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Sail and Power Boating  Boating is fun..We'll show you how DISTRICT 28
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Sail and Power Boating Boating is fun..We'll show you how DISTRICT 28
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The Lead Line is the official publication of District 28 and is published twice a year, in February and August. Articles may be submitted to the Editor, D/Lt Jill Powell, AP Selected articles are included on this website. A complete copy of the Lead Line, in Adobe Acrobat format (pdf), can be
downloaded by clicking on the issue link below. Use your browser "back" button to return.
Spring
2009Fall
2009Spring
2010Fall
2010Spring
2011Fall
2011Spring
2012A freeware reader can be downloaded from Adobe.com * * * Nominating Committee Report 2012-2013
P/D/C Craig Smith, AP, ChairmanPer Section 2.9.1 of the Bylaws of District 28 the Nominating Committee sets out below its nominees for the 2012-2013 year:
Commander D/Lt/C Mark Keltner, AP Executive Officer Stf/C Lou Loth, AP Educational Officer D/Lt/C Maria (Cida) Diehl Administrative Officer Open Secretary D/Lt/C Edward (Ted) Bowler, AP Treasurer Cdr Jo Anne Waller Audit Committee: Rules Committee: D/Lt Robert Hubbard, AP (3 yr. term) P/D/C Kenneth Smith, AP (2 yr. term) Nominating Committee: P/C Andy Pensavalle Lake Mohave (2 year term) P/C Don Litzenberg San Diego (2 year term) Open South Bay (2 year term) * * * Past Chief Commander Creighton C. Maynard, Jr., SN
Chief Commander’s Representative
at the D28 Spring ConferenceP/C/C Creighton C. Maynard, Jr., SN, of Fort Worth, Texas, joined the Fort Worth Power Squadron in 1969. He attended high school in Beaumont, Texas and is a member of the class of ‘55, Texas A&M University where he received a B.B.A. degree before entering the military. He completed law school in 1961, receiving LL.B. and J.D. degrees from Baylor Law School. He has practiced law since 1963 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Creighton has served in most squadron positions and was elected Squadron Commander in 1991.
He is active in his squadron’s and district’s Cooperative Charting efforts, has taught classes, served on numerous squadron and district committees, and was the District 21 Law Officer for several years.
Creighton was elected District 21 Commander in 1996 after having served the District as its Administrative and Executive Officers. At the National level, he has served as Chief Commander, the National Executive Officer, National Administrative Officer, and has been a member of the Member Involvement, Rules, Legislation and Government Relations, (Assistant Chairman), Nominations, (Chairman), and Operating committees. He has been an aide to Chief Commanders Farr, Jensen, and Smith.Creighton has been active in several volunteer organizations, but with his present involvement in USPS, not too much anymore. He has skippered a boat of some kind since 1951, both sail and power and presently has a 29' Sea Ray.
He is married to Glenda Woods Maynard. Glenda attended the University of Texas, Austin, receiving a B.S. degree and is a former Elementary Teacher. She is active on the National Ship’s Store and Social Activities Committees. She does volunteer work, enjoys reading, gardening, crossword, sudoku puzzles, and working out at the Fitness Center.
Time permitting, Creighton and Glenda enjoy as many boating activities as possible.
They have a combined family of six children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Past Chief Commander Maynard is a Life Member with 27 Merit Marks.
* * * Commander's Message
By D/C Connie Johnson, SN
- As we move into 2012 our Spring Conference in Laughlin, NV is approaching quickly. May we all have our reservations made early. Laughlin is a great town and the prices of rooms are the cheapest we have seen in a long time. The price is right, the rewards will be great. You could win at the slot machines too making that reward even greater!
- We would like to dedicate the morning program to all squadron officers. The most asked question after you come into office is: What am I supposed to do? We would like to simplify that for you. If you are a squadron officer we need you to attend this meeting. Being an officer isn't a scary job. Your district is here to assist. Please attend and learn from the experience of others who have been there. Again, we need to get all squadron officers to attend this meeting. It will make your Power Squadron membership more meaningful and less stressful.
