National Executive Officer. Report to the Governing Board. Annual Meeting, 2016

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1 National Executive Officer Report to the Governing Board Annual Meeting, 2016 Coop Charting Committee, R/C Diane Julum, JN The Cooperative Charting Committee has been very busy with our two main branches of focus, Nautical and Geodetic. As Rear Commander, I recently signed a new SOP Geodetic Reporting with our nautical partners, the NOS. A copy of that SOP is attached. In order for our programs to remain separate, our committee has established two program yearend deadlines. The nautical program will run from 1 April thru 31 March each year. Our geodetic program will run from 1 June thru 31 December for 2015 and 1 January thru 31 December in subsequent years. The results for our first 7 months of geodetic reporting harvested the following numbers: There were 392 marks reported: 339 reported as Good, 20 Poor, 24 Not Found and 9 Destroyed. In terms of membership, there were 52 individuals from 26 different squadrons within 13 districts represented. Not bad for the first few months but with increased publicity of the return of geodetics, these numbers should go up in On the nautical end of things, Cooperative Charting saw an increase of 6 squadrons requesting to Adopt-a-Chart in Bringing the total of full or partial charts adopted to 59. There are two applications for Adopt-a-Charts pending at this time. There were 50 Range Line Surveys done by members this past year. The total for Depth Surveys is also 50. So far this equates to 13 Districts, 75 Squadrons and 404 individuals participating in nautical Cooperative Charting thru processed reports to date. Recently Area Rep assignments were rebalanced for members of the Cooperative Charting Committee. This was done because of five new committee members and the retirement of one long term committee member due to health reasons. A complete list of the new assignments for committee members is attached.

2 National Safety Committee, R/C Mike Wiedel, JN The members of the Safety Committee are responsible for programs that directly impact members and the public. The Vessel Safety Check, CPR/First Aid and Program Visitor programs are directly administered by this committee. In addition we have a communications program to information to members and the public via our committee Web Page, SailAngle, and Web Blasts, as well as direct communication via , and other electronic media. Over all the committee finds itself in good health. I believe the correct personnel are assigned to their correct area of expertise, and all have been working diligently in their departments. The Vessel Safety Check Program ran with few hitches this year, and the CPR/First Aid District and Squadron Initiative continued with minimal additions to the districts and squadrons that participate. We also gave away a HeartSineAED as part of an initiative to promote the program. The Committee also continued the Program Visitor program in conjunction with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Program Visitor initiative has not been as well received as anticipated. We have had our challenges this year. Decal shortages in 2014 were resolved with the help of the Auxiliary. In 2015 a change was made to the distribution of decals. Decals are now being sent to Squadron Commanders, and not VSC chairs, as it was determined that squadron commanders mailing addresses are the most accurate. A database error in this year s distribution is posing some problems with squadrons receiving decals. The HQ staff is working to resend decals when notified a squadron has not received their allotment. VSC Program: The VSC Reporting entry date closed on November Exams entered into the National Database after this date will not be able to be counted for awards. The following members are the Top Producers with over 100 VSC Exams for 2014 in USPS and will have awards presented to them at the Awards Dinner. Thomas F. Rossini 1236 Robert D. Holub 1063 Wesley S. Heusser 866 Edward P. Furst Jr. 221 Morry Miller 217 James Howard Elwood 203

3 Milton B. Whann 181 Arthur E. Cournoyer 170 Arthur W. Beers 166 V. E. David Brown 161 Angelo V. Giovanniello 152 Marjorie Baraff 149 Frank C. Brown 148 Donna-Marie Cahill 143 Mitchell Gawrysiak 136 John T. Paprocki 134 Owen R. Smith 133 James W. Cooke Jr. 133 Valentin Diaz 129 John L. Paulus 128 Kathy Nash 128 James S. Hotop 126 Dennis D. Ladd 124 Kevin G. Parks 118 Tish J. Cullen 118 Terry Donald Grotemat 113 Thomas F. Krupa 111 Juan E. Rivera 109 Kenneth C. Badoian 109 Louis P. Pasquesi 109 Jeffrey P. Oxnard 108 Clifford L. Schmidt 105 Viki L. Sharp 105 Bobby J. Bray 104 Lilly T. Stone 102 Thomas J. Fisher 101 Thomas R. Gastio 101 James R. Michael 100 The following are the top five districts this year in the VSC program and will also have Awards presented at the Awards Dinner. 1 District 28 2 District 11 3 District 5 4 District 3 5 District 10

