[Psml] Fwd: Re: , Issue 6 (John) HQ Support to local Squadrons

[John]

Kristi,

Topic one - Fine comments and wholeheartedly agree. Was a Florida 
resident for many years. Know what you mean. As to National 
advertising, know a lot was spent on the video America's Boating 
Challenge (or quiz). Good idea but not able to get to the major 
markets and prime time. I tried to get the tape on local media 
channels. No success. Business plan and dollars essential - maybe 
your thoughts may get some one with experience to help. PSA's just 
can't make it, as you said. Know funds at National are limited as 
evidenced by the various initiatives by National to increase the 
bottom line. The impact on National increases in revenue can and does 
affect Squadrons who are the prime source of revenue.  Applaud 
National's initiatives within reason. Don't know how much was 
influenced from the grass roots level. Politics not withstanding.

Topic two -  Good comments, as well. Don't think I indicated no 
reimbursements for anyone. Just need to be judicious in allocation 
and remember the statements in 2001 and 2002 by National. Do fully 
support a means of reimbursement. Thoughts are to reimburse the C/C, 
V/C/C, District Cdrs and Squadron Cdrs - not spouses or significant 
others. This was a significant item of discussion in 2001 / 2002. If 
funds are readily available at the District and Squadron level for 
others to participate and to allow reimbursement, fine. Concern is 
with the loss of membership and financial status that may 
significantly impact our method of doing business. Our Squadron has 
individuals attend the various meetings at their own expense. Only 
limited reimbursement is allowed to the Cdr or designated 
representative. No, the others are not wealthy, just dedicated and 
volunteers. They take their time off and own funds to pay for the 
accommodations, transportation, meals, displays, etc.  So your 
comment "So, in essence, you are saying to me, that I am not smart 
enough to lead a group nor am I capable because my financial 
situation doesn't allow me to travel to the level being determined by 
those who have plenty of money running the organization."  is off the 
wall and never did I suggest it nor question your knowledge, an 
ability to lead or financial capabilities . I, too, look at it as a 
volunteer. fund for my own  and spouse's expenses and  am a worker 
bee, with financial resources  that need to be applied at a personal 
level among the many demands beyond the USPS.  What are the chances 
of a Bass Boater becoming C/C?

         Another Volunteer's thoughts. Hopefully, someone is 
listening  to what we have discussed. Am really concerned about USPS 
decline. What other initiatives will turn the Organization around to 
place USPS (still like to see  United States Sail and Power 
Squadrons) in a position of family, education and civic service superiority.