- I am fast coming to the end of two wonderful years as your District Commander. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your support over my entire five year term on the District 28 Bridge. Thanks to all the P/D/C's for your guidance. A special thanks to Frank Fitzgerald who had quite a job cut out for himself keeping me in line! Thanks to my Flag Lieutenants Lee Whitehead and Bill Johnson for keeping me focused. Thanks to all aides who never complained when asked to do something. Another special thanks to Bob Schloeman for all the reports he posted as well as made available to all of us to assist in our job duties. He must dream in Power Squadron by now. Nobody puts in more hours than Bob. It has been an honor representing D-28 at all the National and District and Squadron events. It is soon time to hand this great experience on to future officers. Best wishes and may you have as much fun as I had.
* * * Executive Officer’s Report
D/Lt/C Mark Keltner, APHello to all. It is hard to believe that another District year is coming to a close. Serving as your District Executive Officer, for the past two years, has been an honor and privilege. I want to thank all the Committee Chairmen for all the hard work and effort that they put into the committees. Duane Leathers provided a wealth of information on Public Relations and what is available from USPS National. Bob Schloeman did his normal, OUTSTANDING, job on Radio Tech and Arizona Legislative reports. Russ Lyman kept us informed on Safety issues. Katie Law gave us information on the legislatives for California. A big thank you to our Law Officers, Robert Hurley, AZ and Tom Stanford, CA. for keeping D/28 out of legal problems. The Vessel Safety Checks kept Ron Werner busy supplying the inspectors with stickers and supplies. Thank you to Wes Heusser for overseeing the Cooperative Charting Department. Talking about Wes Heusser, let's all give him a BIG hand for inspecting 693 vessels in 2011. I know Wes is shooting for 800 plus in 2012.
Working with all the Squadron Commanders this year has been a pleasure. We had three meetings that were very informative and I know we all left the meetings better informed. I would like to thank the Squadron Commanders by name for all the hard work each one has put into their Squadron. Boris Buzan, Balboa- Jo Anne Waller, Lake Mohave-Chris Lockyer Bratton, Phoenix-Paula Vance, San Diego-Barry Bean, San Luis Rey and Don Johnson, South Bay. As a Past Squadron Commander I know what it takes to run a Squadron. All I can say is Thank you Thank You Thank You.
In my Fall Conference 2011 report I talked about a 105 ft charter fishing boat that sank in the Sea Of Cortez with a loss of 7 American fishermen. Pat McDonell of Western Outdoor News plans on writing a book about the accident "The Sinking of the Eric". In my Winter Council 2011 report I talked about a 24 ft power boat with 9 people aboard that had an engine compartment explosion in Huntington Harbor, CA. I know the "Gods of Stupidity" are looking around for their next victim who has not taken the USPS Basic Boating Course. I feel that the teaching of the Basic Boating Course should be D/28's main goal for 2012.
Here I go again HELP- HELP-HELP-HELP. The District is in need of a person that has Public Relations experience to help promote the Squadrons and District in Newspapers, Boating Magazines, TV, Radio, Internet and any other means. If you know of such a person PLEASE let me know.
* * * Educational Officer's Report
D/Lt/C Cida Diehl, SND/28 Spring Conference is fast approaching and for those squadrons that will have a new Educational Officer and Assistant this year it is crucial that they get themselves comfortable navigating the USPS web-site under the Education Department. There you will find the tools that you must use to do a decent SEO/ASEO job, such as ordering educational materials and exams, publishing your classes, sending educational reports, and searching the latest updates for course materials.
There are two programs available to help the SEO accomplish the tasks of publishing and reporting public courses and seminars. The first one is the USPS HQ800 system. This program is used for publishing all classes, Advanced Grades, Elective courses, ABC3 edition, and seminars, as well as file the ABC courses and seminars final reports. The second program is the BCA (Boating Course Assistant). This one is used to manage students from the ABC3 edition class and to upload student data to HQ.
