mark 5 fall 2009 print
DESCRIPTION
Publication of District 5, United States Power SquadronTRANSCRIPT
DISTRICT 5
A UNIT OF UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS®
MARK 5MARK 5SAIL AND POWER BOATING®VOLUME 59 NO. 3 FALL 2009
Fall Education Conference Cover
Commander’s Message 2
Meet our Asst. Treasurer 3
Attention Editors 4
Fall Conference Reg. Form 5
Notes from the Law Committee 6
USPS Annual Meeting Info 8
Summer Council / Rendezvous 9, 10
CONTENTSFall Educational Conference
D/Lt Jeff McKinney, JN
It’s hard to believe it is already the beginning of
October. Where did summer go? On the bright note, the
2009 Fall Educational Conference is getting closer.
With a little over a month to go, this conference is
shaping up to be one of the best ever!
It is now time to finalize your reservations for both the
hotel and the conference. Don’t forget that the deadline
to get the hotel reservation in to be assured of the
reduced conference rates is October 15th! The form is in
this edition, and can also be found on the D5 website at
http://www.uspsd5.org.
Some of the confirmed presentations for the Education
Conference include the ever-popular Instructor’s
Recertification, a presentation by NOAA on their latest
plans to upgrade the U.S. navigation charts, and updates
on the new seminars in USPS University’s catalog.
Watch for the final agenda to get all the details.
Are you an instructor or prospective student for the
elective courses? We’ll have sessions for you to learn
about the present and future courses presented by
experienced instructors.
Who is the top instructor in the district? Which
squadrons get to take home the coveted Prince Henry
and Caravelle Awards? For the answers to these
FROM THE EDITOR:
If you haven’t seen the previous edition of
the Mark 5 (Summer 2009 ONLINE), goto
the District 5 Web Page at www.uspsd5.org
and access the Mark 5 Web Page to view
the issue. There were >30 pages of infor-
mation and pictures. If you have already
had a chance to checkout that issue, please
send any comments to the Editor, as we
would like to hear your opinion on the new
ONLINE issue.
Continued on page 4
DISTRICT 5 - UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS ® - WWW.USPSD5.ORG
2
Commander
D/C Ralph A. Bernard, AP
P.O. Box 682, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
(Absecon Island) (609) 625-0031
Executive Officer
D/Lt/C L. Chris Brown, JN
3151 Club Drive, Allentown, PA 18103
(Delhigh) (610) 433-3523
Educational Officer
D/Lt/C Walter K. Neese, SN
1432 Park Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217
(Dundalk) (410) 728-7275
Administrative Officer
D/Lt/C Bernard S. Karpers, N
1209 Brookview Rd., Baltimore, MD 21286
(Dundalk) (410) 825-6829
Secretary
D/Lt/C Guy B. Thompson, AP
14226 - 11 Jib St., Laurel, MD 20707
(Patapsco River) (301) 498-6653
Treasurer
D/Lt/C Milton Cloud, AP
2206 Raymond Ave., Richmond, VA 23228
(Richmond) (804) 266-3252
Asst. Educational Officer
D/1st/Lt William J. McManimen, N
1219 Lois Rd., Ambler, PA 19002
(Pennsway) (215) 542-9253
Asst. Administrative Officer
D/1st/Lt James A. Gorman, AP
10013 Biscayne Lane, Damascus, MD 20872
(Potomac River) (301) 253-5050
Asst. Secretary
D/1st/Lt Maryellen Colston, AP
307 Piney Forest Dr., Colonial Beach VA 22443
(Mid-Potomac) (804) 224-1069
Asst. Treasurer
D/1st/Lt Charles (Chip) F. Yost, AP
14001 Parkvale Rd., Rockville, MD 20853
(Rockville) (301) 460-2681
2009 - 2010 District 5 Commander’s Message
D/C Ralph A. Bernard, AP
Although the summer is winding down,
squadrons throughout the District are still
having on-the-water activities, so please
make plans to get out, attend, and have
some fun. As fall is coming upon us, we
should start thinking of one of the corners
of our triangle: Education. Fall boating
courses, which have already been planned,
need many members to go out and interact
with the attendees and show the public just
what USPS is all about. Not only do we
have the best educational opportunities available, regardless of price, but
we also have a tremendous amount of fun. District 5 squadrons have
already shown the community service aspect of that triangle and continue
to provide our local areas with information about boating safety. This,
too, is a chance for squadrons to get together in order to combine their
resources to present the best boating classes in the nation.
