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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=994020923-06062008>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.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=994020923-06062008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=994020923-06062008>regards,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=994020923-06062008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=994020923-06062008>Jean</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=994020923-06062008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=994020923-06062008>
<DIV align=left><STRONG><FONT face="Lucida Calligraphy">R/C Jean L. Hamilton,
SN</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>United States Power
Squadrons</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Assistant National
Secretary</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>USPS Environmental
Committee</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>EdDept Marine Environment
Committee</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>District 21 Commander</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Houston Sail & Power
Squadron</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"><STRONG><EM>"Boating is fun...we'll
show you how"</EM></STRONG></FONT></DIV> </SPAN></FONT></DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> d-plan-net-bounces@usps.org
[mailto:d-plan-net-bounces@usps.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Kay
Simkins<BR><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, May 11, 2008 7:50 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
d-plan-net@usps.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> [D-plan-net] Bowsprit Award
Refocus<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>District Planning Network
Message<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>May 2008</FONT></H1>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>TO: District
Planning Committee Chairmen</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>Cc:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>District Commanders<SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>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.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>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.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>Attached is a Power
Point proposal as submitted to the National Planning Committee by District 33
Commander Jose Rivera, AP.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>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 </FONT><A
href="mailto:d-plan-net@usps.org"><FONT
size=3>d-plan-net@usps.org</FONT></A><FONT size=3> before I June
2008.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>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<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>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.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>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. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: windowtext"><FONT size=3>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. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>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.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: windowtext"><FONT size=3>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. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>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.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>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. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>Thank you.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We are listening.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3>National Planning
Committee</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><U><FONT
size=3>d-plan-net@usps.org<o:p></o:p></FONT></U></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>