For those of you that are currently or planning to become SEO/ASEO and are not experts in using the USPS HQ800, plan to attend the D/28 Spring Conference, where I will provide training at the morning session. If you are a squadron SEO you have the most challenging job in the whole squadron. A lot of the squadron success depends on you because USPS is primarily an organization based on education. Members and the boating public come to USPS seeking education and boating knowledge. What they are after is to be able to take their boat from their slip safely, without damaging other boats, plot a safe course to reach the destination, and find their way back, even in conditions of restricted visibility. The SEOs should be proud of their job; it is a very important one, considering that the classes they scheduled will be the source for new members. Getting the word out about the classes you will be offering is the key to get students that later on can become USPS members, and some of them future USPS leaders. It is important to schedule as many ABC3 and seminars as possible, and work together as a team with the Squadron Membership Chair, and Public Relation committees to get the word out. Communication and publicity is the key to selling everything, but unfortunately most USPS members are educators and not marketers. We as USPS members need to market our training, the USPS University and the benefits of membership. Just scheduling the classes is not enough; you need to make the public aware of them, by all the channels available - use USPS HQ800 tools, use your website, local boating newspapers and magazines, West Marine, boating suppliers and boatyards. There are newspapers and magazines that will publish notices of your squadron course schedules for free; post your classes in the squadron and district websites, SailAngle, and in your squadron newsletter; post fliers in Yacht Clubs, Anglers Clubs, and boat stores. And if you write about a course using your newsletter and you do not receive many calls from your own members signing up, it is because your members are not reading your newsletter, pick up the phone and call them. And to attract the young generation, Generation Y, you must use the internet's Facebook, Twitter and Smartphones. Remember that without members, squadrons cannot prosper. Without members it is almost impossible to continue with all the wonderful programs that USPS has to offer. USPS needs new members that will volunteer to help with the USPS safe boating mission. In today's economy, organizations are struggling to find members, and among them volunteers, and then to keep them. So be grateful to your member volunteers, a pat on the back and a Thank You are a must if you want to keep them.
D/28 Educational Awards: District Educational Department added one more Educational Award last year to be given at the 2012 Fall Conference. The Award that I am referring to is the Malcolm M. Cost Memorial Trophy, one of the District Deeds of Gift donated by Balboa Sail & Power Squadron to squadron that has the highest number of members that obtain the Boat Operator Certification (BOC), in Inland, Coastal, Advanced Coastal, and Offshore Navigation. 2012 is the first year ever that this award will be given.The other awards are: the Prince Henry the Navigator Trophy for Advanced Grade courses, the Donald L. Shockley Trophy for Elective Grades, the Ernie Casole Trophy for Engine Maintenance. And the Instructor Award, District 28 Award for Excellence in Teaching. To compete for this award, the squadron SEO must choose a nominee from its pool of instructors, the best one, or the most qualified, and send the nomination to the District Educational Officer.
In 2011 the USPS Educational Department made numerous new contributions: The squadrons now have new and updated boating educational materials and new seminars. But the most important contribution was the developments in On-the-Water (OTW) Courseware (Training), and BOC (Boat Operator Certification). After almost 100 years of focusing in teaching boating theory in the classroom, USPS hit the nail on the head steering the USPS University curriculum toward the practice. And that was what was missing in this organization, OTW skills training.
Training is part of everything, it is through training that people learn or refine their skills, and it is through training that people become good in what they do. Boating is no exception. On-the-water Training is the component that was missing, and now it is available for Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, and the Sail courses; in addition, the Practical OTW seminar is available to the public. The OTW components for Seamanship, Sail, and soon P and AP, can be found on the USPS Education Department website under the respective courses. San Luis Rey includes OTW training in Piloting and Advanced Piloting.
