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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Kay Simkins, AP</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>PDC</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Planning Committee</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="mailto:tolenut@comcast.net">tolenut@comcast.net</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=minassity@aol.com
href="mailto:minassity@aol.com">minassity@aol.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=d-plan-net@usps.org
href="mailto:d-plan-net@usps.org">d-plan-net@usps.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, June 11, 2008 8:03
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [D-plan-net] Bowsprit Award
Refocus</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Hi Jean, I could not read your
comments. P/C Arthur A. <BR>Epstein, D-4, Plan
Com chair<BR><BR><BR>-----Original Message-----<BR>From: Hamilton, Jean <<A
href="mailto:jlhamilton@marathonoil.com">jlhamilton@marathonoil.com</A>><BR>To:
<A href="mailto:d-plan-net@usps.org">d-plan-net@usps.org</A><BR>Cc: <A
href="mailto:chschexnider@yahoo.com">chschexnider@yahoo.com</A>; Ken Wilkinson
<<A
href="mailto:kdwilkinson@earthlink.net">kdwilkinson@earthlink.net</A>>;
<BR>Philip Welch <<A
href="mailto:philwelch@sbcglobal.net">philwelch@sbcglobal.net</A>>; Hilton
Dickerson <BR><<A
href="mailto:hiltond@verizon.net">hiltond@verizon.net</A>>; <A
href="mailto:dotwelch@sbcglobal.net">dotwelch@sbcglobal.net</A>; Nell Moore
<BR><<A href="mailto:nelldm@sbcglobal.net">nelldm@sbcglobal.net</A>>; <A
href="mailto:Shirley_Heald@ryder.com">Shirley_Heald@ryder.com</A>; <A
href="mailto:jmadden50@yahoo.com">jmadden50@yahoo.com</A>; <BR><A
href="mailto:bcsail@netportusa.com">bcsail@netportusa.com</A>; Scott D.
McDonald <<A
href="mailto:ScottDMcDonald@comcast.net">ScottDMcDonald@comcast.net</A>>;
<BR><A href="mailto:wkgalle@sbcglobal.net">wkgalle@sbcglobal.net</A>; <A
href="mailto:D21PRO@aol.com">D21PRO@aol.com</A>; <A
href="mailto:a.pippin@att.net">a.pippin@att.net</A>; shirley heald <BR><<A
href="mailto:shirley.heald2@verizon.net">shirley.heald2@verizon.net</A>>;
<A href="mailto:sheald@alum.cox.smu.edu">sheald@alum.cox.smu.edu</A><BR>Sent:
Fri, 6 Jun 2008 7:18 pm<BR>Subject: Re: [D-plan-net] Bowsprit Award
Refocus<BR><BR><BR><BR>Attached are my comments regarding the recent
Bowsprit-Focus-Leadership <BR>discussion, actually a stream of consciousness
treatise, for your <BR>weekend reading, and a copy of the current D/21 Star
Program
worksheet.<BR><BR><BR><BR>regards,<BR><BR><BR><BR>Jean<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>R/C
Jean L. Hamilton, SN<BR><BR>United States Power Squadrons<BR><BR>Assistant
National Secretary<BR><BR>USPS Environmental Committee<BR><BR>EdDept Marine
Environment Committee<BR><BR>District 21 Commander<BR><BR>Houston Sail &
Power Squadron<BR><BR><BR><BR>"Boating is fun...we'll show you
how"<BR><BR><BR><BR> From: <A
href="mailto:d-plan-net-bounces@usps.org">d-plan-net-bounces@usps.org</A>
[mailto:d-plan-net-bounces@usps.org] <BR>On Behalf Of Kay Simkins<BR>Sent:
Sunday, May 11, 2008 7:50 PM<BR>To: <A
href="mailto:d-plan-net@usps.org">d-plan-net@usps.org</A><BR>Subject:
[D-plan-net] Bowsprit Award Refocus<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>District
Planning Network Message May <BR>2008<BR><BR><BR><BR>TO: District Planning
Committee Chairmen<BR><BR>Cc: District Commanders<BR><BR><BR><BR>As you know,
D-Plan-Net was established as a forum for district <BR>planning committees to
discuss and share ideas and concerns in the <BR>interest of providing benefit
to USPS members. If you are no longer on <BR>the district planning committee,
please forward this to the new chair. <BR>We welcome the new members to our
network.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Recently there has been concern with regard to the
Bowsprit Program and <BR>associated award. Although the criteria for earning a
Bowsprit Award <BR>has changed from time to time, recent discussion has
centered on the <BR>value of the program as a management tool that helps
squadrons, and <BR>therefore districts, focus on priority
issues.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Attached is a Power Point proposal as submitted to the
National <BR>Planning Committee by District 33 Commander Jose Rivera, AP. This
<BR>Power Point presentation outlines one proposal for restructuring the
<BR>Bowsprit Award. The National Planning Committee, with the support of
