America’s Boating Course ® The Electronic Alternative

1. America’s Boating Course®The Electronic Alternative [Insert name of presenter here]

2. Integral to Our Mission: Boating Safety through Education Our Tactics: • [Insert names of classes taught by Flotilla] • And…

4. The Case for America’s Boating Course • We know that boating courses save lives. • There are approximately 75 million recreational boaters in the United States. • Fewer than 1% take a boating course from the Auxiliary or Power Squadrons each year. • How can we close the gap?

5. The Case for America’s Boating Course • An electronic boating course—online or CD-ROM—can reach a new, untapped demographic: • The doctor who just bought his first boat—but who is on call nights and weekends... • The college student who loves to ride PWCs—and is used to carrying on five “instant messaging” conversations at a time on her PC... • The busy soccer mom—who might someday become a“suddenly skipper” on the family ski boat... • These people are unlikely to sign up for a traditional classroom course, but may take a computer-based course like ABC.

6. The Case for America’s Boating Course • The market for and use of computer-based education is growing. • Nearly 50% of the population is using the Internet from their home on a regular basis. • By the end of 2004 it is expected that 90% of colleges will offer some form of distance learning.

7. The Case for America’s Boating Course • No computer course can match the depth and interactivity of a classroom course taught by a skilled instructor. • If we don’t reach the millions of boaters who prefer computer-based training—someone else will. • Let’s make sure boaters take ABC—the only course developed by the two premier boating safety organizations in the U.S.

8. How You Can Help Promote America’s Boating Course —and Save Lives • The U.S. Coast Guard recognizes ABC. • The new USCG “You’re In Command: Boat Responibly” campaign will specifically promote America’s Boating Course. • With this promotion, we can expect the demand to rise. • You can help support expanded boating safety education by becoming an ABC advocate.

9. How You Can Be an ABC Advocate—and Save Lives • Promote our classroom courses. • But if a boater hesitates to commit to a classroom course, suggest ABC as the electronic alternative. • Make sure there are ABC courses available for sale when we appear at boat shows and community events. • Volunteer as a mentor or proctor. • Consider using ABC as the foundation of your classroom training—it features excellent graphics and illustrations.

10. How You Can Be an ABC Advocate—and Save Lives • Consider any “connections” you may have to groups that might buy ABC in bulk: • Dealers • Marinas • Yacht clubs • Colleges • Hunter or angler groups • We want to make ABC the electronic boating course of choice!

11. My Challenge to You: If every Flotilla and Squadron in the country sold 100 units of America’s Boating Course this year, we’d reach nearly twice as many boaters as those taking classroom courses. Let’s make that 100 unit level our goal!

12. America’s Boating CourseThe Electronic Alternative • Contact [ABC Coordinator] • [Name, phone, e-mail]