VERO BEACH POWER SQUADRON : VBPS attends D8 Conference in Boca

What is a Vero Beach Power Squadron?

Vero Beach Power Squadron(VBPS) is a non-profit group of volunteers who are socially compatible and have a common love and appreciation for pleasure boating, whether power or sail.

For more detail on VBPS see the December (20) archive posts.....

We are a member of District 8. We are one of the 450+ squadrons of the United States Power Squadron ®.

District 8 is one of the 33 districts in the organization and covers the East Coast of Florida from Sebastian Inlet to Key West.

Objectives of the organization are self education, civic service and social activities.

You do not need to own a boat to be a member.

The VBPS was chartered in 1956.

Monday, September 27, 2010

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.