Written by Nancy Rogers | 24 April 2012

Boating is Fun ... We'll Show you How!

“Boating is fun!  We’ll show you how!”  We have so many exciting boating events coming up that this will continue to be our main catchphrase for this year.  Our Boating Activities committee has some fantastic events planned under the guidance of our able Administrative Officer John Derby and his trusty assistant Jackson Schrumpf.  We already started the year out right with a fun  (and bumpy) trip to the Red Solo Cup event hosted by Sabine SPS, and we’re moving right into our own Contraband Days coming up in May.  Be sure to read John’s articles this month to learn about all the upcoming activities.

Executive Officer Glenn Rogers has filled you in on Safe Boating Week, also planned for the month of May.  We will have opportunities for everyone to volunteer to help get the word out about our squadron during the week of May 19-25.  Please check out Glenn’s article for more details.

Michael Richard, our Education Officer, has scheduled some upcoming classes according to the interest expressed by the membership in the past couple of months.  These classes will be on the calendar on our website, so be sure to refer to that calendar frequently.  And be sure to read Michael’s article in this issue for more information.

On a sad note, everyone knows that we lost a great friend and comrade a few days ago.  Past Commander Tom Moilanen lost a hard-fought battle on April 13, but he is still with us through the wonderful memories that remain.  He was a loyal friend and a wonderful Commander who continued to support our squadron after his term on the bridge ended.  We will miss him terribly.

I want to thank all of you fabulous folks who continue to volunteer and help make our group the best in the entire realm of the United States Power Squadrons.  Without you all, this Commander’s job would not be just a simple docking at the marina.  Hope to see you everyone at the next general meeting on May 2nd.

Cdr. Nancy Rogers, P

Written by Nancy Rogers | 12 April 2012

At last year’s Change of Watch, Commander Trisha Garber announced that her first goal for the year was member participation. Obviously everyone took that to heart because she had a wonderful year.  Our members volunteered to hold offices and work on committees, and attendance at our events was phenomenal.  Happily for me, that enthusiasm continues!  The Lake Charles Sail and Power Squadron will continue to be one of the top squadrons because we once again have an outstanding group of leaders.  I am tremendously happy to be working with all of them.  Thank you for stepping up!

During the past few months, I have made it a point to speak with as many members as I could about the direction that they would like to see our group head over the next year.  The loudest response was to make more use of our boats, to have more boating events.  So I tookour first goal straight from the United States Power Squadron website--  “Boating is fun…we’ll show you how!”  Our Boating Activities committee has already planned several great events for the next few months.  If you check the calendar on our website, you will be impressed.  And we also plan to sprinkle in a few more weekends at the Bord du Lac Marina as well.  And keep in mind, we are always open to suggestions from our members.

Other goals for the upcoming year are increased youth involvement, more vessel safety inspections, and an increase in the number of certified instructors so that we can continue to build on our educational program.  We also have several opportunities to participate in community service with the upcoming Clean Bayou project and the Lake Charles Adopt a Spot program.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who helped set up for, and dismantle after, this year’s Change of Watch.  We had over two dozen volunteers who made this event the great celebration that it was.  The number of guests who chose to help us bring in the new Power Squadron year was overwhelming.  Your show of support means so much!

Please join me at all of our events and in looking forward to another successful and FUN-FILLED year!

Cdr. Nancy Rogers

Written by Trisha Garber | 01 April 2011

Typically, a new Commander would start out a first article by saying thank you to the new Executive Board and members, but I as I stated in my Change of Watch speech we are no typical organization.  I will get to the thanks later, but first I want let you know what an exciting year we have planned!   At our Executive Board meeting, someone asked when are we going to have to time to use our boats?   I think our organization has no problem having fun with boating so we will continue to have monthly boating activities.   To add to the fun, our Education Department also has very high goals and plans.  This year we will have seminars, elective courses, advanced boating and public boating classes.  Our new Youth program is eager to put they plans into action with the upcoming National Boat Safe Week.  Finally, to help us keep track of all the exciting activities and news, our meetings committee has planned some great meetings!

The theme of my goals are “I Want You” to focus on membership participation.  We all have special skills and something to offer the LCSPS.   You might enjoy cooking, teaching, organizing, making calls or just attending events and meeting.   All of these things are very important in the structure of a great organization.  I would like to thank those who took my Change of Watch speech to heart and plan to participate.

We had over 30 members attend the Sail into Spring Dockside Social!   Thank you for attending and thank those you cooked and cleaned to make it a great evening.   Also, thanks to Captains Gary and Mike for coming by boat and offering a great evening sail aboard My Love. 

Finally, thank you to everyone that has volunteered their time to serve on the bridge, committees or activities this year.   You are the reason the LCSPS is so successful!

Trisha Garber
Commander

I Want You to be a great member!