Operations Training for Your Squadron February, 2010 Part 1 D/Lt. Anita F. Walker, JN

1. Operations Trainingfor Your Squadron February, 2010Part 1D/Lt. Anita F. Walker, JN

2. About Operations Training • Understand how the organization is structured, operates and goals/objectives • Understand the relationship among squadron, district and national levels • Discuss available course materials • Leadership development and teambuilding through committees

3. The Purpose of OTP • Organizational • To develop new members by encouraging involvement in USPS activities and to identify potential leaders • Personal • To acquaint new members with the organization of USPS, the advantages of membership and the opportunities membership provides for self-fulfillment through civic service, self-education and fellowship

4. Week 1 Module I Introduction Squadrons, District, National Week 2 Module I Education and Training Module II Staffing Part of Leadership Week 3 Module II Balance of Leadership Communications Week 4 Module III Conducting a Meeting USPS Protocols Tentative Schedule

5. Time Commitment and Expectations • The whole course should take about eight hours – four weeks • We’ll work about two hours per night – this is an interactive course, not formal instruction • We’ll customize (lengthen or shorten) discussions based upon our needs • The entire Operations Manual is on-line and can be downloaded individually Any questions?

6. Highlights of USPS History • Four U.S. presidents commended USPS for service to the nation and the American people including special contributions made during two world wars • Origin: a “Power Squadron” organized within the Boston Yacht Club in January 1913 • United States Power Squadrons founded 2 February 1914 at the New York Yacht Club • 1945: first USPS headquarters established in New Jersey; district organization developed • November 1982: first female members admitted

7. Your Squadron History

8. Tonight’s Agenda • Module I • Introduction • Squadrons of USPS • Districts of USPS • USPS National Organization

9. Introduction USPS Mission Statement USPS has an “External Mission” to the boating community at large: To promote recreational boating through education and civic activities and an “Internal Mission” as America’s Boating Club To accomplish the external mission while providing fellowship for USPS members

10. Introduction USPS Triangle Graphic Presentation of USPS Mission

11. Introduction USPS Vision Statement USPS will be recognized as: The national leader for improving boating safety through outstanding educational programs and civic activities Strong with a growing membership and increased member satisfaction

12. Introduction Members Achieve The USPS Mission • Through voluntary contributions of their time and energy • With the camaraderie of working alongside people of similar values • To achieve satisfaction of being engaged in worthwhile activities for the common good Let’s talk about the internal and external aspects of the mission

13. Introduction Membership Is a Privilege • Active • Senior Member – earned 5 merit marks • 25-Year Member – member for 25 years • Sustaining Member – paid National dues 20 times • Governing Board Member Emeritus – earned 50 merit marks • Family – non-voting • Honorary – good for one year • Corporate – new class of membership

14. Introduction Membership Carries Many Benefits Tangible benefits: Leadership opportunities and experience, amateur radio net, youth activities, on-the-water activities, the ENSIGN, discounts Intangible benefits: The most important benefits are intangible, including the knowledge and skills of seamanship and navigation, life-long friendships, self esteem, development of individual potential …….the list is endless

15. Introduction Three Classifications of Officers • National, district and squadron • Elected or appointed • Bridge – Commander, Executive Officer, Educational Officer, Administrative Officer, Secretary and Treasurer

16. Introduction Merit Marks • Awarded for significant service related to achieving the mission of USPS • Only one merit mark can be received by a member in any given year • Although the rewards of service to the USPS mission are limitless, a merit mark is the only “payment” received It’s vital to submit merit mark hours on a timely basis!

17. Introduction Merit Marks 5 merit marks 25 merit marks

18. Organization USPS Has Three Organizational Levels Simultaneously, Active Members may become elected officers or appointed officers at any of the three levels of USPS organization: • Squadron • District • National

19. Organization Officers - Nomenclature • At each level, the commander is the top dog • At the squadron and district levels, the departments are headed by Lieutenant Commanders, but at the national level they are headed by Vice Commanders • In squadrons and districts, committee chairs are Lieutenants; at national level they are Rear Commanders

20. Squadron Organization Squadron See Page 6 of Operations Training Manual

21. Squadron Squadrons Operate Under the USPS Bylaws • Members must be able and willing to serve • Members must be 18 years old • Members must pass the USPS Boating Course or authorized equivalent (moratorium until 2010)

