America's Boating Club of Deception Pass
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HISTORY  and DETAILS of USPS

World Wars I & II:  FDR (as Assistant Secretary and again as President)
  • Volunteered the entire USPS instructional program for the training of men for naval coastal defense  (477 members, 20 Squadrons)
  • Schools were organized by local squadrons in New York City, Boston, Detroit, Newburgh,  New Haven and Washington, D.C.
  • Over 8,000 men who attended these classes entered the armed services and, based in significant part on the quality of their USPS training, many were appointed officers
  • A parallel organization, Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, with which we maintain close cooperation, flourishes in Canada
  • September 1989:  President George Bush signed a proclamation honoring USPS
  • Today:  Started as a club-within-a-club in the early 1900s, USPS today is a private, self-supporting, non-profit, fraternal boating organization with an incomparable record of achievement
  • No other enterprise can boast of more dedicated or more productive members who have given generously of their time and resources to educate each other in all aspects of boating, and to promoting the cause of safe boating through public courses and other civic services
  • A roster of seven squadrons in 1914 has now grown to well over 450 units operating in the continental United  States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Japan
Membership Number and Pin
Each new member is assigned a membership number.
That number is on your membership certificate. 
SAVE IT!!
You need it to enroll in courses
Also you are given a Pin number.
Need Pin number to access member websites. 
​SAVE IT!!
History of DSPSP 
Began as a branch of Bellingham Power Squadron then chartered as a Squadron in 1976.
Changed our name in 2003 to include “Sail”.
​ Geographic area includes Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands

Typical yearly Educational Activities-
Two American Boating Courses (ABC)
Two Boat Handling Courses
One or two Piloting Courses
Partner in Command seminar
Shrimping and Crabbing seminars
Cruising North seminar
Family Safety seminars
Boating Safety for Kids
Other advanced courses  and seminars as requested
Squadron Meetings
  • Dinner meetings - 2nd Thursday,
    Sept to May
  • Excom meetings - Aug to May
  • Business meeting and elections - March
  • Change of Watch – April
  • Squadron picnic-traditionally August or Sept
  • Holiday Banquet - December
Dinner speakers we have had in past meetings
  • Michael Powers,  "Tragedy and survival in Deception Pass!"
  • Ralph & Colette Gamble, "Cruising to El Salvador"
  • Anthony Zumpano, US Border Protection Port Director, "New Boating Requirements for Private Boaters, called ROAM"
  • Annette Ferguson, D16 Commander
  • Curt Adams, Bristol Yachts Northwest, "The  buying and selling of vessels."
2021 Education Schedule 
​
Tentative Plans
Classes
  • America’s Boating Class: Jan. 16 & 25
  • Cruise Planning, Jan. 25, 2021 7 sessions
  • Boat Handling Course:  Feb. 10 - 7 sessions
Seminars: 
  • Partners in Command, Feb. 6, 2021
  • Shrimping Seminar
  • Crabbing Seminar
  • Boating Safety for Kids
Activities
  • Jamboree
  • SERAT
  • Over 100 Vessel Safety Checks
  • Co-op Charting
  •  Civic Service activities
  • Marine Swap Meet & Jamboree – Spring
  • Boat Show Booths- Seattle & Anacortes
  • Holland Happenings parade
  • 9 membership meetings
  • Cruises with Oak Harbor Yacht Club

Key Resources more found on Links page
  • National Website 
  • District 16 Website 
  • Squadron Bridge Officers​
  • ​Spindrift​ (newsletter)
​More benefits info on Join page
Vertical Divider
National Level Benefits
  • Member Benefits for USPS
  • Boat Live 365-Creating a Safe Boating Culture

MERIT MARKS CRITERIA: An explanation how these are acquired can be downloaded. Click here.
What Is A Merit Mark? The chief commander awards a “merit mark” to a member for substantial effort in personally furthering the interests, programs and objectives of America's Boating Club. It is a coveted award, for it is by and large the only official recognition a member receives for their efforts. Only one merit mark may be awarded in a year, no matter how extensive the contribution.
How Do I Earn A Merit Mark? The Squadron's Commander, or District Officers, based on actual personal service performed, may make a recommendation for a merit mark on an annual basis. Active, additional active and family members are also eligible. Recommendations are based upon contributions within a calendar year and recommendations are gathered for submission to the District Merit Mark Chair each November for the current calendar year. Recommendations approved by the District Chair are submitted to the Chief Commander for final review and approval.
What constitutes "substantial effort?" While subjective, typical rules of thumb include:

District 16
  • District 16 consists of 15 squadrons in Washington and Alaska
  • District 16 leadership provides guidance, data, conferences, & coordination among squadrons
  • Deception Pass Sail and Power Squadron is part of District 16
  • Member benefits
    •  Link to other squadrons in area
    •  Membership information
    •  News & Events



​

1) demonstrated contributions in two or more "sides of the triangle" (education, civic, and fraternal) as related to Squadron operations, with contributions in all three areas preferred.
​2) typically more than just a "few hours" of time; 2-5 hours is not enough, 8-10 "could" be enough; more hours look better than few.  What's important here is that a pattern of squadron involvement - not just island involvement - should be demonstrated by the merit mark applicant.

3) Additional examples of activities that may be applied towards merit mark recognition:
  • Attending a general membership meeting or island dinner does not qualify; a consistent record of attending organized functions, and helping with their delivery to the membership (setup, cleanup, organize, manage, etc.) does qualify.
  • Taking a Squadron-sponsored class does not qualify; helping grade tests, teaching all or a portion of a Squadron-sponsored class does qualify.
  • Attending the boat show does not qualify; helping manage our booth at the boat show does qualify.
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DISCLAIMER STATEMENT
PRIVACY STATEMENT

copyright 2021


We are a non-profit 501C3 corporation with an EIN of 91-0988871 and that contributions are tax deductible.
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For more information, visit
​USPS.org or
​America's Boating Club  or
USPS District 16 - Washington, Alaska, Idaho
  • Home
  • About
    • Bridge Officers
    • Newsletter
  • Events
  • Class Descriptions & Signups
  • Community Services
    • Vessel Safety Checks
    • Cooperative Charting
    • SERAT
  • How to Join
  • Renew Your Membership
  • Gallery
    • Good to Know News & Information
    • Community Partners
  • Donate
  • Members Only
    • Membership Directory
    • Bylaws
    • Merit Marks
    • Ship's Store
    • Links