America's Volunteer
Lifesavers

            

Flotilla 8-6 Venice, FL             www.cgauxvenice.org           7th District

Denis Keyes, Commander            Judi Bidwick, Vice-Commander

Flotilla Commander's Message

 

Fred Shaneyfelt has arranged for CPO Carol Mullins to conduct a "Train the Trainer" session at 1800 before our next meeting on April 4th

I encourage all members to attend this Water Way Watch Training Session and become part of this program which has been given exclusively to the Auxiliary to implement and administer. It is our opportunity to meet one-on-one with the public and show how they can strengthen the Nations security by becoming another set of eyes and ears for the community.

Please remember April 4th, 1800 right before the next monthly meeting.

The topic of reporting hours always surfaces every week or so. There are many in the Flotilla who regularly report hours on either the 7029 form (99 hour form) or the 7030 form (Mission Activity). The only way our Flotilla is recognized for its accomplishments is by submitting these forms.

I know it's sometimes difficult to deal with the paperwork, but if we don't submit it we deprive the Flotilla and our fellow members the recognition they deserve.

After last months meeting I sent a note of Thanks to Nora Patterson for addressing our membership. She responded " My pleasure. What a great group of people you are! Nora." I also want to extend my appreciation to the many members who attended and showed support for our Flotilla. The County Commissioners are the ones responsible for allocating funds to the Auxiliary and I believe we did a great job in showing the Commissioner the type of organization we are.

We're about to change On the Water Uniforms as the sun gets stronger and the temperature gets hotter. Please remember to put on appropriate sun protection before getting on board and drink water BEFORE you get thirsty.

Denis Keyes

Denis Keyes, FC

Contents

 

Important Notice No Notices Flotilla Staff Officers  AN - Ed Stebner  AV - Al Bidwick  CM - Garlan Russ  CS - Henry Reynolds  FN - Janet Heijens  IS -   Harry Bruno  MA - Ruthanne Bruno  MS - Henry Reynolds  MT - John Harrison  OP - Jim Sleichert  PA - Al Bidwick  PB - Monique Ring  PE - Ruthanne Bruno  PS - Paul Corcoran  PV - John Kandes  SR - Ruthanne Bruno  VE - Denis Keyes General Meeting: First Tuesday - 1930 Training Center On The Water Training Every Tuesday - 0830 Moorings

Vice Commander's Message
Judi Bidwick, VFC

For those of you who missed the Operations Workshop, I will include in my message this month the preface to the presentation.

With all of our new members this year, it is important that we reaffirm our Flotilla values and our dedication to the Auxiliary and its cornerstones.

The following seven values are critical to the well being and positive growth of our flotilla:

• MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE-in actions and relationships
  · TEAMBUILDING-working together effectively and debriefing in a meaningful way

• SETTING HIGH STANDARDS-- in relationships with others; participation in flotilla activities; setting goals; performing our jobs as member, officer, crew, coxswain; and appearance.

• MENTORING NEW MEMBERS AND THOSE GOING FOR NEW POSITIONS-make routine contacts; guide toward their interests; be familiar with the Member Resources Document; and encourage the new member

• PROMOTE A POSITIVE IMAGE-our actions represent both the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary; our radio communications; our demeanor at boat ramps, shows, on the water, and with groups; our interactions with each other; and in wearing our uniform

• CHAIN OF LEADERSHIP-- respect it; use it; know where to go for assistance, recourse, concerns; officers are responsible to the Vice Commander

• MAINTAIN SAFETY-in the classroom; in member training; on patrols; on search and rescue. Avoid attitudes that hinder safety. Work as a team; maintain a sterile helm; share criticisms in a positive way; always debrief whether training or SAR.

Be a positive, contributing member of a productive, volunteer group. A good, positive attitude contributes more than a negative, critical one!

I want to thank all of the instructors and assistants who gave time to the Public Education Program. Without your dedication we wouldn't have the excellent program we maintain each year.

