Lake Hartwell Sail &

WELCOME ABOARD

When you accepted our invitation to membership in United States Power Squadrons (USPS) and Lake Hartwell Sail & Power Squadron (LHSPS), you were granted permission to "COME ABOARD."

You can become just a passenger and enjoy the rights and privileges of membership -- or -- you can increase your enjoyment by "Joining the Crew" and help us plot the course to safer boating through education.

We are proud of our heritage and hope you will share in this pride as we all continue to make USPS the greatest organization teaching good seamanship and safe boating in America.

USPS SYMBOL

The symbol for USPS is a triangle. The three sides represent the main aspects of USPS - Civic Service, Self Education, and Fraternity

The USPS Ensign (flag) was designed by one of the founders of USPS, and all members may fly it in place of the United States Ensign (flag) on the stern staff. If the United States Ensign is flown from the flag staff (or gaff or leech on sailboats), the USPS ensign may be flown from the starboard spreader of the foremost mast.

Each Squadron has its own unique burgee that may be flown by members from the bow staff on power boats and from the foremost masthead of a sailing vessel. 

These ensigns and burgees may be purchased from the Squadron Supply Officer (listed in the Squadron Directory). He will assist you in selecting the proper size for your boat  A brief history of our squadron's burgee can be found in the squadron directory.

The Lake Hartwell Sail & Power Squadron educational courses usually start in September and are limited to only USPS members. Dates, time and location of each course are listed in THE POINSETT PILOT. There is a fee for each training which includes course material and the examination cost.

Courses are divided into two types -- advanced grades and electives. The Advanced Grades courses are designed to be taken in sequence after the boating course. A listing and description of courses can be found on the courses link of this website. 

Two other important courses offered are Operations Training (OT) and Leadership Development. These are available to all members and are particularly appropriate for new members. OT examines the structure and operations of USPS at the Squadron, District, and National Level

DISTRICT 26

Lake Hartwell Sail & Power  is one of the 12 Squadrons which comprise District 26. The other Squadrons are:

Beaufort

Charleston

Golden Corners

Lake Murry (Columbia)

Hilton Head

Long Bay (Myrtle Beach)

Northstrand

Savannah River (Augusta, GA)

Swamp Fox (Florence)

Thurmond Lake

Tybee Light (Savannah, GA)

USPS, its districts and squadrons have been granted tax exempt status because of the nationwide educational activities. This status is very important and the preservation of this exemption is the responsibility of all its members.

Members who participate in functions of USPS in an official capacity may deduct certain expenses as charitable contributions on their tax return. These expenses include transportation, parking fees, tolls, reasonable expenses, postage, telephone bills, supplies, dues and other miscellaneous cash expenditures.

One of the benefits of membership in USPS is access to the exclusive USPS boat insurance program. We are called "preferred risk" boaters.

This program offers a broad coverage at very competitive rates. It is open to all types, sizes, construction, and age of boats.

Premiums take into account your educational achievements and discounts are given as you successfully complete advanced grades and elective courses.

Lake Hartwell Sail & Power Squadron members who are members of Boat/US pay only one half the annual dues to Boat/US, because of an agreement between the two organizations. When you get your Boat/US dues notice, put our Group Number (GA 80658 P) on the return card and send in only half of the annual dues.

After passing Advanced Piloting, JN or N and any three (3) of the Elective courses, a member receives the EDUCATIONAL PROFICIENCY AWARD. USPS issues a certificate to the member who is then authorized to wear a special uniform insignia.

When a member has completed all courses (Advanced Grades and Electives) a Certificate of Educational Achievement, also known as a FULL CERTIFICATE is awarded. This is the highest Educational Award and entitles the member to wear a special grade insignia on the Uniform. The designation after the member’s name is N.

Supplemental programs have been developed to extend members’ knowledge in fields related to boating. These home study guides may be ordered through your Squadron Educational Officer or directly from USPS Headquarters. There are no prerequisites and a certificate of completion is available. A listing of these courses available for self -study are listed on the courses link of this website.

Cooperative Charting - One of the major civic services of USPS members is Cooperative Charting. This is the contribution of correction data for nautical and aeronautical charts; reports on marine facilities and condition; and status of geodetic survey marks (bench marks) to the National Oceanic Service (NOS). USPS contributes the largest number of chart corrections to NOAA and NOS. They also receive data from the US Navy, US Coast Guard Auxiliary and Civil Air Patrol.

Members who do not have boats can participate in this program by reporting on geodetic survey markers that are used in surveying and map reading. They can also turn in reports on marina facilities which change frequently and require regular updating.

Safe Boating Week - This is usually held in May and squadron officers participate in media presentations. Members participate in various water activities illustrating safe water practices. 

Annual Boat Show - A display booth is set up at the "Annual Boat & RV Show" and is staffed by members throughout the show. We display our ensigns, burgees, educational material, and a sign up roster for people interested in taking our public boating course.

Public Boating Course - This course is offered once a year at Greenville Tech and other area locations for the cost of materials. It is a four sessions course with an exam at the last session. The course is taught by members of Greenville Power Squadron. A certificate is given to everyone passing the exam and persons interested in knowing more about the USPS are invited to complete a membership application. When dues and fees are paid, they become full members with all membership privileges.