22. Squadron Squadron Membership Is the Ruling Body • Regular business meetings with the commander presiding • Annual meetings for elections • Elected Officers: • Commander, executive officer, squadron education officer, administrative officer, secretary and treasurer • Assistant education officer, administrative, secretary and treasurer • General Committees: Auditing, nominating and rules committee • Executive Committee Most work is done through committees: elected and appointed

23. Squadron Standing Committees Are Appointed • Standing committees • Finance • Housing • Law officer • Merit mark • Personnel • Property • Supply officer

24. Squadron The Commander’s Department: • Ranking officer of the squadron • Responsible for the membership • Presides at all squadron general and executive committee meetings • Ex officio member of all committees except general committees • Member of the Governing Board and District council • Responsible to turnover all documents, communications, etc at the end of term of office

25. Committees Boat shows Cooperative Charting Legislature Public Relations Liaison Radio-Technical Safety Vessel Safety These are the external functions of the squadron Ex officio member of all committees in XO dept Responsible to turnover all documents, communications, etc at the end of term of office Squadron The Executive Department:

26. Assists the commander Manages the Education Department Member of District Educational Department Serves as liaison for district and national information Responsible to turnover all documents, communications, etc at the end of term of office Squadron The Education Department:

27. Committees Membership Membership Involvement Building/Housing Boating Activities Entertainment Meetings Programs These are the internal functions of the squadron Ex officio member of all committees in AO dept Responsible to turnover all documents, communications, etc at the end of term of office Squadron The Administrative Department:

28. Committees Historian Roster MARINER editor ENSIGN correspondent Calling Other committees assigned by the bylaws (calling) Responsible for all squadron correspondence, minutes, calls for meetings, maintaining official squadron records Squadron The Secretary:

29. Responsible for collecting, holding, and disbursing squadron funds Keeping appropriate records, making required reports Filing tax forms and returns Responsible for ensuring all squadron funds are properly accounted for Works closely with Finance Committee Squadron The Treasurer:

30. District USPS Districts • Organized geographically • Organizational structure for the purpose of informing and assisting squadrons • Each district has its own bylaws • Districts provide a communications link between the Governing Board and squadrons • Each squadron member is a member of the district See page 12 for organization chart

31. District District Committees • District departmental organization corresponds to that of squadrons • Squadron chair reports to district chair and is a member of the district departmental committee • District chair offers assistance to squadron chairs and keeps them informed of action taken by national committee

32. Standing Committees Finance Law Personnel Educational Fund General Committees Auditing Rules Planning Officers Commander (DC) Executive (DXO) Education (DEO) Administrative (DAO) Secretary Treasurer District USPS Districts See pages 13 - 15 for more details

33. District Two Types of District Meetings • District Conference • Membership meeting of the district • Voting members – District bridge, commanders, delegates • Two per year in District 8 – Spring is elections • Council Meetings • Board of directors • Conducts business of District 8 between Conferences

34. USPS Headquarters National • Location: Raleigh, NC • Functions and Facilities: • Administrative Support • Membership Records • Computer and Printing facilities • Storage Warehouse • Chapman Library • Conference Facilities • Location: Raleigh, NC • Functions and Facilities: • Administrative Support • Membership Records • Computer and Printing facilities • Storage Warehouse • Chapman Library • USPS Conference Room

35. National National Committees • In general, national departments correspond to those of districts and squadrons, but there are no national liaison or radio technical committees • National committees provide material needed at the squadron level for achievement of committee goals • They also provide district chairs with relevant data and report on activities at the national level

36. National Who’s on the Governing Board? • Chief Commander, Vice Commanders, Rear Commanders, members of national general committees • District Commanders, District Educational Officers • Squadron Commanders • Past Chief Commanders, Past Vice Commanders, Governing Board Members Emeritus • Elected General Members (1 for each 600 members)

37. National What Does the Governing Board Do? • Regulates management and policies • Makes and executes contracts • Fills vacancies in offices at annual meeting • Publishes THE ENSIGN and other publications • Passes on charter applications • Regulates uniforms, insignia, flags • Approves annual budget and member dues Governing Board meets twice a year and the Operating Committee (OPCom) handles our business between meetings

38. Squadron, District and National How to Change Our Rules Resolutions for USPS organization modification and/or procedures proposed by the members of a squadron move through the district and the national executive officer to the Governing Board

39. Tonight Module I Introduction Squadrons, District, National Next Week Module I Education and Training Module II Staffing Part of Leadership Summary and a Look Ahead