Report from the D/26 Fall Conference and Change of Watch
Hosted 7-9 October 2011 by North Strand
by P/C Debra Allen, AP
It was a busy fall conference for District 26 with the adoption of a new dues
structure, passage of a balanced budget for 2012, adoption of bylaws updates,
the recognition of achievements by individual members, squadrons and the
district as a whole, and finally, the election and installation of a new
district bridge.
All of this was highlighted by the presence of USPS Chief Commander Frank
Dvorak, SN, and his lovely wife Vivien. And, I almost forgot, the Lazy Pool Boat
Races followed by shagging away an evening at the ocean Drive Beach and Golf
Resort.
About that boat race: Squadrons were asked to enter a boat to race powered
only by a rubber band. Lt/C Charlie Bruce, SN constructed the Lake Murray boat
and Cdr Lee Ayers, SN launched it for the race. All the Lake Murray members
present cheered our boat on as it finished with the 3rd best time behind North
Strand’s two entries. We’re thinking that was due to home water advantage!
Regardless, it was a fun competition and it showed that we have some really some
creative minds in USPS!
What a summary, you may just want to skip down to the photos! But if you want
more details about the D/26 Fall Conference, keep reading.
On recommendation of the Planning Committee, the District 26 Conference on 8
October approved adoption of a family unit dues structure. It also approved a
balanced budget with no increase in assessment. This means that squadrons will
be assessed a fee of $7.50 for a single, active member or $11.25 per family unit
in the spring.
In other matters, Conference voted to update D/26 Bylaws bringing them in
line with recommendations from National. The updated bylaws will be posted on
the district website following approval by the National Rules Committee.
While most district awards are presented in the spring, the fall conference
is reserved for recognition of the nominees for the Charles F. Chapman Award for
Excellence in Teaching. This award is given to a member of District 26 who has
continually excelled as a teacher in USPS. Each squadron winner is recognized
and from among that group, the district winner is designated and nominated for
the national award.
Winner of this year’s D/26 Chapman Award for Teaching Excellence is P/C Barry
Sroka, SN, of Savannah River. Competing for the district recognition were the
following squadron winners: R/C Ron Osburn, SN, of Golden Corner Lakes; Lt/C
Vicky Jefferis, AP, of Golden Isles; P/C Larry D. Byrd, SN, of Long Bay; Lt/C
William W. Wilkes, SN, of Swamp Fox; P/C Frank R. Clayton, SN, of Thurmond Lake;
P/R/C Blake G. Roberts, SN, of Lake Hartwell; and Lt/C Dennis Cusanelli, AP, of
Tybee Light.
In speaking to the D/26 Conference, C/C Frank Dvorak challenged all members
with the following: “It is time. Time to turn things around; time to revitalize
our squadrons; time to add new members; time to keep existing members; time to
respect our traditions; time to embrace positive change; time to come about;
time to chart a new course.”
The Chief told those present that it is time to accept the challenge and make
the commitment to increase membership and extend our reach by teaching USPS
courses and the many professional quality seminars that have been developed.
“We are a business,” the Chief said, noting that “membership is job number
one and only squadrons can reach the individual boater.”
Hilton Head Sail & Power Squadron was recognized for membership growth in
2010 – it ranked fourth in the nation in growth. As of the end of September
2011, however, D/26 membership had declined by 3.9% with four squadrons gaining
members (growth ranged from 7.1% to 17.9%), eight squadrons remaining about
level and one squadron’s membership dropping by 11.2%.
Outgoing Education Office Joe Warren announced that all but one squadron
offered America’s Boating Course during FY2011; and that while 329 enrolled in
these classes, the number represented a drop in enrollment of 15% over FY2010.
Three squadrons reported having started their FY2012 ABC classes, with 30
students enrolled.
Hilton Head’s Cdr John Kern told conference members about Hilton Head’s
effort to expand its educational audience through an arrangement with USC
Beaufort — an arrangement that benefits the
campus by broadening its continuing education program while allowing the Hilton
Head Sail & Power Squadron to reach more residents with its boating safety
message.
Recognition for squadron teaching aids displayed at the D/26 Fall Conference
went to: First Place to North Strand Sail & Power Squadron, Second Place to
Charleston Sail & Power Squadron, Third Place to Swamp Fox Power Squadron and an
Honorable Mention to Savannah River Sail & Power Squadron.
In other education news, Full Certificate /Education Achievement Awards were
presented to Ernest T. Forbes, SN of Lake Murray and Marlyn J. Stoven, SN of
Golden Corner Lakes. Recognized for education proficiency were John Churnetski
of Beaufort; Walter Kirk, Norman Shotz and Albert Pepe of Hilton Head; Bert
Baxter of Lake Hartwell; Marilyn Hyman of Lake Murray; and Stephen Laponte,
Richard Pugh and David Kopperburg of Thurmond Lake.
It also was announced that D/26 ranked eighth out of 36 USPS districts in the
number of completed vessel safety checks — 999
have been reported. And, coming in even higher, D/26 ranked second in the
country in cooperative charting, with six squadrons making the national honor
roll.
Among the district’s upcoming meetings are the Spring Conference, which will
be held in Beaufort 9-11 March; the Cruise and Rendezvous, which will be held in
Augusta 11-13 May; and the Fall Conference and Change of Watch, which will be
held 5-7 October in Greenville.
But, wait, I told you that the Chief Commander joined us for the weekend! He
had the pleasure of swearing in the following bridge officers for 2012: D/C Bob
Boal, SN; Executive Officer Ed Kridler, SN; Educational Officer Tim Tate, AP;
Administrative Officer Paula LeMond, AP; Secretary Andy Hyman, SN; Treasurer
Larry Jefferis, AP; and Assistant Educational Officer Bill O’Neill, SN.
Our new D/C Bob Boal thanked North Strand Sail & Power Squadron for hosting a
wonderful weekend conference and for the support and leadership that his home
squadron provided him through the years.
“When I came to South Carolina, I bought a boat before I bought a house,” Bob
began. “Then, nine years ago this month I joined the North Strand Squadron where
Charlie Shuler got me involved in education.”
Noting the issues that face District 26 and all of USPS, Bob told those
gathered that 2012 is going to be an exciting and challenging year in which we
try new things, never forgetting the trident of education, civic service and
fraternal activities.
Click on the thumbnail below to see scenes from our 2011 Fall Conference and
Change of Watch.
