened politely and made no further comment, since  
we were not at the National meeting, nor have we heard any  
"automatic" guarantee that local squadrons must accept "transfers"  
from those who can not pass a security check.

As the Ch/Mem/Com of Pennsway (PA) Squadron, I would like to know  
what "deals" have been made or "assurances given" that we must accept  
anyone from any Auxiliary "unconditionally" into our Squadron or the  
National Organization.

If an individual can not pass a security clearance, why MUST we  
accept them into USPS -- this seams contrary to our membership  
requirements which gave Squadrons the privilege to not accept certain  
undesirables from our midst.

D/Lt John R. Gill, AP
Pennsway (PA) Squadron in D/5
Ch/Mem/Com
Ch/VSC
Ch/ABC
Ch/CruisePlanning


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