4 The following are the top five squadrons this year in the VSC program and will also have Awards presented at the Awards Dinner. 1 Crystal River, D/22 2 South Hills, D7 3Smith Mtn Lake, D/5 4 Balboa Sail &, D/28 5 Oshkosh, D10 USPS received 40,000 total decals from the Auxiliary in USPS Squadrons were initially issued decals. Additional requests from squadrons resulted in the additional distribution of 4108 decals. In total USPS had decals distributed to examiners in saw USPS with 1482 qualified Examiners down from last year s 1802, a reduction of 21 percent and those members passed 26,384, up 8 percent, from last year s 24,253 vessels. USPS had 13,616 or 34 per cent of the decals go unawarded. The number of VSC Exams rose by 8 percent in 2015, however we still had a significant number go unused. As a result the USPS initial allotment of decals for 2016 will stay at last year s total of 40,000. Squadrons will still receive decals of 110 percent over their 2015 passing totals with additional in reserve at HQ. Initial distribution of decals, as was done last year, will be to Squadron Commanders. Requests for additional decals will be done through the Safety Committee web site. Our committee also introduced advertising campaign materials promoting the Decal Awareness Campaign (DAP). This campaign provides customizable signage that allows squadrons and districts to effectively promote the VSC program in their areas. That program will continue into 2016 and beyond. Inflatable Life Jackets: As a reminder, in 2013 all Inflatable Life Jackets that were loaned to USPS by the Coast Guard for the Vessel Safety Check Program were transferred to USPS Ownership. As a result USPS no longer needs to report the location and condition of these jackets back to the Coast Guard. The Safety Committee would like squadrons to account for these jackets locally. It is also the opinion of the Safety Committee that many of these jackets may be coming to the end of their useful life or may be damaged, or worse. We strongly advise that all squadron commanders take inventory of your issued jackets and inspect and test each one for proper operation and compliance. Those devices not in compliance or damaged need to be immediately removed from service. There are additional Life Jackets in HQ inventors available for replacement. Limited replacements are available through the Safety Committee.

5 Program Visitor: We currently we have 272 members qualified in this program. And 3571 visits were reported. The PV program has great potential to get the word out about USPS, Squadron, and the offerings we have. The safety Committee will be devoting additional resources in 2016 to promote this valuable program. Web Site: The Safety Committee website has been given a new look for The site is still in the process of being updated and we are working with the IT committee to continue to improve our offerings. Ultimately the goal is to make our pages easier to navigate and have information more readily available. CPR/First Aid: At the 2014 Annual Meeting the committee proposed a plan for having all districts and squadrons establish their own First Aid Support Team. The committee established guidelines and with concurrence of the BOD the program began its rollout. The guidelines were posted on the Safety Committee/CPR web page along with a list of recommended equipment and steps that need to be taken if a district or squadron wished to participate. HeartSine has agreed to donate one AED to a squadron or district that has set up a FAST program. The Committee had a drawing to award the AED. Each squadron or district that has established a FAST program, and had completed and sent in a registration form, was entered in the drawing. Rockville Sail and Power Squadron was the winner of the drawing. The committee prepared criteria to establish an award that recognizes the saving of a life using CPR/First Aid. This award would not be water related, but would recognize any USPS member that through his/her training saved the life of another person. The award would be presented at the Annual Meeting. Because of inaccurate information published in several Ensign and Compass articles the committee asks that any first aid or medical article published be vetted by competent authority. Our committee has two individuals on our staff Dr. James Brown, JN-IN, and P/D/C/ Cdr. Jeff McKinney, RN, JN-CN (US Public Health Service Retired) who have agreed to assist with this task. Looking Forward: In 2016 the committee would like that all of our National Bridge and Safety Committee members report that they have taken and are current in CPR and First Aid training. Have at least 50% of the districts and squadrons establish a FAST program. We will continue to offer CPR/First Aid seminars at all national meetings. Develop an effective program to get more members involved in the Program Visitor Initiative. Continue to support and grow our Vessel

