The 48th Annual NASBLA Annual Conference will be held September 5 - 10, 2007, in Burlington, Vermont. We'll be posting here info about conference sessions, speakers, etc. Check back for the latest news and information. Register online.
48th Annual Conference September 5-10
August 08, 2007
The Importance of Family Liaison and Crisis Support Resources Pre-Planning for Boating Accidents, Drownings, and Other Major Incidents
Monday, September 10
The Importance of Family Liaison and Crisis Support Resources Pre-Planning for Boating Accidents, Drownings, and Other Major Incidents
Nancy J. Rigg – Founder and Moderator of the Drowning Support Network
Boating accidents, drownings, floods, and other major incidents are personnel and time-intensive and require steady and consistent interaction with emotionally distraught family members, friends, and witnesses awaiting news about victims in the water. By pre-planning crisis support resources, including critical incident trained, volunteer counselors and chaplains, who can be dispatched immediately on scene to serve as family liaisons, families can be guided through the difficult and sometimes prolonged or unresolved search, rescue, and recovery process, allowing search and rescue experts, managers, and administrators, to focus on the incident as a whole.
August 06, 2007
Increasing Boating Carbon Monoxide Awareness and Boating Standards through a Two-Prong Social Marketing Approach
Monday, September 10
Increasing Boating Carbon Monoxide Awareness and Boating Standards through a Two-Prong Social Marketing Approach
David Bang – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
This presentation highlights a two-prong focus for a social marketing driven process to: 1) instill more leverage among boating organization leaders (early adopters) to increase boating CO awareness efforts, and 2) bring about changes in boating standards, education, and regulations related to the mitigation efforts of reducing boating CO health risks. This holds the potential to raise boating standards at state levels. In addition to the need for policy change advanced by early adopters in decision making positions, it is also key to predispose, reinforce, and enable behavior change via social marketing and the diffusion of innovations theory. This theoretical framework leads to the potential for empowering boaters to practice boating standards such as installing CO monitors and detectors, though the need for retrofitting the boat design is clearly advantageous.
Synchronizing State Initiated Lifejacket Observation Studies with the National Observation Study
Monday, September 10
Synchronizing State Initiated Lifejacket Observation Studies with the National Observation Study
Tom Mangione and Heather Parsons – JSI Research & Training Institute
This summer marked the 10th round of the National Lifejacket Observational study and trends over this ten year period will be presented. These data will point to situations in which wear rates have increased and also identify situations that have been resistant to change. In addition, the talk will focus on the methods used to carry out the National study. As states begin to consider conducting their own wear rate studies, the benefits of closely following the methods used by the national study will be described. State initiated studies can supplement and strengthen the data available for analysis at the local state level. They can also broaden the scope of the observational data by including seasons other than summertime and by incorporating a broader range of types of observational venues.
“Ticket and a Test” - The Tennessee Model of Boating Education
Sunday, September 9
“Ticket and a Test” - The Tennessee Model of Boating Education
Ed Carter and Betsy Woods – Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
This presentation will give an overview of Tennessee’s boating safety education program including laws, rules and regulations. Information about point of sales, monitored exams, internet monitored exams, partnerships, and data management are key components of this highly successful program.
ACA Video: “It’s Your Turn: Defensive Boating for Paddlers”
Sunday, September 9
ACA Video: “It’s Your Turn: Defensive Boating for Paddlers”
Pam Dillon – American Canoe Association (ACA)
This session will review the ACA’s newest education program aimed at informing paddlers about the navigation rules and how to interact with boats in high traffic areas. The session will include a premier viewing of the 8-minute DVD “It’s Your Turn: A Defensive Boating Primer” and a review of a companion powerpoint training program. The project was funded by with a grant from the Boating Resources (Wallop-Breaux) Trust Fund Administered by the US Coast Guard.
Carbon Monoxide and the “Station Wagon Effect” in Recreational Boating
Sunday, September 9
Carbon Monoxide and the “Station Wagon Effect” in Recreational Boating
Randy Herman – Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation
The session will be a case study of a recreational boating accident in which four people died from carbon monoxide poisoning. It was the first Carbon Monoxide fatality In Idaho, and the first accident of its type in the United States.
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) Overview
Sunday, September 9
Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) overview (Part I)
John Zabko – Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO)
DNDO was founded on April 15, 2005, it is a jointly-staffed, national office established to improve the Nation’s capability to detect and report unauthorized attempts to import, possess, store, develop, or transport nuclear or radiological material for use against the Nation, and to further enhance this capability over time.
The New EPA boat Discharge Permit: What you need to know
Sunday, September 9
The New EPA Boat Discharge Permit: What you need to know
Margaret Podlich – Boat U.S. Foundation
Cindy Squires - NMMA
For 34 years, the federal EPA has exempted "normal operational" discharges from recreational boats from the Clean Water Act permit system. Last fall, a federal judge canceled this permit exemption, now requiring EPA to develop and implement by September 30, 2008, a national permit system for ALL vessels in the US for a variety of discharges. Come hear the latest on this topic, with an update on legal challenges, federal legislation, and how this may impact your agency. Bring your questions too!
Podcasts: Toy or Tool?
Sunday, September 9
Podcasts: Toy or Tool?
Tim Smalley – Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Podcasting and downloading podcasts has exploded in popularity in the last year. The phrase “How to Podcast” was the fourth highest search on Google in 2006. In 2005, the Minnesota DNR was one of the very first government entities anywhere that was podcasting. See how this agency uses this simple and inexpensive “radio-less radio show” to reach anglers, hunters and boaters with safety information that they’ll listen to. You’ll learn about creating a podcast, uploading it onto the net and how to promote your show so people come to listen – on their computers and iPods!