November brings our Fall Educational Conference in Rockville,
Maryland, hosted by Rockville Sail and Power Squadron, and with that
comes new information and chances to make new friends and members.
D/Lt/C Walter Neese, SN and his department are working very hard to
provide you with all the necessary tools to give the public the absolute
best we can provide. They will also give you the latest facts on safe
boating and navigation, and the important part is how you can present it to
the public and to our members.
I would like to congratulate Mid-Potomac Power Squadron on their
interaction with local law enforcement. A boater, who obviously did not
take the USPS Boating Course, was running at a very high rate of speed in
a low-speed area and could not negotiate a turn, hit a dock and a few other
things, but was able to continue on the water and left the scene. The local
law-enforcement officials called on Mid-Potomac Power Squadron for
their assistance and within 30 minutes there was a boat was on the water.
Fearing injury to the occupants of the vessel, the search for the boat went
on with people watching the ramps while a Mid-Potomac Power Squadron
boat was on the water. The vessel was eventually found in a driveway. I
am sure charges were brought against the operator. This is an example of
the value squadrons can have with regard to all types of community
service. By responding so quickly, the members of Mid-Potomac could
have been the difference between life and death, and although most
incidents can be “routine,” one never knows which one will not.
Your District 5 Bridge continues to attend as many functions as possible,
and please, if there are subjects anyone would like to discuss, do not
hesitate to let us know. We want to make the organization better and are
open to suggestions.
Thank you so much for all of your support!
BOATING IS FUN... WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW!
3
Meet Assistant D/5 Treasurer
D/1st/Lt Charles (Chip) Yost, AP
By: P/C Joesph Gibson, AP
The natural beauty of the Chesapeake Bay, family fishing trips and
his brother’s lifelong interest in sail provided Chip with his early
motivation toward boating. His Dad’s gift of a 20-foot motorboat
renewed his passion for being on or close to the water. After several
years of operating the boat, catching few fish but attaining expert
status in towing lures and drowning worms, Chip saw boating classes
offered in the adult education section of the local newspaper; the
RSPS commander loaned Chip BoatSmart and proctored his exam.
This outreach and the possibility of additional education prompted
Chip to join the squadron. The motorboat was retired and Chip purchased a 1973 Camper & Nicholson
30 sailboat, described as a racer/cruiser. He continues to learn the art of sailing, experience the zen of
sailboat maintenance, and with his wife Kipp enjoy the experience of the wind and hum of the rigging.
Chip and Kipp have just completed cruising Solon Mhor to Cape Charles for the D5 summer rendezvous.
Chip joined RSPS in 2003 and was encouraged to assist in the Education Dept. He has taught BoatSmart,
ABC, and Sail 101/102. (The last proves the aphorism that the best way to learn a subject is to teach it
before a critical audience.) He also persuaded his wife, Kipp, to join RSPS and to participate in the
squadron’s educational and social activities. Along the way they both became USPS Certified Instructors
and also are certified by the State of Maryland. He served as a member at large on the squadron’s
Executive Committee, as Auditor, and is currently RSPS Treasurer. For D/5, Chip assists the current
treasurer in his duties and focuses on the SeaVester account; he assisted the budget committee of RSPS
for the past two years, as well as of D/5 this past spring.
Like many USPS members, Chip’s early career focus in corporate and government jobs left little time for
recreation. After graduating from university (a long time ago), Chip worked for an international trading
firm in New York, and in that firm’s office in Moscow. After he returned to the United States, he worked
as a stock broker and eventually joined a U.S. government agency that specializes in international trade
issues as an industry-commodity analyst
with emphasis on the steel industry. It was
at this point that Chip began boating again,
a valuable outlet for his creativity. He has
since completed an accounting degree,
achieved a CPA license, and has transferred
within the agency into the investigations
unit as an auditor. With all this experience,Chip will certainly be an asset to the district
bridge.
DISTRICT 5 - UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS ® - WWW.USPSD5.ORG
4
Attention Editors!
There will be a meeting of editors
at Fall Conference to air and
answer your computer questions.
