The Beacon

Volume 29 Number 2 March, 1999

The Official Newsletter of the Saanich Peninsula Squadron

A UNIT OF CANADIAN POWER AND SAIL SQUADRONS

Meetings of the Bridge will be held on the third Thursday of each month at 1930 in the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club. All members welcome. Information, advertisement requests and articles for publication in The Beacon are due by those dates.

Commanders Comments

Isn't it wonderful to finally have some decent weather? I hope all are enjoying dry bilges. Another successful student cruise organized by Martin Pepper and his demonstration committee. Many thanks to all the skippers and proctors. A pleasure to have members of the Kelowna Squadron join us again. (Editor's note: 2 March. Actually the Kelowna group cancelled and, part way through the cruise, all boats were instructed to return to port because of a series of squalls.)

As my term as Commander is drawing to a close, I would like to take the opportunity to thank bridge members who will also be retiring. This month, I would like to show appreciation to Gay Miller. Gay has been a member of our Squadron for 10 years and has held many different position on the Bridge as well as offering her time as a proctor. Gay and Bill have volunteered their time and boat (Charlotte Time) for many student cruises. The Millers rarely miss a graduation, AGM, social event or weekend cruise.

Gay has always been ready and will to help whenever asked and always with a smile on her face. Thank you Gay.

Our last Bridge meeting was changed from Thursday to Wednesday. Several Bridge members are enrolled in the Piloting course and their class night is Thursday. Hopefully no members decided to attend the Bridge meeting and found no one there! I apologize if anyone was inconvenienced.

Our first social cruise of the year is around Saltspring Island. Ports of call will be Maple Bay, Telegraph Harbour and (probably) Montague Harbour. The weather isn't always perfect - but the company is!! If you have any questions, call Barry Levi at 477-3702.

There are still a few positions available on the Bridge. The new executive takes over in May 1999. Please think about volunteering. Phone me (544-4358) and give me a chance to convince you!

Helen Louwerse

Commander

Harmony, like a following breeze at sea, is the exception. - Harvey Oxenhorn

Welcome to one more member from the last Boating Course,

Troy Ostrinski; also to new member Barbara Bond.

Our sympathy is extended to the Denroche family on the loss of their mother, Vera; and also to the Flavelle family on the loss of Bill, our Commander in 1986-87.

We also wish all the best to our Boating Instructor Doug Mitchell who recently suffered heart problems, but is now at home recovering.

Any members interested in serving on the Bridge for the coming year (May 1999 through April 2000) please contact the Commander, Helen Louwerse at 544-4358.

Membership cards for next year will be coming before you can believe it. Soon you will receive from National Headquarters a card asking if you want to continue your membership for the next year, 1 May 1999 to 30 April 2000. Along with your cheque, or credit card info, they will need to know your birth date so that they can send your Operator's Proficiency Card with your renewal membership card.

Did You Know . . . how many of our Squadron members also volunteer their time to work for District and National Headquarters?

Ken Clarke is currently the District Executive Officer

Ray Berry is District Environment Officer as well as a Staff Commander on the Editorial Review Committee in the Training Dept of HQ

Glenn Gallins is a Staff Commander on the Law Committee of HQ

Marg Griffin is the Assistant Training Officer in District as well as a Staff

Commander on the Junior Navigator Course Committee in HQ Training Dept Mary Hunter is a Staff Commander on the Port Hole Committee in the

Administrative Dept of HQ

Bruce Stott is a Staff Commander on the Seamanship Sail Committee in the Training Dept of HQ

David Struthers is the Canadian Coast Guard Liaison Officer in District

This month we are publishing the required material in preparation for the District AGM which will be held in Ganges, May 7 and 8. Because of the space devoted to this information, we will print the first half only of our Coming Events listing for 1999. Also, the second half of the article on Power Boat Trim will have to be delayed until we have space in the Beacon.

COMING EVENTS MASTER LIST -- 1999

February 18, 1999

SUBJECT TO CHANGE -- WATCH THE MONTHLY ISSUES OF THE BEACON

Mar. 10 Marine Maintenance Course begins. Wednesday nights for ten weeks plus a couple of Saturdays. Call Greg Nutt, 656-4212. Limited enrolment.

Mar. 18 Bridge meeting at Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, 1930. All members are welcome to attend.

Mar. 27 Weather Information Refresher Seminar. See ad this issue.