Please volunteer to join us at the Shark's Tooth Festival on Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9. We will have a booth set up to greet people, hand out Auxiliary information, and talk about our classes. A sign up sheet will circulate during the meeting on Tuesday, April 4.

Our Public Education GPS course will be held on Wednesday, May 17.

Judi Bidwick

Aids To Navigation
Ed Stebner, FSO-AN

 

 

Take Note: APRIL IS PATON MONTH

This spring of the year inspection is necessary to update all of the PATONS (Private Aids To Navigation) for damage that occurred throughout last year. Let's keep an extra lookout for the PATONS in isolated areas that were damaged or missing. Remember: We do not patrol all of these areas on a routine basis. Don't overlook isolated areas.

Please coordinate the inspections systematically with your safety patrol boats to have an Aid Verifier on board to work each particular area in your AOR until completed.

Every Federal Aid, Private Aid, Bridge, and other charted shoreline features should be continuously checked for discrepancies each time that they are passed while on an authorized Auxiliary Patrol or just passing casually, not just during PATON month.

Remember: to receive credit in AUX DATA for an ATON Mission you must-fill out a 7030 Aid to Navigation Mission, numbers 30, 31, and 32.

Ed Stebner

Communications
Walt Jennings, FSO-CM

 

 

 

All Coxswains and Radio Watchstanders are reminded of the following procedures when reporting in and/or calling each other on the VHF radio.

1. Vessel call signs contain 5 numbers.
     a. The first 2 numbers are our Flotilla number, 86.
      b. The last 3 numbers are the last 3 numbers of the Coxswains member number.

2. When a vessel is reporting in, the vessel should:
     a. Report their physical location.
     b. Report their direction of travel as north or south.
     c. Speak the words "Ops normal" if, in fact, their patrol operations are normal, and there is nothing else to report.


Walt Jennings 

Information Services
Harry Bruno, FSO-IS

 

 

 

The web site below will give you the CURRENT information on ICS course requirements for Auxiliary members.

The site not only gives you current guidance, but also gives you links and information on taking the courses.

http://cgauxsurfaceops.us/ICS.htm

Please be sure you forward letters OR certificates regarding ICS tests passed to me at harryb86@comcast.net or mail them to 494 Summerfield Way, Venice, FL 34292.
 

Reminder: Be sure you are completing a 7029 form with your hours and forwarding it to me for credit.

NO FORMS ......NO CREDIT.........TO YOU OR THE FLOTILLA!!!!!

Thanks for your cooperation.

Harry Bruno, FSO-IS

Marine Safety
Fred Shaneyfelt, FSO-MS

 

 

Since 9/11 a lot of awareness programs have been introduced to secure our safety. One of these programs is America Water Way Watch.

 

For quite some time our vessel examiners have been reaching out with posters, pamphlets and decals to reach as many boaters as possible. Hundreds have been reached; now we (Flotilla 8-6) must take the next step to expand our goal to reach thousands.

 

This goal is reachable with your help, so mark your calendar for April 4th and attend our Training on AWW / Sea Partners at 1800 hrs.

With your help in a new program called REACHING OUT FOR AWW our goal will be reached.

MARK IT DOWN: APRIL 4 AT 1800 hrs Training Center and be part of a team to keep our waterways safe.

Fred Shaneyfelt
FSO-MS

Operations
Juan Hernandez, FSO-OP

I want to start this month's report by thanking you for your participation in the first 2006 Operations Workshop. We want all members to become part of SMART Operations Team and support these principles while participating in Safety Patrols and On-the-Water-Training (OWT).

We welcome your feedback about ways to maintain and continuously enhance:

• Safety

• Mission Analysis

• Awareness

• Risk Management

• Teamwork

Take an active role in developing and supporting activities that help us achieve and maintain excellence in Operations, it's the SMART thing to do!

The Training on Patrols (TOPS) program is in full swing - our sincere thanks and appreciation go to the coxswains and crew members that helped launch this program and are actively contributing to its continued success. In addition to training and patrol area familiarization, TOPS provides the opportunity to do ACM (Annual Currency Maintenance) on weekends.

