Welcome Penfield Sail And Power Squadron

We teach safe boating and navigation and the

State of  Connecticut accepts successful completion of our one day eight hour Safe Boating Class as a qualifying exam for the purchase of a CT Safe Boating Certificate.

Penfield is the Squadron serving the Long Island Sound shore towns of Fairfield, Stratford, and the City of Bridgeport


 Penfield Change of Watch - 7:30 PM, Wednesday, March 29, 2023

You are cordially invited to the Penfield Sail and Power Squadron 2023 Virtual Change of Watch Ceremony. The event will be held on Zoom as detailed below:

Topic: Penfield Sail and Power Squadron Change of Watch - Mar 29, 2023 07:30 PM Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting:  or copy and paste the below link into your browser:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89108946754?pwd=bUF5d3pzYWttRDJNQkFXMUd1TDBYdz09

Meeting ID: 891 0894 6754

Passcode: 142501
The main purpose of the meeting is to elect and swear in the 2023 Penfield Bridge. The slate of candidates submitted by he Nominating Committee is shown below:
Commander: Donald Peterson, JN
Squadron Ed Officer: Norman Marsilius, AP
Executive Officer: Ronald Denny
Admin Officer: Richard Daddario
Secretary: Lee Parratt, JN
Treasurer: Donald Peterson, JN
Asst Ed Officer: Carole Heller, SN
Additional candidates that have agreed to serve, can be nominated at the meeting. If none are nominated, the members present will be asked to vote on the slate. For your information the below members also hold positions for Penfield and District 2.

Audit Committee Chair: Ross Hatfield
D2 Insurance Officer: Martin Burger, AP
Click the link below to open the Change of Watch Program
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89108946754?pwd=bUF5d3pzYWttRDJNQkFXMUd1TDBYdz09

Meeting ID: 891 0894 6754

Passcode: 142501

2023 COW Program
This message being sent to Penfield Active & Alumni
Donald Peterson, Commander

Bridge Officers
Commander: Donald Peterson, JN
Squadron Educational Office: Norman Marsilius, AP
Squadron Assistnt Educational Officer Carole Heller SN
Administrative Officer: Rich Daddario
Secretary: Lee Parratt, JN
Treasurer: Donald Peterson, JNter your text here...

Message for 2022-2023

Commander's Message


March, 2023 Commander's Message
Spring is here and Change of Watch
Questions: Don Peterson - dfp1061@gmail.com

burgee







Commander's Message March 2023 -

Questions/Comments: Don Peterson - dfp1061@gmail.com

Penfield Change of Watch - 7:30 PM, Wednesday, March 29, 2023

I received an computer generated email from USPS.org reminding me that Penfield had not filed their OD-1, nor had a COW been scheduled. I thought I had better log on and get something scheduled. The good news is, behind the scenes the Nominating Committee has a slate to announce. Most of the names will look familiar.

Commander: Donald Peterson, JN
Squadron Ed Officer: Norman Marsilius, AP
Executive Officer: Ronald Denny
Admin Officer: Richard Daddario
Secretary: Lee Parratt, JN
Treasurer: Donald Peterson, JN
Asst Ed Officer: Carole Heller, SN

Audit Committee Chair: Ross Hatfield
D2 Insurance Officer: Martin Burger, AP

The meeting will be held on Zoom and D2 Commander, Susan Darcy, JN will swear in the Bridge and make a few remarks about National and District items of interest. Zoom login info will be announced in a separate email (as soon as I figure out how to schedule one - I will probably just ask Norma to arrange it).National and D2 News - The Power Squadrons 2023 Annual Meeting was held in Orlando Florida, February 19 - 26th - Update - Votes of interest on Saturday, Feb 26th: National Dues will be raised $5 for individuals, $7.50 for Families and $2.50 for family members of Life members.









Penfield Business -

We still have several committee positions to fill. Please let me know if you would consider becoming a member of a committee. Also advise if you would like to resume in person meetings. By the way, as I have become less inclined to participate in night driving, also advise if you are interested in resuming a "Senior Penfield" lunch or other daytime events.

