STATE OF THE “CONGRESS” ADDRESS

1 May 2002 

Partnerships

The Congress continued its outreach efforts through entering into memorandums of understanding with other boating and water safety organizations.  In September 2000, the Congress entered into an MOU with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.  This agreement has resulted in cooperative efforts with regards to development of the law enforcement track at the International Boating and Water Safety Summit and revision of the Guide to Multiple Use Waterway Management.  We look forward to continued cooperation with NASBLA in the future.

 The Congress also became a full partner of the U.S. Coast Guard initiative “Operation Boat Smart” at the Summit in April 2001.  The Congress can provide significant support to the other partners of OBS in their boating safety efforts through products that the Congress will make available to full and affiliated partners.

 We have continued our excellent level of cooperation with the National Safe Boating Council and look forward to working with our partner in making the International Boating and Water Safety Summit the largest and best such meeting in the world.

 Wallop-Breaux Grant Projects.

The chart below indicates the increasing level of grant projects funded by Wallop Breaux 5% grant funds that have been undertaken by the Congress.  I note with pride the increasing level of grant projects over the past 2+ years.

The United States Coast Guard just announced the Wallop-Breaux grants for 2002, and again the Congress fared well.  All three of the Congress grant requests were funded for a total of $96,680. 

 International Boating and Water Safety Summit – The Congress has served as lead agency for the IBWSS since 1999, and with the efforts of the NSBC as a full partner the Summit has continued to grow.   The 2001 Summit in Nashville, TN, drew almost 540 participants, a significant increase from the first Summit in San Diego, CA. 

 Chartering Kit – The Congress has submitted the final draft of the Water Safety Council Charter Kit to the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety for review and approval.  This is an update to a mid-1980’s project of the Congress, and provides guidance for local groups who want to form a not-for-profit organization to address water and boating safety problems on a local or regional basis.  This project has been completed and is available at this summit.

 Guide to Multiple Use Waterway Management – The “Guide” was produced in 1995 and received excellent reviews for addressing the problems associated with the numerous, often conflicting, demands placed on our lakes, rivers and waterways.  The Guide is currently being revised to reflect changes in management philosophy, priorities, and address concerns that did not exist 7 years ago.  NASBLA is a full partner with the NWSC in this effort.

 Partnership/Outreach – For the past several years the Congress has received a small grant to assist us in our partnership and outreach activities.  Because of this funding we have been able to visit and work with NASBLA, the regional associations such as WSBAA, NABA, and SSBLA, and important partners such as the United States Power Squadron and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.  Such funding has also allowed the Congress to participate in such activities as the National Safe Boating Week kickoff in Washington, D.C. and the Futures Forum sponsored by NASBLA last year.

I was also fortunate to be invited to attend the International Conference on Safety in Transportation in Telese Terme, Italy last February.  International outreach has become an important part of the boating and water safety effort as we realize that many of our problems are global as well as local.

 Small Grant Program.  For the past four years we have awarded grants of up to $1500 to local non-profit organizations to help them with their local water safety programs.  The Congress has contributed $3,000 annually to match a grant of $6,000 to make funds available for worthy projects. 

Organizational Achievements over the past 2-3 years.

50^th Anniversary – The Congress celebrated its 50^th anniversary last year in Nashville, TN, the birthplace of the Congress.  We received numerous letters of congratulations from our boating and water safety partners for this milestone achievement.

 Strategic Planning Initiative – Led by Ron Riberich, the Congress went through a sometimes contentious strategic planning effort.  Such an effort was critical for the Congress to refocus and refine our efforts for the new century.  The effort involved will make the Congress stronger and more efficient as we look towards the future.

 Budget Issues – In 1998 the Congress spent $7,000 more than we made.  In the year 2000 we spent over $5600 more than we took in.  A great deal of this was due to the fact we spent over $18,000 a year producing 4 issues of the Water Safety Journal.  In October 2000 I implemented a budget for 2001 and proposed a budget for each of the subsequent years of 2002 and 2003.  We now are living within our means, and the bottom line of the organization continues to improve.  Our cash reserves have increased, expenses are in line with income, and we have a budget plan that will allow us to accomplish the work of the Congress without becoming financially insolvent.

Revised constitution and bylaws – The existing constitution and bylaws, except for some minor changes, had not undergone a significant revision since the founding of the organization.  The new constitution and bylaws were overwhelmingly approved by a vote of the membership at the membership meeting on 1 May 2002.  A copy of the new bylaws can be found elsewhere on the Congress website.

 Marina Safety Guidelines – The Congress, led by Brenda Warren, revised the Marina Safety Guidelines developed in the mid to late 1980’s to reflect current practices.  This product will be made available in print form through a cooperative effort with Joe Morgan and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

 Awards Program – The Congress continues its nationally recognized awards program, with the two most recent National Award winners being the National Safe Boating Council and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. 

 Website – Thanks to Lu Christie we have continued efforts to improve the value of the Congress website to our members and our customers.  Board meeting minutes, award information, IBWSS information and links to other organizations should be only a mouse click away on the Internet.

 Parting Shots.

 Recommendations from the past president: 

Goal:  Hire part-time director (full-time advocate) for the Congress within 2 years; 

Goal:  Continue the fiscal discipline and build reserves toward the first goal;

 Goal:  Continue to seek partnerships and joint projects with other safety organizations; 

Goal:  Continue to grow the Summit, expanding the scope to include more general water safety areas.

Thank you for the privilege of leading this organization for the past two years.  May the Congress continue to grow and prosper.

 Steve Fairbanks, Past President

National Water Safety Congress