[D-plan-net] Fw: Bowsprit Award

Wed Jun 4 15:21:05 EDT 2008

I have carefully reviewed the D33 presentation. The most discussed concept refers to the Bowsprit award. I think that this district award does measure the right things. However, obviously the award to district has to be promoted by the district & the squadrons have to be motivated to impliment. A previous DC to me stated that his goal was to win the bowsprit award during his term. The average squadron had no idea what that award was, didn't strive for it and the DC didn't achieve his goal. Interestingly enough, we did win it during my term. However, I never once mentioned the word bowsprite. However, I & my bridge kept continually challenging the squadrons on the individual bowsprite components. i.e. Increase number of merit marks achieved by squadron, increase co-op charting numbers, start notifying headquarters re boating class graduates, etc. Seemed to work.

I was surprised to see that there appears that under point 4 of "Additional benefits" that some get elected as DC without having served as a squadron commander. That didn't happen in my district. Also, the suggestion onder "National Role" would seem to suggest that bowsprite points would be considered in choosing a DC. Since most DCs arrive in that position after a number of years of working up a District bridge, this would appear to me to be not a good idea.
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Lyle Rea
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Tom Roscoe 
  To: d-plan-net at usps.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 7:32 PM
  Subject: Re: [D-plan-net] Fw: Bowsprit Award

  Wow looks like we have half the USPS membership on this list.

  Having been the charter Cdr of a squadron, and worked my way through D/offices, I have to endorse the input that the focus needs to be on the squadrons. They ARE the foundation USPS is built upon. Districts are a necessary overhead.
  Every tool USPS has needs to be directed at the S/C's "tool pouch" as they are the tires that motivate and stear the organization.
  For the past two years National and many districts have been working on the "evolution of USPS". Maybe it is time for the Bowsprit Award to evolve.

  Tom Roscoe
  D/C 19
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Kay Simkins 
    To: D Plan Net 
    Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:03 PM
    Subject: [D-plan-net] Fw: Bowsprit Award

    Keith, I have forwarded your message to D-Plan-Net in order to assure the widest distribution possible to those most involved with planning and the future success of our organization and its many parts. Your response highlights many positive ideas. I am hoping it encourages others to respond.  There are few moments better than as squadron commander we say thank you to our members for their efforts.  Communication is vital -we need to share the ideas, thoughts and yes, the grumbles - so we know where to put forth the efforts to make things better. 
    Thank you for a great message.
    Kay
    Kay Simkins, AP
    P/D/C National Planning Committee
    tolenut at comcast.net

    United States

    Power Squadrons

    Boating is fun.we'll show you how

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Keith Baldwin 
    To: Kay Simkins ; res8fx1m at verizon.net ; Christine D16plan Rasmussen ; Robert D29Plan Rayburn ; Philip D13Plan Dee ; Eladio D33Plan Reyes ; Bonnie D8Plan Katz ; William I. D22Plan Neef ; James C D5Plan Frost ; J. Lloyd D17Plan Cox ; Charles T. D27Plan Helms ; Ellen J. D14Plan Cardoza ; Charles D28Plan Pe ; Ralph D1Plan Borriello ; Susan R. D7Plan Harris ; Arthur A. D4Plan Epstein ; John R. D21Plan Morawski ; David D9Plan Brooks ; John D18Plan Bedrossian ; Edward C. D26Plan Leibfarth ; Jeff C. D10Plan Hamilton ; G. Leslie D25Plan Johnson ; Richard D30 Stablein ; Keith R. D20Plan Baldwin ; Anne S. D2Plan Peskin ; Jack E. D24Plan Bannister ; Margaret d31Plan Miller ; Abraham D23Plan Cahill ; William D15Plan Dietrich ; Phyllis D32Plan Sines 
    Cc: wmb413 at sbcglobal.net 
    Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 12:17 PM
    Subject: Re: Bowsprit Award

    Kay:  Over the years I have looked at the Bowsprit Award and tried to figure out how its founders thought it would be a great tool too train Squadron Leadership.  It is a District award and most squadron commanders are busy looking at ways to get their members involved in programs that will show results to the SQUADRON in the form of new members, better community exposure, Squadron esteem, etc. In my opinion, there has to be a better way to provide SQUADRONS with a tool that they can use to effectively measure the health of their membership.

    In District 20 two years ago we starteded to develop a District Award that could be won by every squadron every year, that would provide a yardstick for a squadron commander to measure the squadron's health. Squadrons did not compete against other squadrons, they competed with against their own past years record.  We liked the six Bowsprit categories, and looked at the squadron's performance this year as a base for next years goal.  Our philosophy was that if each squadron did at least one better in each category, they would be a stronger squadron, ie, 255 VSC in 2007, 2008 goal would be 256, 134 members in 2007, 2008 goal would be 135, etc. To win the Sqaudron Achievement Award, a squadron had to do one better in each of the six categories. While our numbers were generated at national, we have encountered problems getting accurate figures and appropriate reporting times.  It is a problem we are continuing to work with.  

    The larger picture is this could be a great management tool to put in the hands of a squadron commander.  The commander could on a regular basis measure the squadron's success or failure, and martial its members as need be. Bowsprit as it is today is too remote for the Squadron commander to relate to.  If one squadron does a great job in all areas, and the rest of the District doesn't, there is no recognition or gratification for the squadron who excelled.

    I would like to see the Bowsprit Award changed to make it more relevant to squadron commanders

    P/D/C Keith Baldwin, SN
    D/20 Planning Committee Chair

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