Why Survey? No hard data on SEO opinions Build cohesiveness Better redirect our efforts

2. Why Survey? No hard data on SEO opinions Build cohesiveness Better redirect our efforts SEOs closest to our customers

3. Authors • Bob Brandenstein • Bob Palmer • Don Fiander • Tammy Brown • Gene Molteni • John Malatak

4. Categories Identified • The scope and content of our current educational product line • Form of Course Material • Putting students in the seats • Following up on Leads • Succession and Procedures

5. Categories surveyed • The scope and content of our current educational product line • Putting students in the seats • Following up on LeadsSurvey the deletions in June 2014

6. Survey Population • 400 SEOs • 33 DEOs • Responses received 220—Response rate of 50%- • Excellent Response

7. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion topic-Future courses or seminars There are a number of boating-related topics which we could feature in future courses or seminars. Some topics may be helpful to the boaters in your area and your Squadron, others may not be.

8. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Future courses or seminars With one being least important and 6 being most important, Rank the topics below in their order of value to the boaters in your squadron’s geographical area.

9. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Future courses or seminars Rank

10. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Future courses or seminars List additional desirable topics in the box below

11. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Future courses or seminars Sample comments: Advanced Engine Maintenance (take grads of EM and have them bring questions to instructors with strength in Engine Maintenance Insurance coverage and recommended limits

12. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Future courses or seminars Sample comments (cont.): Trailering & Launching Using radar Area tides and charts Navigation Rules, Horn Signals, etc. in busy ports and approaches

13. Scope and content of CoursesQuestionTopic-Future courses or seminars Many of the suggested topics already exist within the current product line. Conclusions: Free form responses suggest that- The SEOs know that these features exist but have no experience with them or…. We do a terrible job at making SEOs aware of what is in our CURRENT product line.

14. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Interest in Distance Learning Distance-learning creates a virtual classroom in cyberspace using software such as Skype, GoToMeeting, or Webinar, for example.

15. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Interest in Distance Learning Would your Squadron also benefit from being able to do so, if given help from others on how to set up and run courses in a distance-learning mode? Y, N, Not Sure

16. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Interest in Distance Learning

17. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Interest in Distance Learning Sample Free Form Responses Already using go to meetings for inclement weather and when student is traveling. Do not need assistance . instructor will miss vital feedback. we have an older audience that are not as attracted to distance learning. Using GoToMeeting in my District now. We get folks involved in our Squadron activities. We feel this is best done by getting people in the door.

18. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Interest in Distance Learning Conclusions: Definite interest in Distance Learning. Two to one “yes” v “no” Free Form responses are lukewarm. Better reading going forward as more Squadrons try distance learning. We need to help Squadrons understand this idea going forward.

19. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Course Customization • Course material and topics could be made readily available in downloadable electronic modular form. If the material were available in this form, • Do you think that doing so would increase participation in your Squadron’s educational programs? Y, N, Not Sure. If no or not sure, why?

20. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Course Customization

21. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Course Customization Sample Free Form Responses Have not received many requests for such. Necessary portions of a class would be neglected and perhaps the additions gut the next class. This would involve significant time to do it. I prefer to order books and manuals. We're already doing that. Have one course built on "How to buy a boat"

22. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Course Customization Conclusions: Course and topic customization is viewed favorably. Many Squadrons have already done so in some form.

23. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Mariners Learning System Will the Mariners Learning System Coast Guard license preparation courses, which we now offer through the Ship's Store, be attractive to boaters in your Squadron's area?

24. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Mariners Learning System

25. Scope and content of CoursesQuestion Topic-Mariners Learning System Conclusions: Half the respondents are evenly divided between “Yes” v “No” The other half are unsure. Free form responses confirm that most are unaware. Better reading in six months after we do some internal marketing.

26. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-ABC3 Effectiveness In the box below, describe ABC3's performance relative to state-sponsored courses in terms of price, market acceptance, and thoroughness.

27. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-ABC3 Effectiveness Sample Free Form Responses The USPS course is better, but people want the best price and free is difficult to compete with. A very hard sell based on free state courses in most of the states in district 5. Market prefers their offerings even though our course is more thorough. USPS is under priced. Jr. colleges and other organizations charge more.

28. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-ABC3 Effectiveness Conclusions: Free Form responses will be summarized and acted on by Basic Public Education Team.

29. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Increasing the Attractiveness of ABC3 Better promotional materials, use of boating simulators, digital charting, and including an on-the-water experience as a regular part of ABC3, are features which may help increase the number of boaters taking the ABC3. In the box below, please describe which of these improvements (or any other improvement) should be made to increase the attractiveness of ABC3.

30. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Increasing the Attractiveness of ABC3 Sample Free Form Responses O-T-W is great for the first time boater, but most boat owners do not want to take the time. All of the above. Most students taking ABC3 are taking the course solely to meet the state safety certificate requirement and want to spend the minimum amount of time. For first time we took ABC3 class for on-the-water demonstration well received. The translation of the ABC3 course to Spanish.

31. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Increasing the Attractiveness of ABC3 Conclusions: Free Form responses will be summarized and acted on by Basic Public Education Team.

32. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Effectiveness of Squadron promo efforts How effective have your Squadron's promotional efforts been in attracting boaters to take our courses and seminars in 2013?

33. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Effectiveness of Squadron promo efforts Sample Free Form Responses Squadrons need help affording eye-catching advertisements in newspapers. We don't have the resources to advertise and need assistance in figuring out the marketing. The SEO can't do this alone. I need a marketing assistant!!. Have had no membership chair nor PR lead in the past two years. My efforts to fill in as PRO were barely adequate since I have no background in marketing. We usually get requests for a class after the class has ended.

34. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Effectiveness of Squadron promo efforts Conclusions: With the formation of the new Marketing and PRO teams, we have an opportunity to address the issues.

35. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Quantity of 2013 ABC3 courses Average number of ABC3 courses planned 3.6 Average number of ABC3 courses held 3.2 Average number of ABC3 students beginning 34.8 Average number of ABC3 students completing 33.2 Average number of students per class held 11.0

36. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Effectiveness of Boat Shows In 2013, how effective were your Squadron's Boat Show efforts in attracting boaters to take our courses and seminars?

37. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Effectiveness of Boat Shows Conclusions: Our Boat Show activities at the Squadron and District level are not effective, by a wide margin. “How to sell USPS and your Squadron at a Boat Show” could improve our effectiveness.

38. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Effectiveness of HQ800 HQ800 is currently the information system for listing upcoming courses, seminars and entering ABC3 course completion data. What can be done to improve HQ800's usefulness for you?

39. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Effectiveness of HQ800 Conclusions: Better user instructions would be welcome. We need to redouble our efforts directed toward getting more SEOs to use HQ800.

40. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Effectiveness of HQ800 Sample Free Form Responses I have had many problems when entering students for the six month free membership. For what ever reason the information doesn't get processed. It has to be wonderful I wrote it. Dan I have not personally used HQ800 but am told it is a bit tough to use. With the long interval between uses, it is hard to remember all the tricks. In my experience all USPS online education department material is unconscionably incomprehensible.

41. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Effectiveness of Seminar Promotion With 1 being least helpful and 4 being most helpful, please rank the following as to their potential helpfulness in your scheduling and promoting of seminars. Rank

42. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Effectiveness of Seminar Promotion Sample Free Form Responses Local inland boaters have not expressed interest in seminars. they are burned out. "Responsible" boating can seem to be just too much of a chore for them. Stress the fun and escape from it all. We had one seminar with one student attending. Our seminars are quite successful. We held three seminars in 2013. We averaged 6 people at each. Need a seminar on spring commissioning and fall storage.

43. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Squadrons with Brunswick relationships Over 100 Squadrons are now in a working relationship with Brunswick boat dealers.

44. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Squadrons with Brunswick relationships Sample Free Form Responses Call on the dealer on regular basis. Offer promotional materials on your squadron and for classes and seminars. Ask squadron members to do business with the dealer. Keep them informed of what’s going on. Bad question. You should have had an answer for Squadron who have signed up but no dealer activities yet. It should not be just one way relationship. Dealers might include the boating course as part of the sales pitch.

45. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Squadrons without a Brunswick relationship What can we do to add your Squadron Sample Free Form Responses Would the dealers cover the cost of an ABC class for a new customer? Find a dealer interested in working with us. Our Sea Ray dealer is aware of the program, but is not too interested. Local dealer was not interested in the program. Having a hard time just keeping in business. Get local Brunswick dealers into the program and require them to participate with local squadrons. Don't make us do all the work!

46. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Members taking Advanced Grades & Electives Has the percentage of your Squadron members taking Advanced Grades and Elective courses during 2013 declined, stayed the same or increased compared to 2012?

47. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-Members taking Advanced Grades & Electives What can we do centrally (at the District or National level) to improve the number of your Squadron members taking courses? Sample Free Form Responses Our difficulty is getting volunteers to instruct the advanced courses. Course material is typically trying to cover too much. No current interest among existing members. Our older members have taken all the classes they want. What we need are new members to move up through the classes.

48. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-On-The-Water participation Did your Squadron participate in the Boat Operator Certification program and/or offer Practical-On-The-Water training classes in 2013?

49. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-On-The-Water participation If your Squadron did not participate in the Boat Certification program and/or offer Practical-On-The Water training, please offer your comments. Sample Free Form Responses There doesn't seem to be much interest in our area, probably because we don't promote it and we question its value. I need to do a better job with the current offerings before taking on BOC. Nobody wants to risk their boating season ended during repairs. Need some more marketing with good selling points for certification.

50. Putting Students in the SeatsQuestion Topic-On-The-Water participation How should we alter the Boat Operator Certification program or the Practical-On-The-Water program to make them more attractive? Sample Free Form Responses Members do not feel some of the required Seminars are of value to them. Better communication between the national committee and the district educational department. Give us some reason to get into the BOC ... something on the practical side, not lofty and abstract.