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Treasurer's Department |
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V/C
Richard M. Peoples, SN
National Treasurer
United States Power Squadrons® recently
made some organizational changes to become a smoother-sailing ship.
The creation of the Board of Directors and the elimination of the Operating
Committee will save USPS money and improve operational efficiency.
Implemented last year, the National Meetings Committee Financial Management
Procedure has given us greater insight into the financial operation
of national meetings and will help us plan future events.
USPS® is changing from a dues-based organization to one based on a combination
of dues and the sale of educational materials. For more than a decade,
our declining membership has greatly reduced our operating capital.
We cannot operate this way much longer or our capital will fall below
a normal operational level.
During the last two years, we have decreased expenses as much as possible
without unduly affecting USPS operations. We cannot continue to make
up the revenue shortfall through dues alone. If you are a life member,
please consider making a contribution to the Endowment Fund in lieu
of dues. Your contribution will help build the foundation for a stronger
USPS.
With that in mind, the national Educational Department, the headquarters
marketing manager and the national Marketing & Public Relations Committee
are working toward increasing America's Boating Course and seminar sales,
promoting USPS through national advertising, and collaborating with
universities and community colleges to offer our courses and seminars.
To help squadrons grow, Tom Kemp, manager of marketing and development,
has created two "How to Sell" presentations, which are designed to help
you encourage boating students to join your squadron. You can access
them online at usps.org/national/natsec/marketing/SellABC.htm
and usps.org/national/natsec/marketing/SellUSPS.htm.
As USPS members, we must do our part to increase sales, bring in new
members and retain current members. Remember, you and I are USPS. By
working together and putting our minds and bodies to the task, we can
fulfill our vision of making USPS the best and strongest boating education
organization in the United States.
