America's Volunteer
Lifesavers

            

Flotilla 86 Venice, FL             www.cgauxvenice.org           7th District

Judi Bidwick, Commander            Juan Hernandez PhD, Vice-Commander

Flotilla Commander's Message

From the Commander

Recently, a cadre of dedicated workers has begun to transform the garage at the moorings into an instructional area and watch stander station.  These transformations are becoming a reality slowly but surely.  Within the next few weeks we should have this room fully functional.  We are very fortunate to have folks who have the necessary skills to get the major and minor work completed.  Some of the work accomplished to date:  planned and secured materials for renovation, erected a storage shed, tore down the internal garage wall, put up two external walls and one internal wall and door, installed two outside doors and one window, patched concrete walls, patched and sanded wallboard, moved ceiling lights, adjusted two garage doors, took a trip to the dump, made trips to Home Depot, diverted drainage lines, etc.  Ed Stebner, Harry Bruno, Jim Sleichert, Joe Floyd, Al Bidwick, Bob Stutzman, Ron Roth, Patrick Wheeler, Stan Ozimek, John Harrison, Juan Hernandez, Richard Putnam, Tom Norton worked to achieve our goal of having this additional training area.  Lou Magyar and Walt Jennings assisted in the planning stage.Garland “Russ” Russ who owns Acme Air Conditioning has again donated materials and labor to install central air conditioning in the garage.  Russ outfitted the 86 Training Facility and DIRAUX WEST with AC/heat pumps in addition to this recent effort.  We all owe many thanks to Russ, one of our newest members who has donated his time and efforts in more than one area.

Our Flotilla Directory was given out at the January meeting.  If you have not received yours please let Harry Bruno know.  Thanks to Denis Keyes, we were able to publish the directory ourselves.

Three of our Facilities took part in the Gasparilla Festival Boat Parade in Tampa recently.  Walt Jennings with Ruth and Harry Bruno and Charlie Dulany as crew; Judi Bidwick with Jim Sleichert, Bill Cabana, and Al Bidwick as Crew; and Patrick Wheeler on his PWC all took part as patrol vessels assisting with boat control.  Fortunately this year the weather cooperated on both ends of the trip.

Recently the USCG put out an article on the Healy accident where two divers succumbed after diving in cold water in the Arctic. There are valuable lessons to be learned by all of us regarding leadership, risk management, training, and program oversight that apply to all Coast Guard as well as  Auxiliary operations. When we are assigned to patrols, SARs, or training on the water, it is important to put into effect the lessons learned from TCT, specifically, risk management.  Weather, crew resource management, and the task should be examined carefully.  Just because we are called out for a SAR, often we jump into the boat, get directions, and go.  It's equally important to look at the mission in a different way.  What if you are caught out in foul weather, you haven't eaten, you're tired, communications are poor, there needs to be a consistent means for assessing what needs to be done immediately. We all want to help victims but we don't want to become victims ourselves.

Judi Bidwick, FC
 Flotilla Commander

Judi Bidwick, FC

 

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
Juan Hernandez Ph D

 

Fellow Members,

This has been an active month and we are off to an excellent start, as shown by the following milestones:

·       The renovation of the Nokomis station is almost complete and we thank all the members who are contributing their time, resources and effort to this project; more to come next month.

·       MT is launching the Operational Excellence Program – an exciting member training opportunity for qualified crew and coxswains.

·     Initial goals have been established by most of the staff; see the list shown below.  I encourage you to review these goals and contact the appropriate FSO to get actively involved.  The final list will be published next month.

I am looking forward to working with all of you throughout the year, to your contributions and to the new opportunities that our program will offer all members.

