A History of Iroquois Sail and Power Squadron

The United States Power Squadrons (USPS) is a non-profit educational organization, founded in 1914, whose mission is to improve maritime safety and enjoyability through classes in seamanship, navigation, and other related subjects. The USPS comprises approximately 45,000 members organized into 450 squadrons across the United States and in some US territories. It is the largest U.S. non-profit boating organization and has been honored by three U.S. presidents for its civic contributions.

In 1956 Rochester Power Squadron taught the USPS Public Boating Course for the first time in Canandaigua with the objective of growing membership in its eastern section. By 1960 the membership of RPS had grown to (40) men. USPS national leadership encouraged RPS to form new squadrons, because RPS had grown so large.

Rochester Power Squadron continued to grow. Several of its members wished to actively participate as squadron officers and instructors. There weren’t enough jobs available to satisfy these members.

On 9 December 1974 at an RPS general meeting (33) members agreed to form the Eastern Division of RPS with the intent of forming an independent squadron. On 20 November 1975 (44) members of RPS signed a petition to the USPS Governing Board requesting a new squadron charter for what would become Iroquois Power Squadron. 

That possibility became a reality on 24 January 1976. P/C Murray Goddard along with (44) members officially received the charter for Iroquois Power Squadron. In 1999 our squadron name was updated to Iroquois Sail and Power Squadron.

In the 1970’s USPS recognized the need to approach boating and membership as family-oriented activities. Bylaws were changed to make family membership available. The first female and family members were invited to join USPS in 1982. In 1986 ISPS Commander Gloria (Skip) Galusha became the first female commander in District 6.

USPS and ISPS have a wide variety educational classes and programs that change with the times. These classes are made available to our membership and the boating public using state of the art technology as presented by our many USPS qualified instructors.

The name Iroquois was selected to reflect the Iroquois presence and tradition in our area. Our burgee was designed to depict five Iroquois Long Houses representing the five original Iroquois nations. The white arrow head on the blue field was used for symbolic reference to an item that was used by Iroquois culture when the Iroquois Confederacy was founded.