Las Vegas Power Squadron, Chartered 1973, D13

26 April 1999

The Las Vegas Power Squadron (LVPS) is proud to be acknowledged as being one of the top membership performers in the United States Power Squadrons (USPS). We have been requested to share our "Success Story" with you. Quite Frankly, the story is pretty simple, a lot of hard teamwork. Located in an area which is experiencing phenomenal population growth sure has not hurt either. The basic components of our membership program is no secret. We have just executed the principals and ideas that are part of the USPS procedures. Now for the rest of the story.

The first component is to get the word out to boaters about the USPS safe boating classes. This is accomplished primarily by keeping literature where it will be seen by boaters including: state boating registration offices, marinas and retail marine suppliers. The LVPS also makes person to person contact with boaters at two annual boat shows where we maintain a booth as well as a display at the busiest local marina during "National Safe Boating Week". We also advertise in the local newspapers in the sports/outdoor section. The LVPS Public Relations Committee has a dedicated phone line for answering questions and enrolling prospective students for class. We have also found it is imperative to phone each prospective students the week before class begins as a reminder.

Another important component is service by accommodation. We have found that other boating groups like the education benefits of the USPS. We have arranged on several occasions to conduct one day Saturday classes at lake facilities for these groups. The BoatSmart class has made these one day classes for experienced boaters a reality. I might add, we have a significant number of members who belong to more than just one boating organization. This is just another way to get our story told.

In addition to the one day classes, the LVPS has found a niche in the adjoining city of Henderson, Nevada coordinating efforts with the Henderson Parks and Recreation. This has made classes more convenient for this area. The arrangement has also been a good marriage because of the exposure we receive through their education catalog distribution.

By the end of safe boating class the students have been exposed not only to top rated instructors, but also visits from the Membership Committee who inform the students what the USPS is all about. On display are bulletin boards of pictures and information telling of the benefits of squadron membership with a squadron member present answering questions. Applications are available for all successful students on exam night.

In summary, approximately ninety percent of the students who register for a safe boating class complete the course successfully. Sixteen percent of the successful students apply for membership. In the past we have had three to four classes a year with a major class in the Spring and in the Fall with additional classes as needed. For the 1998 calendar year we added two one day classes and two additional classes at the Henderson Parks and Recreation Department. We are still looking at other avenues to improve as the "Second Chance Program" to draw on previous students.

Please contact me if you should have any questions.

Sincerely,