Juan C. Hernandez,
 VFC

                                                               Flotilla 86 Goals
                                                                          

Function	Maintenance Goals	Developmental Goals	Cross-functional Goals
Aid to Navigation (AN)	TBA
Communications (CM)	TBA
Communication Services (CS)	Continue to maintain the Flotilla web site in a proficient manner.	Investigate moving the web site to another ISP to increase management control and/or decrease cost.	Work with FSOs to disseminate their information to the membership in a timely manner.
Finance (FN)	TBA
Information Systems (IS)	* Entry of all forms on a timely basis. * Report statistics and changes to members.	* Offer direct assistance to new members on completing forms * Create a pamphlet that can be distributed to new and existing members that      explains the forms process.	* Provide training on POMS * Make presentations on proper entries and submissions
Materials (MA)	* Provide information to members on where they can order items. * Continue close working relationship with ANSC.	* Create a handout describing the appropriate uniforms and when to wear them. * Develop an assistant who will learn the order process. * Seek vendors to supply items at a discounted rate without shipping costs.	* Ask OP and MT officers to refer any member who needs assistance with uniforms. * Have PS officer submit names of new members to contact those regarding uniforms.
Marine Safety (MS)	* Continue to make presentations to members of the flotilla on all aspects of Marine Safety, Sea Partners & America Waterway Watch.	* Develop safety message information cards to get the message of Safe Boating to our community. * Submit Grant for funding of trading card project to BoatUS.	* Pursue working relationships with Division and National MS officers for presentations, programs, working materials and ideas to inject into our flotilla.
Member Training (MT)	* Continue to offer OWT to qualify crew and coxswain candidates. * Offer AUXOP courses through the year to prepare Members to gain the AUXOP distinction	* Implement Operational Excellence program.	* Utilize Mentors to assist Members in gaining crew, coxswain, or AUXOP qualifications.
Boat Safety Program Visitor (PV)	* Average (4) marine visits per month.	* Get more kayak information and do kayak demos.	* Do PWC demos and try to attract the "younger" audience.
Operations (OP)	* Continue to provide safety patrols and support of other events. * Verify that yearly inspections are done in a timely fashion. * Check crew and coxswain equipment regularly and replace it as required. * Check 7030s are completed properly.	* Support implementation of Operational Excellence program.	* Work with MT to offer informative OWT sessions. * Coordinate with other flotillas for OWT sessions in our area * Coordinate schedules with CM for watchstanders support for all patrols
Public Affairs (PA)	* Publicize the aims, purposes, and activities of the Auxiliary in order to develop public understanding and appreciation of its role. * Assist the Coast Guard in carrying out its public information program. * Maintain a liaison with local news media for the publicity of Auxiliary Activities. * Coordinate the development of articles for local and national Auxiliary publications. * Encourage active participation of unit members in events promoting safe boating. * Urge unit members to inform the Public Affairs Officer of newsworthy events, past or future, so that suitable publicity can be provided. * Enlist the assistance of unit members in the accumulation of photographs of Auxiliary activities appropriate for use in flotilla, division, and district publications, as well as for general public release.	* Develop collegial, cooperative relationships with PA Officers in                        other flotillas to develop performance improvement strategies. * Compile a list of Civic Organizations which might be interested in learning more about the Auxiliary and offer to speak at their meetings.	* Assist in the publicity of Public Education and Vessel Examination activities. * Assist in the planning and conducting of activities such as seminars, forums and boating safety lectures for the public.
Publications (PB)	To publish meaningful information online	Copy and send out written copies of the newsletter to all retired members and to those who don’t have a computer	Generate more interest in creating articles for the newsletter from each officer.  Share information with the Division 8 online publication.
Public Education (PE)	*   Continue to offer PE courses that meet public need. *   Continue to distribute related materials to PE class attendees that reference related FSO subjects.	* Meet with other flotillas to explore new ideas * Create a close association with SO-PE to gain input into the overall system.	*   Have PE members sign up for a VSC at classes. *   Work with PV officer to obtain discount coupons for marine stores for  PE class members. *   Work with PA officer to explore new ways to promote PE classes.
Personnel Services (PS)	* Continue to process new members through the initial qualification as quickly as possible, approximately four hours.	* Work with PB to support the Bright Futures program -- High School students put in 150 hours of community service and have great possibilities for recruiting young people into the Auxiliary.	* Get every member to promote the Auxiliary and refer candidates to the FSO/PS
Vessel Examiner (VE)	* Maintain or increase the number of Vessel Examiners and vessels checked from the 2006 levels.	* Conduct a refresher class for experienced VEs and PVs with emphasis on Boater Safety education.	* Work with the Mentors and the FSO-PS to encourage new members to become VE certified * Work with the FSO-PV to develop teams consisting of VE and PV personnel to work together at Vessel Examination sites.
Mentor	* Provide a compatible mentor pairing for new members, crew candidates and coxswain candidates. The program will include:     - guides for the new member     - Member Involvement Plan     - coordination with MT     - communication channels

 

Download Microsoft Word Version of "Flotilla 86 Goals"

 

Information Services
Harry Bruno, FSO-IS

Please access the e-directory on the National website and activate your email account.  The website address is www.cgaux.org – click on Members, then on e-directory.  Log on by using your ID number as your sign on and create a password. Once you are in the e-directory, find your name and double click on it and check the information that is listed there to be sure it is correct.  This will activate your email account.  Our District office is requesting all members do this for security reasons.  Please do this as soon as possible.

