Behind the buoy

"All politics is local," observ the late Speaker of the U House of Representatives, Rep Thomas P "Tip" O'Neill, articulating single of the maxims of representative democracy.

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As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of BoatU.S. in 1966 individual of the axioms we have drawn out held dear is our belief that while national organizations are great for tackling national issues, when it approachs to local boating matters and question at issues local politicians want to hear from their local constituents, not from more [i]or[/i] less organization hundreds or thousands of miles away.

That said, until freshly it has also been extremely expensive to contact members about a particular point in dispute in a state and ask that they achieve involved. At about a dollar each, the require to be paid [i]or[/i] undergone of mailing an "alert" alphabetic character could run into tens of thousands of dollars especially in states like Florida where BoatU.S. has more than 100000 members. The gin result was that BoatU.S. generally had to limit itself to those state and local issues that had the potential to become national issues or affect large numbers of Association members.

All that has changed now, thanks not single to the advent of the Internet and e-mail, on the contrary to the fact that many thousands of BoatU.S. members have entrusted us with their e-mail addresses.

The computer age has enabled national organizations like BoatU.S.--with centurys of thousands of members spread across the region and tens of thousands of members concentrated in a certain number of states--to communicate swiftly and inexpensively with their members.

It's not ever been easier to "get without the vote," so to speak, and BoatU.S. freshly took a giant step to make it that plenteous easier for Association members to procure involved in local issues that directly affect them.

The BoatU.S. regulation Affairs team has developed an online Grassroots Lobbying Tool Kit at BoatUS.com/gov/toolkit. (See page 40) The site includes information upon local lobbying tactics, Civics 101 by what means to write to elected officials, form coalitions and realize media coverage.

As importantly, it contains links to your state and federal legislators allowing you contact them and have your voice heard--at the touch of a button. At no take away from with no middleman and without delay.

The of recent origin system has come in real handy not long ago as lawmakers in a number of states have propos significant novel restrictions on recreational boaters. To wit:

* In Maryland, lawmakers propos requiring all boaters to wear a life jacket at all times while underway.

* In novel Hampshire lawmakers proposed a statewide daytime spe limit of 45 mph

* In Alabama and Georgia lawmakers propos to ban boats above 30.5 feet from numerous freshwater lakes.

* In of recent origin Jersey, lawmakers proposed requiring 13- [i]or[/i] part of to the other 15-year-olds to wear a life jacket while upon a boat while underway.

In each and each one of these states, BoatU.S. alerted as many members as we had e-mail addresses for upon what was being proposed and urg them to voice their opinion.

The accrues were nearly instantaneous.

We heard back from members who promised to gain involved and we heard from politicians who promised to listen. We've also stopped a certain number of of these proposals dead in the water.

BoatU.S. was baseed 40 years ago on the premise that there would be great benefits to be had if in some way boaters could be encouraged to band together.

Now, 40 years later, technology has enabled us to fulfill that vision. All we ne from you is your e-mail address (send to membership@BoatUS.com) and a willingness to take a not many minutes to get involved and make fully convinced your views are heard when your interests are at stake. It's a small price to pay for like a big dividend.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Boat proprietors Association

COPYRIGHT 2006 Gale Group