This will hopefully assist you in
making your job easier and
making full use of your computer
to do your newsletters.
More information will be coming to
you in an e-mail from D/Lt Micky
McNelis. Please plan on being
there on Saturday, 7 November.
questions and to learn who won the many
other educational awards, be sure to come
to the luncheon and banquet on Saturday.
In the meantime, there are new education-
related items to consider:
1. New On-Line Materials and
Exams Ordering Processes Available
Thanks to the efforts of P/C Dan Bartell, a
new on-line ordering system is in place.
Authorized members can order
Educational Department materials and
exams using a web browser. No need to
use item numbers when ordering
materials, and no need to look up
certificate numbers for exam orders. Just
use the new pull-down menu selections
under “Order Course Materials” on any
EdDept web page. There are Help
menus for both material and exam
orders, and we recommend that
you read these before you first use
the on-line processes. Both the
existing SOF and ED-33 forms
will remain available should you
need to use them. (05 Aug 09)
2. Hot New Information:
Take a Course and Maybe Win a
Prize!
The Educational Department has
received a grant from the USPS
Educational Fund that rewards squadron members for taking advanced courses. A
competition in each of several course categories is being offered and prizes will be awarded
via a drawing of all students who successfully complete the course by passing the final exam.
The contest began 01 July 2009 and ends 30 June 2010. The awards will be
announced and presented at the Seattle Governing Board, August 30 - September
4, 2010. See you there!
Continued from page 1
BOATING IS FUN... WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW!
5
RESERVATION FORMUSPS D/5 FALL EDUCATION CONFERENCE
5 – 9 NOVEMBER 2009Rockville, Maryland
MEMBER: Rank __________ Name: ______________________________ ___________ Grade: ____________
ADDRESS: ____________________________ CITY: ___________________ STATE: _____ ZIP: __________
SQUADRON: ____________________________ POSITION: ______________ FIRST TIMER? ___________
E-mail: ___________________________________________________ PHONE: __________________________
SPOUSE/OTHER ATTENDEES:
Rank: _______ Name: ___________________________________ Grade: ____________ First Timer? ________
Rank: _______ Name: ___________________________________ Grade: ____________ First Timer? ________
ACTIVITIES SELECTIONS
(Cost includes tax and gratuity for each meal)FRIDAY MEET AND GREET
Appetizers & Hors d’ Oeuvres # _______ @ $9.00 $ __________
SATURDAY LUNCHEONBuffet includes soup, salad and entrée (choice of beef/ # _______ @ $20.00 $ __________
chicken/vegetarian)
SATURDAY AUXILIARY LUNCHEON # _______ @ $20.00 $ __________Buffet (same as above) separate meeting
SATURDAY BANQUET ENTREE CHOICES:Vegetable Neapolitan # _______ @ $35.00 $ _ _________
Frenched Breast of Chicken # _____ _ @ $35.00 $ ___________(Meals also come with Caesar Salad and dessert)
OPTIONALRoom raffle ONE FREE NIGHT1 ticket for $2.00 or 3 tickets for $5.00 # _______ @ $2 or $5 $ __________
TOTAL ENCLOSED: $ __________
Make Checks Payable to: 2009 D/5 Fall Conference
Meal Reservations must be received by 15 October 2009
SEND TO: Lt/C Denise Allen, JN
4526 Pickett Rd.
Fairfax, VA 22032
Phone: 703-323-3916 Fax: 703-323-3947
E-mail address: [email protected]
Uniform – Thursday/Friday – USPS/Squadron shirts. Saturday – USPS Blazer w/grey slacks, Banquet – Uniform A with bowtie.
Rockville Hilton Hotel
Website: http://www.rockvillehotel.com
1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852
Reservations 1-301-468-1100 Reservation ID Code: U. S. Power Squadrons
ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY 15 OCTOBER 2009 TO ENSURE USPS RATES
Rates: Regular Room - $99.00 per night Thursday/Friday/Saturday
King Suite with sofa bed - $139 per night
Directions: From I 495 (Capital Beltway), take exit 34, Wisconsin Ave./Rockville Pike north on route 355. Go
about 4 miles, to just past intersection with Twinbrook Parkway. Hotel will be on the right. Parking is free in
the garage.