Also, on the National website VALUE ADDED TRAINING has been added under Training.  This offers easy courses with no tests which give you added information for qualifications in many areas. (this does not qualify you; it just gives some additional information that is helpful).  To access: Click Member – the Training – and scroll down to Value Added Training.

REMINDER:  Coxswains, please be sure to change 22A (on OWT days) to 01A on your 7030 forms when in POMS before submission.  If you do not do this your patrol will be invalid and no one will get credit. 

Also, PLEASE NOTE:  Coxswains:  Remember when you have a coxswain serving as crew on your patrol, remember to put that coxswains name in the Remarks section of the 7030 that they are acting as crew.  Example:  Remarks:  “John Doe/coxswain as crew.”  If you have any questions please contact me.  

Harry Bruno,
FSO-IS/SO-IS

 

Materials
Ruth Bruno, FSO-MA

 

 

If anyone is interested in purchasing a military type belt for their ODU uniform please contact me by email or phone.  I am trying to locate a vendor so we can order these as a group.

New Forms:  Please be aware new forms have been issued for the following:  Facility Inspection Forms:  Vessel 7003, Radio 7004, Aircraft 7005 and PWC 7008;

Also form ANSC 7065-Vehicle offer for use has been added; ANSC 7054-ATON, ANSC-7001-Membership Application.  All of these forms are date 1-07 and are available on the National website under forms.  I also have a hard copy of these forms should you need to copy them and cannot download them.  The previous edition of these forms may not be used.   My email and phone are:   Harryb86@comcast.net  or 941-496-9574.  As always, I am available to assist you with any questions or problems in reference to materials.   

Ruth Bruno
FSO-MA

Member Training
Bud Beeman, FSO-MT

 

OWT sessions continue at Nokomis Moorings each Tuesday at 0830 hours.  The sessions are reviews of NAV Rules, Seamanship, Communications, knots, forms, etc. and are designed to refresh skills for all Members, not just for crew or coxswain training.

Efforts of all Members who have worked so long and hard (and skillfully) on the remodeling of the Moorings are deeply appreciated, and will make that location far more functionable than before.

An AUXPAT (Patrols) class will begin on 12 February if there are three or more sign up. It will be in five sessions, Mondays and Thursdays.
An AUXSAR (Search and Rescue) class will begin on 5 March, and run Mondays and Thursdays through 29 March, eight sessions total. This is a class likely to be offered only once this year, so take advantage of this opportunity.

The six courses needed for AUXOPS (Auxiliary Operations) recognition are:
Seamanship, Patrols, Communications, Advanced Coastal Navigation, Search and Rescue, and Weather. 

A Team Coordination Training (TCT) course that is an all-day session is required every five years. Tentatively one is scheduled for the District at FL86 Venice on February 24, and will send more info as it is received. Only three of these required sessions are offered during the year, so don't miss it even though you may not need it quite yet.
An annual one-hour refresher TCT is required, but can be given by a Flotilla member.

Any crew member wishing to go for coxswain, please see me.  No boat necessary.
See you Tuesday 0830, every Tuesday,

 Bud Beeman,
 FSO/MT 86 

Public Affairs
Al Bidwick, FSO-PA

 

This is just to remind you that any flotilla member may write an article for publication. However, what is written must be submitted to me as the Flotilla Public Affairs Staff Officer.  After reviewing the article and making any necessary corrections, I must forward the article up the chain to Division and District Officers for approval.  Following approval, the article is returned to the originator through me and may be readied for publication.  All of this should take just a few days.  The purpose is to ensure that the final product is professionally written, accurate, and meets acceptable writing standards.

Al Bidwick
FSO-PA

 

Public Education
Ruth Bruno, FSO-PE

Classes have begun with 24 students enrolled in BS&S, and 6 PE students and 2 MT students in the ACN.  The students are bright, enthusiastic and highly motivated so this should be a great season! 

Plans are set for a meeting at our Flotilla in March to enable all the Division PE officers to get together and explore new ideas.  Watch for more information.

Ruth Bruno
FSO-PA

Would You Like To Attend a "C" School?

 Coast Guard Auxiliarists have an opportunity to gain additional knowledge, skills, and qualifications by participating in training programs.