<BR>the Bowsprit Program Administrator, P/D/C Brian Logan, SN, is
<BR>interested in your thoughts and ideas concerning this proposal and the
<BR>Bowsprit program in general. We encourage you to join in the discussion
<BR>and offer your comments, ideas, and suggestions. Respond by replying
<BR>to <A href="mailto:d-plan-net@usps.org">d-plan-net@usps.org</A> before I
June 2008.<BR><BR><BR><BR>As you are aware, the Bowsprit program, which
focuses on the cumulative <BR>efforts of squadrons, does not report on the
individual achievements of <BR>a district’s squadrons. Forgoing any further
developments that may <BR>change the Bowsprit program as it currently
operates, districts might <BR>consider creating your own District Bowsprit
Award for their squadrons. <BR>Several districts are doing just that. All the
data that is sent to HQ <BR>is also collected at the district level. A
district could choose the <BR>same categories for the award or tailor the
categories to fit the areas <BR>of greatest concern. <BR><BR><BR><BR>Squadrons
would be challenged to outperform their own achievements from <BR>the previous
year. In this fashion they are only competing with <BR>themselves. This
simplified version makes for easy accounting without <BR>complex formulas.
Squadrons either did better or worse in any given <BR>category for the
commander’s entire year.<BR><BR><BR><BR>The primary importance of the program
is to create awareness of the <BR>activities and each squadron’s progress and
to identify the areas where <BR>squadrons and/or the district may better focus
its efforts. Awards can <BR>be determined locally with Honor Roll status, etc.
If a single “top“ <BR>squadron is necessary, the percentages of all the
categories could be <BR>averaged and compared.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Some districts
have developed a “Star Program” that may be a bit more <BR>complicated. The
purpose of these programs enables district personnel <BR>to better assess and
address the needs of their squadrons when studied <BR>and applied by squadron
and district personnel. Several district <BR>personnel would be tasked to
communicate and collect data from their <BR>squadron counterparts. We always
encourage this type communication. <BR>Goals and action plans can then be
developed from these studies to <BR>assist squadrons. The Planning Committee
Manual, found at our Web site, <BR>has information on developing these types
of strategies.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Another important issue concerns the
qualifications of district <BR>personnel. The Planning Committee tries not to
enter into local <BR>“politics.” It is our belief that many governance issues,
such as the <BR>qualifications of commanders, should be handled at the local
levels <BR>whether squadron or district. The requirements for the district
<BR>commander or other positions should be compatible with their bylaws or,
<BR>in some cases, the “Policy Manual” that provides guidance. The local
<BR>Nominating Committee should be following the policies and bylaws of
<BR>their local unit. We suggest that the local planning committee or rules
<BR>committee prepare a proposal that would satisfy the concerns within
<BR>your district.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Resolutions from the districts go to the
Governing Board and are then <BR>assigned to a national committee for further
study. Resolutions do help <BR>by making desired
changes.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Remember, we would like hear from you and get your
feedback on the <BR>District 33 proposal by 1 June 2008. The information will
then be <BR>summarized and reported on the d-plan-net and sent to various
involved <BR>committees.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Thank you. We are
listening.<BR><BR><BR><BR>National Planning Committee<BR><BR><A
href="mailto:d-plan-net@usps.org">d-plan-net@usps.org</A><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>D-Plan-Net
mailing list<BR><A
href="mailto:D-Plan-Net@usps.org">D-Plan-Net@usps.org</A><BR><A
href="http://www.usps.org/mailman/listinfo/d-plan-net">http://www.usps.org/mailman/listinfo/d-plan-net</A><BR><BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>D-Plan-Net
mailing list<BR><A
href="mailto:D-Plan-Net@usps.org">D-Plan-Net@usps.org</A><BR><A
href="http://www.usps.org/mailman/listinfo/d-plan-net">http://www.usps.org/mailman/listinfo/d-plan-net</A><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>