Why do people join the Power Squadron? There are many reasons. Probably the first reason is for the education. The United States Power Squadrons courses offer more boating knowledge at a lower cost than can be found anywhere else.

The second reason is for the fun of it. An educated boater is a boater who enjoys the sport more. As you learn more about boating, you become more comfortable with your craft. You learn how to go farther, go safer, and have more fun everywhere you go with your boat.

Power Squadron members enjoy many social opportunities revolving around boating. If you love boating, you'll have fun at Power Squadron events! We hold local cruises or rendezvous every month from April to October somewhere on the Columbia or Willamette Rivers. We are always welcome to join any cruise or rendezvous put on by any of the fourteen squadrons in the Puget Sound area or, for that matter, at any cruise or rendezvous put on by any of the 450 squadrons across the country. From August through May we have monthly meetings where we usually have a speaker talking about some aspect of boating.

More than in most communities, boaters rely on each other. When trouble surfaces on the water, your best friend is in the nearest boat. When that boat has a Power Squadron member aboard, you have a good friend indeed. Part of the USPS Membership Pledge is to render assistance whenever possible. Since we often cruise together and since boats have a terrible habit of breaking, we find ourselves becoming better friends all the time.

There are many marine insurance companies which provide discounts to those who complete advanced boating courses. This savings can be significant. The Power Squadron has an agreement with one major marine insurance company to provide some of the most comprehensive and cost effective coverage available anywhere exclusively to Power Squadron members.

Many members appreciate the opportunity to give back to the boating community some of the energy they receive from the sport. Some members volunteer their time to teach public boating courses or advanced courses. Some members correct errors on the nautical charts produced by NOAA. Some members coordinate activities or manage the paperwork of the squadron. We have many members who cannot give time but instead help us financially and in other ways.

There are many reasons to join the Power Squadron and all of them are good.

1. Pass An Exam Approved By The Operating Committee. (Squadron Boating Course, Boat Smart, Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Course, or other NASBLA approved course)
2. Be Accepted By The Squadron Executive Committee.
3. Be At Least 16 Years Of Age.
4. Have Paid All Applicable Entrance Fees And Dues.
5. Willingness to contribute your talents to promote boating safety.

Additional Active
Additional Active members have all the same rights and privileges as Active members with two exceptions. Additional Active members must have the same mailing address as at least one Active member, but do not need to be related. Additional Active members do not receive publications. Annual dues are lower for Additional Active members since we save on postage.

Family
A Family member must be related to either an Active or Additional Active member. Family members can attend meetings and take courses (provided they have passed an Approved Exam). Family members may not vote, may not hold office, may not earn merit marks, and do not receive publications. Annual dues are very low for Family members. There is no minimum age for Junior Family members.

Associate
Associate members are Active members of another squadron who want to receive the squadron publication and want to attend squadron activities. Usually, a member becomes an Associate member of another squadron when they boat in a different area than they live or when they live in different areas at different times of the year (Snowbirds).

The Ft. Vancouver Squadron holds membership meetings that include informative speakers.

The Ft. Vancouver Squadron holds boating courses for members throughout the year.

District 32 and USPS National hold several meetings each year with a multitude of activities and information to help local squadrons.

Cooperative Charting
Nautical charts published by NOAA are a primary source of information for boaters throughout the country. Unfortunately, the federal government has reduced NOAA budgets over the years and NOAA cannot keep up with the demand for new and updated information about our nation's waterways. That's where the Power Squadron comes in. Power Squadron members research and submit nautical chart corrections to NOAA as a public service. We also check for the continued existence of geodetic markers and report them to NGS. And, some squadrons research and submit aeronautical chart corrections to the FAA. Cooperative Charting is a useful and fun way to use skills learned in Power Squadron classes.

Boat Show Booth
There are two primary boat shows in Portland Oregon each year and there are several other events that draw boaters. The Ft. Vancouver Power Squadron along with several other area squadrons sets up and staffs a booth where we hand out local publications that inform and educate boaters about our wonderful boating area. We also tell boaters about the boating safety courses available locally and encourage them to join the ranks of educated, informed, and safe boaters.

Merit Marks

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