The OTW is big news for many USPS members around the country, but not for SLRSPS members that have been trained on the water for many years now. Make an effort to incorporate-rate the on-the-water training component into your classes. To find out what it takes to include this training, visit USPS Education Department website and download the OTW components. If you need further help, check with Van Diehl, the District BOC Chair.USPS Chapman Award for Excellence in Teaching - now is the time to start thinking about which instructor your squadron will select to compete for this award. It takes quite a bit of preparation. USPS Educational Department mails the paper work to the SEOs around April, but it is also available on the Education Department website for downloading. The district deadline is the Summer Council, June 2, 2012. If you have any questions please contact P/D/C Adriaan Veldhuisen, SN or me.
Model Anchor Set USPS Education Department has 11 Model Anchor Sets that the instructor can use as teaching aids when teaching anchor techniques in classes and seminars. You can borrow the anchor set by submitting a Standard Order form to USPS Customer Service; the item number is 11-63-001, and description of the item - Stainless Steel Anchor. There is no charge to either squadrons or district, but you pay for shipping and handling. You can make a reservation for the anchor set using the website, there are only three sets. You must return the Model Anchor set to USPS Headquarters after the event is over.
Finally, many thanks to all of you who have given me an extra hand in the District Education Department this year: Thanks to D/Lt/C Van Diehl, SN for working with the BOC, P/D/C Adriaan Veldhuisen, SN for working with the Chapman Award for Excellence in Teaching, P/R/C Bob Schloeman, JN for working with D/28 Deeds of Gift and others, P/C Dave Allocco, SN with working with BOC, P/D/C Katie Law, SN, for her support and wisdom, and P/D/C Bill Bridge, SN for his help with the Seminars.
Thanks also go to the SEOs and ASEOs who made great cont-ributions to the USPS Education Department throughout the year. SEOs Lt/C R.D. Walker, SN, Lt/C Katie Law, SN, Lt/C Peter Barbour, SN, Lt/C Joe Warren, JN, Lt/C Mike Accardo, Lt/C Ed Brunjes, AP, and ASEOs 1/Lt. Vicki Guillen, P, 1/Lt. Ken Ridley, AP, P/C Wes Heusser, JN,P/D/C Charles Peterson, SN, and 1/Lt. Mike Philbrook, P.
* * * Administrative Officer’s Report
D/Lt/C Van Diehl, SNIn a few weeks we will be arriving at the end of the District 28 year. Time to reflect about what was accomplished and about ways that the District could better help the Admin functions of the squadrons - Membership, Member Involvement, Leadership Development, Boating Activities, and Member Benefits.
The District Administration is the channel of communication between the national USPS Admin organization and the squadrons. It should provide leadership, training, and help to the squadrons, where it might be needed. These functions should be carried out by the members of the District Admin Committees - Membership, Member Involvement, Leadership Development, Boating Activities, and Member Benefits, and the chairs of the respective squadron's committees.
MEMBERSHIP
Congratulations are due to our squadrons for the good work done recruiting new members in 2011. District 28 recruited a total of 40 new members:Balboa - 4; Lake Mohave - 5; Phoenix - 3; San Diego - 8; San Luis Rey - 18; South Bay - 2.
We did not do so well in retention; The District lost 41 members, a net loss of 7.68%. Retention continues to be a problem. Simply stated, we are not getting members involved. And members that do not participate in the squadron activities, sooner or later leave. This is even truer today with the 6-month free trial membership.To grow we need not forget that USPS is the place where you learn that "Boating is fun…we'll show you how". Members that are active boaters are more likely to be interested in furthering their knowledge and skills with USPS courses, and be interested in sharing their boating skills with other members and the public. If we want to grow membership and retain our members we cannot just keep doing the same programs, but innovation is required. The way of USPS's future is the integration of On-the-Water (OTW) training into our courses and more boating events. The boating public does not want just classroom education they want practical On-the-Water skills training.
