Next message: KSC_ADMIN: "RE: SSCA - :-(("
KSC ADMIN writes:
> The Seven Seas Cruising Association publishes an equipment survey=20
>
> Don't mention THOSE <Irish expletive deleted> around me!!!.. ;-)
[...]
> I just miss the "old" SSCA, (Seems I read those words in the bulletin =
> back in'77 or so? <G>) and the loose group of REAL friends we bonded =
> with "in the good ol' days".. (There i go - waxing nostalgic, again! =
> <G>) C'est La Vie.. :-)
>
[...]
Funny, I have the same feeling when I read the bulletins. I'm just an
associate (and I admit to wondering if I should put in a mock-humble
"lowly" adjective) and what do I know? But after having heard about
SSCA and how swell it is, I find it to be a cold and not at all
welcoming organization. There's a veneer of welcome but that's
quickly dissipated by the strong feel of "if you're not a commodore,
you don't rate." The best example of this elitism is the requirement
that people who've reached commodore status must become
rear-commodores if they move ashore. If someone makes the required
voyages and behaves as per the SSCA ideals, are they anything less for
being ashore? I think not. Moreover, I was astounded to see at least
two names that I recognize as having made circumnavigations (and,
unless I'm mistaken, at least one of those names did it more than
once) still listed as associates when commodores I know haven't made
it out of the Caribbean!
I let our membership lapse because of this elitism but renewed because
I wanted the information in the bulletins. I thought maybe I'm just a
grumpy guy and should lighten up. After receiving the last two
issues.... SSCA is back on probation and may well find itself excused
from my library permanently.
Rick
