[Psml] Chart Smart Books

[Paul R. Soucy]

John,

You make it sound so easy, until you try it.

We have for years conducted Boat Smart followed in a couple of weeks with 
Chart Smart.  Our last Boat Smart had 80 people, Chart Smart had 12. We 
gained two new members between the two classes.  This year as the new SEO, I 
desided to get a jump on the schedule and set dates for both Boat Smart 
followed by Chart Smart.  Then I find out, without hardly any advance 
warning that Boat Smart books would not be available after April 2007. No 
mention at the time of Chart Smart book availablilty.  So I ordered and got 
Boat Smart Books, shortly thereafter I attempted to order Chart Smart and 
was informed Hq USPS is out of books and they will no longer be printed.  In 
fact John, as we all know Boat Smart and Chart Smart will be combined into 
the Squadron Boating Course which can be ordered for $26.00 in March 2007. 
Doesn't do me any good, our classes are in Jan/Feb time frame.

So to get out of this mess I attempted to ask USPS world if anyone had spare 
Chart Smart books. I have plenty of Boat Smart books, however they to will 
be replaced by the upcoming and imporved Squadron Boating Course.

Another way out is to charge $26.00 for Boat Smart for two Saturday 
sessions, then charge another $26.00 for one four hour class using the 
improved Squadron Boating Course (which is not out yet) and tell the 
students we'll only teach the part that deals with Charting.  That I'm 
afraid would upset a few people.  Course students can hang their Maptech CD 
from their rear view mirror.

Boat Smart at $26.00 and Chart Smart at $16.00 worked fine for many years, 
why didn't they just leave it alone. Or at least give us ample warning of 
the changes made. Which by the way happened close to some squadrons change 
of watch catching incoming SEO's unaware.

If USPS keeps making these ''Improvements'' to educational courses which 
results in increased costs not only to squadrons, but to students as well, 
we SEO's might experience empty classes.

Paul Soucy AP
SEO Long Bay

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John & Judy Gill" <twojscom at quadnet.net>
To: "Paul R. Soucy" <psoucy at sc.rr.com>; "USPS Power Squadron Mailing List" 
<psml at usps.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 6:54 PM
Subject: Re: [Psml] Chart Smart Books


> Paul and list,
>
> I know that the demise of Chart Smart is a dilemma for many Squadrons  who 
> have been teaching Boat Smart followed by Chart Smart.
>
> Why not turn lemons into lemon-aid by just teaching Boat Smart or 
> preferably the America's Boating Course as a classroom course and  then 
> telling students that you will offer a Piloting course right  after the 
> public boating course (read new member recruitment).  Those  who are 
> interested in learning about Charting will join to take the  course, those 
> who aren't interested enough will just have to learn  the hard way and 
> wouldn't be good members anyway!
>
> Soon, the Boat Smart course will also be discontinued and only a new 
> two-module or two-part public boating course (not yet named) will be 
> available (no introductory date has been announced).  Students will  be 
> required to purchase the entire new course, but Squadrons will  have the 
> option of teaching only one or both modules.
>
> OK, for the time being, offer the Squadron BOATING COURSE and only  teach 
> 1/2 of the course at a slightly reduced fee!!  If students wish  to take 
> the second half, offer it at am additional nominal fee.  End  of problem.
>
> D/Lt John Gill, AP
> Pennsway (PA) Squadron.
>
> =========================
>
>
> On Jan 3, 2007, at 5:25 PM, Paul R. Soucy wrote:
>
>> Our squadron is in need of 25 Chart Smart books. Hq is out and will  not 
>> be printing anymore.  If any squadron has exrta copies, please  let me 
>> know as soon as possible.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Paul Soucy AP
>> Long Bay SEO
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