1.1  Mission and Purpose of the National Water Safety Congress

The National Water Safety Congress is a non-profit, public service organization was formed in 1951 to promote the safe use of the nation’s waters for recreational purposes.  It is the only national organization dedicated entirely to this single purpose.  Our membership includes many of the top water and boating safety professionals in the United States and worldwide.

The NWSC encourages participants in water activities to obtain safety instruction in their field of endeavor.  The NWSC promotes water safety through the press, radio, television, and through promotion of the work of other organizations such as the American Red Cross, the U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Squadron, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and numerous other agencies.

The Congress has taken a leadership role in addressing the growing number of recreation-related boating accidents and associated property damage, drowning, and deaths associated with the huge growth in water-related recreational activities.  The established purposes of the National Water Safety Congress include:

-  Reducing the number of water-related recreational accidents, injuries, and fatalities in the United States;

            -  Instill water safety awareness in recreational users of our nation’s waters;

-  To develop a network of water safety professionals throughout the United States;

            -   Develop, publish and distribute water safety information;

            -   Provide meaningful water safety training and education seminars;

            -  To establish and improve working relationships between Federal, state and local

agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in water safety through support and of local water safety councils and the International Boating and Water Safety Summit;

-  Recognition of individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions in water safety educational efforts or in preventing accidents or loss of life in conjunction with the use of the nation’s lakes and rivers;

-  Involvement in the formulation of legislative and regulatory initiatives, including development and passage of resolutions supporting such initiatives.

The National Water Safety Congress obtains its funds from membership dues, sustaining memberships, grants, and registration fees from the annual International Boating and Water Safety Summit.  The National Water Safety Congress has been the recipient of numerous Coast Guard grants under the Wallop-Breaux Aquatic Trust Fund program, and has produced a series of audio-visual and printed products in support of water safety.

1.2  Why Are Local Water Safety Councils Important?

Water safety councils are able, because of their nature and composition, to concentrate on water safety problems that are unique to their area or community.  Ultimately water safety problems are a local issue and need to be addressed by those local individuals and organizations that have a stake in solving those problems.

The function of a water safety council is to provide a framework within which individuals and organizations can collectively work together towards a common goal.  Water safety councils have a synergistic effect – the effect of the council is greater than the effect of any specific individual or organization.  It is through this synergism that the true value of water safety councils lie, and the reason that the National Water Safety Congress is committed to developing and fostering water safety councils on the local and regional level.

A local or regional water safety council, tied to a parent organization such as the National Water Safety Congress, can truly expand the scope of their influence not only within their community or region but across the nation.  Through networking local councils can benefit from the knowledge and expertise of other councils who have solved problems similar to those they may be experiencing. 

If you were to ask individuals from all eight regions of the National Water Safety Congress  to each list the 5 most important water safety problems facing them at the local or regional level, odds are the lists would be remarkably similar.  Boating and water safety education, PWC’s, PFD’s not being worn, lack of coordination and cooperation between agencies, and adequate training of personnel in search and rescue operations would place high on each individual’s list.  The problems are not unique; the solutions that are being found by local and regional water safety councils every year to address these problems are unique.  Water safety councils are unique in that they provide a local solution to a local problem by utilizing not only local resources but the resources of other councils and the National Water Safety Congress. 

2.  FORMING A LOCAL WATER SAFETY COUNCIL

2.1  Assess The Need

Does your area need a water safety council?  What problems can local councils address?  What are your local problems relating to boating and water safety?  Are they education-related or enforcement-related, or both?  What is the level of cooperation that currently exists between organizations and individuals charged with water safety? 

These are all preliminary questions that need to be asked and information that needs to be gathered prior to inviting individuals and agencies to the initial organization meeting of your council. 

2.2  How To Recruit and Involve Individuals/Organizations

Bring together a select committee comprised of one individual from each organization that has a major role in boating and water safety in your area.  These individuals will generally be from agencies that have management, enforcement, or education responsibilities in your locality.  Corps of Engineers, fish and game departments, law enforcement agencies, U.S. Power Squadron units, and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas will usually comprise the members of the select committee.  This meeting should be during the day at a location and time convenient for the identified individuals. 

