An invitation to join USPS and
Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron
Sail & Power Boating - America's Boating
Club®
United States Power Squadron®,
formed in 1914, is the largest fraternal boating organization
in the United States. We have over 450 squadrons totaling more
than 60,000 members across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan. We
are a non-political, non-governmental organization, though we
do work closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxillary,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NOS and the Department of Natural
Resources of most States.
The Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron is a unit of
the United States Power Squadrons®. We are a non-profit organization
dedicated to safe boating education and promoting high standards
of navigation and seamanship.. The Hoosier Sail & Power
Squadron became a charter member of USPS in 1952. We are
in District 24 which is made up of several other local
squadrons and covers the geographical area in Indiana, northern
Kentucky, and southwestern Ohio.
The Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron offers Safe Boating
Classes to the public. These classes teach navigational aids,
the rules of the road, how to anchor, different kinds of anchors,
basic piloting, knots, docking, and basic seamanship. The instruction
is free, although there is a nominal fee for the Student Manual
and charting materials.
Several additional classes are available to members including
Seamanship, Weather, Marine Electronics, Cruise Planning, Sail,
Engine Maintenance, Piloting and Navigation.
Information is provided below on how to join the Hoosier
Sail & Power Squadron, the local USPS unit in Indianapolis.
Why Join USPS?
These are some of the benefits of belonging to USPS, the
finest and largest boating organization.....
Sharing Boating Knowledge
Learn from experienced instructors
Advanced Grade, Elective and Learning Guide material continually
updated to prepare our members for the 21st Century
Self-study courses available on a variety of subjects
A Network of Activities for You and Your Family
Membership in the local Indianapolis-based Hoosier Sail &
Power Squadron unit
On the water activities, Cruises, Rendezvous, and More
For the relatively new boater, another boater with whom to cruise
Squadron social events, parties, picnics, speakers of interest
Youth programs; involve your children in boating
Giving Back to your Community
Participation in various community projects, Boat Shows, National
Safe Boating Week
Service to NOAA by providing revisions to existing charts through
our Cooperative Charting Program
Promote boating safety by providing Vessel Safety Checks.
Port Captains Program
Extensive list of USPS members to assist you in unfamiliar waters
and cities
USPS Publications
Timely and informative boating and USPS information received
via THE ENSIGN® magazine.
Discounts
Boat/US membership - 50% off normal $19.00
Marine Insurance
Most comprehensive boat insurance
Low rates with additional discounts for Education Achievements
Special claims consideration
Personal attention
Federal Tax Exempt Status
501 {c) (3) status allows personal tax deductions for selected
USPS expenses for Squadron, District and National participation
To learn more about USPS, please visit the USPS
national website.
Interested in joining Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron?
The requirements are simple:
Pass the USPS Public Boating Course final exam* or equivalent
boating course.
You will then be asked if you are interested in membership in
the Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron. Answer "YES"!
Fill out the membership application.
Write a check or pay by cash your membership fee, prorated from
that date to 31 May (amount will vary by date of membership and
type of membership)
You're a member of Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron and
USPS - WELCOME ABOARD!
* 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. The full course is also available
in video format.
*** NOTE: Membership is automatically extended to those
individuals who have passed the Safe Boating Course of the U.S.
Coast Guard Auxillary or the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron.
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 - Scuttlebutt and flying
the USPS Ensign and APS 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.
If you have additional questions, contact Cdr. Lou Chenette
at the Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron (317) 253-7537.
Some history about Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron.....
Following is a letter dated December 27, 1979 written by
John S. Kirby, Sr. in which he recounts the formation of the
Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron.....
How did the Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron get started?
It is very unlikely that a true and correct answer exists in
a definite form. Hence, as the one who first suggested the formation
of this squadron, it may be of general interest as well as add
a factual chapter in the history of U.S.P.S. in Indianapolis.
Please forgive the repetitive use of the pronoun I as it can
only be told that way.
In December of 1951 in the Vonnegut store in Broad Ripple
a gentleman came up to me and introduced himself as Frank Parish.
