It's been a busy season, not all of it productive, unless you can call shoveling snow productive! We have been snowed and "iced" in going nowhere much of the time since Dec 13. Fortunately all the Squadron events to which the District Commander was invited were completed by then.
I would like to thank the Squadrons: Ripple Rock, Ballenas, Gabriola Island, Nanaimo and Nanoose and their Commanders for their gracious hosting and well-organized events. Because of a conflict, I was unable to get to Cowichan Squadron's event, but Exec Officer, Sheila Boutcher sub'd for me and reported and an enjoyable evening. Congratulations to the successful Boating students. and the instructors and proctors. From all accounts it was a successful fall of instruction. One thing I noticed was the enthusiasm of the new grads/members, something hopefully that will be tapped into.
Some of us have been trying to get the supplies issues straightened out. The Boating Student Kits are available only as packages now, Boating, Boating with reduced material for partners, and Boating without the CPS plotter, but not as individual items as in the past. This means that orders to the Supply Officer of VIND will be on the basis of so many kts required, not the individual components of the kits as has been the case till now. This is tied in with the automatic membership for the first year. In addition we have learned the Government has made available CD's for Chart 1 (Symbols and Abbreviations) but not the traditional book form of the document, at least for VIND as some others. We find this unacceptable are and pursuing the matter. It is not reasonable to expect everyone venturing out on the water who will need the resource of Chart 1 will have a computer to access the contents of the CD. More on this later.
Meanwhile I wish everyone the best for 2009, and enjoyable and safe boating. Best of success with your spring classes.
Dec. 8, 2008: " 'tis this season to be jolly"!For us boaters on this coastline, it's inviting to get out on the water with boats alight in spectacular splendor, much to the enjoyment of all. And some just take our boats out, well, just because it's winter on the Pacific coast. Along with the celebratory mood often comes "good cheer". Let's think about what that means when operating a boat, especially in the dark, with red and green lights everywhere, most of which don't even mean port and starboard. Bottom line is that alcohol impairs judgment and deprives us of our hard earned boating safety skills, but we all know that. So let's have a great time and save our glass of good cheer till we're back ashore. Besides, drinking while operating a boat is illegal.
Have a great and happy Christmas, Holiday, and New Year.
Don
Nov. 26, 2008: Merit Marks
I have submitted the Merit Marks for District, and see that two of the Squadron Commanders (most northerly) have submitted theirs. Way to go guys! It's easy - much easier, than the old way with paper, lists, ranks, sorting, including member numbers (where do you find these anyway?!), then sending them to the D/C who looks at them all (really does), then forwards them on the the Chief Commander. This new way through WBAS, the member numbers, sorting, and much other stuff is done for you.
I know this is redundant for many, but to get to the working space, Commanders log in to Members Moorings, then
>My Profile (above)
>Squadron Administration
>Administration (under Squadron Administration)
>Add a Merit Mark Submission
Follow the instructions, and don't forget to confirm if the correct member found. I thought it very clear once at the working site.
Good luck, and any problems, contact Phil Devitt, our IT Officer, in the Roster. We're here to help.
Nov. 14, 2008: The Social Season
It's a busy social season approaching and a challenge to keep head above water, however a reliable date book can serve as a PFD (personal fabulous device). Here is my schedule for the upcoming season, exclusive of rehearsals, concerts, meetings with other organizations, etc.
Saturday Nov. 29 - Gabriola Island Grad and Christmas party
Thursday Dec. 4 - Ripple Rock Grad and Christmas party
Saturday Dec. 6 - Nanoose Fall Grad and Christmas party
Monday Dec. 8 - Nanaimo Grad night and celebration
Wednesday Dec 10 - Ballenas Christmas party
I'm looking forward to enjoying the time with you and congratulating the successful grads.
Have I missed anyone? I still have a few empty spaces on the "dance card".
Nov. 8, 2008: AGM Report, Merit Marks
The National CPS 70th Annual Conference and AGM has passed into history. It was a well-run and well-attended event, celebrating 70 years of our history in the birthplace of CPS.
The meetings were pretty intense but of course WBAS and the implications was foremost in the concerns of many, especially the District Commanders. I have circulated my report to the Bridge and D/C's and am arranging to have it posted at the VIND website. Bottom line from the meetings is that the leadership at National is hearing our concerns, and the early renewal discount only available on-line at WBAS has been modified to include renewal by other traditional means 30 days ahead of the renewal date. This and other actions taken indicate a welcome softening of the policies of use of WBAS.
However for some, using WBAS remains a real challenge. THe manual is near fully developed and has been a huge task. The appointment of National IT support person, Heather Bulmer will certainly help with removal of any online roadblocks.
A proud moment at the AGM was to see our Admin Officer, Clifford Miller being awarded the Chief Commander's Citation for outstanding service to CPS. Well deserved! Clifford Miller, the VIND Admin Officer, former Training Officer, has chaired the Seamanship Course revision during the time it was revamped from the Piloting Course, and is now the Course Director. Clifford deserves a huge vote of thanks for the hard and persistent work he has done over the last several years, along with major input from our Executive Officer, Sheila Boutcher. Clifford's contribution to CPS was recognized in a major way at the 2008 National Conference and AGM when be was presented with the Chief Commander's Citation. Well done Clifford!
