Spring
Conference Meeting
The meeting was called to order at 0915 by D/C Michael Wiedel, AP
The Color Guard presented the Colors.
D/Lt Roy Trowbridge, AP, gave the Invocation.
D/C Wiedel welcomed conference attendees and guests. He introduced Chief Commander Ted Smith, SN.
Mayor Robert Cardinal, City of
Minnesota Boating and Water Safety Coordinator Kim Elvrum gave a summary of Minnesota 2002 boating accident statistics. In 2002 there were 30 boating fatalities in 23 accidents (compared to 16 deaths in 15 accidents in 2001). Of the 30 boating fatalities, 24 were the result of either capsizings or falls overboard, 3 were a result of collision between a boat and a fixed object, 2 were a result of a collision between two watercraft and 1 was an attempted rescue. Seven of the single boat accidents had double fatalities. Life jackets were being worn by only 4 out of the 30 victims (in all four of these cases, hypothermia was also a contributing factor.) There were 135 non-fatal boating accidents. Most common accidents in 2002 were: 1) collision with another boat; 2) water skiing/tubing mishaps, and collision with a fixed or floating objects. Mr. Elvrum reported that the mandatory accident reporting level has been raised to $2,000. He discussed DNR projects for the coming year and possible impacts of State budget cuts to the department’s operations.
Wisconsin Boating Law Administrator John Lacenski reported on the Wisconsin Boating Safety Advisory Council. The Council studies all safety aspects of boating and its membership includes representatives from the boating industry and boating organizations and agencies. P/D/C Ron Kraase, SN, represents the United States Power Squadron on the Council. He recapped boating related accidents and deaths for the past year. Mr. Lacenski advised that the Wisconsin Boating Course was placed on the internet in December. Seventy-five percent of the people taking the course are 18+ years of age, with an average age of 33. The course is free and there is a $10 credit card fee to receive the certification card. He also discussed budget cuts. He indicated the Governor has proposed an increase in hunting and fishing license fees. The increase in fees will mean that 40 wardens could be kept.
Andrew C. Groot, District Director, Boy Scouts of America, reported on a new memorandum of agreement between the Boy Scouts and USPS. He discussed how the Sea Scout Program and Power Squadron can benefit by partnering both programs. A video was given to each squadron. He asked that if squadrons are interested in participating with the Sea Scouts that they contact either their local Boy Scout Council or D/Lt/C Art Mollica.
D/C Wiedel asked to change the order of business to expedite the meeting. There were no objections.
The Secretary called the roll: Present were:
District Commander D/C Michael Wiedel, AP
Executive Officer D/Lt/C Arthur Mollica, SN
Educational Officer D/Lt/C Thaddeus Smyczek, SN
Administrative Officer D/Lt/C Donald Schult, Sr., AP
Secretary D/Lt/C Judy McMillin, P
Treasurer D/Lt/C Michael Beckmann, SN
Immediate Past District Commander P/D/C Ronald Kraase, SN
Nominating Committee Chair P/D/C Thomas Rossini, SN
Planning Committee Chair P/D/C Geir Seger, JN
Audit Committee Chair Absent
Rules Committee Chair P/D/Lt/C Robert Stierna, SN
Central Wisconsin Cdr. SEO absent 3 delegates
Duluth Cdr. Asst SEO present 9 delegates
Green Bay Cdr. (Excused SEO present 1 delegate
For military duty; P/R/C Richard Siebert, SN, substituting)
Menominee-Marinette Cdr. SEO present 3 delegates
Milwaukee Cdr. SEO present 6 delegates
Minnetonka Cdr. Asst SEO present 13 delegates
Oshkosh Cdr. SEO absentt 1 delegate
St. Paul Cdr absent SEO present 5 delegates
Sheboygan Cdr SEO present 2 delegates
8 Past District Commanders
The conference members present constituted a quorum.
P/D/C Ron Kraase, SN, introduced Past D/10 Commanders present.
P/D/Lt/C Robert Stierna, SN, Rules Committee, explained the council voting procedures.
P/D/C Richard Siebert, SN was appointed parliamentarian.
The 19 October 2002 Conference Meeting Minutes were approved as distributed.
D/Lt/C Mike Beckmann, District Treasurer, presented the 2003-2004 District Budget.
The following Bridge Officers Reports were given and placed on file.
Executive
Education
Administrative
Secretary
The following committee reports were given and placed on file:
Audit Committee
Planning Committee
C/C Ted Smith, SN, and D/C Wiedel presented Senior Navigator certificates and plaques to P/C Robert Ruef and D/Lt/C Art Mollica.
P/D/C Ronald Kraase reviewed motions/actions approved at the
P/D/C Ronald Kraase reviewed motions approved at the
·
A motion to
award the 2005 Fall Conference to the Sheboygan Power Squadron to held at the
Blue Harbor Resort and
·
A motion, that
the District Safety Officer be moved from the District Administrative Officer’s
Department to the District Executive
Officer’s Department.
