Sewanhaka Power Squadron, Chartered 1953, D10

April 23, 1999

Sewanhaka Squadron was on a steady decline in membership. About the time I became Executive Officer we were at our lowest, 143 members. Membership Chairman, P/C Mike Taber and I observed that our classes were healthy in that we instructed at 5 high school locations approx. 300 students annually, but our new membership was being out-paced by our non-renewals.

It was obvious that we had to turn things around or we would be history.

First was to wage an all out effort to retain membership. Each bridge officer received the non-renewal list and selected those names he/she was familiar with. Their mission was to convince the names on the list that our squadron was launching a new and exciting boating program and that they should renew for another year. We also had a new members' meeting to field the group for comments and new ideas. The results confirmed our suspicions, we needed a stronger boating program and to make our general meetings more family oriented, entertaining and to minimize the squadron business to the bare essentials.

Sewanhaka's educational department is very solid and competent. Our instructors are the most experienced in our District. We have a very high ratio of graduate vs enrollment. Typically we would convert 3 or 4 members out of a class of 30. We were not getting our fair reward for our hard work. It was obvious that we need to develop a process which would expose our student to USPS in a gradual but consistent manner and not just hand out applications as they received their certificates.

It became clear that the Commander and the Membership Committee had to play a bigger role in the classroom. As Commander (in uniform), I welcomed each class and congratulated them for selecting the finest boating course available to the public. We talk about the USPS mission of neighbors teaching neighbors boating safety and that safe boating is more fun.

During the course our instructors find opportunities to talk about our squadron programs. We treat our students as if they are members by inviting them to all our functions/meetings. I personally try to instruct one session of each class. This gives me another opportunity to handout safety flyers, invitations to the Commander's cocktail party and any other up and coming festivities.

A membership package was also developed as a further encouragement. We combined membership and the Seamanship Course as a package and waved the initiation fee. So for one year's dues they received a significant value.

This concept has increased our conversion ratio to 40%. Now we not only had a real positive flow of new members, but we also had a very important by-product, larger Seamanship classes and larger Piloting classes. We believe that members that take classes are members that get involved.

Boat Smart - An idea long overdue. We call it Quick Smart with Boat Smart.

To our surprise we get the same membership results as we get from our full boating course. However, we had to create a three-session course in plotting to prepare these students for piloting after their free Seamanship Course. I think national needs to address this issue more formally.

Today - Sewanhaka has a membership of 233 and increasing. Our advanced classes are also increasing as are our elective. Our general meeting attendance has literally doubled and our social events are successful. Our additional treasury is being used to provide free social events and benefits for our membership.

In closing I would like to quote a fellow Commander who said, "Do you realize that 40% of your roster are members for less than one year?" My response was - "CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE."

To other Commanders, I'm sure many of you share similar problems, this is what worked for Sewanhaka. I would be delighted to hear from you and perhaps we could benefit from some of your ideas.

P/C Dominick L. Segrete, AP

PS: Our goal for 2000 is 300 members. Yes, it's all about numbers.

Editor's Note: Commander Segrete was a guest speaker at the Open Membership meeting during the June GB. His enthusiam and excitement made for an exciting presentation. Commander Segrete, thank you for your enthusistic presentation. It was truely exciting and enjoyable to listen to, WELL DONE :-)