| R/C Richard E. Gercak, AP, Chairman |
Our Mission To respond to government issues and regulations, pursue recreational boating and governmental partnerships, establish state and organization memoranda of understanding, encourage homeland security initiatives, and generate external funding in support of USPS programs. |
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One of only two new national committees created as a result
of the latest USPS Strategic Plan, the Government and Partner Relations
Committee has many responsibilities. In addition to monitoring and
evaluating enacted and proposed legislation impacting recreational
boating, GPRCom notifies the chief commander, Board of Directors,
Governing Board, and general membership of the latest legislative
developments. The committee also aids districts and squadrons on legislative and liaison matters. Both district and squadron legislative and liaison officers report to their respective executive officers. While districts and squadrons handle legislative and allied matters of a more localized nature, the districts’ legislative officers serve as a liaison between the national committee and the squadrons’ legislative officers. GPRCom’s State Legislative Representatives act on behalf of their respective state, regardless of USPS district boundaries which may encompass more than one state. GPRCom boasts more than 65 members who serve on one or more of six teams: Administration, Grants & External Funding, Homeland Security, Partners/Liaison, State Legislative, and Lobbying. Each team has a team leader with the exception of the State Legislative team which has three, selected on the basis of the geographical area each represents. USPS members have and have always had the right to address any legislative issue as individuals and as concerned boaters. On 4 December 2009 a revised lobbying policy was approved by the Board of Directors granting members permission to lobby or contact government officials on legislative matters under the guidance of GPRCom. Also encouraged in the new policy was serving on Area Maritime Security or other boating-related committees in members’ communities throughout the country. Fostering boating partnerships is an important aspect of the Government and Partner Relations Committee. This is mainly accomplished by coordinating state, mainly educational, agreements and establishing organization memoranda of understanding. Agreements in force, as well as model agreements, are on this GPRCom website under the heading, MOUs. Our committee also designates GPRCom member volunteers to serve as liaisons to key boating organizations, partners and government agencies. In the wake of 9/11, homeland security is a critically essential function of this committee. GPRCom assists the U.S. Coast Guard with its “America’s Waterway Watch” campaign and also promotes the USPS “America’s Waterway Awareness” program. In February 2009 USPS signed an Affiliate Agreement with Citizen Corps, a branch of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This collaboration promises to cultivate an extremely important civic service contribution on the part of all USPS members. The newest addition to the Government and Partner Relations Committee is the Grants & External Funding team. The success of any USPS project demands a combination of viable human resources and adequate funding. These team members bring to GPRCom a special expertise in grant writing and knowledge of grant sources for important USPS programs. If you have an interest in serving on the Government and Partner Relations Committee, please contact R/C Richard Gercak at GPRCom@hotmail.com for more information, and be sure to update your resume at the Committee on Nominations site located on the USPS home page, www.usps.org |
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