VE Recruiting & Retention Prepared by the Vessel Qualification Division USCG Auxiliary, V-Department

Recruiting & Retention Key Focal Points Recruit new Auxiliarists while doing VSC Recruit VEs from new members VEs at Risk Recovering former VEs

Recruiting on the Docks PREPARE: Know what attracts people to the Coast Guard Auxiliary. ENTHUSIASM!! - FRIENDLINESS!! – COMPETENCE!! – BOATING!!! – THE LIST GOES ON.

Recruiting on the Docks Have your materials ready. Vessel Examiners should have all forms, decals, pens and clipboard organized. Additionally, all vessel examiners should carry Handout Packets containing pertinent information for all boaters:

Recruiting on the Docks MEET AND EVALUATE: Situation 1: This boater takes care of the boat, has the right equipment on board and seems to care about being a good boater. They need not be perfect - just willing to learn. Consider this boater a prospect for the Auxiliary. Situation 2: This vessel is missing many safety items, has not been taken care of and the vessel operator seems inept in the handling of the boat. Consider this person as a prospect for a Public Education class. Perhaps, after a boating course has been taken, this boater will be a more viable candidate for membership.

Recruiting on the Docks CONNECT AND INVITE: Do you do a lot of boating? “Have you ever taken a boating safety class?” “We are looking for quality boaters such as you to get special training to work with the Coast Guard on a volunteer basis. Would you be interested in getting more information about this program?”

Recruiting on the Docks FOLLOW-UP AND SIGN-UP: The follow-up phone call should be made within 48 hours, or a written response received within one week. Sign them up for a class and/or invite them to an Auxiliary activity in the near future

Recruiting from New Members

Retention Members in REYR. –Obtain a list from the local IS officer of those in REYR –Contact those members to determine why they missed meeting the annual certification requirement –Ask them to recertify. For a VE it is just two (2) supervised VSCs. –Tell them they are NEEDED

Retention Be Pro-active! Identify those VEs at risk. Not meeting the minimum certification requirement. Encourage them to be active and that they are NEEDED