6 Safety Check Program, and continue our web site updates, with information on safety equipment such as Life Jackets, VDS, Marine VHF, EPRIP, DSC, and Rescue 21 safety systems. National Government and Partners Committee, R/C Mary Ann Jensen, SN Legislative Lobbying Efforts As a result of a Boat US request to influence amended legislation on the use of Ethanol in marine fuels, a position statement on Ethanol was developed. This was approved by the BOD and was posted on the GPRCom website and published in the June Blast. An additional posting occurred in July advising members of the public comment period for new administrative rules on the use of Ethanol. At the request of P/V/C Robert David, we reviewed the Federal Register request for comments on a new eloran system. P/V/C David was asking for USPS support of this initiative. The recommendation was that a position statement not be developed. This recommendation was support by the BOD. As the result of an inquiry by a USPS member, information on pending Florida legislation regarding anchoring was obtained. It was determined that this is currently a local issue and that no position statement would be developed. However, the proposed legislation will be monitored until disposition. Information regarding this legislation has been posted in SailAngle, the GPRCom Facebook page, the GPRCom website under Must Know Legislative News and will be included in the next available Blast. USPS USCGAux MOU Implementation Plans Operation Onboard Observer (OOO) has been expanded to one Division in the Seventh Coast Guard District. That Division, designated as Division 2, covers Inland Georgia and Western South Carolina. The Division consists of 6 Flotillas and has approximately 250 members. It overlaps two Power Squadron Districts District 17 and 26. The initial Operation On-board Observer (OOO) Workshop and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Classroom Training was held for the metro-atlanta area on Saturday, May 31, 2015 at the Auxiliary Operations Center on Lake Lanier. In addition to the training at Lake Lanier, there will be a session for the Augusta, GA area to accommodate interested US Power Squadron members in South Carolina. Stf/C Peter TenBrink and Auxiliary Liaison Nan Ellen Fuller are preparing a seminar for the Annual Meeting in Orlando. The emphasis will be on local, working together, activities. MOUs Stf/C Canfield is working with the National Safe Boating Council to revise the MOU with that organization.

7 Publications: Several articles have been published in the Blast over the past year in addition to those mentioned previously. December: USCG Marine Safety Alert Navigation Lights 2015 October: An explanation of the Sport Fist Restoration and Boating Trust Fund June: USCG Release of Boating Safety App June: USCG Release of 2014 Boating Statistics Report June: GPRCom Sets Up New Facebook Page June: USPS USCG Aux MOU Goals Housekeeping Established agendas for two Committee meetings, including contacting all guest speakers and presenters. With the assistance of Stf/C TenBrink and the Committee Secretary, contacted all committee members to determine o plans for attendance at National Meetings o activities on behalf of the Committee that would qualify for a Merit Mark o desire and willingness to continue on the Committee in 2016 Verification of replacements of R/C and Stf/C positions Completion of HQ forms for Merit Marks (DB2000) and Committee membership (HQ229) Marketing Committee, R/C Mary Paige Abbott, SN The past year proved to be ground-breaking for the National Marketing Committee as first the committee personnel and organization was totally restructured in February. Following is a summary of the accomplishments; the full status report continues on pages 2 and 3, and ends with a recommendation for a strategic organization change on page 4. Highlights include: Accepting the Nov BOD-Approved Strategic Plan for direction Completed staff work o New Tri-fold Brochure for membership recruiting and public information o New This is USPS PPT Presentation for educational instructors, boat shows, community events, speaker bureaus, etc o Website created for the National Marketing Committee o Branding Standards manual updated with continuous improvement o Marketing Committee description incorporated into the Operations Manual o Correcting misinformation and incorrect use of USPS marks by external entities o 2014 Survey Monkey fully analyzed, report written, and recommendations provided o Informal survey of California boaters coordinated with California squadrons o Improving inter-committee and intra-departmental relations

