PACIFIC MAINLAND NEWS

A bi-monthly newsletter from Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons, Pacific Mainland District

VOL.1 – ISSUE 2                                                                                         May/June, 2023

TOP STORIES THIS MONTH
Words from Your Commander
DC Guy Cooper and his thoughts on CPS-ECP of interest to you all.
Pacific Mainland District – Annual General Meeting
Different venue this year and cost effective for the District.
For tickets please click the following link at Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/pacific-mainland-district-2023-agm-cow-tickets-629814561307  and if you can’t make it in person the meeting link is

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZjJmOGE5YTQtMmY4MC00Mjc5LWJmMmItMTZkNTUyMjcwMzY2%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%228fdb97d9-11d0-4d4b-8d78-89abdb0aeeb1%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22ddf79fef-9c83-4d44-8afe-7c7dd6fb13ec%22%7d

May/June Calendar
Dates of cruises planned, AGM/COW’s and Special Events.

Welcome. Welcome to our second district newsletter.  I was delighted earlier this year when Lynda Bennett Retei, a member of Tri-Squadron and the grand National Secretary to boot, offered to put this out.  We, those on the district bridge (and more of that later), want to disseminate to other squadrons the collective activities of our district so you as a member can join other like-minded boating enthusiasts for social functions, entertaining speakers, cruises, and not to mention the all-important training courses offered by the squadrons in your area.  If you see something of interest, contact the appropriate person.  If you do not know what squadron you are in and want to find out, contact the District Membership Officer Harvey Roll (dmo-pmd@cps-ecp.org) or contact me, Guy Cooper, District Commander (cgc123@gmail.com).
Why you? Let’s get to basics.  So why are getting this newsletter?  In short, you are member of a squadron of Canadian Power and Sail Squadron’s (CPS) Pacific Mainland District (PMD).  Most members pay only $60 every year for the fantastic benefits and also the opportunity to participate in squadron functions.  Family members get a break and pay $30/year.  And life members (those who have volunteered for 20+ years) get the best deal of all, gratis!  And by the way thank you for your membership, these monies allow your CPS (including your squadron) to continue offering the best boating training classes in Canada.
Who are we?  Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS) is a volunteer charitable organization dedicated to promoting and teaching safe boating, offer boating discounts to its members and hosting social functions.  You are member of one of 13 squadrons that make up the Pacific Mainland District (PMD) which is one of 16 districts coast to coast that make up CPS.  There are about 1800 members in PMD and part of a total of 8000 members in all of CPS.  The power of CPS lies at your squadron level.  Your squadron may arrange, training, social functions, cruises, keeps track of finances, and membership.  The district, PMD, is middle management, and we endeavor to help all the squadrons in our district with information and new programs from head office (called National).
Why be a member?  Good question!  As Billy Joel asks, what do you get for your money? I have touched on some of the reasons earlier, but the best detailed source is from the CPS-ECP website.  Here is the link:  https://www.cps-ecp.ca/membership-cps-ecp-ca/member-benefits/.  You will find significant discounts on boat insurance, CTOW marine aid, VHF radios, camping equipment, a discount on Pacific Yachting magazine, and six copies a year of Canadian Yachting (a $32/yr. value included with your membership), and discounts at selected marine boating stores and host of other discounts for members.  Also, you can get reduced rates for CPS courses including VHF radio, maintenance course and others.  There are social functions that members enjoy too!  Now speaking about Pacific Yachting, that has changed from an included benefit that all PMD members received, to an optional benefit with a reduced annual membership fee.
Who you gonna call (or email)?  I am covering a lot of territory in my commander’s inaugural newsletter address.  I know not all members are fully conversant with the workings of the CPS volunteer organization of which, and we thank you, you are a member.  If you have any questions at all – ranging from upcoming training courses to membership renewal, to member’s benefit contact us.  If you know the name and contact of your squadron commander, they would be your first contact.  If you are not sure who to contact send me an email.
By the way, we are always looking for interested volunteers to help at the squadron and district level.  If you are interested or know of someone who maybe interested, I am all ears!

Cheers,
Guy Cooper
District Commander / Pacific Mainland District
Email: cgc123@gmail.com

Problems with Renewal?
Please encourage members experiencing difficulty with their renewal  to either contact
membership@cps-ecp.ca; telephone toll free 1-888-277-2626 ext. 0159  or membership-chair@cps-ecp.org for assistance.

The Life Member link for their renewal is slightly different from a Regular Member.  For help with any assistance on renewing Life Members who are having renewal problems, please also follow the instructions above.

The Favourite Boating Destination Photo Contest, to build our Instagram following is still running.  Follow These Steps:

1.     Submit your full resolution photos and their locations to: theporthole@cps-ecp.ca

2.     Follow @cpsboat on Instagram

3.     Vote for your favourite photos on our Instagram with a “Like”

The winner will be featured in The Port Hole magazine. Contest closes May 31.