How do we keep our members? - Mentoring, frequent phone contact, getting the member to come to a fun GMM, and having enough activities to attract the member, are the keys to retention. Let's work together to change the retention trend. Every squadron should have a process in place for membership retention. You can get How To help at the B.A.R.S (Belong, Achieve, Recognize, and Status) presentation:
http://www.usps.org/national/membership/Memcom_Open_Mtg_16_Sept_2011.pdf
Other important tools for your new member-the New Member Welcome Packet and New Member
Orientation Manual - you find these at:http://www.usps.org/national/membership/meminv/index.htm#Retention_Ideas
I often wonder what makes some of us renew our membership year after year. Let us look at what makes us, Maria "Cida" Diehl and I, are long time members. We are avid sailors, having sailed a lot along the southern and central California coast (25 cruises to Catalina), Baja, and the Sea of Cortez. We have also sailed in Chesapeake Bay, the BVI, and the Greek Islands.
Most of what we know about boating was learned in the USPS University courses, not only in the classroom but also On-the-Water (OTW). We both completed all the USPS courses, gained the SN grade, and the Inland and Coastal Boat Operator Certifications (BOC). We gathered a lot from USPS in learning, as well as fun, and friendship. It was just natural wanting to give back; we would like more members to share our wonderful experiences. We contribute a lot of our time and experience to the San Luis Rey Sail & Power Squadron, and also to District 28 and National organizations.
In San Luis Rey (SLR) I teach all of the Advance classes, and many of the Electives and Seminars, have the responsibility for the Advanced Grades courses, Leadership Development, and have been Boating Activities chair for many years, as well as an Executive Committee member. I developed On-the-Water training modules for the squadron P and AP classes; these OTW integrated courses have been taught for many years now.
A little bit of innovation: I am just now teaching Marine Electrical Systems to SLR students using SailAngle. The Power-Point slides, exercises, Youtube.com video lectures, boat electric wiring diagrams, photos, and more are included in the MES subgroup, of the San Luis Rey SailAngle group.
I have being serving District 28 for several years because I believe that the District role is essential to lead the squadrons in the implementation of the new direction of USPS - the USPS University, the move towards OTW training, and a USPS University more open to the public. To better help the District 28 in this leadership role I joined the National USPS OTW & BOC organization, where I am presently the Regional BOC Director, and also took the position of District BOC Chair, to work towards the OTW & BOC program implementation into the squadrons.It is very important to have District participation at the two important annual USPS meetings: the Annual and Governing Board meetings, to ensure we are in step with the National organization. For that reason DEO Cida Diehl, SN and I have not missed any of the important USPS meetings in the last 7 years.
What motivates us and many of the readers, I believe, is the sense of belonging, of the continuing learning opportunities, the fun and friendship we get, and the opportunity to give back to the members and public. And, not to forget, the occasional Thank You for the job well done. To grow the organization we must be able to get many more of our members to have the same love for boating and for USPS as we have, and for them to become involved as we are.
MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
To grow we need not forget that USPS is where "Boating is fun…we'll show you how". Members that are active boaters are more likely to be interested in furthering their knowledge and skills with USPS courses, and be interested in sharing their boating skills with the boating public. If we want to grow membership and retain our members we cannot just keep doing the same programs, but innovation is required. Let us offer our members more boating events and OTW skills training. The boating public does not want just classroom education they want practical On-the-Water skills' training to go along with the traditional USPS courses.LEADERSHIP
In a few weeks the squadrons of District 28 will have new Bridges. Now is the proper time to schedule their training in the USPS operation, leadership skills, and goal setting. If you need help with the training, please let us know.The first part of the seminar should be dedicated to USPS Operations; The PowerPoint presentation consists of four modules that can now be downloaded from the website directly:
- Module 1 - The USPS Organization
- Module 2 - Committee Chairs
- Module 3 - Bridge Officers
- Module 4 - What's New in USPS
You could condense the material if your attendees have seen the material before, but give special attention to the Bridge Officer's Job Descriptions.
The second part of the seminar deals with Leadership Development. It can be presented in about 2.5 hours. It consists of three parts:
- Leadership - workable tools for a practical approach to leadership
- Communication - skills that a leader can use to communicate effectively
- Motivation - how a leader can effect motivation directly
The PowerPoint presentation, Presenter's Notes, and Student Guide can be downloaded from the USPS website.
