2017 BoatU.S. Distinguished Civic Service Award
2017 BoatU.S. Distinguished Civic Service Award EXPLANATION GUIDE The BoatU.S. Distinguished Civic Service Award is one of the most prestigious that a squadron or district may achieve. The Award recognizes community visibility and service through a variety of local activities. It is presented under the joint sponsorship of the BoatU.S. Foundation and USPS® through the National Membership Committee. To keep the submission process uncomplicated, the number of person-hours may be estimated. Although keeping good records can be useful in supporting your submission. Documentation proof is not required; however, samples of each category item are requested (see category item #12). Squadron and district applicants must understand that once the Top Ten Finalists have been identified, each may be required to submit additional documentation or answer questions in response to questions from the award committee. Samples provided and the effectiveness of the civic services as described in the requirement of category item #13 will affect the scoring for identifying the Top Ten Finalists. Following is a description of each of the category items. NOTE: in each of these, the squadron or district is readily identified as a participant or sponsor:
Item 1: Short Term Local Community Activity = Day Events, i.e. adopt-an-environment, marine clean-up, race day escort, etc.
Item 2: Long Term Local Partnership Projects = Multiple Day Events, i.e. collaborating with other groups to promote boater safety and skills training like Sea Scouts, USCGAux, Brunswick Dealer Program, SERAT, alliances, etc.
Item 3: Promotion of Boating Safety in Community Events = USPS mission visible by entering floats in land or sea parades, displaying banners on parade floats/boats, conducting boating safety demonstrations as part of an event, etc.
Item 4: Representing the Squadron or District on Public Boards = as a member of a municipal or civic committee to represent the squadron or district, not another entity, in promoting safe boating interests i.e. county maritime advisory committee, waterfront development board, nautical law enforcement advisories, etc.
Item 5: Supporting National Safe Boating Week = assorted programs or events created, ABC3 or seminars taught, or participated in; media interviews, coordinating a municipal proclamation supporting safe boating; etc.
Item 6: Boat Show or Other Public Fair Exhibition Booths = promoting or supporting the USPS mission and national branding standards with attractive and informative booths staffed by engaging members; i.e. boat show, art show, community festival, farmer’s markets, annual events, etc.
Item 7: Boating Safety and USPS Presentations to Organizations = guest speaker on USPS or related boating topics to fraternal or community organizations like the Rotary, Kiwanis, Moose, etc.
Item 8: Family or Youth Days participation = promoting boating safety at school assemblies, through poster or other contests, participating in or sponsoring children-oriented events; onthe-water activities for youth and/or those in need; scouting jamborees, etc.
Item 9: Radio /TV Show Appearances which promote boating safety = active presenter or interviewee whose topic relates to boating education programs or other USPS themes.
Item 10: Boating Safety and USPS-related Articles Written and Published during the award year; reprinted articles from the National PR Committee may be included, but it is suggested to add local data; articles should appear in such publications as local or regional public media as well as district newsletters, The Ensign, etc.
Item 11: Social Media Sites = developed and maintained sites with apparent USPS branding, i.e. blogs, websites, Facebook pages, SailAngle site, and others. All site addresses or paths should be listed.
*Item 12: Include one (1) sample of each activity (electronic copy only) which will provide the award committee with an example of the type of civic services performed.
*Item 13: Prepare a one (1) page summary of how the civic service accomplishments benefitted the community and squadron this year. Civic Engagement is social action that makes a
difference at a local, national, or international level. Civic Service is a particular type of Civic Engagement, defined as formal volunteering in a structured program. Describe for example how the events or classes helped the community and enhanced the membership; did the squadron gain any new members or requests to participate in other events; were more people made aware of the USPS mission?
Item A: membership numbers are taken from the HQ monthly membership report found on the Membership committee home page under the Statistics button. Item B and C: information gathered from the 30 June Education Department report as submitted by the squadron Item D: information received from the Communications Committee regarding the awarding of the Distinctive Communicator Award for the year Item E: if the squadron or district received national outreach awards from the Membership, PR, or Marketing committees then they are counted, i.e. Youth Poster Contest winner, Finley Sea Scout award, DIR, MIRA, and PR Awards during the scoring period.
