[Psml] Chart Smart Books

[R. Sweet]

John, et. al.,

First, let me make it clear, America's Boating Course will not be
discontinued.

Second, we are moving to a single USPS manual for boating courses.  As soon
as the Boat Smart manuals run out (about April 2007), we will transition all
USPS courses to use the Squadron Boating Course manual.  We have prepared a
syllabus for an 8-hour format using this book (equivalent to Boat Smart) and
are finalizing a new PowerPoint to go with it.  There also will be a
supplement with the latest (2007) NASBLA-requested material.

There are several advantages to using this book.  One, it clearly shows the
students that there more to learn about boating.  Second, it encourages
students to come back for a separate session on piloting (akin to Chart
Smart) if the squadron is inclined to teach it. They already have the text.
Third, this approach provides a transition to what we will use in 2008.

As soon as the Squadron Boating Course books are gone, we will be replacing
this with one new course book that will provide the boating safety material
in the first part and the piloting material in the second part.  You will be
able to teach an 8-hour program equivalent to Boat Smart or the longer
course equivalent to Squadron Boating Course using this one book.

It turns out to be far less expensive to have one quality book than three
different books tying up inventory and requiring different approval and
printing cycles.  We intend to have a somewhat more graphic format for the
new book which surveys tell us students like.  We have not finalized the
name of this new manual but we are open to suggestions.

We will explain more details during the Annual Meeting in Jacksonville.  We
hope to see you there.

Happy New Year and Best Regards,

Bob Sweet
ANEO

-----Original Message-----
From: psml-bounces at usps.org [mailto:psml-bounces at usps.org] On Behalf Of John
& Judy Gill
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 9:48 PM
To: aep at mindspring.com
Cc: John and Judy Gill; Jensen,Lance; United States Power Squadrons Mailing
List
Subject: Re: [Psml] Chart Smart Books

Paul,

I was not trying to make it sound easy.  However the problem is not  
as new as you make it out to be.  National has been talking about  
doing away with Boat Smart and Chart Smart for about  two (2) years.   
They have been talking about revising the Squadron BOATING COURSE for  
about the same period of time.  The problem has been compounded by a  
change in the NEO position.

Presently, we don't even know if the America's Boating Course will  
continue to be supported by USPS???

The new two module public boating course has not yet been named (D/5  
has been asking for the name of the new two-section, two-module  
course for over six (6) months in order to order a new boat show  
exhibit display for the Northern D/5 Squadrons, but finally had to  
order exhibit panels promoting the Squadron BOATING COURSE, Boat  
Smart and the America's Boating Course.  By next year, we may have to  
throw out our new exhibit and order new panels because National  
finally comes up with a new name???

The best alternative that I know of is to STOP teaching Charting to  
the public --period.  Make people join USPS to get that education or  
go elsewhere.  This is particularly true for those Squadrons who  
compete with FREE state safe boating courses.

John

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