Upcoming Local Events:

Check out the Sunday, March 19, 2023 Darien Sail and Power Squadron Speaker Series Event at their website https://dspsct.org/DSPSEvents.htm

Note : Please confirm your attendance with the host squadron and let them know what squadron you represent.
Penfield Burgees: The Squadron has two burgees left from our recent order. Please contact me if you would like one. The price is $30 each.
Vessel Safety Checks: We finished 2023 with 13 vessel safety checks. Let me know if you are interested having a courtesy vessel safety check this spring.

This message being sent to Penfield Active & Alumni and D2 Long Island Sound Group

Donald Peterson
Commander
Penfield Sail and Power Squadron | 1061 Galloping Hill Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824



MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Change of Watch 2023 - March 29, 2023  Zoom Call



History

History Of Penfield/United States Power Squadrons

A Brief History of the United States Power Squadrons
When motorized yachts became more common in the early 1900’s, a small group of members of Yacht Clubs around Boston and New York City believed an organization should be formed to promote the teaching of boating skills to the owners of these “power” boats. This led to the formation in 1914 of what became the United States Power Squadrons (“USPS” or “Power Squadron”). In fact, in 1917, the then Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, asked the group to provide nautical training to individuals in the even the United States became involved in the War in Europe (which, of course occurred later in 1917). The Power Squadrons grew into a national organization which celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2014. The organization has been focused on competent and safe boating by teaching a broad list of boating skills through classroom study, seminars, and recently, on-the-water instruction. Thousands of USA boaters have taken the Power Squadron’s America’s Boating Class to improve their boating knowledge and/or earn certification for state boating licenses. Another public service performed by the USPS is to perform voluntary vessel safety checks which earns a vessel passing the US Coast Guard requirements a decal issued by the Coast Guard valid for one year. In fact, there is sometimes confusion between the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Power Squadron. While both organizations teach safe boating courses, can perform vessel safety checks, and members of both are volunteers, USPS is not a governmental body where as the Auxiliary falls under the Coast Guard and has on the water patrol and rescue capabilities.

A Brief History of Penfield Sail and Power Squadron
The Housatonic River Power Squadron covered the Long Island Sound towns of Fairfield, Bridgeport and Stratford, but in 1969 had grown so large that several members, mostly based in Fairfield, split from Housatonic River and formed a new squadron named after the Penfield Reef and Lighthouse. Penfield grew and maintained a friendly and cooperative coexistence with Housatonic River. Both Squadrons hit their peak membership and activity levels in the 80’s and 90’s. Both Squadrons became smaller and less active in 2000’s and in 2011, Housatonic merged into Penfield so the three towns were again under one roof. While many Squadrons have experienced declining membership, the Fairfield County Long Island Sound squadrons have opened their classes and activities to each other’s members. Penfield enjoys good relations with the Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Norwalk and Westport squadrons. We are eager to welcome both new and experienced boaters to our group. While many of our members have stopped actively boating, they still enjoy the social aspects of the Squadron and many simply want to support an organization that is dedicated to the teaching and practice of safe boating.

Recent developments
Most Power Squadrons changed their names to, for example, Penfield “Sail” and Power Squadron about 25 years ago to dispel the notion that only power boaters were welcome, when in fact many squadrons have a equal number of sailors and motor boaters. More recently, as the popularity of paddle craft (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards) and personal watercraft (jet skis) has increased, USPS has adopted a more generic “go to market” name of “America’s Boating Club” to capture a broader cross section of the boating community. Some squadrons choose rebrand themselves, as for example, America’s Boating Club of Greenwich, others, like Penfield have continued to use the Sail and Power Squadron name. Of course, it takes more than a name change to help volunteer organizations, such as the Power Squadrons, regrow their membership which has declined over the last 15 years. For our organization, our goal is to increase our membership and number of people taking our classes by making membership and classes more in line with our changing environment and competition for how we spend our leisure time. To that end we are broadening our reach through technology advances for classes, meetings, social activity and most of all, boating.


Mission of Penfield and United States Power Squadron

Teach and Practice Safe Boating through Education and by Example

How to get added to Penfield's "Local Boaters" Constant Contact email list

How to get added to Penfield's "Local Boaters" Constant Contact email list or request a free vessel safety check: email Donald Peterson at dfp1061@gmail.com


Useful Links

Useful Links


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