Inside USPS Administrative Dept News Bulletin

Inside USPS

News from USPS® National Committees

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USPS Blast February 2013

Two New Boat Show and Classroom Giveaways

Nautical Check Company is providing free handy recreational boating reference guides, one for power boaters and one for sailboaters. The waterproof 40-page spiral-bound guides measure 3.5 inches wide by 6.5 inches long and are packed with easy reference tips. The inside front cover has a place for squadrons to include their local information. Item numbers are 07-26-105 for the Nautical Check Power Boat Edition and 07-26-106 for the Nautical Check Sail Boat Edition. Look for them on the Ship's Store in the Books, DVDs & Prints section. Shipping and handling charges apply. — Tom Kemp

READ MORE www.shopusps.org/books.html

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Practical On-the-Water DVD Loop Now Available

A Practical On-the-Water DVD with continuous looping video is now available to use at boat shows and other public events. Order the professionally narrated, 6 1/2 minute video (Item #07-67-116) from the Ship's Store. Funding was provided by the USCG Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. Shipping and handling charges apply. — Tom Kemp

READ MORE www.shopusps.org/books.html

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New USPS Uniform Provider

Abbott Uniform Company of Pensacola, Fla. will provide a full line of USPS uniforms and tailoring services for members. Abbott provides uniforms for the U.S. Navy, Delta/Northwest World Cargo Air, Air Tran Airlines, Frontier and World Airways. To access the USPS pages go to the "Shop" tab on their home page and select "US Power Squadrons." — Tom Kemp

READ MORE abbottuniforms.com

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Office Depot Offers Great Pricing Deals

USPS members get up to 80% off preferred products (see Best Value List), 15% off retail Web pricing for 3,000 commonly used products, and 93,000 products discounted below retail price. Shop online or in local Office Depot stores. You get next-day delivery with free shipping on orders over $50. Use the link below to shop online or print an in-store savings card. — Tom Kemp

READ MORE http://usps.ctcshares.com

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Ford Joins the USPS Member Benefits Program

USPS proudly announces that Ford Motor Company, through it's largest Southeast Ford Dealer Capital Ford, is offering its family-and-friends pricing to USPS members. This offer is good for all new and used vehicles. Capital Ford will begin mailing program details to members in Florida and will follow with mailings in other states. However, all members, no matter where you're located, can participate immediately. — Tom Kemp

READ MORE

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Squadron Emergency Response Assistance Team

This year begins the USPS' 100th anniversary celebration, and one event leading to the formation of USPS was the rescue of sail boaters by power boaters. Although fairly new, the Squadron Emergency Response Assistance Team program has its roots in the beginning of USPS. Through the SERAT program, a group of highly trained volunteers provide safety patrols for on-water events, non-emergency patrols and on-the-water emergency assistance. What better way to honor our founding members than to implement a SERAT unit in your squadron. Our committee can provide information on what is required and will assist you in starting you own unit. Please feel free to contact us. — Jim Strothers

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Cooperative Charting

As rear commander of the Cooperative Charting Committee, I wish to thank everyone for their support these past two years. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Cooperative Charting Program agreement between USPS and NOAA. This is believed to be the longest continuous agreement NOAA has had with an outside organization. As always, the Coopertive Charting Committee continues to look for members. If you want to serve on the committee, please complete the USPS resume form and submit your request to join us. — Jim Strothers

READ MORE Fill out a USPS resume.

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Get Discounts for Great Lakes Cruising Club School Webinars

Did you know that USPS members can take Great Lakes Cruising Club School webinars at reduced rates? More than 40 webinars have been planned for the 201213 GLCC School curriculum year, which runs OctoberApril. For details, visit the Educational Department home page under "News" or click the Great Lakes Cruising Club School Logo on the Educational Department home page. — Tom Brincka

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USPS and NOAA Sign a New Memorandum of Understanding

Rear Adm. Gerd Glang, director of NOAA's Office of Coast Survey, and John Alter, USPS chief commander, signed a new memorandum of understanding on Saturday, 19 Jan., at the USPS 2013 Annual Meeting. To read more, click the link below. — Tom Kemp

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New Staff at CommCom

The Communications Committee has grown in the past three years. It began as two committees (Publications and The Ensign), which were successfully merged into the Communications Committee through the efforts of Past Rear Commander Brenda Joyce. I thank both Brenda and Past Staff Commander Bob Boal for their efforts during the past three years. Editors and webmasters please take the time to review the CommCom website as we update it. We have several new committee members in both the newsletter side under Staff Commander Kathleen Lambert and on the website side under Staff Commander Cheryl Jarrell. — Guy Anastasio

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2013 Poster Theme: 100 Years of Wearing It

The 2013 poster contest theme is 100 Years of Wearing It. We look forward to seeing how the artists will depict the theme. What did the life preservers, boats and people look like during the past 100 years? The new submission forms will be available soon, and please remember the importance of following the guidelines. — Sandy Krupa

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Educational Fund Honor Roll

The Educational Fund website now has 2012 Honor Roll data for squadrons and districts. If your squadron isn't listed and should be, please email me. If your squadron didn't get your money in on time, it's not too late. Retroactive payments are accepted. — Fred Mangelsdorf

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USPS Education Set to Go Viral

USPS is partnering with the BoatUS Foundation to put its courses and seminars online in the next couple of years. Targeted to boaters we never see in class, these complete online courses and seminars will generate revenue and potential members for squadrons and USPS. The first seminar, Partner in Command, will be up and running around the end of February 2013. These courses will be available to both members and the public. Watch for more details at usps.org/eddept. — Eileen Rickard

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USPS Signs Agreement With Marriott

Ahoy, district commanders and conference chairmen, USPS has signed an agreement with the Marriott Group of hotels. When you choose the Marriott Group for a future conference, you will be offered discount room pricing, and your district can earn Marriott Reward points to use at its discretion. This also benefits USPS. You provide your requirements; Marriott will do the walking. We put you together, and you start talking. Click below for more information. — Nigel E. Hargreaves

Free Member Benefits Fliers Available

Order new, full-color Member Benefits fliers for your next function. They're a great tool for recruiting and retention. Shrinkwrapped in packs of 50, this new brochure gives you information about all USPS benefits, and it's free. Order it under item number 09-39-106. — Tom Kemp

Members can also View/Download the Member Benefits Flyer from the Member Benefits Page

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