8 o New collaborations with the Public Boating Education to create a strategic plan for marketing ABC3and investigate Search Engine Optimization (SEO) o Membership Committee to revise the New Member Booklet and website, and coordinate a joint workshop at the 2016 Annual Meeting o Planning Committee for strategy sessions o Educational Department to assist with the identified Marketing Priorities for 2015 New initiatives include o Social Media initiative to increase sharing of posts by squadrons to their district site and national site o California law requiring basic boating education by 2018 is an opportunity to market USPS offerings. Research has commenced to support local squadrons with marketing strategy and communication tools. o Strategic recommendation(s) to the BOD (see last page of document) o Increasing visibility of USPS nationally; billboard companies being actively researched. Meetings Committee, R/C Bob Holub, SN Our next Governing Board meeting will be in Pittsburgh in the Pittsburgh Sheraton on August at a rate of The city of Dallas has been selected for the 2017 Governing Board. The dates are September at a rate of per night at the Dallas Lincoln Centre. Environmental Committee, R/C Tom Myers, JN Governing Board: We had nine attendees at our Committee meeting at the fall Governing Board in San Diego. We met with Vivian Matuk of the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways who delivered a talk on August 28, 2015 on the California Dock Walker Program, a state-wide program emphasizing environmental stewardship at marinas throughout California. The state currently has 700 trained volunteers who implement this program in the state. We are currently evaluating the feasibility of encouraging similar programs in other states. NAMEPA: Local squadrons are continuing to distribute NAMEPA s environmental publications at boat shows and other public events. No new initiatives have been initiated with NAMEPA during the fall. FLARE DISPOSAL: The tentative meeting with Robert DeFonte of Orion Safety Products (USA) was not held due to schedule conflicts. We hope to reschedule this meeting in November of December. NOAA Marine Debris Program: Many of our squadrons participate in beach cleanup programs sponsored by states or local conservation organizations. We are beginning to look at the possibility of building on this effort to seek a small demonstration grant under the NOAA Marine

9 Debris Program. We are evaluating the types of grants NOAA has funded in the past and the nature of the competition for these awards.

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11 National Executive Officer Report to the BOD and G/B (Addendum) Orlando 2016 Public Relations Committee, R/C Greg Scotten,SN 1) The C/C s Ten Ways to Fill a Classroom The Committee published on-line model programs to fill each way in the initiative. A partner Power Point will be featured at the National DEO Meeting in Orlando. 2) V/C Louie Ojeda s PR to Members, Attention to member accomplishments and ways of bringing new leaders to the fore has been promoted to the squadrons. The Squadron Rejuvenation Program has been focusing on changing the squadron leadership burnout issue and in drawing new members to take on leadership roles. A second program is the publication of an on-line booklet to inform squadrons of all the existing USPS award programs to honor squadrons and their members. 3) Squadron Rejuvenation Program. A) We have completed Power Points for both area leaders and for squadron self-help B) Leadership has found candidates to be regional coordinators of the Squadron Rejuvenation Program C) Ted Rankine completed the final draft of the Power Points (N.B. The Program is being transferred to the Squadron Development Committee where the incoming R/C will be Margaret Barber who has been responsible for its development.) 4) ABC3 Youth Programs Based on requests from Keeping UP readers, we have been collecting best Practices for conducting youth ABC3 Courses. Last summer we conducted summer camp sessions (six days, three hours each) to Beta Test these proposals and will follow up next summer. We are developing some instructional models appropriate for hands=on teen learning 5) Materials for VSC and Visitation Programs For a PR handout packet for VSCs and promotion of the Visitation program. We are working with the Safety Committee to make this a reality. 6) Keeping UP Published issues Keeping UP which again focused on filling classrooms (sent to about addresses). We have been receiving between twenty and thirty letters to the

12 editor, as well as many new requests to receive copies. This indicates that many members are using this publication. 7) Weather Ready Nation We have completed the Beta Test with the Florida West Coast US Weather Service to form a squadron nautical weather watch team to provide instant local feedback to the Weather Service regarding local conditions. It will also provide suggestions for improving marine forecasting communications to boaters. After the program was presented at the national Conference of the US Weather Service, the USPS Board of Directors assigned the program to the Environmental Committee. We are working with the incoming R/C to inform and educate that committee about the program for the involvement of squadrons throughout USPS 8) Squadron Radio Committees We are exploring the expansion of squadron Radio Committees as an adjunct service in support of the US Weather Service initiative. 9) National Safe Boating Week Activities Followed up with program suggestions and model proclamations to all districts and squadrons. 10) Civil Air Patrol Out of the NSBW programs, a Beta partnership has been established with a local CAP unit that participated in a NSBW PR program. Day time vessel to aircraft emergency signals have been tested followed by similar exercises at night. A report about the results of the project is being prepared for the USPS Education Department 11) PR Website We have transformed the PR web page and are transforming PROLOG into a shorter more focused document. Again, in progress is the formation of a section that will feature the Chief Commanders Ten Ways to Fill a Classroom supported by programs, resource lists and a best practices write in section for each. 12) PR Awards and Contests We conducted the annual awards programs for materials in PSAs, radio and TV interviews, media articles, Power Points, as well as scrapbooks which document squadron outreach efforts. We continue to promote the Boat US Civic Service Award as an important PR Community Outreach guide. 13) Bob Green BIO Power Point