Navigation Rules training from two different state perspectives
Saturday, September 8
Navigation Rules training from two different state perspectives
Cindy Bellar – Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Division of Watercraft
Sgt. Ross Mire – Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
This presentation illustrates the training tools that two different states use when teaching officers about the Navigation Rules. The Ohio Division of Watercraft uses the Ohio Boating Education Course materials, the “Watercraft Laws and Rules of Ohio” book, as well as in-the-field training. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries requires cadets to attend a four hour block of instruction on the USCG Navigational Rules as well as one hour block on the Louisiana Navigational Rules. Additionally, they receive another week of vessel training on the water where cadets are required to demonstrate safe boating practices and explain how the Navigational Rules would apply to various situations.
National Boater Survey
Saturday, September 8
National Boater Survey
Dr. Ed Mahoney – Michigan State University
This presentation will deal with the proposed U.S. Coast Guard National Boating Survey. Dr Mahoney will discuss the content of three different survey instruments that will be utilized to collect data from U.S. households and also registered boaters. The process by which the survey was developed and the relevance of the information to NASBLA and other boating organizations and agencies. He will also describe the sampling method that will be employed.
“Wear It!” Campaign: making the boating safety message more effective
Saturday, September 8
The “Wear It!” Campaign shows how one voice makes the boating safety message more effective
Virgil Chambers – National Safe Boating Council
The “Wear It!” campaign uses strong visibility among boaters, advocates, and some of the nation’s most prominent media outlets. This message has been included in newspapers, magazines, and television and radio stations. “Wear It!” works well as both a stand-alone slogan for any community’s promotional initiative, such as the Sacramento Delta’s initiative dubbed, “Wear It California!” This presentation will discuss ideas to effectively build on the national message and how you can use “Wear It!” in your own boating safety initiative.
Best Practices for State Boating Education Programs
Saturday, September 8
Best Practices for State Boating Education Programs
Emily King – Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Division of Watercraft
This presentation utilizes the survey information from 2006 and 2007 to identify the similarities and differences of the states boating education programs. This information was utilized to develop a checklist for states to enhance their current programs. Topics from the surveys include mandatory education, staffing, instructor training, partner involvement and boater awareness campaigns.
Marketing Boating Safety
Saturday, September 8
Marketing Boating Safety
Kyle Toyama – Glass-McClure Advertising
Kyle Toyama will go through the steps taken to create California's Department of Boating & Waterways highly successful marketing program. This will include setting goals and objectives, selecting mediums determined to be most effective at reaching the target audience and creating messaging that will move the target audience to take responsibility when they are boating. Kyle will also go through how the campaign has evolved through the years by utilizing research measurement tools. These tools help to refine targets, medium selection and overall strategic positioning.
The RBFF Today
Saturday, September 8
The RBFF Today
Frank Peterson – Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation
The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is a nonprofit organization established in 1998 to increase participation in recreational angling and boating. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ and Anglers’ Legacy campaigns.
National Survey on Recreation and the Environment
Saturday, September 8
National Survey on Recreation and the Environment
Dr. Gary Green – University of Georgia
Results from the National Survey on Recreation and the Environment (NSRE) pertaining to paddler’s knowledge of key watercraft and paddlesport safety material and their awareness of educational and instructional services will be presented. Discussion will focus on identifying any differences or relationships between different watercraft users and paddlers (e.g., by gender, race, income, educational level, geographic region, etc) and their knowledge of safety material and awareness of educational and instructional services.
Zap the Gap
Saturday, September 8
“Zap the Gap”
Meagan Johnson – Bright, Funny, Delightfully Obnoxious Generational Humorist
How do you “Zap the Gap” and manage the needs of people from different generations? Never before have there been four different generations in the workforce -at the same time. And, not only do we have to face different generations in the workforce, but we also realize that each generation is choosing to recreate on the water in different ways. Each generation has very unique wants, needs and desires. You must learn to tap into their motivation in order to get the most from their potential. Treating everyone the same will not work. Meagan will help you avoid the pitfalls and find success in getting the most from your most valuable resource, your people.
August 04, 2007
State Recreational Boating Safety Program Measures of Effectiveness Workshop
Thursday, September 6
State Recreational Boating Safety Program Measures of Effectiveness Workshop
Dr. Deborah A. Gona - Gona & Associates and NASBLA Research Consultant
This day-long Workshop will mix theory with a heavy dose of real-life “What works?” “What doesn’t?” and “Why?” as participants navigate the sometimes frustrating, sometimes surprising, but almost always instructive process of developing meaningful performance measures for recreational boating programs --- from setting a goal, defining a realistic measure and picking appropriate data points and collection methods to evaluating the results, reporting out for different audiences and tweaking the measure for future use.
By the end of this interactive session – which will include supplemental examples of measures already in place, lessons learned, resource information, and news about new data sources -- Workshop participants should emerge with a new or restocked “toolbox” of techniques they can adapt and apply to state recreational boating safety program evaluations, development of budget requests and performance reports, and efforts to align state goals with national strategic boating safety goals.
This Measures of Effectiveness Workshop, conducted under a grant from the U.S. Coast Guard, is a continuation of an introductory session held in conjunction with NASBLA’s Spring 2007 BLA Workshop. Participation in that session is not a prerequisite for this Workshop. All BLAs and interested state program staff are invited to attend.