         Regards,

                 John


At 15:58 05/28/2007, Kristi Anderson wrote:
>Topic 1 -  National Campaign
>
>I don't think you will find any individual of USPS - including "NATIONAL" -
>who disagrees with your opinion that we need to advertise at the national
>level, as well as the local level.  BUT the national level will require a
>lot more money and we just don't have it.  Currently, the PR/Marketing and
>Education teams are working to find angles for new, worthy of interest,
>articles.  People aren't interested in reading an article on boating safety,
>and the editors know this.  So we have to add a human interest story or a
>new technology to it, etc and add a few safety tips as well.  It is a very
>tricky industry to get in to.  I have tried, I know.  There is no such thing
>as "free" PSA's any more in MOST markets, except for not so popular radio
>shows.  Point is, articles are being sent every month to try and wedge
>ourselves into that "free" market, but we are at the mercy of the editors.
>
>As for the local level, as much as I prefer a national campaign, we have to
>do it on the local level.  I used to live in Tampa, then moved to Clearwater
>(15 miles apart?).  Totally different markets!  The tricks I used in Tampa
>didn't work in Clearwater.  Tricks I was using in Tampa didn't work 15 miles
>in the other direction (East) as well.  There they could get a lot of free
>newspaper ads as they were a smaller area.  In Tampa, I could hang out in
>West Marine and rarely put an ad in the Tampa Tribune, if ever, and posters
>worked.  But in Clearwater, only newspaper ads worked - not posters or
>freebie newspapers, thus the cost was about $300 per class.  It just varies.
>Here in Melbourne, it is even still different!  I am floored at the
>differences considering it is all FLORIDA.
>
>You must have contacts to get anywhere in the national market.  And it seems
>those in the industry aren't volunteering to help (I am guessing as I know
>there are a few marketing professionals out there that I have met over the
>years, but they have reasons why they aren't helping).  And "free" is not
>really what they are in the business for.
>
>Topic 2 - Reimbursements for National
>
>Just think what would happen if USPS did not offer reimbursements at all.
>1)  You would be saying that everyone has to be wealthy to be able to be in
>any position (it costs money to go to national meetings).  This would mean
>that USPS decisions would only be made by the wealthy and you would be
>letting the worker bees know that are only that any could never get anywhere
>else.  (I don't think that is the democratic way).
>2)  Less people would attend national meetings, thus though we wouldn't need
>very large conference facilities, we wouldn't have enough people to get the
>"perks" - freebies that keep the prices down at the national meetings.  This
>is the situation district conferences find themselves in where meetings may
>happen in a bar the next morning (have you ever smelled a bar the next
>day???)
>3)  If less people are attending meetings, less communications and more
>"MIS-Communications".
>4)  The prices of all the events at the national meetings would be so high,
>that they would not Attract people, thus attendance will be down, and people
>won't see and make friends, thus membership declines.
>
>I am one of those that enjoys the meetings, but doesn't qualify for
>reimbursement and has to use any vacation money and time off from work to
>attend.  So, in essence, you are saying to me, that I am not smart enough to
>lead a group nor am I capable because my financial situation doesn't allow
>me to travel to the level being determined by those who have plenty of money
>running the organization.  (Bridge officers travel about 10 - 25 weekends a
>year to represent this organization to its members and outside
>organizations).
>
>So, here are the two options 1) pay for everything or 2) pay for nothing
>(the latter is what you are proposing).  Currently, the rooms per night
>average about $135 - $150 a night.  $65 per night is a compromise.  We need
>people to do all the work of the organization and they are not even asking
>for everyone to be reimbursed, just those in the leadership roles.  Do you
>think ALL the work is done by that group?  I hope not.
>
>So, the next time you say "No reimbursement for anyone", think about how
>many people in your squadron, district and national that wouldn't be at the
>meetings and the state of the organization.  They call this "Cause and
>Effect".
>
>Just one volunteers opinion.
>
>Kristi Anderson
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: psml-bounces at usps.org [mailto:psml-bounces at usps.org]On Behalf Of
>John
>Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 10:48 PM
>To: kayaklady at cfl.rr.com
>Cc: United States Power Squadrons Mailing List
>Subject: [Psml] Fwd: Re: , Issue 6 (John) HQ Support to local Squadrons
>
>
>
> >Date: Fri, 25 May 2007 22:37:52 -0400
> >To: "Robert Miller" <boatsafe at comcast.net>
> >From: John <jshivik at cox.net>
> >Subject: Re: [Psml] , Issue 6 (John) HQ Support to local Squadrons
> >
> >Bob Miller,
> >
> >         Thanks for your comments.
> >
> >         Bob, I don't totally agree with John Bradley.  So, we agree
> > to disagree. Maybe a review of what we went through in 2001 and
> > 2002 as to National expenditures and the recommendations that were
> > made at that time would be appropriate. Remember the cutting back
> > on meetings but there was to be a cut back on reimbursements, too.
> > Have no problem with the C/C having appropriate reimbursements.
> > Volunteers, right? We all need to work together and come to a
> > consensus, not to fight. I would think that we want to see USPS
> > survive. It will not happen with current thinking.
> >         Of course we advertise at the local level and have
> > submitted for years for reimbursements. My concern is directly to
> > National doing a National media campaign. I don't want to beat a
> > dead horse. National, and in this case, you are missing the point.
> > Unfortunately, Emails are not the best way to convey one's
> > thoughts. National should come up with a viable business plan and
> > advertise at a National level. Do not appreciate Bradley's
> > condescending tone as he is not aware of my background. Need to
> > work as a team and not adversaries. Doesn't appear that way, right?
> >
> >                 P/C John Shivik
> >
> >
> >
>
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