Apr. 2-4 Cruise around Saltspring Island. This is the first cruise of the season. Plans are to spend the first night at Maple Bay, the second night at Telegraph Harbour, and the last night at an as yet undisclosed destination (hmmm, a mystery!). Plan now to attend. For information and reservations contact our Social Cruise Captain, Barry Levi at 477-3702.

Apr. 6 Spring Boating Course final examination

Apr. 13 Restricted Radio Operator certificate course, Parklands School

Apr. 15 Bridge meeting at Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, 1930. All members are welcome to attend.

Apr. 16 Restricted Radio Operator Certificate exam, Parklands School

April 17 GPS Seminar at the Legion Hall on Mills X Rd. 9-4. See ad this issue.

Apr. 22-25 Sidney Boat Show

April Dues for the next year are now payable. You will be contacted directly by National HQ regarding your dues and your Operator's Licence.

May 1 FYI: Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club Opening Sailpast.

May 3 Squadron AGM at the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club. 1900 hrs. This is our annual Change of Watch and the new Bridge will be sworn in. If you are interested in serving in any capacity, please contact Helen Louwerse at 544-4358, as soon as possible.

May 7-8 District AGM hosted by Saltspring Island Sqn in Ganges.

May 9 FYI: Capital City Yacht Club Opening Sailpast.

May 15 Annual Squadron Sailpast in Sidney followed by Dinner. Details later.

May 16 District Officer Training Course at the Commissionaires Building on Vanalman Drive; 9:30 to 4:30. Contact Ken Reeves at 655-3602 if you are interested in attending.

May 17 Spring Boating Course Graduation at SNSYC, 1900.

May 20 Bridge meeting at Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, 1930. All members are welcome to attend.

June We will be arranging a "group" visit to Kelowna where that Squadron will entertain us with lake boating, winery visits, etc. Suggestions from members will be welcomed by the Commander.

Jun. 5 Cruise to Maple Bay. For information and reservations contact our Social Cruise Captain, Barry Levi at 477-3702.

Part 2 of the list of Coming Events will be published in the April issue of the Beacon.

Saanich Peninsula Squadron Presents

GPS

a one day seminar

April 17, 19990900 - 1600

Legion Hall, 1660 Mills Road

North Saanich

Presentor: Capt. Kevin Monahan

Cost: $35.00 Lunch Included

To Register: Call Cliff 656-7120

or email c-to-sea@ii.ca

WEATHER -- INFORMATION REFRESHER SEMINAR

For those of you who have taken the weather course and would like an update. For those of you who have not taken a weather course and would like an introduction.

A review of Frontal Systems

A review of West Coast Weather and its rapid changes

Demonstration of giving and receiving MAREP weather information

Lots of discussion and question answering

Instructors: Ray Berry and Bob Richardson Fee: $35 includes lunch

Royal Canadian Legion Hall, 1660 Mills Road, Sidney 1000 to 1600 Sat MARCH 27

For information and to register call 656-2790

CANADIAN POWER AND SAIL SQUADRONS

ESCADRILLES CANADIENNES DE PLAISANCE

VANCOUVER ISLAND SOUTH DISTRICT

TO: The Members, Vancouver Island South District

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

In accordance with Article 11 of the District Regulations you are hereby notified that the Annual General Meeting of Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, Vancouver Island South District, will be held on Saturday, May 8, 1999 at 1330 At All Saints' by the Sea Anglican Parish Church, Ganges, BC, for the purpose of:

Receiving and, if thought fit, approving the minutes of the previous AGM held May 2, 1998

Receiving and, if thought fit, approving the reports of Officers

Receiving and, if thought fit, approving the Financial Statements of the District for the twelve month period ending March 31, 1999

Receiving and, if thought fit, approving the Auditor's Report

Receiving the reports of Squadron Commanders

Electing the Officers of the District

Appointing the Auditor for the District

Considering such further and other business as may properly come before the Meeting

The Report of the District Nominating Committee will be published in the April issue of the Beacon.

Article 12 -- Eligibility: No member of this District shall be eligible for election as provided in Section 11.6.1 of the District Regulations at any Annual District Conference unless nominated by the District Nominating Committee or by a petition in writing signed by not less than five members of this District who shall confirm the consent of their nominee to such nomination. All such nominations by petition shall be filed with the District Secretary not less than two days prior to the date of the meeting at which such election shall take place.

Dated this 18^th day of February, 1999

(Signed) D/Lt Shirley Hamilton, N

District Secretary