[D-plan-net] Bowsprit Award Refocus

[Hamilton, Jean]

Attached are my comments regarding the recent Bowsprit-Focus-Leadership
discussion, actually a stream of consciousness treatise, for your
weekend reading, and a copy of the current D/21 Star Program worksheet.
 
regards,
 
Jean
 
R/C Jean L. Hamilton, SN
United States Power Squadrons
Assistant National Secretary
USPS Environmental Committee
EdDept Marine Environment Committee
District 21 Commander
Houston Sail & Power Squadron
 
"Boating is fun...we'll show you how"
 

________________________________

From: d-plan-net-bounces at usps.org [mailto:d-plan-net-bounces at usps.org]
On Behalf Of Kay Simkins
Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 7:50 PM
To: d-plan-net at usps.org
Subject: [D-plan-net] Bowsprit Award Refocus



District Planning Network Message                                   May
2008


 

TO: District Planning Committee Chairmen

Cc:  District Commanders

 

As you know, D-Plan-Net was established as a forum for district planning
committees to discuss and share ideas and concerns in the interest of
providing benefit to USPS members. If you are no longer on the district
planning committee, please forward this to the new chair. We welcome the
new members to our network.

 

Recently there has been concern with regard to the Bowsprit Program and
associated award.  Although the criteria for earning a Bowsprit Award
has changed from time to time, recent discussion has centered on the
value of the program as a management tool that helps squadrons, and
therefore districts, focus on priority issues.

 

Attached is a Power Point proposal as submitted to the National Planning
Committee by District 33 Commander Jose Rivera, AP.  This Power Point
presentation outlines one proposal for restructuring the Bowsprit Award.
The National Planning Committee, with the support of the Bowsprit
Program Administrator, P/D/C Brian Logan, SN, is interested in your
thoughts and ideas concerning this proposal and the Bowsprit program in
general. We encourage you to join in the discussion and offer your
comments, ideas, and suggestions.  Respond by replying to 
d-plan-net at usps.org <mailto:d-plan-net at usps.org>  before I June 2008.

 

As you are aware, the Bowsprit program, which focuses on the cumulative
efforts of squadrons, does not report on the individual achievements of
a district's squadrons. Forgoing any further developments that may
change the Bowsprit program as it currently operates, districts might
consider creating your own District Bowsprit Award for their squadrons.
Several districts are doing just that. All the data that is sent  to HQ
is also collected at the district level. A district could choose the
same categories for the award or tailor the categories to fit the areas
of greatest concern.  

 

Squadrons would be challenged to outperform their own achievements from
the previous year. In this fashion they are only competing with
themselves. This simplified version makes for easy accounting without
complex formulas. Squadrons either did better or worse in any given
category for the commander's entire year. 

 

The primary importance of the program is to create awareness of the
activities and each squadron's progress and to identify the areas where
squadrons and/or the district may better focus its efforts. Awards can
be determined locally with Honor Roll status, etc. If a single "top"
squadron is necessary, the percentages of all the categories could be
averaged and compared. 

 

Some districts have developed a "Star Program" that may be a bit more
complicated. The purpose of these programs enables district personnel to
better assess and address the needs of their squadrons when studied and
applied by squadron and district personnel. Several district personnel
would be tasked to communicate and collect data from their squadron
counterparts. We always encourage this type communication. Goals and
action plans can then be developed from these studies to assist
squadrons. The Planning Committee Manual, found at our Web site, has
information on developing these types of strategies.

 

Another important issue concerns the qualifications of district
personnel. The Planning Committee tries not to enter into local
"politics." It is our belief that many governance issues, such as the
qualifications of commanders, should be handled at the local levels
whether squadron or district. The requirements for the district
commander or other positions should be compatible with their bylaws or,
in some cases, the "Policy Manual" that provides guidance. The local
Nominating Committee should be following the policies and bylaws of
their local unit. We suggest that the local planning committee or rules
committee prepare a proposal that would satisfy the concerns within your
district. 

 

Resolutions from the districts go to the Governing Board and are then
assigned to a national committee for further study. Resolutions do help
by making desired changes.

 

Remember, we would like hear from you and get your feedback on the
District 33 proposal by 1 June 2008. The information will then be
summarized and reported on the d-plan-net and sent to various involved
committees. 

 

Thank you.  We are listening.

 

National Planning Committee

d-plan-net at usps.org

 

 

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