2005 Change of Watch Meeting Minutes
January 22 2005
The 2005 Change of Watch Dinner was held at the Admiral Kidd Club, North
Harbor Drive, San Diego, on 22 January 2005, beginning with no-host cocktails
at 1800. There were 33 members (including the District Commander), one
(1) honorary member, 5 members from other squadrons and 17 guests.
Call to Dinner: Commander Dave Baer issued the Call to Dinner at 1905. P/C
Robert Hubbard gave the Invocation, and Lt/C Katharine Law led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
Introductions: Commander Baer introduced the Head
Table: Lt/C Barbara A. Goddard, Lt/C Michael Fontaine and his wife
Carol, Lt/C Katharine Law, D/C Chester G. White, Jr., the Commander's
wife P/C Marie Baer, Lt/C John Isaksen, 1st/Lt Catherine Isaksen, Lt/C
Tom Griffin and his wife 1st/Lt Lani Griffin. Commander Baer complimented
Tom and Lani for their arrangements for the dinner.
The Commander also recognized the guests from other squadrons, including
Commander Van Diehl and his wife, Lt Cida Diehl, and D/Lt/C Adriaan Veldhuisen
and his wife Cheryl (all from San Luis Rey SPS), P/R/C Nina Anastasio
(Bayside [NY] SPS), and Lt/C Ernest Wasserman and his lady Madeline
Paul (New York SPS).
Call to Order: Following dinner, Commander Baer called the meeting
to order at 2025.
Recognitions and Awards: The Commander presented the Life Membership
award (earned last year) to P/C Steven Bakalis, who made a gracious
acceptance speech. Next, in the absence of Lt Ted Umland, Sail Fleet
chair, Commander Baer announced the winners of the Sail Fleet Trophies: 1st
place was awarded to Lt/C John Isaksen. Bob Newsom, of the San Luis
Rey SPS, won the 2nd place award, which--in his absence--was accepted
by Commander Van Diehl. Senior Member recognition for the achievement of
five Merit Marks was awarded to Lt Chris Pikus, who was not present,
and to Lt/C Michael Fontaine.
National Awards: Commander Baer called on D/C Chester White to present the
awards given to the squadron by USPS. D/C White noted that San Diego
had again achieved the National award for Excellence in Journalism,
which was given to P/C Steven Bakalis, editor of The Ship's Mail, and
the National Website Excellence Award, which was given to Lt Tom Fota,
the SDSPS webmaster.
25-Year Member's Pin: Commander Baer noted that our former member, P/Lt/C
Jim Fetzer, who has moved to Arizona, had earned his 25-year pin.
Member of the Year: Each year, the Commander awards recognition to
the one member (not an officer) who has made the most significant contribution
to the squadron during the past 12 months. Commander Baer noted that he had
solicited input from the Executive Committee with regard to a worthy
winner and, after consideration, had determined that the award for
2004 should be awarded to P/C Steven Bakalis, who served SDSPS as instructor
of the JN and N courses, as well as editing The Ship's Mail and organizing
the squadron's hosting of the October San Diego CNC outing at Coronado
Yacht Club. In acknowledgement of his many hours of service to the
squadron, Dave Baer presented to P/C Bakalis the trophy for Member
of the Year.
Departing Commander's Remarks: Commander Baer again thanked Administrative
Officer, Lt/C Tom Griffin and his wife Lani for their organizing of
the evening. He expressed his appreciation to his entire Bridge, Executive
Committee and the Committee Chairs for their hard work over the past
year, which had born fruit in the many squadron activities and achievements.
He expressed his confidence that the Commander-Elect would enjoy the
firm support of the members during the coming year. Finally, he thanked
his wife, P/C Marie Baer for her support and many efforts to assist
him with his commandership.
Closing of the 2004 Watch: D/C Chester White announced the closing
of the 2004 Watch and asked the Bridge to retire. He then call the
incoming Bridge and Committee Members-elect to come forward.
Administration of Oaths: D/C White administered the oath of office
to Commander-Elect Katharine Law. He then administered the oaths to
the 2005 Bridge Officers, Members at Large, and Elected Committee Members.
Presentations: D/C White noted that he had previously entrusted to
Commander Law the USPS Commander's Kit. P/C Baer presented the new
Commander with shoulder boards, the Commander's flag and the squadron
gavel. Commander Law presented P/C Baer with a plaque, recognizing
his service to the squadron and noted that the shoulder boards and
P/C's swallow-tail flag, which were ordered would be presented when
received.
Call to the Head Table: The 2005 Bridge was called to the head table
by Commander Law, and seated.
Incoming Commander's Remarks: Commander Law noted that the long tradition
of high standards set by previous commanders of the San Diego squadron
pointed toward the goals of excellence which she hoped the squadron
would achieve in the coming year. She expressed gratitude for the excellence
of the boating education provided to her by all her USPS instructors,
and for the friendship of the members of her former squadron, the New
York Sail and Power Squadron, and her other friends in Districts 4
and 3. Finally, she thanked the members both for the warmth of the
welcome they had extended to her upon her move to San Diego three years
ago and for their expression of confidence in entrusting her with squadron
leadership. She called on each member to join her in working toward
the USPS goals of education, fellowship, and public service, and urged
anyone with ideas for improvement to share them with the new Bridge.
The meeting was adjourned at 2105.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara A. Goddard
Secretary