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Membership
Chair: William
F. Cass (AP) - 1-207-748-3122
Why You Should Join Us And....
How
to Become A Member:
Taking your boat out, whether
on an inland lake or on the waters of our coastline, requires more
knowledge than simply climbing aboard and pushing off. To simply do
that, is a threat to yourself and others, and a needless drain on the
resources of the U.S. Coast Guard and other local State and Federal
Agencies who will have to step in and compensate for your inadequate
skills and knowledge. At this point and time particularly, they have
more important responsibilities to take care of.
You can take steps now, to
make sure that you are educated, and have the skills and the
knowledge needed to safely take your boat out on any waters, and to
safely return. The Portsmouth Sail & Power Squadron, a unit of
the United States Power Squadrons® can provide the education, help
you to develop your skills, plus provide the opportunity to associate
with others who share your interests in boating, cruising and
advanced seamanship skills.
Who
Are Our Members:
Power Boaters, Sailors,
Fishermen, and all men and women, who enjoy a good day on the water
and the opportunity of sharing that interest with others.
Where
Do They Go Boating:
The Ocean, rivers, and
inland lakes of New Hampshire, Maine, and far beyond, in fact - all
over the world.
How
Do I Join:
To become a full member of
the USPS and Portsmouth Sail & Power Squadron, one must initially
complete the U.S.P.S.® Basic Boating Course
or any other equivalent recognized Safe Boating Course or with our
new guidance from our National Headquarters, obtain a Commanders
Waiver signature by sending a personal letter to the Commander
explaining why you would like to be a member, such as educational
benefits. Then, a completed membership application is submitted to
the Chairman of the Membership Committee. Upon acceptance and payment
of dues, as a member you can then pursue the various members only ( Link To Member
Courses ) educational courses given in the Squadron or at
another nearby Squadron. The membership also entitles you to a
subscription to the USPS® magazine "ENSIGN" and other
benefits such as a special rate VISA Card with Chase, discounts and
other considerations with many suppliers of marine goods and
services, and in addition, there are discounts available with many
marinas and most boat insurers nationwide.
Within the Squadron you will
have the opportunity to increase your boating knowledge and skills
through access to the Advanced and Elective Courses, and the decades
and decades of accumulated experience of the sailing and power
boating people who are our members.
Click here to see the Member Benefits
Additional NEW Membership
Benefits
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 quarterly Squadron newsletter -
"The Soundings" and flying the USPS Ensign and USPS
Portsmouth burgee. Minimum age: 18.
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: 18.
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 USPS
Portsmouth 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 18
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.
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What
educational courses are available to USPS members:
Every squadron
offers advanced courses in subjects like Seamanship, Piloting,
Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigation and Navigation. Squadrons also
have Elective Courses available such as Cruise Planning, Engine
Maintenance, Instructor Development, Marine Electronics, Sail and
Weather. These courses are taught by experienced member instructors,
and members who complete them are recognized by USPS® Headquarters. Some squadrons require
Advanced Courses to be taken in a specific order while others offer
them as available to members.
What social activities do members enjoy:
Squadrons offer
on-the-water activities which include but are not limited to;
cruises, rendezvous, sail races, navigation contests, cooperative
charting and more. Activities ashore include meetings with marine
programs, parties, Pot Luck Dinner Days, dinner-dances, picnics and
field trips.
Frequently
Asked Questions:
You are a Power Squadron - Can sailors become members
?
Of course. The
term "Power Squadrons" in our name dates to our founding in
1914 by the power boat division of the Boston Yacht Club. Following the
first World War, the ranks of the organization broadened to
include all types of boats, and sailors have been a major part of
USPS® ever since. Our own
Squadron acknowledges sailors in our title 'Sail and Power Squadron.'
Is USPS a part of or supported by the U.S. Government?
No. While we
have many joint programs with the United States Coast Guard, the CG
Auxiliary, and the National Ocean Services division of NOAA, USPS® is a private, totally self-supporting
organization.
What if you're already a member of the Canadian Power Squadron or the
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary?
If you already
belong to either of these organizations you do not have to pass a
USPS® course to become a member
because you have already completed a qualifying course.
How do you enroll in a USPS boating course?
Every USPS® squadron teaches multiple courses every year.
Some squadrons teach both the 8 hour, two 4 hour day course and
others the 12 hour 6 week, 2 hours each
lesson date. The courses usually begin in September or October, then
again in January or February. Many 8 hour courses continue throughout
the spring and summer months. The courses are publicized in local
newspapers, on posters, at marinas, and at various other locations.
The easiest way to determine when the next course will be offered in
your area is call toll-free
1-888-FOR-USPS (1-888-367-8777). For the Portsmouth New
Hampshire Squadron Educational Page, please check our Education Page.
PUBLIC COURSES
What about
individuals who cannot take an evening Boating Course?
America's
Boating Course (ABC) is a joint effort between
the United States Power Squadrons and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.
It is available as an internet home study course for individuals who
cannot attend traditional class room courses. A CD and a manual are
provided as part of the course. USPS® has a
80-minute video Boating Course which can be taken at your own
leisure. For information use the link above. Also USPS
offers Public seminars available both for the members and general
public at reduced costs for education.
What's in it for you?
A great variety of courses
to choose from: As a USPS® member, you and your family can enroll in
a great variety of advanced grades and elective courses and seminars
which are only available to USPS® members. 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, cooperative charting, rafting 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: For those that trailer or cruise extensively
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.
For information on the USPS
public boating course closest to you, call 1-888-FOR-USPS.
In Canada, for the CPS course, call 1-888-CPS-BOAT.
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Disclaimer
Webmaster: Lt/C Andrew
Glazier, JN - Mail Andy
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