It is early November, and Dec first is the day we like to see all the Merit Marks submitted. These are to be submitted directly by Commanders, and myself to the Chief Commander via WBAS. Assistance is available, and for the Commanders not computer savvy, feel free to enlist some help from another member of your Squadron, Phil Devitt (Cowichan Squadron and our IT person), or from Heather Bulmer at HQ. It is my responsibility to look at all the submissions and to check for omissions as much as I can, and assure the Chief Commander, as has traditionally been the case. Your D/C has access at the WBAS to all the VIND Squadrons Merit Mark submissions. Oh, one more thing, I spoke pretty strongly at the D/C meeting that a reasonable estimate of the Merit hours should be made, and not to submit "20+". It is better to be able to respond to anyone asking how many volunteer hours have been donated with a number, than with columns of "20+". Remember the Merit Marks are for 2009, but cover the time from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2008.
Oct. 21, 2008: WBAS Support
WBAS! A term that is not short on evoking a spectrum of emotions!
After the last Council meeting I was given some pretty clear direction as to concerns,, and these concerns are reflected in my report and in what part I will take in the discussions in the next few days at the Annual Conference and AGM of the National, in Windsor. Is it coincidence that much of the country has similar thoughts to those expressed in VIND?
Well, there are two sides to every coin, and I received some very good news this morning. Our Executive Director, Alain Briere, has announced the appointment of Heather Bulmer in the new position of Technical Support Analyst at CPS Headquarters. Alain goes on to say: "This new position was created to help support, staff, volunteers, members and the public with our growing Information Technology infrastructure, the Web Based Administration System and online e-commerce and e-learning facilities.
Heather will report to the Executive Director and work in collaboration with the Information Technology Committee to develop a formal Information Technology Help Desk and associated processes.
The exact Help Desk process will be developed and announced in November. Thereafter technical assistance requests should be dirceted to Heather." Heather will be introduced at the CPS conference in Windsor, and we welcome her. Don't forget we have some willing help within VIND as well. Phill Devitt is our District IT person and has guided a number of people in the right direction, as well as Barb Hoffstrom, who concentrates on the Training issues.
We are also told the WBAS manual is coming soon, but it has proven quite a large task for a small group of hard-working volunteers.
I'll be reporting on the highlights of the meeting both by "The Report" and posting some of the highlights here.
Oct 6, 2008: Thoughts on My First Meeting
It was the first full regular Council and Bridge meetings I have chaired and thought I should share my feelings about it. A couple of things impressed me. The first is the high level of involvement in, and commitment by all, to what we are about. The second is the comments about the Web Based Administration System, and concern about the direction that CPS is proposing to take in the administrative side of things. To me this further reflects the concerns our members have about the fundamental health of the organization and the need to ensure the interests of our membership is paramount. I have fuel and clear direction for the upcoming Governing Board, and District Commanders' meetings in Windsor in a couple of weeks. Thanks to all who were there - a productive meeting.
Sept 12, 2008: Award Presentation Date Change
The Executive meeting reviewed the parameters for the Mike Cartlidge Memorial Membership Award. Until last year this was awarded to the Squadron in the District with the highest percentage increase in membership (voting members). With the first year of membership gratis with successful passing of the Boating Course, it was felt the award should reflect what it was originally intended, efforts to increase membership by recruiting and retention. As a result the award is to be presented at the first fall Council meeting because it is not until July 15 when CPS actually drops the non-renewals from the membership lists. The award will reflect recognition for the squadron with the highest percentage renewal of membership. This is not a complex calculation and is readily available from the membership department at HQ.
Sept 1, 2008: Ordering of Supplies Discussion
As the Commanders and Bridge members are aware, I was presented with an interesting document at my first Governing Board meeting the week after our AGM last June. Briefly the Governing Board offered us a new option for ordering our Boating supplies, with Squadrons ordering directly via WBAS with some involvement from District to stockpile a limited amount. However the billing procedure was to prove nearly impossible to track. After some considerable discussion, we are back to what we have always been doing - VIND ordering directly from HQ and distributing to Squadrons. The only change is that District must order twice yearly via WBAS, but that should not pose a problem. District can order a small cushion for last minute contingencies. As a part of this deal we are promised delivery in a timely manner, earlier that has been the actuality. Fingers crossed! Since there is no basic change in the procedure this will be on item for information at the upcoming Council meeting in October. VISD, PMD and VIND have been the only Districts who order supplies and stockpile at District levels.
Aug 28, 2008: Summer Boating
It was a weird summer from a climate standpoint - tomatoes didn't ripen till September, even the zucchini took forever, but for most of it at least the grass didn't need cutting. Luckily most of the boating weekends were pleasant enough. A Cappella (an Ontario 32 sailboat) managed to get to the Rendezvous for VISD in Otter Bay (with Webmaster Bob Derksen and Mary Jane), Ontario Yachts in Telegraph Harbour (with Squadron Cdr Bob Weenk and Sqd Treasurer Judy), and of course to our own VIND Rendezvous at Maple Bay (with Sqd PRO Rufus Churcher, Bee, and Mary).
The journey home from Maple Bay demanded some extra attention with limited visibility in pouring rain, but no problem for the well trained! Thank goodness for an able crew! ;-) And thanks to Admin Officer Clifford Miller and his hard-working helpers for an outstanding bit of fun and fine food. Congratulations to the Bocce gang from Nanaimo, but I think I was robbed .... Way to go, Bill Farmer with that home run in the bottom of the ninth! For those who weren't there, Bill knocked out our entire team's closest balls in one toss and went on to win the 2008 tournament.