By Mike Wiedel
Chief Commander
Thank you for being a member of the America's Boating Club | United States Power Squadrons and accept my heartfelt thanks for all the time, money, and effort you have given to advance the recreational boating safety mission.
The waters we navigate today are not those of our founders in 1914, nor even those of a decade ago. While our core missions of promoting boating safety, fraternal camaraderie, and community service remains, the way the world engages with the water has shifted. To remain the premier boating organization in the United States, we need to evolve to meet the needs of the modern mariner.
The recreational boating market is a rapidly changing reality. While the passion for the boating lifestyle remains, the path to entry has changed. We are seeing a move toward a shared-access model, including boat clubs, rentals, and fractional ownership. There has been a massive market shift toward high-horsepower outboard-powered vessels, luxury pontoons, center consoles and wake sports boats.
Our entire organization must adapt to this new reality. Our educational offerings must be as relevant to a first-time personal watercraft rider or a boat club member as they are to a seasoned cruiser, human-powered device user, pontoon owner, or a high-performance operator. Our local squadrons must become the local boating community hub that offer value, inclusiveness, and flexibility.
This means embracing digital media and education as well as expanding the social media environment. Today’s boater seeks "just in time" knowledge, and our functions must be events that people anticipate attending.
Our path to entry for membership has changed to online portals and an aligned social media presence. If a new boater can't find us online, we don't exist.
In an era where families are looking for high-value, repeatable experiences, boating stands out as an unmatched value. By offering a valuable membership experience, expert mentorship, and a link to a nationwide network of friends and knowledge, our organization provides a return on investment for the recreational boating dollar that no one else can match.
Your Board of Directors is committed to continuing the modernization of our operations, support of our volunteer leaders, and to ensure that every squadron has the tools to promote, innovate, motivate and educate if they choose to use them.
Let’s weigh anchor and move forward, together. ❖
Chief Commander Mike Wiedel joined America’s Boating Club Milwaukee in 1988,eventually becoming commander. At the district level, he then progressed to commander. At the national level, Wiedelserved as rear commander of the Safety Committee andwas aide and national flag lieutenant to two past chiefcommanders before becoming national administrativeofficer and then national executive officer. He also enjoysteaching courses and seminars. He and his wife, Kim,enjoy boating on the Great Lakes, Lake of the Ozarks,and the inland river systems.