Operations Trainingfor Your Squadron
February, 2010Part 1
D/Lt. Anita F. Walker, JN
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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
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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
The Purpose of OTP
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Tentative Schedule
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
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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?Any questions?
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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
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Your Squadron History
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Tonight’s Agenda
Module I Introduction Squadrons of USPS Districts of USPS USPS National Organization
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USPS Mission Statement
USPS has an “External Mission” to the boating community at large:
To accomplish the external mission while providing fellowship for USPS members
and an “Internal Mission” as America’s Boating Club
To promote recreational boating through education and civic activities
IntroductionIntroduction
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USPS Triangle
Graphic Presentation of USPS Mission
IntroductionIntroduction
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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
IntroductionIntroduction
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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 missionLet’s talk about the internal and external aspects of the mission
IntroductionIntroduction
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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
IntroductionIntroduction
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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
IntroductionIntroduction
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Three Classifications of Officers
National, district and squadron Elected or appointed Bridge – Commander, Executive
Officer, Educational Officer, Administrative Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
IntroductionIntroduction
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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!
It’s vital to submit merit mark hours on a timely basis!
IntroductionIntroduction
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Merit Marks
5 merit marks
25 merit marks
IntroductionIntroduction
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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
OrganizationOrganization
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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
OrganizationOrganization
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Squadron Organization
See Page 6 of Operations Training ManualSee Page 6 of Operations Training Manual
SquadronSquadron
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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)
SquadronSquadron
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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 appointedMost work is done through committees: elected and appointed
SquadronSquadron
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Standing Committees Are Appointed
Standing committees Finance Housing Law officer Merit mark Personnel Property Supply officer
SquadronSquadron
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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
SquadronSquadron
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The Executive Department:
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
SquadronSquadron
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The Education Department:
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
SquadronSquadron
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The Administrative Department:
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
SquadronSquadron
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The Secretary:
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
SquadronSquadron
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The Treasurer:
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
SquadronSquadron
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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 chartSee page 12 for organization chart
DistrictDistrict
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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
DistrictDistrict
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USPS Districts
Standing Committees Finance Law Personnel Educational Fund
General Committees Auditing Rules Planning
Officers Commander (DC) Executive (DXO) Education (DEO) Administrative
(DAO) Secretary Treasurer
DistrictDistrict
See pages 13 - 15 for more detailsSee pages 13 - 15 for more details
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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
DistrictDistrict
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USPS HeadquartersLocation: Raleigh, NC
Functions and Facilities:
• Administrative Support
• Membership Records
• Computer and Printing facilities
• Storage Warehouse
• Chapman Library
• USPS Conference Room
Location: Raleigh, NC
Functions and Facilities:
• Administrative Support
• Membership Records
• Computer and Printing facilities
• Storage Warehouse
• Chapman Library
• Conference Facilities
NationalNational
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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
NationalNational
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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)
NationalNational
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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
NationalNational
Governing Board meets twice a year and the OperatingCommittee (OPCom) handles our business between meetingsGoverning Board meets twice a year and the OperatingCommittee (OPCom) handles our business between meetings
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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
How to Change Our Rules
Squadron, District and National
Squadron, District and National
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Summary and a Look Ahead
Tonight Module I
• Introduction• Squadrons,
District, National
Next Week Module I
• Education and Training
Module II• Staffing• Part of
Leadership