On-The-Water Education Overview

1. On-The-Water Education Overview Prepared for USPS Fall Governing Board – 2008 Presentation/Article Authored by Tom Alley, SN Seneca, NY Power Squadron District 6 Detroit – 5 September 2008 OTW Overview

2. Prolog: Why? … Why Not? • Driver Education: Classroom and “Behind-the-Wheel” • Airplane Pilots: “Ground School” and “Flight School” • USPS Boaters: “Classroom” and…. what? • Why not?...no reasons, only issues to be worked on and resolved! OTW Overview

3. The Overview • Basics of On The Water (OTW) Education • Planning an OTW Class • Executing/Modifying the Plan • OTW Education Issues and Current Status • Futures ? OTW Overview

4. Why Bother? • It’s more work. • Logistics take longer to organize. • More instructors are needed. • Need boats & willing boat owners. • But……It’s all worth it!!! OTW Overview

5. Because… • Students really want hands-on education; there will be a direct tie to Boater Certification! • USPS is positioned to deliver it Nationally. • There is no competition (yet) on a national scale. OTW can really set us apart! • It offers a tangible opportunity to attract new members with real boating interests!!! OTW Overview

6. AND Proven Results • Not new! Niagara Squadron has been doing for 10 years! Seneca, 3 years – many others in some form • Seneca Squadron has a waiting list for classes! • Seneca Squadron membership is UP! Way up! • Mid-2006 - 68 members (+12% over prior year) • May 2007 - 82 members (+20% over prior year) • Now - ~100 members (65%+ GROWTH in 3 yrs.) OTW Overview

7. Today’s Objectives • Familiarize you with the steps needed to organize OTW training classes. • Share with you what has worked at the Niagara and Seneca Squadrons. • Raise issues and concerns to a larger audience so as to discuss and identify solutions. OTW Overview

8. Planning the OTW Class • Determine the class size • Considerations for lesson plans • Class schedules • Marketing & advertising • Instructor coordination OTW Overview

9. Class Size • Basic factors: • Number of boats available • Number of instructors available • Each boat will need (at least) one instructor • Boat type and variety (power/sail/cruiser/sport) • Seneca/National experience: Number of instructors is usually the limiting factor OTW Overview

10. Lesson Plans • Lead instructor defines lesson plans and course schedule • An on boat show-do format is best • Boat education is event-driven • Keep lesson plans flexible OTW Overview

11. Lesson Plans (con’d) • Maximize on boat time to permit seeing and doing – then let the book present the details • Leave time to cover Navigation Rules and other important peripheral subjects • Leave time for repetition so all students can try what is being taught OTW Overview

12. Boat Class Schedules • Time is limited • Daylight hours (when taught in evenings) • Boating season (especially in the North) • Availability of volunteer boat owners • Intense competition for students and instructors leisure time, especially during boating season • Want younger members? Remember that most have jobs - this limits scheduling options OTW Overview

13. Marketing OTW Education • Price the class carefully • SEO and Treasurer need to work closely • Identify “hidden” costs, overhead, burdens • 100%-200% markup is not unreasonable • Don’t overlook remaining competitive • Sell the benefits of the student’s time and $ investment in On The Water Training: • Be up front about cost & expectations • Don’t be afraid to make the course intensive, say so up front, and sell the payoff for the student OTW Overview

14. Instructor Coordination • Multiple boats & multiple instructors make coordination important & challenging • Synchronized lesson presentations important • Diverse teaching/presentation methods among instructors are encouraged • Coordinate content and style! – Style variations OK and have been well received OTW Overview

15. Executing the Plan • Overall guidelines: • Continuing and thorough communication enhances student understanding, comfort and involvement • You can’t communicate too much • Have a face-to-face meeting with all instructors: • Review lesson plan & philosophy - get everyone synchronized • Provide a checklist of “must-cover” topics • Tell instructors WHAT to teach, but now HOW OTW Overview

16. Execution (con’d) • Student communications: • Begin 2-3 weeks before class • Tell them what to expect • Tell them what is expected • What should they bring? • What shouldn’t they bring? • Mention boating etiquette and how to be considerate of the owners volunteering their vessels OTW Overview

17. Execution (con’d) • Regular class sessions • Need overall, consistent structure • Meet at a common space, not on the boats • Once on the boats… • Quick homework review • Short Q&A session • Topic-of-the-Day (mini-lecture) • Head out to sea! • Or go to sea first if daylight is limited OTW Overview

18. Execution (con’d) • Conduct an “Orientation Night” 1 week prior to class – Plan to use this time effectively to: • Hand out books, collect fees, etc • Introduce instructors • Have students introduce themselves • Organize students into crews • Allow students to “tour” boats • Provide basic safety orientation for each boat • Give students encouragement and a head start on reading & homework assignments OTW Overview

19. OTW Training Issues • Liability • Operational Expense • Boater Reimbursement OTW Overview

20. Liability Coverage • No question some risk exists: • National USPS coverage only recently well defined: • “As soon as someone steps aboard a boat for USPS instruction the new USPS hull and liability insurance kicks in and we are covered” • Needs to be communicated by National HQ • Needs to be clarified and updated if Boater Certification Program and expanded OTW Education Courses and Seminars are to be successful OTW Overview

21. Operational Expenses • Operational expenses: • Finding people to volunteer time plus many $$$ of boat fuel is hard! • Need a fair, consistent and easily administered process if squadrons elect to reimburse • Be ready to address simple breakage and/or loss OTW Overview

22. Boater Reimbusement • Reimbursement ideas… • Direct reimbursement • Proportional reimbursement • Formalized donation • Hybrid - some combination of the above and/or other unique approaches OTW Overview

23. Remember • OTW education is in demand • OTW instruction offers a unique opportunity to rebuild membership and enthusiasm in USPS • The time to act is limited! • Student feedback is overwhelmingly positive OTW Overview

24. Futures • Full report of OTW activities was submitted to the Governing Board for review: • Download a copy of the report • http://seo.SenecaPowerSquadron.US • User Name: d6seo • Password: educate • Education Department is actively pursuing right approach to further disseminate this information OTW Overview

25. Briefer’s Personal Observations • Attended pre-brief and 2 hr. OTW Class • Students on-time, attentive and enthused • Lesson plan and preparation effort pays off • Numerous opportunities for other subjects • Clearly a different environment, atmosphere and student involvement from the classroom OTW Overview

26. Challenge to your Squadron(s) • When the opportunity arises: • Attend and observe an OTW class • Improve upon the methods suggested here • Jump in and teach your own OTW class! • Share what you learn about OTW Education! OTW Overview

27. Summary • On water instruction has difficult challenges, but can be enjoyable and fun! • OTW students become enthusiastic and get more involved in Squadron activities sooner • PAYOFF: • More active members…real boaters! • Our USPS increasingly serves the interested and developing boater, grows, and becomes a stronger organized advocate for all boating interests! OTW Overview

28. “Boating is Fun…We’ll Show You How” WHAT BETTER WAY THAN ON A BOAT WITH EXPERIENCED BOATERS????