How To Organize a Sea Scout Ship

Page 3

First Ship Meeting

Firstnighter

Sample Agenda

Greetings and welcome (Greet the young people at the door, welcome them, hand out name tags.) Ship Committee members
Introductions and welcome Ship Committee Chair
Greetings from the host (Express the chartered organization's interest in youth and enthusiasm for Venturing. It is important to coach this individual in the use of proper Sea Scouting terms.) Head of chartered organization
Ship Committee support (Explain how the Ship Committee supports the Ship program.) Ship Committee Chair
Description of the program and activities planned for the next six meetings (Give out copies of the program outline; explain how officers will be elected from membership. Briefly describe the duties of officers.) Skipper
A hands-on activity in which everyone can participate All
Question and answer session (Divide young people into groups of 8 or 10. Assign each group an adult Committee member who is prepared to answer questions about Sea Scouting and the chartered organization.) Ship Committee
Reassemble small groups. Explain the national registration fee which includes participation in local and national Venturing activities. Have copies of the Sea Scout Manual for display or purchase. Skipper
Invitation to join (Hand each person a membership application; collect fees from those wishing to join tonight; ask others to bring application and fee to next meeting.) Closing comments (Be sure everyone knows date, place, time, and program for next Ship meeting.) Ship Committee Chair
Refreshments and fellowship All

NOTE: If a number of parents attend, a Ship Committee member might take them aside, explain the purpose and program of the Ship, and the tie to the BSA. Parents might be included in the program capability inventory and enlisted to provide transportation, chaperons, and support for Ship activities.

Second Ship Meeting

This meeting should be a high-powered one centered around the Sea Scout program. Plan to get Sea Scouts involved; get them doing things in their area of interest.

Sample Agenda

(Greet members at the door and hand each a name tag.)

Welcome and introduction of those not at previous meeting Temporary Boatswain or Skipper
Business meeting (keep brief) Temporary Boatswain or Skipper
Complete collection of registration fees and membership applications.
Announce plans to elect officers.
(Optional) Divide members into groups by school. Each group elects a representative to serve as temporary officers and plans car pools to future Ship meetings.
Other business. (Might include ideas on transportation to meetings -- car pools, mass transit, etc., and a discussion of Ship uniforms.)
Introduction of program for the evening Temporary Boatswain or Skipper
Program-tour, demonstration, informative presentation, "hands-on" experience (This is the major portion of this meeting.) All
Announcement of date, place, and time of next meeting Temporary Boatswain or Skipper
Skipper's comments Skipper
Closing
Refreshments and fellowship All

After Ship meeting: The Skipper and temporary officers (or school representatives) meet to plan the election of officers and the program for the next meeting. Complete the registration materials and forward application forms and fees to the council service center.

Third Ship Meeting

(Temporary officers arrive early and greet others.)

Introductions, if necessary Temporary Boatswain
Business meeting (keep brief) Temporary Boatswain
Yeoman reads minutes of previous meeting.
Purser collects any additional fees and membership applications.
Other business
Election of petty officers (Established Ships usually elect officers for a 1-year term in January. New Ships may want to adjust the term of office for their first-year officers.) Nominating Committee Chair
Report of nominating committee on officers to be elected:
- Boatswain
- Boatswain's Mate - Administration
- Boatswain's Mate - Program
- Yeoman (secretary)
- Purser (treasurer)
- Other officers as desired
Election
Congratulations and challenge to new officers Skipper
Installation of new petty officers and presentation of books of office.) Ship Committee Chair
Continuation of meeting New Boatswain
1. Accepts position.
2. Discusses plans for term of office.
3. Review upcoming Ship programs. Members are asked to write down and turn in their interests and ideas for Ship activities. Boatswain's Mate - Program
4. Coordinates final selection of Ship uniform.
Evening's program related to Sea Scouting (informative presentation, demonstration, etc.) All
Announcement of date, place, and time of next meeting Boatswain
Skippers comments Skipper
Closing Boatswain's Mate - Administration
Refreshments and fellowship All

After Ship meeting: Skipper conducts officers' briefing following outline in the Handbook for Skippers.

Suggested Program for a New Sea Scout Ship

Meetings

Ship meetings can be held as frequently as the time of the leaders and members will permit. Many Ships meet an average of once a week, not always on the same day and not always formally. For instance, one week the members may gather at the harbor to work on boats. Another week they may get together on a Friday night to go to a show, skating, bowling, etc. At least once every 3 months a business meeting is necessary to elect officers, plan the Ship's next 3-month program in detail, make assignments, and transact other business. (See chapters 1 and 2 in the Sea Scout Manual.)

Program Planning

At a program planning meeting, it is essential to have school and council calendars available. When the Ship's members have agreed upon the program content they desire, the officers appoint chairs for the selected activities and help them name a committee. An adult officer or Committee member is selected to serve as an adviser to each committee. These committees have the responsibility for the complete planning, promotion, and conduct of the activity in their charge. (See chapter 2 in the Sea Scout Manual.)

Program Content

The following program outline has been developed as a suggestion for a new Ship just getting underway. It is based on two meetings a month of the entire Ship, an officer's meeting (Quarterdeck), plus an activity or field trip. It can be modified or adapted to fit the needs and interests of members and leaders. It is also assumed that May is the first month. Modify the program accordingly for beginning in other months.

In some locations, council and/or area Sea Scout events are conducted. These dates should be included in the Ship's calendar.

Program Outline

(For chapter and page references see the Sea Scout Manual.)

First Month (May)

Ship Meetings - "Firstnighter" to recruit new members (pg. 20). Cover the basic organization of the Ship, election of officers, orientation on Sea Scouting, and the planned program for the first 3 months (Chapter 1). Ship members and leaders should determine uniforms or Ship identity items such as t-shirts, jackets, etc. (pg. 105).

Quarterdeck Meeting - Review duties of the officers; acquaint all with calendar, training courses, etc.; prepare for next month's Ship meetings and activity (pg. 57).

Activity - Visit another Sea Scout Ship or conduct a boating safety program.

Second Month (June)

Ship Meetings - Safe Boating Course, three 2-hour sessions (pg. 98); hold orientation sessions on Ship organization and duties of the commissioned and elected officers; practice "coming aboard" and a few simple ceremonies (pg. 16); start learning the language of the sea (Glossary of sea terms, pg. 385).

Quarterdeck Meeting - Review Ship's meetings and their effectiveness; plan outlines of "formal" and "informal" Ship's meetings; check on arrangements for planned activity; prepare for next month's Ship meetings.

Activity - Schedule a session at a swimming pool; check the swimming ability of every member; practice simple safety and rescue techniques; review safe swim defense (pg. 5-88).

Third Month (July)

Ship Meetings - Construct a landship (pg. 356); conduct classes in water safety and rescue methods-rescue lines, rope work, mouth-to-mouth and artificial respiration; hold several skill-teaching contests; plan next 3 months of meetings, assignments, etc. (pg. 30).

Quarterdeck Meeting - Critique meetings; check on programs, activity, etc.; prepare for next month's Ship meetings.

Activity - Weekend trip to camp, lake, etc. Practice boating and aquatic skills.

Fourth Month (August)

Ship Meetings - Continue work on landship; review customs and courtesies of the sea; practice ceremonies; review advancement program and schedule classes; conduct uniform inspection; hold skill-teaching contests.