DISTRICT 5 - UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS ® - WWW.USPSD5.ORG
6
Notes and News from the
D5 LAW COMMITTEE
For those who missed our article in
the summer on-line edition of Mark
5, you need to be aware of the
insurance program that USPS has,
how to use it, whom to contact and
what to do when a claim is made for
personal injury or property damage
in the course of a squadron or
district sponsored event.
All of us should be aware of the summary of
insurance coverage on the USPS website. You can
find it by starting at the USPS home page, clicking on
“Member Stuff” and then on “District and Squadron
Insurance.” There you will find an outline of nine
different policies covering many phases of our
activities. But you are not expected to decide what is
covered and by what policy as a result of reading the
summaries. The most important information is the
names and contact information of our broker and the
people there who can help with questions and claims.
USPS insurance coverage is with the Chubb Group of
Insurance Companies, our broker is Gowrie Barden &
Brett, and the people to contact are:
Mr. Steve Prime
Tel: 401.846.5130
email: [email protected]
Ms. Mary Diaz
Tel: 800.262.8911
email: [email protected]
Whenever something happens from which you think a
claim may be made, whether you believe the claim is
justified or not, there are several things you should do.
At the time of the event, get and record as much
information as you can, including the date and time of
the occurrence, the names and contact information of
everyone involved and as many witnesses as you can
identify, the location of the event,
weather conditions, and what happened.
Remember the need to notify state
officials if the damages or injuries
meet reporting requirements.
Promptly notify your commander and
your insurance company, including the
USPS broker, of the situation. If you
have any doubt about whether a claim
will be made or whether it would be
covered by insurance, get in touch
with the insurance companies at once.
Let them help you with your
questions. Don‘t be afraid that asking will raise your
premiums. It won’t. More importantly, prompt notice
generally is a requirement for coverage and you don’t
want to lose coverage because you failed to give
prompt notice to the insurance company.
One very notable exception to coverage described in
the summary relates to claims for personal injury and
property damage occurring in the course of a cruise
for the fraternal benefit of members. In that case the
members involved have to rely on their own insurance
policies for protection and the USPS insurer would
cover only claims made against USPS. So buying and
maintaining your own liability insurance policy
remains crucial for your financial protection.
As was shown in the situation described in last
month’s Notes and News, you can’t always know in
advance that a claim may be made relating to a
squadron or district event. That is why it is important
to maintain records of events, such as date, time,
place, and the names of people at the event, because
those facts may become crucial later when it is too
late to record them.
Another reason to contact the USPS insurance broker
is to obtain a certificate of insurance when you are
asked to do so by someone with whom you are
planning an event. For example, when our squadron
was manning a booth at a local boat show, the
operators where happy to let us have the booth
without charge, but wanted a certificate showing that
they were covered by our insurance if a claim were to
Continued on page 8
BOATING IS FUN... WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW!
7
DISTRICT 5 - UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS ® - WWW.USPSD5.ORG
8
http://www.register123.com/event/profile/web/index.cfm?PKwebID=0x163211dae8
1-6 February
Disney’s Coronado Springs ResortDisney World
Orlando, Florida
USPS Annual Meeting 2010
be made as a result of our activities at the show. We
got in touch with Ms. Diaz, who promptly sent the
appropriate certificate that named the boat show
operators as additional insureds for the course of the
show.
You also can and should contact the D/5 Law
Committee if you have any questions about legal
liability, insurance issues, or anything else we may be
able to help with. We are here to serve you.
We also would like to have more committee members
representing all of the states within D5. So if you are
interested, or know of someone who is, please get in
touch with us.
District 5 Law Committee
D/Lt M. Melvin Shralow, AP, Chair
610.642.5651
Continued from page 6
BOATING IS FUN... WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW!
9
Summer Council / Rendezvous 2009Cape Charles, Virginia
P/D/C Arlene Anderson, AP
The boats came from the North and South, thecars/RV’s brought folks from seven states toBay Creek Marina and Resort in Cape Charles,VA. More than 350 people from both District 5and 27 joined together for this first combineddistrict summer rendezvous.
