Garrett Lambert wrote:

(A little different slant than what others have so far opined).
As a long time member( since abt. 1985) of USPS I will take a shot at an
answer.
I will also preface my remarks with a little background on my experience in
the organization in an effort to deflect contrary opinions held by other
USPS members.
I have taught courses including Public Boating , Seamanship, Piloting and
Advanced Piloting and  have served many offices including Commander.
Now my opinion.
The hierarchy of the organization, dont ever call it a club!!!!!!, are much
too concerned with pomp and circumstance to address how the group should
utilize the volunteers time and energy . Which we all know is finite.
There are way too many District and National meetings that consume a huge
amount of energy and money. Most of  the time at these meetings is spent
networking and socializing. Even at the business meetings unnecessary time
is spent listening to reports abt how great their respective squadrons are
doing that could be presented in a written report that should be on the desk
in front of me when I sit down.

Yes a lot of squadrons are made up of a bunch of us old you know what's. The
young people with families dont have the TIME nor RESOURCES to attend two
District meetings a year and two or three more National ones.
Of course, if you are an officer you are encouraged, spelled coerced, to
attend some if not all of them.
I caused a near mutiny in my squadron when I was tapped to be Commander
because I told the membership,((( before the election))) that it was my
intention to run a great local squadron but I did not plan on attending any
of the District nor National meetings for I felt they are a waste of time.
By the way, there are additional meetings that they require upper level
officers to attend , that are usually out of town that are equally a waste
of time. Again a young person simply cant get away from the family or afford
($$$$$) to take the family to these gatherings.

Want to start an argument  among USPS members mention UNIFORMS, man those
old ----- go ballistic. Heck I may be one , I am 58!
This year , due to declining enrollment there is a cash crunch. The
national leadership's answer was not to cut expenses but to raise dues. What
is the old saying about shooting ones self in the foot!!!
Reminds me of the fed govt. dont cut spending raise taxes!!
Ducking but not running-----
CCC

--
LETS ROLL!
Charles and Pat Culotta
Patterson, La.
Web Site: http://www.geocities.com/charlesculotta/

I just went out to both web sites for both the Canadian Power Squadron and
US Power Squadron to check on membership totals.  The CPS has about 43,400
members.  USPS has about 62,900 members.  Of course, I could have counted
wrong too.....  Even so, it is important to note how many people in Canada
are members relative to the membership in the US.

I have been a member of USPS for almost 20 years and appreciate hearing what
USPS could do to improve and grow.

Don Dunlap
----- Original Message -----
From: Charles Culotta cculotta@iamerica.net
Cc: 'TWL' trawler-world-list@samurai.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2001 2:35 PM
Subject: Re: TWL: Support Your Local (US) Power Squadron

in

much

desk

The

any

afford

What

At 08:49 AM 12/12/2001 -0800, Garrett Lambert wrote:

now equals or exceeds the total number of

<<< snip>>>

Coast Guard Auxiliary instead?

REPLY
I would like to  add a more  global perspective to Garrett's  question.
Last year I stepped down after serving  with the National Training
Department of CPS.
Attending  the many  national meetings gave me a better perspective on  how
CPS and USPS differ and where they are alike.
As some of you may know,  each organization invites  the members of the
other national executive to these functions.
This serves to  open  lines of communications.  In border towns it is not
uncommon for members to have dual  membership in  both a Canadian and US
squadron.

One of the main reasons for CPS growth compared to USPS  is the difference
in  recruitment policy.
As Maurice  pointed out, there is a perception of elitism in the  minds of
the general public.

CPS has deliberately taken steps  to combat such a perception by the public
while USPS has taken a different approach.
The personality of the local  squadron  executive is vital to sucessful
recruitment and  activity  at the local squadron  level.
Another poster mentioned the  age differential.  I too have noted this.
Here again  CPS seems to have  been more proactive in  recruiting  younger
members.  Many years ago when I became a squadron commander at age 36  it
was  considered unusual.
Now that is very common.  CPS has had a Children's program  in place for at
least fifteen years.  I have had  highschool age students in my adult
classes.  USPS  national  offficers have taken note and  in some cases
brought these ideas back to  their own  organization for consideration.

What it boils down to is this. Change  will only  take place if the grass
roots  membership  accepts and  actively endorse such change. If your local
squadron is not  sparkling with  activity,  help make it happen  by
getting more actively involved.
While it is true that volunteerism  has taken a nosedive in the past decade
or so, perhaps in the post 9/11 era this will change.

Unfortunately, we in Canada do not have a Coast guard Aux  that is
comparable to what the US has.
Our CCG  Aux  is  very different in strructure and funding.  When our
squadron wanted to set up a Aux. unit in our local area  we were told NO!
by CCG since it was not  in the mandate.    The reason given was  a mattter
of geographical  boundary  ruling.
I pointed out to no avail that drowing people do not care about local
boundary  disputes at the bureaucratic  level.

Cheers

Arild Jensen
The Electronic  Navigator