We will hold ICS (Incident Command System) training in April and an OPEX session in May. I will be sending out more information for these activities via e-mail soon.

Juan C. Hernandez,
FSO/OP

 

MINUTES-MARCH 7, 2006
USCG AUXILIARY, FLOTILLA 8-6
(These are abbreviated Minutes- full Minutes available in Secretary's Manual)

Flotilla Commander, Denis Keyes called the meeting to order at 1935 with 35 members in attendance.

GUESTS: Commissioner Nora Patterson, DCP Raymond Paysour, DCVP Fred Kermode and Sue and John Semple..

I. FC Denis Keyes thanked everyone for coming. He then presented an overview of Flotilla 86.

II. VFC Judi Bidwick spoke of the structure and success of the PE On the Water Training Program. She then introduced Sue and John Semple who were participants in the PE OWT program. The Semples spoke enthusiastically about their experiences with the PE/OWT program. They pointed out the valuable learning experience the program offered to them.

III. FC introduced Commissioner Nora Patterson. Commissioner Patterson praised our flotilla for its organization, extensive member support and the many goals we have accomplished. She went on  to review Sarasota County programs in relation to Coastal Operation, Boating Safety, red tide, green standards, and a concerted Inland Management Program. The Commissioner then addressed questions from the floor.

IV. STAFF OFFICERS' REPORTS: The Finance Report was presented and approved.
FSO-AN: Ed Stebner spoke about our area of responsibility. A seminar will be forthcoming.
FSO-PA: Al Bidwick asked for volunteers for the Sharks' Tooth Festival, April 7, 8 and 9. He also announced Safe Boating Week begins 5/20.
FSO-MT: Bud Beeman stated Patrols Class begins 3/9 and CPR instruction on 3/11 both at 9 a.m.
3/28 OWT cancelled in lieu of an Operations Workshop at the training center.
FSO-PE: Judi Bidwick stated workshops for ICS are being planned for 6/30 and 9/30. At present, two
PE classes are complete and the ACN is in session.
FSO-PS: Paul Corcoran announced he has four new members working through various stages of
enrollment.
FSO:VE: Henry Reynolds reported that 137 vessel exams have been given, 96 of which were done by
Patrick Wheeler. VE's to be given 3/17 and 3/18 at South Bay. Fred Shaneyfelt and
Art Sperling are now qualified to certify Captains or Masters for REC. Members were asked
to encourage Captains of uninspected passenger vessels to have them inspected.
MAINTENANCE: Bob High thanked the many volunteers for their excellent work installing carpet
at Diraux.
MENTOR: Jerry Hopfengardner noted the program replacing CC is Academy Admissions Participation
Program. He asked members to refer him to any group he could address regarding recruitment.
He also said the AIM program is still in effect for high school students.

All other staff reports appear in the current Fore and Aft.

Flotilla Commander invited Raymond Paysour, DCP to say a few words. Raymond congratulated Flotilla 86 on its excellent leadership and continued member involvement. He pointed out that Flotilla 86 has the largest membership of the Flotillas in Division 8. Raymond also announced that Al Bidwick would be assuming the role of Division PA officer.

AWARDS:
Boat Crew: John Kandes
Watchstander: Mike Marmion
Seamanship Specialist: Jean Ozimek, Stan Ozimek
Aux Fingerprint Exam: Ed Stebner, Pat Stebner
Goodmate program: Garland Russ, Ed Stebner
ICS-100: Pat Stebner, Ed Stebner, Henry Reynolds, Ruth Bruno, Harry Bruno
Facility: Double-Deuce
Appointments: Bud Beeman, FSO-MT; Fred Shaneyfelt, FSO-MS
Sustained Auxiliary Service Award: Judi Bidwick (6th Award)
Aux Annual Service Award: Patti Sperling (10 years) 5 Feb 06

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2055.
Respectfully submitted,,
Ruthanne Bruno, Secretary