Sunday, February 10, 2008

Outgoing Commodore's Message

Commodore’s Message September 2007

Hello fellow members. The season is quickly coming to a close. Fall is in the air. I hope you have had a safe and happy summer. We sure kept you busy with the club’s social calendar and we still have the closing dance and the Flamboro Races in November. Prepare yourself for a wonderful dinner and put on your dancing shoes. We have live music this year. Don’t forget to pick your nominee for the ‘Bent Prop Award’. Of course we don’t wish for any mishaps but there always seems to be some kind of incident. November we will meet at the Flamboro Races.

The spirit of this club has certainly been demonstrated this year with the great attendance at the events. I personally want to thank those of you who gave all the nice words of praise throughout the season. When I took on the position as Commodore, I was assured from the Executive and directors that I would get support from them. I must commend those who have the experience of the history of this club. They are a great asset and have been great to work with.

It is now that time, when we will be piling up our summer supplies in the carts and trying to fit it all into our vehicles to be stored for another winter. Next, we will be seeing each other hauling out our boats, winterizing and tarpping. Or maybe we will get a nice Indian Summer for some nice boating weather.

Don’t forget though, we will see each other at the Races in November and watch for plans for a winter rendezvous.

See you at the Annual General Meeting, Sunday, September 23rd.

Your Commodore
Judy Redmond

Nexus Update


I am pleased to inform you that on September 27, 2007 Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day announced that the NEXUS enrolment centres (ECs) and automated self-serve kiosks are now operational at all eight major Canadian airports (http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/nexus/air-aerien-e.html) with United States (U.S.) pre-clearance facilities.

“Canada’s Government is proud to announce that Edmonton International Airport is now accepting NEXUS members,” said Minister Day. “This is another concrete action taken by our government to increase border security while maintaining the smooth flow of legitimate trade and travel to the United States.”

The NEXUS Air pilot project, which was launched at Vancouver International Airport in 2004, was very successful. NEXUS in the air mode uses non-invasive iris recognition technology to identify the traveller and verify his or her membership in the program. When members arrive in the CBSA hall or U.S. pre-clearance area at participating airports, they can go directly to the automated self-serve kiosk. They do not need to go through the primary inspection lines.

The U.S. has also accepted the NEXUS card as an alternative travel document to the passport under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative air rule.

NEXUS in the land mode began in the British Columbia/Washington corridor in summer 2002. NEXUS is currently operating at 11 border locations and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are working together to expand NEXUS to additional land border crossings.

This past April, NEXUS in the marine mode was launched across Canada. Recreational boaters who are NEXUS members can meet their border clearance obligations by calling a Canadian or U.S. telephone reporting centre 30 minutes (minimum) and up to four hours (maximum) before their expected arrival in Canada or the U.S.

And, as of August 2007, NEXUS applications can be completed online using Global Online Enrollment System (GOES), the U.S. CBP’s GOES for its frequent traveller programs. Access to GOES is available through the NEXUS Web site. To make it even more convenient to apply, Canadians can now also obtain a NEXUS application form at their nearest Canada Post outlet and at select Canadian Automobile Association offices throughout Canada.

I would like to thank the many employees across the CBSA who have contributed to and continue to play a part in the success of NEXUS. You can learn more about NEXUS by visiting www.nexus.gc.ca

Greta Bossenmaier
Vice-President
Innovation, Science and Technology Branch

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