Valley Ho Power Squadron

District 13 Conferences

District 13 convenes two conferences each year, one in the Spring (usually March) and one in the Fall (usually October) with members from all District 13 Squadrons in attendance or represented. The conferences are hosted by different Squadrons, with hosting rotating among the many Squadrons. The conferences are generally held at hotel chosen by and near to the general location of the host Squadron. Both conferences start with a general membership meeting in the morning, followed by two series of seminars conducted before the lunch break where members and Squadron officers can learn more about USPS and District 13 requirements, procedures, and activities, and can impart some of their own observations and knowledge. If any seminar group deems it reasonable, recommendations for USPS action may be presented to the assembled District 13 Bridge and Squadron representatives during the afternoon business meeting. The afternoon is devoted to the District 13 business meeting with reports from the various departments, committees, and seminars. During the afternoon of the Spring conference the new District 13 Bridge is elected by a vote of the representatives from each Squadron. The evening is devoted to a dinner-dance. During the Spring conference dinner-dance the new District 13 Bridge is installed by the National Commander or his representative. A raffle for which tickets have been sold at individual Squadron functions is conducted with a series of donated prizes, some of considerable value, awarded. Of course, the Chief Tom Cod makes an appearance near the end of the installation ceremony to induct the immediate Past Commander into the Order of Tom Cods, explaining the rules (none), duties (none), and responsibilities (none) attendant with membership in this distinguished organization (it isn’t). Friday nights prior to the official start of the conferences, many District 13 Squadrons open host rooms in the hotel, usually the room of the Squadron Commander, where decorations festoon the room in conformance with the conference theme, and refreshments are served to those visiting the room. A prize may be awarded to the Squadron with the “best” host room. Many members reserve rooms at the hotel, or bring RV’s, in order to fully participate in the Friday night gaieties, the early Saturday morning activities, Saturday seminars and business meetings, the Saturday night dinner-dance, and a Sunday morning breakfast with friends. The conference is an excellent venue for meeting and getting to know members from the other Squadrons in District 13. D13 Spring Conference March 19-20, 2004 Hosted by Valley Ho BEYOND THE HORIZON