[Psml] FW: Barriers to Registration

[John & Judy Gill]

TW and List,

A little history is needed regarding educating the public.  First,  
USPS was at its strongest (most members) before the advent of the  
internet, eMail and cell phones.  It was at its strongest when there  
were no state safe boating education laws that Forced boaters to pass  
a boating course in order to operate their motor vessels (still don't  
in most states if only a sail or paddle boat).  People wanted to  
learn and took our 10 week Squadron Boating Course; joined, took more  
courses and helped the organization accomplish its goals.

Then the states got involved and started to compete by mandating safe  
boating education and offering free courses with only the basics in  
an 8 hour course.  USPS and the USCGAux followed suit and now only  
offer the minimum NASBLA requirement.  We wonder why people don't  
join?  The answer is not one of convenience in communicating with us  
by "customers" is is because boaters think that because they have  
obtained their state "license" that they know everything they need to  
know.  Also because in a short 8 hour course, students don't get to  
know what else we have to offer, we don't have an opportunity to get  
to know students, befriend them and sell them on the benefits of  
membership.

Boaters join USPS and a local Squadron for two reasons:  (1) more  
education and (2) friendships.  Most beginner boaters don't want or  
need more courses - who needs JN or N in order to enjoy water skiing  
or fishing on small lakes?  Regarding friendships, it is less  
expensive and less involved to simply join a Yacht Club in the area  
where one keeps their boat.  Instant friendships, parties and  
gratification with no one Forcing them to do anything!

My wife and I are both Certified Instructors, Vessel Safety Check  
examiners and I am an ABC internet / home study Chairman, D/5 Ch/ 
Cruise Planning and Life Member.  My wife is a women's certificate  
holder and the D/5 Asst/Ch/Cruise Planning.  We are both members of  
the Orillia Power Squadron, CPS-ECP and members of the America's  
Great Loop Cruisers Association and completed the LOOP in 2004.

The bottom line is that FORCING members to things will only result in  
members rebelling and to avoid conflict simply not paying next years  
dues.  Just because USPS members wear modified Navy uniforms, use  
Navy officer's ranks, salute each other (at formal occasions), etc.  
doesn't mean that USPS officers have the right to "give orders".

BTW, the USPS Triangle promotes:  (1) Self Education, Civic Service  
and (3) Fraternal Boating Club.  Self Education does not imply free  
education on the public's (customer's) terms.  Civic Service embodies  
public boating courses, cooperative charting, vessel safety checks,  
etc. nothing here about publishing one's eMail and/or phone numbers.   
Fraternal Boating simply means friendships between fellow Squadron  
members, no requirement to include the general public in our private  
activities.

D/Lt John R. Gill, AP
Pennsway Power Squadron in D/5
Orillia Power Squadron, CPS-ECP
AGLCA Loopers

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===

On Jul 7, 2009, at 7:20 PM, T.W. Cook wrote:

> Well, it depends on what you think you volunteered for.  I see two  
> options:
>
> a) You volunteered to spend time and do projects with a small  
> clique of friends, without the distraction of strangers wandering  
> in and trying to join your group
>
> b) You volunteered to try to help the public learn about boating,  
> be safer, and ideally do it while joining an exciting, lively, ever  
> growing squadron.
>
> For plan A, yup, no need to be taking calls or emails from the  
> unwashed masses who might want to learn about boating. Let them go  
> take classes from CGAUX or the state parks & wildlife or someone  
> willing to hassle with them.   But if you signed up for plan B,  
> then you'd be excited to have the phone ring late some night with  
> someone who just got a boat, wants to try to figure out how to do  
> things right, looking for like-minded people who could help them  
> out. You'd be so excited that you'd be happy to share your email  
> and phone number with anyone that might be interested.
>
> If you really don't want to be bothered by being contacted by  
> potential new members, that's your right, but if the rest of your  
> squadron has the same attitude then its membership trend is pretty  
> easy to predict!
>
> Regards,
> T.W. Cook, Austin
>
>