VBPS attends D8 Conference in Boca

The District 8 Conference was held Sept. 24, 25 and 26, 2010 at the Marriott at Boca Center, Boca Raton, Florida.
http://www.uspsd8.com/eventdocs/201007121315120.conferencesheet.pdf?event_id=39

I attended the FNS in Vero Beach so I missed the Friday Night Hospitality Suite set up by the Vero Beach Power Squadron. That night there was a reception in the Boca Ballroom Foyer and a "See the SEA" party right after.

Saturday was filled with events which started with a 7am breakfast. Most of the morning was set aside for educationl events on - Public Relations, Operations Training, Education, Cooparative Charting, Membership Involvemnent and Retention, Navigating the USPS website, and Recertify as an Instuctor. For details please go to
 http://www.uspsd8.com/Newsitem.php?news_id=40&news_pic=&news_desc=10

The afternoon was set aside for the "Conference" in the Royal Palm Ballroom which is where the officers presented reports and provided updates on current events on USPS and D8.

A good portion of the meeting revolved around awards presentation for achievment in numerous catagories, principally education. Vero Beach, represented by 8 delegates, received many awards.

Althought we are not thru the woods the membership initiative started last year is making headway and Vero Beach is first in membership growth in District 8.

The conference was well attended but it seems not sufficient enough as there was talk off possible penalties having to be paid. A negotiation takes place between D8 and the Marriott to ensure good rates based on a committed attendance, thus all squadrons bridge and squadron members are encoraged to attend these conferences.

VBPS supports Seas The Days

http://marinecleanupinitiativeinc.org/index.html

The Vero Beach Power Squadron (VBPS) supports Seas The Days, which is a Marine Cleanup Initiative, Inc. (MCII) scheduled for Oct 16. Part of the day includes a Flotilla. The idea is to have many boats from all over come join in a BIG get together. This event will be televised and could be entered in the Guinness Book of World records.

The plan is to have boats meet in Ft Peirce. Once all boats are situated in the Ft. Pierce turning basin, aerial photographs will be taken to be sent to Guinness to certify this event as a world’s record. Once this is done, boaters who registered and received their burgees will be sent certificates marking their participation in this record-breaking event.

Many members/boaters of the VBPS plan to participate. The VBPS Banner will be draped over the top of a few of our members vessels so we will get photographed from above. All the members boats will be flying the VBPS Burgee and bridge officers will be flying their respective rank flags.

Shrimp Boil with the Vero Beach Power Squadron Sept 2010

Subject: SHRIMP BOIL

Low Country Shrimp Boil

(South Carolina’s favorite mixture of shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes)Prepared Southern style by our own Carolina Cook: P/C Ed Dreher

SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER Social Hour 1730 – Eat About 1830 Dinner served in authentic Low Country style. Beer, wine and sodas included—Bring your own moonshine.
Chicken breast available for non-shrimp eaters. (Please specify.)
$15.00 donation per guest.

You can also sign up at the Squadron building. Or reply to this e-mail scullybg@comcast.net

The shrimp boil was huge success last year, please sign up early since we have to order the shrimp ahead of time. Don’t forget to bring your friends, Ed makes a fabulous shrimp boil.