Our boating class wrote their exams this month, and our graduation ceremony will be held at the False Creek Yacht Club on January 16, 2011. Please come out and celebrate with the new grads! continued on page 2...

Volume XXX Number 4 December 2011

From the Commander’s Log By Commander Bill Stewart

Upcoming Events

• Monday, December 12th - Good friends, Good fun, Good food

Our annual Christmas Pot Luck Dinner is an enjoyable opportunity to celebrate the festive season and socialize with old and new friends. Bring your favourite appetizer, entrée or dessert…and your appetite. The cost is $5 per person, the doors open at 6 pm, and the meal begins at 7 pm.

• Monday, January 16, 2012 - Student Graduation This convivial evening gives us the chance to congratulate the Fall 2011 Class on passing the course and welcome this spirited group into the CPS membership. Expect laughter, applause and a very special presentation.

• Monday, February 20, 2012 - Marine Equipment and Gear - What’s New, and What’s Hot or Not Robert Buller

As Pacific Yachting’s Equipment Editor, and Canadian Yachting’s Technical Editor, Robert is the perfect person to update us on products, trends and developments for power and sail.

Past, current and incoming Power Squadron members are all welcome at Squadron Nights, held at the False Creek Yacht Club on the north shore of False Creek under the Granville Street Bridge. The doors open at 7:00 pm, the event begins at 7:30 pm, and the cost is $5.00 per person. We look forward to seeing you there!

BRIDGE2011-2012

(Abbreviated List—Full List on Website)www.vpsboat.com

Commander Bill Stewart…………….....604 841-0174Training Officer Glen Hodgkinson..............604 233-0443Asst Training Officer —BoatingPeter Mokkonen...............604 608-1818Asst Training Officer — Advanced & ElectivesLois MacDonald………….604 266-2582SecretaryP/Cdr Marion Pearson…..604 228-0183Programs Officer Barbara Constantine........604 876-0156 Environment OfficerBill Blancard………….......604 931-5153Public Relations OfficerEardley Beaton…………..604 734-4900Webmaster/IT OfficerPeter Bennett…………….604 817-4165Newsletter OfficerMaureen Phillips………...604 739-2166Past CommanderDon Mercer……………....604 685-6501CruisemasterLois MacDonald………....604 266-2582HistorianDennis Steeves………….604 263-4276

Change of Address or Membership Inquiries Twyla Graeme……….......604 738-8563

Commander’s Report (continued from page 1)

In terms of numbers, we still have some work to do in promoting our courses and

encouraging more of our members to attend our social events. Generally our squadron is in good shape though, and we look forward to a great year coming up.

Wishing you a very happy holiday season and the best for 2012!

Bill StewartCommander

And a Word from Our Training Officer...The Fall Boating Course is winding down, as we finished writing the Boating Course Exams this week. The Boating Course has been a lot of fun this fall, with 54 students taking part. We will be giving our graduates a VPSS Environmental Boating Kit and an invitation to their Grad, upon completion of both of the two exams. We are looking forward to the Graduation Ceremony for the Fall 2011 Boating Course, which will be held on January 16 at 7:30 pm at the False Creek Yacht Club.

There will be a rewrite night for our students who were unable to write this week, and anyone who has difficulty with the exams, on January 10 at 7:00 pm at Prince of Wales School.

We are also looking forward to the start of the Spring 2012 Boating Course. If you know anyone who would benefit by our comprehensive 13-week program, don't hesitate to let them know that we start the Spring Program on January 10th. We also would like to invite any of our membership or graduating students to come and join us in a proctoring role. We can put you with a mentor if you are not comfortable with reviewing on your own. You never fully learn the information until you have to teach or explain it. Proctoring is a wonderful opportunity to better

understand the particulars of each section and gives you an opportunity to meet some of the amazing people in, and joining the Lower Mainland boating community. Getting to meet new people is one of my favorite parts of the Vancouver Power and Sail Squadron.

Lots of fun is coming up in the New Year! The Boating Course and our awesome elective courses, the 2012 Boat Show in the new BC Place, and the start of the 2012 boating season.

See ya in class and on the water!

Glen HodgkinsonTraining OfficerVPSS

MAREP ReportThere are two items that might of interest to our members:

1. To view Notice to Mariners, go to www.notmar.gc.ca and select the appropriate publication.

2. For material on Marine Safety or other Canadian Coast Guard programs and services, go to www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca. This site also provides information for those interested in working

in the Canadian Coast Guard and how to apply. They are now accepting applications until the end of December 2011.

John Cartmel MAREP Rep VPSS

Squadron Night!

PR Officer Eardley Beaton welcomed everyone to the November 21 members' evening on behalf of Commander Bill Stewart.

A good turnout of members showed up to hear stories about vintage bootlegging from our guest speaker.

Guest speaker, Paralympic Sailing Bronze Medallist and raconteur David Williams, gave a spirited presentation on the illicit marine transportation of spirits during the prohibition era.

continued on page 4...

Training Officer Glen Hodgkinson reported on the fall boating courses and thanked all the CPS members who act as proctors.

PMD Sweatshirts Available for SaleRoyal City Squadron has an interest in purchasing sweatshirts (the zip pullover style with all the squadron burgees printed on one side and CPS logo on the other side). The minimum order is 24, and we’re still a bit shy of that. Would you like to combine an order with RCS? The sweatshirts could be available for a very nice Christmas gift if you book an order soon! The colours available are Black, Charcoal Grey, and Classic Navy; sizes range up to XXXL; fabric is 80/20 cotton/polyester mix. I was quoted a price of $57.00 each, tax included, and the lead time is five to seven days. They would be delivered to my home where you can pick them up. If you would like to order one of these unique sweatshirts, please contact me by email ASAP. Best regards,Eleanor Hashimotoehashi@telus.net

When asked by Programs Officer Barbara Constantine if they enjoyed David William's presentation, every audience member applauded.

Annual Christmas Potluck Dinner

Monday, December 12, False Creek Yacht Club

Come and enjoy the fun! Bring your favourite appetizer, entrée or dessert…and your appetite. The cost is $5 per person, the doors open at 6 pm,

and the meal begins at 7 pm. See you there!

Join with us in recognizing the e!orts of those who throughout 2011 have distinguished themselves in the "elds of boating safety and environmental stewardship. The CASBAs also provide attendees an excellent opportunity to network with other boating enthusiasts as well as key boating safety and marine industry professionals.

The CASBAs will be held on Sunday January 15th, in the Essex Ballroom of the Toronto Sheraton Centre at 123 Queen St. West. Cocktails will be served at 6:00 p.m. with dinner at 7:00 p.m. followed by the awards at 8:00 p.m.

The Canadian Safe Boating Council cordially invites you to attend the

2011 Canadian Safe Boating Awards (CASBAs)

Dress: Semi-Formal

COME JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL EVENING OF FUN

REGISTRATION CLOSES DECEMBER 31ST, 2011

Registration is $150/person (A $50 charitable tax receipt will be mailed to the registrant)

Tables of 8 can be reserved at a cost of $1,200 (A $400 tax receipt will be provided) Simply Click Here to register.