The purpose of this meeting is twofold:  First, establish the need for a local water safety council and secure at least the initial support of those agencies and organizations that comprise the select committee.  Second, have the select committee brainstorm and list other individuals or organizations that have either an interest or a stake in boating and water safety.  From such a session you should be able to begin developing the answers to the questions posed in Section 2.1, and identify the individuals who are the “movers and shakers” involved in water and boating safety in your locality.  Such organizations may include:

Fire departments (volunteer and paid)   Area ambulance services

Search and rescue squads                                 Area hospitals

Emergency management agencies                      Dive rescue units

County Sheriff, local police departments            Highway Patrol or State Police

American Red Cross                                        Schools

Aquatic centers/swimming pools                        City parks and recreation departments

Concessionaires                                                Private business (bait/tackle shops,

Sailing clubs                                                      marina owners, boat sales/service shops)

Local media                                                      Public officials (mayors, council, city

Local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary units administrators)

Civil Air Patrol units

2.3  The First Meeting

One or two individuals from the select committee should prepare the list of names of individuals to invite to the first or organizational meeting of the council.  The invitations should reach the invitees 7-10 days prior to the date of the meeting.  If invitations are sent earlier people will forget, and if sent later will not give individuals enough time to put the meeting in their calendars.  Follow up the written invitation with a personal phone call to give the invitee a chance to ask questions and gain more information.  Answering a question or two might make the difference between agency participation or agency indifference.  If they choose to not participate in the first organizational meeting, ask them if you may keep them on the mailing list so that they may be informed of future meetings, activities, and events. 

The first meeting should draw a significant number of attendees, if for no other reason than curiosity.  Don’t be surprised if you get 25-30 individuals at the first meeting.  The chair for the meeting should be an individual from the select committee who is outgoing, personable, and can keep the meeting focused on the objectives outlined by the select committee.

Development of an agenda is critical.  An agenda will help to keep the meeting focused and on-target, and should accomplish the following:

            - Reiterate the purpose of the meeting and outline the objectives for the meeting;

            - Identify potential problem areas and areas of cooperation which a water safety

            council could address

            - Provide a forum for agency representatives to introduce themselves and explain

            the mission and efforts of their organization as related to boating and water safety;

            - Establish a date/time for a second meeting

The primary objective of the meeting should revolve around one issue:  “Why do we need to establish a water safety council?”  A discussion of the questions in 2.1 above should lead the group to discuss local problems related to boating and water safety, and should result in some initial goals for the organization.  These goals may include:

            - Promotion of boating and water safety on a local level;

            - Provide a forum for agencies and individuals to discuss concerns and

            enhance cooperative efforts;

            - Coordination of water patrol activities and efforts;

            - Cooperative effort for National Safe Boating Week events.

The key is that the goals for the water safety council address LOCAL issues, not national issues.  As you are able to build upon successful projects or efforts, the group can expand the influence of the council to include other localities or regions. 

Once goals are established, they will provide the common ground for cooperation and the structure on which the water safety council will be built.

The Second Meeting.   Don’t be surprised or discouraged if the attendance at the second meeting of the council is 25-40% of those who attended the first meeting.  This is part of the natural evolution process of a council.  The key is still to identify those 5-10 movers and shakers from the significant stakeholders; they will form the nucleus of an effective water safety council.  As stated before, keep others on the mailing list so that they may keep informed of council activities and have the opportunity to be involved should conditions change.

2.4  Council Structure and Committee Assignments

Council Structure.  The structure of the water safety council should remain simple during the first 1-2 years of the organization.  Obviously, officers are necessary to efficiently operate and guide the council in its activities.  Officers are also necessary to form a Board of Directors for the organization, as the Board of Directors will develop and approve the initial bylaws of the organization (or corporation if that route is pursued).

Most councils are organized with the following officers:

            President – presides at all meetings and serves as the “CEO” of the council

            Vice-President – assists the President and performs the duties in the absence

            of the President.

            Secretary – keeps records, minutes, and all other papers of the council

            Treasurer – custodian of all funds for the council, issues payments and maintains

            accurate records

Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors is the group charged with the operation of the water safety council when formed as a non-profit corporation.  The Board of Directors is usually made up of the four officers and two At-Large directors elected at the same time as the officers.  The Board has specific powers granted to non-profit corporations by the state in which the council is incorporated.  You should check with the Secretary of State’s office in your state for specific powers and responsibilities of the Board of Directors.

Committee Structure.  Committees should align themselves with the established goals and objectives of the water safety council.  Committees should consist of 3-4 individuals and a committee chairperson.  The bylaws of the organization should specify what committees are authorized and their function.  Committee chairs may be appointed by the President or elected by the committee from its members. 

