The Knoxville Power Squadron welcomed the Boat Smart curriculum with enthusiasm. We considered several different formats and decided the four day format was the fewest sessions which would allow enough time for student/member interaction. The final choice was 1900 to 2100 Tuesday, Thursday, followed by Tuesday, Thursday the following week.

Following the break at each session knot/line work is taught by a different instructor so as to give both instructor and students a break. It also builds camaraderie between members and students.

Each class has a different instructor to minimize the effort by any one instructor and make it easier to recruit the help needed.

At the March boat show a local boat dealer offered his show room for the class. sixteen students could be comfortably seated. Since then another boating supply store approached us about holding classes at his facility. This has room for 30 students and seems the most we can handle and still keep the personal touch. We now alternate between the dealer and the store.

Publicity flyers containing the details of the class are created and circulated. The first night all students are registered and a list of all names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. is prepared on a computer. The second class inevitably has a few students who could not make the first session and the list is updated with their information.

A certificate and card is created for each student registered and a completion packet using the new flashy, colorful folder is created including the certificate and card, new short form application for membership, costs to join, any publications of interest to boaters such as state boating laws, discount certificates from boating stores, copy of our monthly squadron newsletter, etc.

As the students finish the exam they are routed away from the class and provided cold drinks, coffee, donuts, etc. Multiple members, typically one for each 2 or 3 students, are recruited to socialize with students and aimed at explaining what we do as an organization. It is important to stay away from recruiting at this time lest students get the impression they are hunted game. We have an endless video of squadron on-the-water events running that features many of the people attending or teaching the class.

When the exam is graded the student and a member are matched up. The member goes over any questions about the exam and presents their certificate and card and talks about squadron membership. Whenever possible husband and wife are interviewed together.

Every effort is made to keep this process to less than 15 minutes. Membership applications are accepted on site if completed. Most who join will send in the application within two weeks. Within three weeks of the final class, every student who has passed by not joined is called by the membership committee to once again encourage them to join.

The following are key points to a successful class:

1.     It must be well organized. Without a well thought out class plan it is difficult to keep student interest and difficult to get good student/member interaction and, without good interaction, recruitment will be poor. Would you be interested in joining a group that cannot present an organized effective class?

2.     Good member support is required. Since the effort required by any one member is limited, it is easy to get good turnout. Besides its fun to meet new people who are interested in boats.

3.     Be very careful with instructor selection. The best JN instructor may not necessarily be the best for Boat Smart. They have to be knowledgeable but it is not necessary nor desirable to launch into sea stories. The best seem to be those who have been with the squadron a relatively few years and who are actively boating. Most student questions are about how to solve this or that problem they had last week on the lake not about how to sail the seven seas. And, a small amount of well place humor is extremely important in building rapport.

4.     Keep the instructor to the material and keep them to the time line.

5.     Keep the class to the published schedule. Students may have other commitments.