Mary Paige Abbott, right, Chief Commander of America’s Boating Club national, chats with representatives from the Beaufort, SC squadron
When America’s Boating Club Atlanta hosted the national group’s district meeting in November in North Georgia, they had a very special guest. Chief Commander Mary Paige Abbott, the national group’s first female commander, attended.
“It was quite an honor for Chief Commander Abbott to attend our meeting,” said Margaret Sherrod, commander of the Atlanta group. “One of our members was at a meeting with her earlier this year and invited her to our conference and she accepted. It is not common for chief commanders to attend district meetings.
“She came to also recognize the 50th anniversary of the Memphis Squadron,” Sherrod said. “We were thrilled to have her at our meeting and for our members to have a chance to meet her face to face.”
The two-day conference in Hiawassee drew representation from nearly a half-dozen groups across the district. Squadrons from Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Huntsville and Atlanta attended, bring the total to more than 40 people.
Past Commander Dave Fuller shows boating flares at the safety presentation.
Lisa Herndon Wilson demonstrates the group’s Boat Simulator
Sessions included a review of instructor standards, a demonstration of boating safety techniques and business meetings. Planners also arranged for a pre-conference dinner off-site as well as a band on Friday evening and a DJ for Saturday night’s entertainment.
America’s Boating Club Atlanta offers social events, boating education classes and a chance for boaters to meet others interested in boating. It hosts raft-ups and on-land meetings. Additionally, the group plans out-of-town boating-related trips for members.
For more information about ABCA visit their website: AmericasBoatingClubAtlanta.org.