A suggested committee structure for a water safety council might include:

            - Law Enforcement/SAR Committee – coordinate search and rescue programs

            - Education Committee – develop education strategies and programs

            - Publicity or Public Relations Committee – charged with publicizing the

               programs and efforts of the council

            - Projects Committee – apply for grants and develop projects for the council

Other committees may be added as the need arises and the council mission expands.

Ad Hoc Committees.  The bylaws should give the President the authority to appoint Ad Hoc committees to deal with specific issues.  Ad Hoc committees are generally short-term and formed to deal with a specific task or issue facing the water safety council.  Ad Hoc committees that exist for more than one year should be reviewed by the President; should the mission of the committee still be valid, thought should be given to changing its status to a permanent committee.

2.5  Bylaws and Constitution

The initial bylaws of the water safety council should be developed by the Board of Directors and presented to the membership for ratification.  Bylaws establish the structure and function of the council, and may consist of the following components:

            Purpose of the Organization

            Powers

            Membership

            Officers and Committees

            Meetings

            Amendments

A generic sample of bylaws for a water safety council may be found in Appendix A.

2.6  Incorporation as a Nonprofit Organization

Most of the following information has been taken from the Iowa Secretary of State website page dealing with nonprofit corporations.  The Iowa Secretary of State website can be accessed at www.sos.state.ia.us/business/nonprofcorp.html.  This site gives excellent information on the process of nonprofit incorporation.

A nonprofit corporation is one in which no part of the income or profit of the corporation is distributed to the corporation’s members, directors or officers except where allowed by the specific language of each state’s code.  A nonprofit is also forbidden from issuing shares of stock to its members.  Instead a nonprofit may issue certificates of membership to its members.  A nonprofit may be allowed to pay reasonable compensation to its members, directors, or officers for services rendered, but is extremely uncommon for water safety councils.

There are several benefits to forming a nonprofit corporation.  Nonprofits may obtain a tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).  This tax-exempt status

also allows people and organizations that make contributions to the nonprofit to take a tax deduction for their contributions.  Full tax benefits are only available to nonprofit corporations organized for charitable, scientific, educational, literary, or religious purposes.

Forming a nonprofit involves two distinct steps.  A nonprofit needs to file articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State in the state in which incorporation is desired.  It also needs to secure federal income tax exemption by filing the appropriate forms with the Internal Revenue Service (see Section 2.62 below).

2.61  Incorporation as a Nonprofit Corporation Under State Law

As stated in Section 2.6 above, a water safety council seeking to incorporate as a nonprofit corporation must do so in the state in which the council resides, and according to the applicable codes of your state.  Nonprofit incorporation generally falls under the responsibility of the Secretary of State’s office for the state in which the water safety council is located.  Standard forms to incorporate as a nonprofit can be requested from the secretary of state’s office, and usually require a fee be included when filing the forms.   Most secretary of state offices also have websites in which additional information, sample articles of incorporation, and references to applicable state codes can be found.  A sample Articles of Incorporation from Iowa, and a copy of an application for Articles of Incorporation in the State of Virginia can be found in Appendix B.  It is beyond the scope of this guide to detail the process of non-profit incorporation for each state.  The internet is an excellent source for incorporation information.

As a general rule Articles of Incorporation set forth:

1.  The name of the corporation and the chapter of the applicable state Code under which incorporated.

2.  The period of duration if for a limited period, or perpetual duration in the absence of any statement to the contrary.

3.  The purpose(s) for which the corporation is organized.

4.  The regulation of the internal affairs of the corporation, including any provision for distribution of assets on dissolution or final liquidation of assets.

5.  The address of its initial registered office including street and number, the name of the county, in which the registered office is located, and the name of the initial registered agent at the address.  (The registered agent is usually the President, and the address CANNOT be a post office box.)

6.  The number of directors constituting the initial board of directors and the names and addresses of those board members.

7.  The date on which the corporate existence shall begin, usually the date on which the secretary of state issues the certificate of incorporation.

Dissolution of the Corporation.  The applicable state code sets forth the procedure by which a nonprofit corporation may voluntarily dissolve.  Such dissolution may depend on whether there are members entitled to vote, or only a board of directors. 

Dissolution of a nonprofit corporation without members is normally accomplished through the adoption of a resolution to dissolve by a majority vote of the directors in office.

Where there are members entitled to vote, the membership must be given written notice that a meeting has been called to consider dissolution of the corporation.  A 2/3 vote of the members present at such a meeting shall be required to adopt a resolution to dissolve the nonprofit corporation.