13 At a request from the C/C, we created a Power Point featuring the life accomplishments and projects initiated by Bob Green on behalf of USPS. National Meetings committee, R/C Bob Holub, SN Annual Meeting Orlando 2016 AM coming up very soon and all going well so far. Hotel is a complete sell out, both sleeping and meeting rooms. Hotel working well with us, gave us extra rooms where ever possible, than set up second Rosen Inn Hotel up the block for the overflow. Activities reservations program went well with the discount system. All of the tours were a go with most selling out. Department lunches went well, 278 totals to date. Keynote 301, member s lunch 288, Social at 134 and dinner dance at 485. Personnel Most of the team will not make Orlando, but will shift a few people around to get to learn other key jobs so we always have backups and learn key jobs. John Sanfilippo will be running this meeting as my co-chair so he learns all that is needed to be done to run this meeting. I plan to have Sarah McCurry run Pittsburgh the same way so NomCom can pick my replacement next year. NMC Teams Draft 5 b is out and was fine turned with hotel. We are working on Pittsburgh s agenda to have the first draft out before Orlando so it can be discussed at Orlando. The third newsletter went out to the membership and all on the website. Also, the Program is at the printer. Everything seems to be on track for a great meeting. Governing Board 2016 August Right now we have completed the Ensign Article, first Draft of the Agenda, made all the tour choices, made deposits for a Tuesday night Ball Game, and a Thursday night Dinner Cruise. Governing Board 2017 September The meeting is set for the Dallas Lincoln Centre at a rate of on September The contract has been signed. The venue was vetted by R/C Howard Yoas, SN. Need We are in need of a Catholic Chaplain for Orlando and beyond. You need to send out a request to the membership. John was able to find a local priest to say mass in the hotel. Rod Landsman is unable to attend due to his failing health and will also need replacement. Raymond Schiff will step in and do the Jewish Services.

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15 ANNUAL REPORT 2015 USPS ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE JANUARY 1 DECEMBER 31, 2015 Membership: Membership was 16 at the end of the year. Administration: Our Staff Commander, Dr. Samuel Skip Woodruff, Jr. died on June 14, 2015 in Dublin, Ohio following a long illness. After consultation with V/C Louie Ojeda, and the Committee on Nominations, it was determined that we would not make an interim appointment, but submit recommendations for both a new R/C and a new Stf/C, to take office at the Annual Meeting in February Current R/C Thomas Myers has completed his three-year term. Annual Meeting: The Environmental Committee met on January 22, 2015 at the USPS Annual Meeting in Jacksonville, FL. The Committee welcomed C/C Joe Gatfield of the Canadian Power Squadron who provided operational details on how CPS had implemented a very successful collection of expired pyrotechnic flares in Canada during the summer of Much of the Committee meeting dealt with signing a proposed MOU with the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA), disposal of expired flares in the U.S. and preparation of a revised Environmental Seminar. Governing Board: The fall Governing Board was held in San Diego, CA in August The Committee heard a presentation on August 28, 2015 by Vivian Matuk of the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways concerning the California Dock Walker Program. This is a state-sponsored program emphasizing environmental stewardship at marinas throughout California. The state currently has over 700 trained volunteers implementing the program. The Committee discussed the feasibility of encouraging similar programs in other states. We subsequently received additional information packages from California to aid in our evaluation. USPS EXPO 2015: The Environmental Committee staffed an information table at the USPS EXPO on January 23, Two main themes were presented. First was a display of new marine environmental publications available to local squadrons, as prepared by NAMEPA. The NAMEPA Executive Director and the Chief Operating Officer were in attendance to answer questions. The second theme was a presentation on the Canadian Power Squadron s successful 2014 pilot program for collection of expired pyrotechnic flares in Canada. This included hand outs and a CPS Power Point presentation of their program results. NAMEPA MOU Implementation: The USPS/NAMEPA MOU was signed on January 24, 2015 by C/C Robert Baldridge and NAMEPA Executive Director Carleen Lyden-Kluss. The MOU provides for the distribution of NAMEPA marine environmental publications to local Squadrons. The USPS Government and Partner Relations

