[Psml] Growing USPS Membership reply to John Gill

[Craig McConnaughey]

John,

Wow!  If I lost 80% I'd be down to two friends and one of them is
questionable, the other senile.

I don't see where there is much in the way of expense nor delay with the
approach I suggested.  Additionally it focuses on the bigger picture . . . a
benefit for all Districts/Squadrons and 2,000 plus new members.

Your approach certainly has merit but why would ex-Auxiliarists be showing
up for the next Flotilla meeting?  I also have to question making an
effective appeal in a designated time-slot at a meeting where current
on-going members are present. It certainly would be difficult, if not
impossible, to build any rapport at such an event.  Plus, I suspect the
Flotilla Commander might object to that approach since he has already lost
so many people.

No, I was not promoting another letter but rather your suggestion of
extending the USPS hand at a local social gathering or at a minimum meeting
one on one with the individual(s).

However, I learned a long time ago never to assume anything and if the
suggestion does not fly at our National level, believe me that we will be
taking your suggestion and making local contact.

Thanks for your suggestions!

/craig

From: "John & Judy Gill" <twojscom at quadnet.net>
To: "Craig McConnaughey" <Craig at mcconnaughey.com>
Cc: "USPS Power Squadron Mailing List" <psml at usps.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 3:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Psml] Growing USPS Membership by 2,700


> Craig,
>
> Why wait for C'/C Marshburn to request a list from USCGAux National 
> Commodore Budar and waste all that time and incur all that expense. Simply 
> make contact with the Commander of your local Flotilla and ask  for time 
> at their next meeting to talk to their members who are  declining to go 
> through the security clearance process.  There is  nothing like the 
> personal touch and extending the right hand of  friendship in a casual 
> way -- no need for formal letters.  Take with  you information about your 
> Squadron, USPS Courses, Squadron social  functions, Squadron cruises, 
> Squadron civic service activities such  as public boating courses, Vessel 
> Safety Check program, Cooperative  Charting, etc.  Remember members of the 
> Auxiliary are more interested  in Civic Service than cruises, rendezvous 
> and parties - that's why  they joined a Flotilla instead of a Squadron. 
> Their impression of us  is that we are a party and drinking man's club 
> while they are more  serious and more interested in saving lives.  Show 
> them that we have  a serious side in addition to making life long 
> friendships.
>
> Remember the Power of One and also that the reason most USPS members renew 
> their memberships and remain active is because of FRIENDSHIPS  (If I 
> dropped out of the Squadron, I might loose 80 percent of my  friends).
>
> John

>
>