Reporting.  States may require specific reporting requirements for nonprofit corporations.  Some states have yearly reporting requirements, other states have biennial reporting.  The report should be made on the forms prescribed for that purpose furnished by the secretary of state’s office, state corporation commission, or government office having jurisdiction over corporations.  You should check the specific requirements for your state.

Personal Liability.   The nonprofit incorporation of the water safety council may yield personal liability protection for directors, officers, employees, members or volunteers of the corporation.  Such persons are as a rule NOT liable for the corporation’s debts or obligations, or for claims based upon an “act or omission of the person which was performed in the discharge of the person’s duties”.  Specific exceptions to this protection deal with “acts or omissions not made in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of the law, or transactions in which the person derives an improper personal benefit”.  You should check the specific code for your state dealing with nonprofit corporations to determine extent of liability protection.

2.62  Tax-Exempt Status under IRS Section 501(c)(3)

Most of the information contained in this section was derived from Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization, Chapter 3. Section 501(c)(3) Organizations, published by the Internal Revenue Service.  This publication may be downloaded form the IRS site at www.irs.gov.  Applicable parts of this publication as well as the pertinent forms can be found in Appendix C.

Please note, the process for applying and receiving IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status may become a complicated and difficult process for the water safety council member or committee given the responsibility.  An officer of the Midwest Regional Water Safety Council was able to secure the services of a professor at the Drake University School of Law pro bono (fancy words for free!)  who handled the paperwork and liaison with the Internal Revenue Service.  If you have a lawyer in your community who is an avid boater or sportsman you may have a source of assistance in your quest for tax-exempt status for your council.

In brief, your council must file Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption, with the Internal Revenue Service.  Form 1023 and the accompanying statements must show that all of the following are true:

1.  The organization is organized exclusively for, and will be operated exclusively for, one or more of the purposes (charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary) specified in the introduction to Chapter 3, Section 501(c)(3) Organizations.

2.  No part of the organization’s net earnings will inure to the benefit of private shareholders or individuals.  Your application must establish that your organization is not operated or organized for the benefit of private interests.

3.  The organization will not, as a substantial part of its activities, attempt to influence legislation or participate to any extent in a political campaign for or against any candidate for public office.

In general, the following must accompany the Form 1023 as supporting documentation:

-  A copy of the water safety council Articles of Incorporation showing approval by the appropriate state official.

            -  A copy of the water safety council bylaws.

Effective Date of Exemption.  If your council applies for and is granted tax-exempt status within 15 months from the month that the council was organized, the council’s exemption will be retroactive to the date of organization.  If application is made after the 15-month window, the tax-exempt status will be effective only for the period after the IRS receives the application.

Organizations Not Required to File Form 1023.  Any organization, other than a private foundation, normally having annual gross receipts of not more than $5,000 is exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of Section 501(c)(3).   However, if your gross receipts exceed $5,000 in any year, you must file Form 1023 within 90 days after the end of the year in which receipts exceeded $5,000.

If by this point you are totally confused, it merely reinforces the point that water safety councils who wish to pursue IRS tax-exempt status should seek professional assistance.   Many water safety councils have chosen to charter with the National Water Safety Congress and as a member take advantage of the tax-exempt status of our organization. 

3.      FUNDRAISING

The most common reason given for failure of local water safety councils is lack of funding to accomplish projects and programs.  This section will deal with several methods of securing funding for local water safety councils through grants, in-kind donations, and corporate sponsors.

3.1  Grants

Every community or region usually has some access to local or state grant programs.  The key is to locate these sources of grant funds and vigorously pursue potential donors.  States that have licensed gambling often require licensees to provide a percentage of their profits as grants to local non-profit agencies, and these grant programs can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. 

Listed below are three sources of grant funds for water safety and boating safety projects that are available to water safety councils nationwide.  Further information on these organizations can be found in the Resource List in Section 6. 

3.11   National Water Safety Congress Local Water Safety Council Grant Program

The primary function of the Water Safety Council Grant Program is to encourage local efforts in water safety education, training, and other activities.  The Congress realizes that funding is a critical element for many local water safety councils, and that many excellent ideas and programs are not implemented due to lack of funds.  In selecting proposals to fund, the Water Safety Council Liaison Committee looks for projects that:

·        Promote community water safety education efforts

·        Provide model programs that can be duplicated by other councils/community groups

·        Offer creative programs and foster new ideas for solving intractable problems

·        Use organization funds to complement or match grant funds

·        Involve various volunteer and community groups in the water safety community and general public

·        Solve water safety problems unique to your area

·        Have the greatest potential to affect water safety problems or issues on a regional or national scale

Organizations who wish to participate in our grants program must submit their completed application for review by February 28 of each year.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the regional vice-president for your region.

