I would like to start by wishing a Happy New Year and best wishes and good health to everyone.
We have the change of watch behind us and we can now concentrate on getting 2011 off to a good start. To begin with, I want to thank the 2010 staff officers for their many contributions and improvements. The dramatic growth in our Vessel Examination effort showed what we can accomplish. We had 516 VSCs, an increase of 150, and the number of examiners increased by 12. Another area of improvement was in Program Visitation. The eight new program visitors helped to account for 100 additional contacts, a good start in this important area. Our Public Education hours stayed the same and the number of sessions was down. Still, we gained an instructor last year. In the operations area, the number of support missions was down a little but the number of safety missions was almost half of the prior year.
Our 2011 staff officers have a lot of work ahead to continue to progress and regain some of the ground lost. I am sure we can make further progress and recapture lost opportunities, but not without help from everyone. We have an ambitious year ahead of us and it can be successful. We urgently need more instructors and program visitors to help generate the revenue we need to fulfill our mission supporting the “gold side.” Recruiting and public affairs are also areas that play a significant role in generating revenue. Membership growth and public exposure of our mission are an absolute must.
As we begin the New Year, reexamine what you pledged when you became a member and provide a few more hours every month than you did last year. This positive step will go a long way toward making 2011 an even greater year than 2010. Semper Paratus.