There was the D/C Cruise that formed inAnnapolis, Maryland, bringing together morethan 40 boats, that cruised the ChesapeakeBay the week prior to arriving in Cape Charles.Many smaller groups formed and traveled fromvarious parts of North Carolina. A total of 87boats of various sizes and kinds docked at BayCreek for three days of camaraderie and funwith members from 43 squadrons in the two
districts.
Members from both districts formed a planning committee and worked on this event for a year tomake this joint event happen. Many traditional events from both districts were incorporated. Notonly was there planning for boating accommodations at the marina but other housingaccommodations were searched out to take care of those who drove.
Once the boats and cars started to arrive on Thursday, basically the evening schedule lefteveryone on their own, but several gatherings were organized: cocktail parties, spaghetti dinners,P/D/C gatherings to swap old stories, and boat hopping to see long time friends.
Friday kicked off early with two days of on-the-water Boat Operator Certification events. Manychose to take the bus trip to a local winery and lunch. The dinghy poker run was a big hit withseveral entries, while those who chose not to participate in on-the-water activities formed teams to
start off the Bean Bag Baseball competition.Many teams formed with all sizes of players, a fewof the children opted to team up for baseballcompetition instead of participating with all theother children in their planned activities. Fridayevening ended with 350 people being bussed todowntown Cape Charles where the local volunteerfire company prepared a Seafood Fest for us. Itwas two civic organizations helping each other, thefiremen prepared our meal for the evening and wewere able to leave the fireman with$10,500 to help their community.
Continued on page 10
DISTRICT 5 - UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS ® - WWW.USPSD5.ORG
10
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While Friday was a fun packed
day of events, many rose early
Saturday for the District 5
traditional flag raising ceremony.
C/C Maynard and V/C Alter were
decked out in their summer
whites, along with the immediate
P/C/C, R/C, P/D/C; squadron
commanders from both districts
were introduced. The weather
was great for the annual District
5 Navigation Contest with a few
boats that took to the waters of
the bay to demonstrate their
navigation skills. District 27 gave
lessons on Conch shell blowing
so several members tried their
skills at blowing the shells.
Those who did not brave the
shell blowing competition went
off to try their skill at shooting the
homemade potato cannons.
Both districts came prepared to
show off who had the best
cannon. The weekend events
were starting to come to a close
but not without the two District
Commanders hosting a
wonderful cocktail party for 350
people before the Southern Style
Pig Pick’n dinner. After dinner,
recognition was given to those
who participated in the various
events of the weekend, some
winners and even the happy
squadron that took home the
District 5 “Sourpuss” Award.
It was a wonderful event with
everyone from Districts 5 and 27
enjoying CROSSING PATHS with
USPS fellowship.
Continued from page 9
BOATING IS FUN... WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW!
11
Mark 5 Staff
Editor
D/Lt Thomas Reichard, AP
1205 Elverton Ct.
Chesapeake, VA 23321
(Hampton Roads) (757) 465-1531
Staff
D/Lt Gail W. Becker, S (Patapsco)
D/Lt Walter D. Lazear, AP (Northern VA)
D/Lt Micky McNelis (Dundalk)
Photographers
P/D/C Arlene Anderson, AP (Hampton Roads)
D/Lt Michael Lebeduik, III, P (Delhigh)
D/Lt Sharen Reichard, P (Hampton Roads)
Advertising
D/Lt Jack Yeigh, AP– Chairman
317 Columbia Lane
Stevensville, MD 21666
(Kent Narrows) (410) 643-2106
P/D/C William Selden, V, AP
(Richmond)
Official Publication of District 5
United States Power Squadrons®
Published Six Times Annually
(three printed - three online)
Deadline for:
Winter (Online) 2009 is November 28, 2009
Spring (Print) 2009 is December 29, 2009
Articles, opinions and advertisements do
not necessarily reflect USPS policy or
endorsement unless so designated.
For more information contact
P/C Michael Lebeduik @ [email protected]
DISTRICT 5 - UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS ® - WWW.USPSD5.ORG
12
D/Lt/C Guy B. Thompson, AP
District 5 Secretary14226 - 11 Jib St.Laurel, MD 20707
DATED MATERIAL NON-PROPHIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
EASTON, MD
PERMIT NO. 81
5
Return Service Requested
6 - 8 November
Fall Conference
Rockville, MD
1 - 6 February
Disney’s Coronado Spring Resort
Disney World
Orlando, Florida