He told me that a number of boat owners were thinking of having
a meeting or get-together and was kind enough to ask me to join
them. I told him that if this was to be no more than a social
meeting that I doubted if I was interested, but if they had some
thought of forming or joining some boating organization I would
be most happy to meet with them. He said that the latter was
what they had in mind although they had no specific idea of what
organization they would approach. As I recall it this meeting
took place in early January of 1952.
It so happened that my boat, a 42 foot Chris Craft , was kept
in a boathouse on Dutch Lane in Sandusky, Ohio; and my next door
neighbor was Ken Champ who was then in line to become the next
Chief Commander of U.S.P.S. Through Hugh Houck, Gordon Wendt,
Dick Fuller, and others I had heard much about the Power Squadron,
and Ken Champ and I had become good friends. Ken lived in Findlay
but was a member of the Fostoria squadron. After our local meeting
at which those in attendance agreed with my suggestion that we
form a local squadron, I got in touch with Ken Champ, and he
came to Indianapolis and met with us. At this time he outlined
the procedure to be followed in the formation of a squadron as
well as telling us the purposes and benefits of a squadron. He
then turned the matter over to the Fostoria squadron to serve
as our sponsor; the commander of Fostoria at that time was Gordon
Gray although much of the actual work entailed was performed
by Judson Rinebold, an officer of Fostoria. As I write this I
am wondering if Gordon Gray was then District Commander and Jud
Rinebold the district secretary. It could be either way as Gordon
was commander at Fostoria as well as District 7.
In late January, Jud Rinebold and one or two others from Fostoria
brought the material to Indianapolis and conducted the first
class. Following that we continued to meet once a week usually
at Johnson Chevrolet at 11th and Meridian to complete the course.
By mid-April we had reached the point where we were ready for
our examinations, and four from Fostoria came to Indianapolis
on a Sunday in May and gave the test to 16 of us. These 16 were
the charter members and were the following:
W. Frank Parrish - Indianapolis
John M. Coulter - Frankfort
Harry E. Riddell - Indianapolis
Bradley Hall - Shelbyville
William D. Guyton - Indianapolis
Paul S. Johnson - Indianapolis
John Wyttenbach - Indianapolis
Thomas S. Hood - Indianapolis
John S. Kirby - Indianapolis
Willard C. Stamper - Indianapolis
Glenn Plymate - Shelbyville
Mayburn F. Landgraf - Indianapolis
Norman L. McCready - Indianapolis
James L. Mannix - Indianapolis
Edward E. McLaren - Indianapolis
James L. Wright - Indianapolis
In addition, there was one more who took the classes with
this group but did not take the examination until the following
November; this was Robert B. Evans.
As I recall it, seven of the charter members became commanders
of Hoosier; this would be Parrish, Kirby, Coulter, Riddell, Mannix,
McCready, and Wyttenbach. I may be in error about McCready.
Just to add a brief note more; I was elected a Staff Captain
in Columbus in 1955 and became the first commander of District
24 when it was formed in 1957. During my term as District commander,
new squadrons were formed in Terre Haute, Louisville, South Bend,
Fort Wayne, Marion, Ohio and Bedford. Also, at one time or another
I was able to get Clark Beverly, Harvey Rockwell, Dave Steiner,
and Phil McClintock in line for district commander.
I also cruised the Great Lakes from Duluth to the Saguenay
on Martha's Mink for 10 years; the first one a 42 footer I had
only one year and then had a 50 footer called a Catalina for
9 years.
Our second class in 1952-53 had 19 who became squadron members.
If you wish the names, I can supply them.
John S. Kirby, Sr.
For more information about the United States Power Squadrons
and specifically the Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron in Indianapolis,
contact information is provided below.......
We'd enjoy hearing from you!
Mailing Address:
Hoosier Sail & Power Squadron, Inc.
143 Chadwick Court
Carmel, IN 46033
Phone: (317) 843-1084
Email: George Herrington - george@handy.pair.com
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