16 Page 2 (February 9, 2016) Committee requested that the Environmental Committee act as the Point of Contact for implementation of the MOU. Thus far, NAMEPA publications have been distributed to at least 13 squadrons in Bellingham, WA, Charleston, SC and 13 in North Carolina and Florida. The Committee made a presentation on the MOU to the D-27 Spring 2015 Council/Conference meeting. Fort Macon (NC) received additional materials for distribution at two boat shows and a Safe Boating Week public presentation. Additional Squadrons picked up NAMEPA publications from Committee displays at EXPO and the Governing Board. The Committee also contacted Squadron Commanders in the Chicago area to advise them of the availability of NAMEPA summer interns in their area for possible consultation. We have also advised local squadrons of the availability of NAMEPA material by a short article in the USPS monthly Blast. The Committee discussed our mutual goals for 2016 with the NAMEPAs Lyn Harris in December These will be presented to the Committee for ratification in February 2016 at the Annual Meeting. Flare Disposal: During 2015, we maintained contact with the Canadian Power Squadron (CPS) regarding the 2015 extension of their 2014 pilot program for collection and disposal of expired pyrotechnics. CPS C/C Joe Gatfield briefed our Committee on operational details of their program and we created a display of the CPS results in our EXPO information booth. We continued to collect information on current disposal practices in the U.S., including southern California, Washington State and the Portland metropolitan area of Oregon. In addition, R/C Myers served on an ad hoc Task Force initiated by USCG District 17 in Juneau dealing with disposal of expired flares in Alaska. The Task Force agreed to institute a program that included public awareness, a pyro collection day and possible purchase of a mobile flare destruction unit to be located in Juneau. We attempted to initiate a meeting with Mr. Robert Defonte of Orion Safety Products (USA) to evaluate a possible joint USPS-industry collection program, similar to that achieved by CPS in Canada. This meeting is still pending after multiple schedule conflicts. Environmental Seminar: During 2015, we worked periodically on a major revision and expansion of an existing Environmental Seminar, which we hope to submit to the Education Department as the basis for a 2-hour seminar. Graphics and text were reviewed but work remains to be done. We hope to finish this in the first half of Marine Grant Opportunities: We evaluated the possibility of submitting an unsolicited grant application to the USCG for support in creating a flare disposal program in the U.S. This would be somewhat similar to the grant from Transport Canada that enabled CPS to initiate its program in Canada. It is also consistent with the 2014 recommendations of the USCG-sponsored Worcester Polytechnic Institute study on expired pyrotechnic disposal. Preliminary unofficial discussions with USCG personnel suggested that this was not feasible at this time. We are exploring the possibility of submitting a grant application to NOAA in their existing Marine Debris Program. Many USPS Squadrons are active in marine beach cleanups. NAMEPA also sponsors debris cleanups in conjunction with the Ocean Conservancy. We use Ocean Conservancy protocols in

17 Page 3 (February 9, 2016) debris analysis and reporting. We are currently looking for a team-based grant opportunity that would fit within the NOAA guidelines for this program. Committee Succession: The USPS Nominations Committee recommended P/D/C Dick Daybell, SN of the Alamitos (CA) Squadron in D-13 for the position of Chair of the Committee in Likewise, the Nominations Committee recommended P/D/C L. Douglas Jones, JN of the Southport (NC) Squadron in D-27 for the position of Staff Commander of the Committee. These nominees will be voted on and installed at the USPS Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL in February Submitted by: R/C Thomas D. Myers, JN-CN Chair, USPS Environmental Committee tdmafton@ec.rr.com (cell) February 9, 2016