See Appendix D for a copy of application and criteria

3.12  BOAT US Grant Program

The Boat US Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water was founded in 1981 to promote safety education in the changing and rapidly growing recreational boating community.  The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by small donations from boat owners.

In 1988, the Foundation launched an innovative Grassroots Grant Program to support volunteers with community-based boating safety projects.  Grants of up to $5000 are awarded to groups nationwide for one-year projects.  During each annual grant cycle, the Foundation receives about 200 applications.  About 30 groups per year are selected to receive a share of the grant funds.  The foundation makes at least $45,000 available each year for grassroots programs that solve specific problems and can be adopted by other groups across the country to fit their boating safety needs.   To be eligible for grant funding, your organization must be volunteer, nonprofit, and non-governmental.  Award limits are set at $5000 to ensure project diversity. 

If you have questions regarding the program contact the Program Administer at Boat US, (410) 897-0949 or for more information or application go to www.boatus.com/foundation.

3.13  National Safe Boating Council Recreational Boating Safety Grant Program

The purpose of the Local RBS Grant Program is to further the North American Safe Boating Campaign’s efforts to reduce accidents and enhance the boating experience through public education, marketing, outreach, and the advancement and promotion of safer boating to selected groups. With funding from the Program, local efforts that are addressing boating safety concerns will be identified and grants will be awarded to improve those efforts.

Such programs may include sponsorship of a hands-on boating program for a youth group, supplying money to purchase billboard posters and leverage additional free billboard space for a local flotilla or chapter, or sponsoring a local adaptive boating training session for instructors.

The goal of the Local RBS Grant Program is to reduce boating safety accidents and enhance the boating experience by distributing grants for local recreational boating safety projects and programs. These programs should include, but not be limited to, the following:

·        Improve the quality or quantity of essential safe boating services or materials;

·        Provide funds to small local non-profit groups to build on and support the national campaign’s effort to enhance safe boating; and

·        Develop innovative ideas that can be replicated by groups in other areas to improve boating safety.

·        Provide an opportunity to improve boating safety for specialized activities, including but not limited to paddlesports (including canoeing and kayaking), and sportsmen programs.

·        Children’s programs or adaptive boating for the disabled.

Sample application and additional information can be found in Appendix E. 

For more information or a copy of their application, you can contact the National Safe Boating Council at www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

3.2  Innovative Fundraising – Tried and True Methods

Midwest Regional Water Safety Council

The Midwest Regional Water Safety Council (MRWSC) is comprised of 10 different agencies within the state of Iowa.  The group focused on two areas of emphasis – education and water/ice rescue training.  With these two goals in mind, the council pursued the following activities.

National Safe Boating Week Breakfast.  The council decided to host a boater’s breakfast during National Safe Boating Week.  The council would provide a free breakfast to boaters and at the same time provide Vessel Safety Exams (VSE’s) and water and boating safety information.  Several council members contacted the local Hy-Vee grocery chain and were able to obtain donations of pancake mix, juice, and coffee.  The breakfast was held on the Saturday of NSBW from 8-11 AM, and drew over 70 boaters.  A can was placed on the picnic table labeled “Free Will Donation To Promote Boating Safety in Iowa”, and generated over $250 in donations.  Boaters got a hot breakfast, the council earned some much needed cash.

River Rescue/Ice Rescue Training.  The MRWSC recognized the lack of a consistent training curriculum for river and ice rescue in Iowa.  The council contacted the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a source of curriculum and training.  14 council members paid $100.00 each to pay the expenses of 6 Ohio DNR instructors to come to central Iowa to put on a 3 day river rescue class based on Ohio DNR standards.  The following year 6 of these trained council members were sponsored by the MRWSC to travel to Ohio and take the instructor’s course from the Ohio DNR.  These individuals came back and served as the nucleus of instructors for the MRWSC river rescue training program.  Courses are offered at $75 for a 4-day river rescue class and $50 for a two-day ice rescue class to provide cost-effective training for fire, EMS and law enforcement agencies.  To date the MRWSC has trained over 650 individuals in river rescue and ice rescue while earning approximately $3,000 a year to support council programs. 

3.3 Charitable or In-Kind Donations and Corporate Sponsors

There are resources within your local community available to assist your council with its water safety efforts.  Many individuals and organizations may not be able to donate cash to your efforts, but may have other resources useful to the council.

