2,000 Members and Continued By-Laws Changes

While the Association continued its advocacy to correct pay inequities, it also undertook important internal reforms. Efforts were made to amend the By-Laws to allow members who had accepted temporary commissions—and who had previously been members—to retain their Association membership. Inactive Reserve warrant officers were also made eligible for membership.

Additional changes authorized the hiring of a full-time Secretary and updated policies governing travel and mileage reimbursement. Provisions were also introduced to allow officers who had been disenrolled after accepting permanent commissions to reapply for membership.
By 1964, membership surpassed 2,000. Of more than one thousand active-duty warrant officers, only 137 were not members of the Association.
Financial Growth and Challenges
The Association continued offering life insurance benefits to its members. Although it had never operated at a deficit, the 1960s brought increasing financial scrutiny. Studies were conducted to determine whether members would be better served through a group life insurance policy rather than through direct death benefit payments funded by Association investments.
By 1964, death benefits had increased to $12,000. Life insurance obligations represented the Association’s largest potential liability, approaching $60,000.
Other operational costs were also rising. By the mid-1960s:
• Annual legal counsel expenses reached $6,000.
• Total annual operating costs—including death benefits, rent, the full-time Secretary, printing, and mailing—exceeded $33,800 in 1964.
Revenue came primarily from active-duty member dues, which could be collected by monthly allotment. Upon retirement, members were required to pay their annual dues in a lump sum each September 1.
At that time, the Association held approximately $56,330 in government bonds, periodically adjusting investments to secure higher yields. Actuarial studies conducted in 1964 concluded that financial stability required more than $97,000 in invested securities.
New members paid a $5 initiation fee (later discontinued). After 16 years and 8 months of membership—having contributed $375—members qualified for half-dues status. After an additional 8 years and 4 months, they became dues-free.
Despite growing membership, long-term financial concerns persisted. By 1965, although national life expectancy averaged 70 years, the average lifespan among Association members was only 56 years. More than 45 percent of the membership consisted of retirees, increasing benefit obligations.
Expansion of District Clubs
By the mid-1960s, the Association included 13 district clubs:
Boston District Club — Boston, MA
Groton–New London Club — New London, CT
New York District Club — New York, NY
Cape Island Club — Cape May, NJ
Norfolk District Club — Portsmouth, VA
Miami District Club — Hialeah, FL
New Orleans District Club — New Orleans, LA
Great Lakes Club — Cleveland, OH
St. Louis District Club — St. Louis, MO
Southern California District Club — Long Beach, CA
Golden Gate Club — San Francisco, CA
Pacific Northwest Club — Seattle, WA
Mid-Pacific Club — Honolulu, HI
In March 1965, a club was established in Miami, further strengthening the Association’s southern presence.
Three years later, three additional clubs were formed:
Yorktown Club — Yorktown, VA
Juneau Club — Juneau, AK
Far Out Club — Vietnam
The rapid growth of district clubs reflected both the expanding reach of the Coast Guard and the Association’s continued commitment to maintaining a national presence. Even as financial pressures required careful planning, membership growth and organizational expansion demonstrated the enduring value of the Association to the warrant officer corps.