D/C Michael Wiedel gave the State of the District report. Highlights from the report:
Every squadron in D/10 now has an internet presence. Six squadrons and District 10 were awarded the 2002 Distinction in Journalism Award. Five squadrons received website awards.
A more realistic district budget was established that better reflects both income and expenditures.
The Administrative Department through e-mail lists, web pages and newsletter inserts have kept district members better informed about district conferences, seminars, membership issues and changes in the operations training program.
The district experienced a small membership gain in 2002.
Participation in the Youth Poster Contest resulted in two national winners.
D/10 squadrons are at 82% of last
year’s public boating course registrations; 123 members in D/10 passed an
Advanced Grade Course and 113 members passed an Elective Course during the year
ending
Numerous teaching aids were sent to
the National Meeting teaching aids competition in
The District made the National Honor Roll for the following programs: Safety, Co-Op Charting and the National Education Fund.
The Vessel Safety Check Program
continues to thrive throughout the District.
All squadrons achieved Star Squadron status in 2002.
D/C Wiedel recognized the following members for special service to District 10:
P/R/C Richard Seibert, SN – D/10 Educational Fund Coordinator
D/Lt John Haurykiewicz, SN – D/10 Law Officer
P/D/Lt/C Dennis Peterson, SN – Commander’s Aide Merit Marks
D/Lt Roy Trowbridge, AP - Commander’s Aide – Star Squadron Program
D/Lt Karen Beckmann, P – D/10 Conference Chair
D/Lt Jean Peterson, P – D/10 Communicator Editor
Old Business – None
New Business - None.
C/C Ted Smith, SN, asked for the report of the Nominating Committee.
P/D/C Thomas Rossini, SN, presented the following slate of Officers for the 2003-2004 Watch year.
District Commander D/Lt/C Arthur A. Mollica, JN
Executive Officer D/Lt/C Donald Schult, AP
Education Officer D/Lt/C Thaddeus M. Smyczek, SN
Administrative Officer P/C Jeff Hamilton, AP
Secretary D/Lt Dave Carlson, SN
Treasurer D/Lt/C Michael Beckmann, SN
Asst. Education Officer D/lst/Lt William Dohr, SN
Audit Committee (3 yrs) D/Lt Glenn Deedon, AP
Rules Committee (3 yrs) Jennifer Rice, S
Planning Committee (1 yr) P/D/Lt/C Dennis Peterson, SN
Planning Committee (3 yrs) P/D/C Geir Seger, JN
Planning Committee (3 yrs) D/C Michael Wiedel, AP
Nominating Committee Alternates:
M&M D/Lt Axel Anderson, P
There were no nominations by petition.
A motion was made by P/D/C Thomas Rossini, SN, to cast one unanimous vote for the election of the officers as presented by the Nominating Committee. Motion was seconded by D/Lt Roy Trowbridge, AP. The Motion was ADOPTED. (The District Bridge was sworn in by C/C Ted Smith at the Saturday evening program.)
The Members of District 10 who have died were remembered:
P/D/C Theodore Anderson, AP, Minnetonka Power Squadron Alyce Davis, Minnetonka Power
Squadron
Robb Firehammer, P, Door County Sail & Power Squadron Lt Ted Herman, S, Minnetonka
Power Squadron
Robert Siever, AP, Milwaukee Sail & Power Squadron P/Lt/C Adrianus
Viser, SN, Milwaukee Sail & Power
Jane Schmidt, Women’s Certificate Holder, Green Bay Sail
& Power
P/D/C Richard Palmer, SN, Green Bay Sail & Power
D/Lt Roy Trowbridge, AP, gave the Benediction.
The Colors were retired.
Adjourned 1110.
D/Lt/C Judy McMillin, P
District Secretary
SATURDAY EVENING
AWARDS PRESENTATIONS:
Life Member Awards: P/C Glenn Deedon, AP, Madison Sail & Power Squadron
P/D/C Ronald Kraase, SN, Milwaukee Sail & Power Squadron
St/C Alan Wentworth, SN, Door County Sail & Power Squadron
Donald Hibsch, S, Oshkosh Sail & Power Squadron
Certificates of Appreciation:
Lt/C Sue Tippler DB 2000 Seminar
Lt/C Don Hanson Cruise Planning Seminar
Lt Brian Link & Lt Bud Crewdson Co-op Charting Seminar
Lt/C Andrea Davis Spring Conference Chair
The Franklin W. Wedge Lifesaving Award
The award was presented to Daniel and Pat Shearer, Duluth Sail & Power Squadron, for their efforts in rescuing a 10 year old boy and his mother from Lake Superior.
Commander Awards for Exceptional Service to D/10 presented to:
St/C Alan Wentworth, SN
D/Lt/C Ted Smyczek, SN