In-Kind Donations.  One water safety council wanted to pursue 501 (C) (3) Federal tax exempt status for their council, but was intimidated by the paperwork.  One of the water safety council members was a faculty member for a local university, and persuaded a friend who was a professor in the university’s law school to take on the task “pro bono”, or free, on behalf of the water safety council.  The group gained tax-exempt status for their water safety council and the professor received an award from the council for his work.

Another water safety council wanted to implement an infant and toddler infant PFD loan program.  Several of the council members went to the local Wal Mart store and discussed the program with the manager.  He was extremely supportive of the idea, and received approval from the corporate headquarters of Wal Mart to donate enough infant and toddler life jackets to serve 8 loaner sites across the state.  This was the start of the organization’s successful Infant PFD Loan Program, and was expanded the following year with a grant from the BOAT U.S. Foundation.  The only cost to the organization was the volunteer labor to organize the project and purchase of 8 storage bins to store the PFD’s at the sites.

A water safety council was asked to host a two-day PWC river rescue class that Kawasaki would make available to the area at no cost.  The big problem was that the river temperature in May was barely over 60 degrees and the participants would be in and on the river for 8-9 hours per day.  A local dive shop was contacted and agreed to provide wet suits for all participants at a significantly reduced cost.  The training class was a success, the participants were protected from hypothermia, and the local dive shop received some great publicity in the local newspapers when the media covered the event on the weekend.  By the way, the owner of the dive shop joined the council!!

Meeting space is often available to non-profit groups free of charge through libraries, fire departments, Federal agencies such as the Corps of Engineers, or local organizations such as the American Legion, Lions Club, or city hall.  

Corporate Sponsors.    Some water safety councils find monetary support from local businesses and organizations with interest in water based recreation but not direct participation in the efforts.  One council sends an annual corporate sponsorship letter and dues invoice to related businesses with good response.  Some examples of those businesses are Marinas, Government Agencies, Tourist Commissions, Chambers of Commerce and Emergency Organizations. Attached is an example of the recruitment letter.

SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY AREA WATER SAFETY COUNCIL

«FirstName» «LastName»

«JobTitle»

«Company»

«Address»

«City», «State» «PostalCode»

Dear «Title» «LastName»:

            On behalf of the Southeastern Kentucky Area Water Safety Council, I would like to encourage your participation and membership in our organization.  The Water Safety Council is a local non-profit, public service organization which was formed to promote water safety, publish and distribute water safety materials, promote and encourage cooperation between agencies and organizations involved in water related activities, and also to participate in the National Water Safety Congress. 

            Some of our past activities include distributing water safety materials to marinas on area lakes, conducting courtesy boat inspections during National Safe Boating Week, staffing booths at local festivals and displaying water safety billboards throughout the region.  Scheduled activities for this year are the 2^nd Annual Key Chain Giveaway and the 3^rd Annual T-shirt Reward Project, which rewards children and teenagers for wearing their life jackets at area lakes. Promotional items will be distributed during courtesy boat inspections and regular lake patrol by Corps of Engineers Park Rangers, US Forest Service Officers, and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officers.

            The Water Safety Council has the potential to greatly improve the safety of our area’s lakes and rivers and enhance public awareness.  However, without the cooperation and support from individuals and companies who are willing to make a difference, our accomplishments will be limited.  I hope you will support this organization by becoming an active member.  Enclosed you will find a membership application including dues amounts.  When you become a member you will receive a copy of the by-laws, minutes from the last meeting and notification of future meetings. 

            Please help us by joining in our efforts to enhance Water Safety in Southeastern Kentucky.  If you have any questions, you can call me at (XXX) XXX-XXXX.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                          Secretary

4.                  ACTIVITIES OF A LOCAL WATER SAFETY COUNCIL

4.1              FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS

The second most common reason given for the failure of a local water safety council is that the group tried to do too much, in essence tried to be everything for every organization.  Water safety councils that have been successful usually have two or more of the following qualities with regards to their activities:

-                     They focus on one or two issues or projects initially, and build on the success of those projects;

-                     Through consensus they identify the most pressing problem, and focus the group’s efforts on that problem until resolved;

-                     They have a core group of 5-10 members from different agencies who are committed to boating and water safety issues.  Five committed people can achieve the initial success often needed to draw others into the organization

-                     Activities are chosen based on a collaborative process, not directed by the needs of one person or one agency

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