Dues notices are for a twelve month period and are mailed from USPS Headquarters to every member or household. The twelve month period is from 01 June to 31 May.. A $2.00 late fee is charged if the payment is not received on time.

If a member joins any time during the year, the dues are PRORATED. An entrance Fee is charged by both National and Squadron, but this is only a ONE-TIME Fee and is paid upon entrance into the USPS.

At this time, dues and fees for an Active member are:

Dues Entrance Fee

USPS National:

District:

There are a number of different types of membership; each of which is designed to meet a specific need:

ACTIVE - The active member pays full dues and enjoys all the privileges of membership. This includes subscriptions to; THE ENSIGN, 026° TRUE, and THE POINSETT PILOT, eligibility for elective office, voting at General Meetings, taking educational courses, earning a Merit Mark, flying the USPS Ensign and Squadron burgee on your boat, and the right to wear the USPS uniform or Blazer. You must be at least 16 years of age.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVE - In a home where two persons are active, one may take the status of "additional" active. For "additional" active membership, the National dues are one-half the amount and only one issue of THE ENSIGN comes to the home.

FAMILY - This membership is available to the members of the family of an Active member. They may not vote or, hold an office but they may earn family merit marks. They may take educational courses if they successfully passed the boating course.

USPS assigns each new member a Certificate Number. This number appears on a member's certificate as well as on the membership card. When enrolling in an educational course, it is necessary to have this number available

The Greenville Power Squadron is managed by a Bridge of officers elected by, and responsible, to the membership. The Bridge consists of the following officers:

• Commander
• Executive Officer
• Educational Officer
• Administrative Officer
• Secretary
• Treasurer

These officers are elected for a term of one year at the Annual Meeting and installed at the Change of Watch.

They are assisted in their duties by an Executive Committee (elected by the membership), and a committee of chairpersons who carry out the programs and activities of the squadron.

Members are not required to have uniforms or to wear them. However, uniforms add dignity to more formal and official occasions and members are encouraged to wear them.

Insignia on the uniform reflect the member's rank, educational achievements, and number of merit marks earned.

Members may also wear the regulation blazer with a USPS emblem. Insignia may be purchased from the squadron supply officer, ship's store or a number of other supply houses. The Squadron name badge is worn on the right side of the shirt or jacket.

The Lake Hartwell Sail & Power Squadron is famous for its Social Events -- both on water and land. The schedule is published in the Squadron directory as well as in THE POINSETT PILOT.

THE CHANGE OF WATCH, held in November, is where the Squadron honors the outgoing bridge and a representative from the District Bridge installs the new squadron bridge. Attendance is not mandatory, but it is the major social event of the year. It is preceded by a dinner and occasionally a dance follows the ceremony.

There are two types of Squadron meetings -- Executive Committee meetings and General Membership meetings. They are open to all members to attend.

The Executive Committee meets the first MONDAY of each month at selected location at 1900 (7:00 PM).

General Membership meetings are held approximately four times a year. They are held at various local restaurants and surrounding community locations. Date, time, and place will be published in THE POINSETT PILOT.

Lake Hartwell Sail & Power Squadron works on the committee system. Each bridge officer is responsible for the committees and committee chairpersons under his leadership to accomplish certain goals.

All these committee chairpersons and members are volunteers who contribute their time, energy, talents and expertise to achieve these goals. Most of us have areas of interest or capabilities that will help the Squadron in each area of responsibility. Some committees are active all year and others only part of the year for certain activities.

Your activities on committees are part of earning a Merit Mark. Members are urged to call the commander or committee chairperson and volunteer. They are all listed in the squadron directory

USPS offers no monetary compensation to any member -- just the opportunity to perform a lot of services. Work does not go unrecognized, however. Any member who "performs substantial effort in furthering the interests, programs and objectives of USPS, its Districts and Squadrons" may be awarded a merit mark by the Chief Commander.

Only one merit mark may be awarded to a member in a given year, no matter how large an effort. The categories are:

5 merit marks -- Senior Member

25 merit marks -- Life Membership

50 merit marks -- USPS Governing Board Member Emeritus.

With each of these awards come special status, a new insignia to wear on the uniform, exemption from all dues for Life Members, and a special award from the Chief Commander for the fiftieth merit mark.

Communication with members is accomplished by the squadron publication, THE POINSETT PILOT, which is published once a month. It will contain information of upcoming social events, membership meetings, an educational course schedule and other articles of general interest. You are encouraged to submit articles for publication.

In addition to the squadron publication, you will also receive the district publication titled 026° TRUE. This is published quarterly and contains articles of interest from the District Commander and Bridge Officers. It lists all District Functions, times and dates.

You will also receive the national monthly USPS publication titled, THE ENSIGN.

The squadron directory is published annually and is distributed by mail to the membership usually in February. It contains the name, grade, address, spouse’s name, phone number, certificate number, and boat information of each member.

The directory also contains a Schedule of Events, a Committee Roster, a listing of National Officers, District Officers, Squadron Awards, and Educational Achievements of each member.

Use of this directory for other than squadron business or personal use is strictly prohibited. Any abuse of this policy should be called to the attention of the Commander.

Squadron information is maintained by the Squadron secretary. Any changes in address, phone number, or boat information should be provided to the attention of the secretary in writing.

The annual dues notice, which is sent directly to each member, has an area for updating this information and the changes will be noted in the next directory.