The third part of the seminar is Squadron Goal Setting, a process of deciding what you want to accomplish and devising a plan to achieve the result you desire. It is suggested that it should be started with a presentation and discussion of the District 28 STAR goals, and the plans to get them accomplished. It would be followed for a brainstorming of goal(s) setting for each one of the squadron departments.An interesting management tool can be found at the Leadership Development website. It is a process to define the What and Who parts of a project or a decision process called RACI, for Responsibility, Accountability, Consult, and Inform. RACI is explained in the "Art of Delegation in a USPS Setting" Power Point Presentation, found at http://www.usps.org/national/ot/ There you also find the 2012 Officer's Checklist, District & Squadron Officer's Calendar for 2012, Squadron and District Job Descriptions, and Parliamentary Procedures Information.
Many thanks to all that helped the District Administration Department with its activities over the last two years. Special thanks to Lt/C Russ Lyman, AP for his membership work and P/D/C Elaine Keller, AP for her Operations Training and Leadership Development work and P/D/C Duane Leathers, AP for his work on the USPS Education Fund.
* * * Secretary's Report
D/Lt/C Edward Bowler, APAs District 28 secretary I am always concerned with times and dates. I am interested in such dates as: When does the Spring Conference and Change of Watch in Laughlin, Nevada, begin? Answer: 2-3 March 2012. I worry about: What time does the Spring Conference begin? Answer: 0900 on Saturday morning. And when does the meeting end? Answer: 1600 Saturday afternoon. I am especially anxious about the time we break for lunch? Answer: 1200 Saturday afternoon.
These times are all important as they go into the sacred District 28 meeting minutes found at SailAngle.com. The minutes are officially entered and duly noted by all in the squadrons, districts and national USPS who may be interested.Imagine my delight when I saw the date on the calendar of December 22, 2011. You might wonder why this date, of all 365 days in the year, is meaningful to me. Of course I am sure you have already guessed the answer: Winter solstice.
The winter solstice occurs exactly when the axial tilt of a planet's polar hemisphere is farthest away from the star that it orbits. Earth's maximum axial tilt to our star, the Sun, during a solstice is 23° 26'. More evident from high latitudes, a hemisphere's winter solstice occurs on the shortest day and longest night of the year, when the sun's daily maximum elevation in the sky is the lowest. Since the winter solstice lasts only a moment in time, other terms are often used for the day on which it occurs, such as midwinter, the longest night or the first day of winter. An observer at 32° north latitude will observe 9.9 hours of daylight and 14.1 hours of darkness. After December 22 the days get longer and the nights shorter until the summer solstice. With longer days we can look forward to extended summer days and spending more time outside.
With this 18% decrease in solar energy between summer solstice and winter solstice, winter solstice will be the time when solar panels will be least likely to keep up charging all the systems on the boat. As days go onward from this date solar panels will be able to produce more electricity. By the summer solstice there will be 14.1 hours of daylight and therefore a greater likelihood our panels will keep ahead of electrical use.
If you have not taken Junior Navigation consider taking it and then you will know all about time and dates all over the world.
Remember important dates you already know; 2-3 March 2012, the date of the Spring Conference and Change of Watch in Laughlin, Nevada, sponsored by the Lake Mohave Sail and Power Squadron.
I plan to see you all there and we can examine other dates, maybe even more important than those already discussed. Your wife's birthday? Your wedding anniversary?
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The next Lead Line issue will be in September 2012. Article deadline is August 15, 2012Squadron Publications Online Balboa Sail & Power Squadron's Trident
Lake Mohave Sail & Power Squadron's No-Wake Zone
Phoenix Sail & Power Squadron's Bos'n's Pipe
San Diego Sail & Power Squadron's Ship's Mail
San Luis Rey Sail & Power Squadron's Mariner's Needle
This page last revised January 30, 2012