For scoring purposes Items #1 – #9 will take into account the number of members involved, the number of personhours volunteered, and the overall impact on the community. Items #10, #11, #12 and #13 will be scored on the quantity and quality. Item B and C are scored on the growth and retention from previous year. Item D and E will be scored for each award attained during the previous year.
Item 1: Short Term Local Community Activity = Day Events, i.e. adopt-an-environment, marine clean-up, race day escort, etc.
Item 2: Long Term Local Partnership Projects = Multiple Day Events, i.e. collaborating with other groups to promote boater safety and skills training like Sea Scouts, USCGAux, Brunswick Dealer Program, SERAT, alliances, etc.
Item 3: Promotion of Boating Safety in Community Events = USPS mission visible by entering floats in land or sea parades, displaying banners on parade floats/boats, conducting boating safety demonstrations as part of an event, etc.
Item 4: Representing the Squadron or District on Public Boards = as a member of a municipal or civic committee to represent the squadron or district, not another entity, in promoting safe boating interests i.e. county maritime advisory committee, waterfront development board, nautical law enforcement advisories, etc.
Item 5: Supporting National Safe Boating Week = assorted programs or events created, ABC3 or seminars taught, or participated in; media interviews, coordinating a municipal proclamation supporting safe boating; etc.
Item 6: Boat Show or Other Public Fair Exhibition Booths = promoting or supporting the USPS mission and national branding standards with attractive and informative booths staffed by engaging members; i.e. boat show, art show, community festival, farmer’s markets, annual events, etc.
Item 7: Boating Safety and USPS Presentations to Organizations = guest speaker on USPS or related boating topics to fraternal or community organizations like the Rotary, Kiwanis, Moose, etc.
Item 8: Family or Youth Days participation = promoting boating safety at school assemblies, through poster or other contests, participating in or sponsoring children-oriented events; onthe-water activities for youth and/or those in need; scouting jamborees, etc.
Item 9: Radio /TV Show Appearances which promote boating safety = active presenter or interviewee whose topic relates to boating education programs or other USPS themes.
Item 10: Boating Safety and USPS-related Articles Written and Published during the award year; reprinted articles from the National PR Committee may be included, but it is suggested to add local data; articles should appear in such publications as local or regional public media as well as district newsletters, The Ensign, etc.
Item 11: Social Media Sites = developed and maintained sites with apparent USPS branding, i.e. blogs, websites, Facebook pages, SailAngle site, and others. All site addresses or paths should be listed.
*Item 12: Include one (1) sample of each activity (electronic copy only) which will provide the award committee with an example of the type of civic services performed.
*Item 13: Prepare a one (1) page summary of how the civic service accomplishments benefitted the community and squadron this year. Civic Engagement is social action that makes a
difference at a local, national, or international level. Civic Service is a particular type of Civic Engagement, defined as formal volunteering in a structured program. Describe for example how the events or classes helped the community and enhanced the membership; did the squadron gain any new members or requests to participate in other events; were more people made aware of the USPS mission?
Item A: membership numbers are taken from the HQ monthly membership report found on the Membership committee home page under the Statistics button. Item B and C: information gathered from the 30 June Education Department report as submitted by the squadron Item D: information received from the Communications Committee regarding the awarding of the Distinctive Communicator Award for the year Item E: if the squadron or district received national outreach awards from the Membership, PR, or Marketing committees then they are counted, i.e. Youth Poster Contest winner, Finley Sea Scout award, DIR, MIRA, and PR Awards during the scoring period.
For scoring purposes Items #1 – #9 will take into account the number of members involved, the number of personhours volunteered, and the overall impact on the community. Items #10, #11, #12 and #13 will be scored on the quantity and quality. Item B and C are scored on the growth and retention from previous year. Item D and E will be scored for each award attained during the previous year.
