[D-plan-net] Bowsprit Award Refocus

Wed Jun 11 09:22:47 EDT 2008

Arthur, I am not sure why you were unable to read Jean's message, but if you let us know we will see what we can do to resolve the problem for you.
Regards,
 Kay Simkins, AP
PDC
Planning Committee
tolenut at comcast.net

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: minassity at aol.com 
  To: d-plan-net at usps.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:03 AM
  Subject: Re: [D-plan-net] Bowsprit Award Refocus

  Hi Jean,     I could not read your comments.     P/C  Arthur A. 
  Epstein, D-4, Plan Com chair

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Hamilton, Jean <jlhamilton at marathonoil.com>
  To: d-plan-net at usps.org
  Cc: chschexnider at yahoo.com; Ken Wilkinson <kdwilkinson at earthlink.net>; 
  Philip Welch <philwelch at sbcglobal.net>; Hilton Dickerson 
  <hiltond at verizon.net>; dotwelch at sbcglobal.net; Nell Moore 
  <nelldm at sbcglobal.net>; Shirley_Heald at ryder.com; jmadden50 at yahoo.com; 
  bcsail at netportusa.com; Scott D. McDonald <ScottDMcDonald at comcast.net>; 
  wkgalle at sbcglobal.net; D21PRO at aol.com; a.pippin at att.net; shirley heald 
  <shirley.heald2 at verizon.net>; sheald at alum.cox.smu.edu
  Sent: Fri, 6 Jun 2008 7:18 pm
  Subject: Re: [D-plan-net] Bowsprit Award Refocus

  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 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

  _______________________________________________
  D-Plan-Net mailing list
  D-Plan-Net at usps.org
  http://www.usps.org/mailman/listinfo/d-plan-net

  _______________________________________________
  D-Plan-Net mailing list
  D-Plan-Net at usps.org
  http://www.usps.org/mailman/listinfo/d-plan-net
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.usps.org/pipermail/d-plan-net/attachments/20080611/eee76d36/attachment-0001.html 