United States Power Squadrons

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United States Power Squadrons
Whats New In USPS Education? Spring 06
Overview
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Challenges

• Recruit new members to USPS
• Visibility of USPS
• Reasons to join
• Retain our current members
• Provide quality, useful programs
• Reasons to stay

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What were doing

• National Campaign
• National Safe Boating Week
• Partnering
• Seminars
• USPS Guides Published
• Boat Operator Certification Program

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Recruit New Members

• Boating Courses
• Offer more classes
• When and where customers want them
• We have unique material,
• Digital charting, e.g. Maptech CD
• National Safe Boating Week
• Opportunity to join in national publicity

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National Safe Boating Week

• USPS needs national visibility
• NSBW provides the opportunity
• National publicity blitz
• Opportunity to showcase USPS recruit
• Weve been teaching safe boating
• Since 1914
• And, were very good at it

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NSBW Plan

• Request
• Every squadron to begin a boating class
• Local promotion
• Alternative, a seminar, demos
• Special NSBW offer to squadrons
• Boat Smart Chart Smart Maptech CD
• Only 3 more than BS book alone
• Leverage free NOAA charts
• Show students how to use them

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Partnering

• Maptech
• Training materials
• Free NOAA charts
• Discounts to members
• Harbor Chart co-op program
• McGraw-Hill
• Published USPS books guides
• Discounts for members

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Partnering

• C-Map
• Training materials
• Discounts, charts, chartplotters
• Boaters World
• Promotion seminar opportunities
• Store managers as members

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Partnering

• West Marine
• Can use their stores
• Army Corps of Engineers
• Team on river programs
• River charts
• more to come

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Seminars

• What?
• Short (2-4 hrs), topical, useful
• When?
• 6 new available by 1 Jun
• Why?
• Recruit boaters directly
• Revenue for squadrons, national
• Engage members with interesting programs

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Seminar topics

• 1 Jun
• Updated GPS Seminar
• On-Board Weather Forecasting
• Boat Handling under Power
• How to Read a Chart
• VHF and Marine Radio
• Knots, Bends, and Hitches

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Future topics

• Chartplotting Digital Charting
• Boat Trailering
• Marine Radar
• Sailing topics
• Sail Trim
• Heavy Weather Sailing
• Using GPS for Sailing
• Boat Commissioning Decommissioning
• Boating Emergencies
• Paddling
• Selecting and Adjusting a Compass
• How to buy a boat

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Seminar delivery

• Location
• Classroom
• Marine store, marina, boat showroom
• Includes
• PowerPoint and instructor guides
• Retail books or guides
• USPS Student Notes
• Student CDs for some

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USPS Published Guide Series

• Three published in 2005
• Marine Amateur Radio
• Boatowners Guide to GMDSS Marine Radio
• Knots, Bends, and Hitches

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In the Works - 2006

• Boatowners Guide to Marine Electronics
• Comprehensive guide to
• Selecting
• Installing
• Operating
• Troubleshooting
• 300 pages
• Retail, courses, seminars
• How to buy a Boat

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Boat Operator Certification

• Recognizable credentials for our members
• Part of USPS University
• Published publicized standards
• Clearly established skills
• Passport show accomplishments
• Laminated wallet card for certificate level

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What is Certification?

• Certify that member can operate a boat
• demonstrated level of boating proficiency
• knowledge skills
• Applies to recreational operations
• Recognized credential
• U.S.
• International

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Why Certification for USPS?

• Recognition prestige for USPS
• Reason to become stay a member
• Reason for members to take courses
• Valuable credential benefits for members

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Impact on USPS?

• Overlay program
• No change in current grade system
• Tracking
• Add categories to current system
• Issue certification

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Benefits to Members

• Recognized credential
• Chartering, leasing boats
• Insurance discounts
• Instructor
• Speaker, writer
• Personal accomplishment

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Proposed Certification Levels

• Inshore
• Inland waterways, sheltered waters close to land
• Coastal
• Regional coastal boating
• Advanced Coastal
• Extended coastal boating and cruising
• Offshore
• Beyond sight of land and navigation aids

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Requirements

• USPS Courses
• Prescribed set for each level
• USPS Seminars
• Use existing plus new developed as needed
• Fill gaps not covered by courses
• Skill Demonstrations
• Sign-off by certifier
• Demo on water or equivalent skills

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Proposed Schedule

• Concept approved by OCOM Jan 06
• Program developed Jun 06
• Certification approved by GB Aug 06
• Processes in place, PR Dec 06
• Launch Jan 07

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What is USPS University?

• An expanding set of informational programs
• Courses current, updated, and new
• Seminars
• Hands-on programs
• A reason to belong and stay active

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Summary

• We need it
• Practical learning for public and members
• Growth and retention
• We can do it
• Weve already started
• Practical tasks
• It will build enthusiasm
• Real reason to belong
• It will transition USPS for longer-term growth
• Takes much of the financial burden from dues

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