 “C” Schools are short term resident training schools that are usually one week or less in duration and are paid for out of Coast Guard training funds.  You donate your time and the Coast Guard pays for the travel costs.

Auxiliarists are eligible to attend any “C” School provided they meet the course prerequisites, and their training request is approved by the program manager for that “C” School.  They may only attend one “C” School per year.

 Step One
Go to the web: http://cschool.auxservices.org
This site is USCG Auxiliary C-School Portal. Check the C-School Listing and see if there is something that is of interest to you that will also benefit the flotilla.

Step Two
Choose your school, time, date & location. Make sure that school is more than 60 days or more from starting. This will give ample time for processing at DIRAUX and at C-School.

While still at this site you can fill in a Short Term Training Request (STTR) or fill one in from our Web site under Members Resources. Forms & Manuals: CG52233

Step Three
STTR Form must be submitted to FLOTILLA COMMANDER for approval and submission to DIRAUX for final approval. Flotilla Commander submits to DIRAUX in Miami.
 

Revised Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Manual
(Submitted by Jim Sleichert and Bud Beeman)

The revised Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Manual, COMDTINST M16794.51A has been signed and will become effective as of 01 January 2007. The manual is being released now to give members as much time as possible to become familiar with the changes made to the Boat Crew Training Program.

NEXCOM Approves Revision To The Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Program

This year, there has been an effort underway to revise the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Program. The US Coast Guard Auxiliary Standardization Team, which consists of an Operational Training Officer (OTO), a QE/QE-PWC, a Chief QE, a District Commodore, the DC-O and the Chief DIRAUX Surface Operations Chief, was responsible for this review. These revisions were recently approved by the NEXCOM. The final instruction will be signed and promulgated to all members no later than January 1st, 2007.

In an effort to provide as much information to the membership about the changes that are planned, the Office of the Chief Director and the Department of Operations is providing this “SITREP”. A summary of the major changes follows below.

Brief Summary of Changes:

·  Incorporation of a Qualification Examiner (QE) Guide to the Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Manual.

·  Changed some initial qualification tasks from optional to required, removed some optional tasks, and changed some optional tasks to waiverable by DIRAUX.

·  Changed the required number of underway time from 8 hours to 12 hours per year, which can be earned as either coxswain or crew. (That is, coxswains can serve as crew members to achieve the new 12 hour requirement!)

·  Annual tasks currency maintenance tasks have been removed!

·  Five year QE Check ride will be reduced to every three years. (Implementation plan pending approval.) But if you are due in 2007 or 2008, be looking for the new task list. You will probably be completing the revised check ride with a QE sometime in 2007.

·  Check ride tasks are being revised and will be published when approved. There will be a few additional tasks in the new check ride taken from the qualification check ride tasks. Nothing you haven't done before, but you might not have done some for a while.

·  One hour annual TCT review, designed by the Department of Operations

Implementation Plan for Re-certification Check Rides:

Effective as of 01 January 2007 the five year currency maintenance requirements (check ride) cycle will change to a three year cycle. The three year cycle begins in 2007. Scheduling is as follows:

·  Last check ride 2002 or 2003-Next Check ride 2007 - complete New Tasks

·  Last check ride 2004 –Next Check ride 2008 - complete New Tasks

· Last check ride 2005 or 2006 - Next Check ride 2009 - complete New Tasks

FAQs concerning the new Boat Crew Requirements:

Boat Crew FAQs
 

MINUTES-January 9, 2007
U.S.C.G. AUXILIARY, FLOTILLA 86
 

Commander Bidwick called the meeting to order at 1930 with 31 members present and guest,  Jim Henry, visiting from Michigan.  The Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation followed.

FC REPORT:  Judi Bidwick:
  * Judi Bidwick reviewed the new Directories making some corrections.
  * Members asked to request removal of any REYR for certifications they no

    longer wish to carry.
  * A thank you was expressed to Lou Magyar, Mike Marmion, Patrick

    Wheeler and Al Bidwick for installing the new sound system.
  * Staff officers were asked to submit their Goals and Objectives to VFC

    Hernandez.
  * Division Meeting was held last Saturday at which it was decided to

    combine flotilla efforts in various areas by holding meetings to discuss

    new approaches.  The first meeting will be held at Flotilla 86 on March 24,

    9:00 a.m.  The subject will be Public Education.
  * Mandatory workshops will be scheduled this year.
  * An Executive Summary of the Newsletter was distributed.
  * At the suggestion of Bob High various subjects from our Directives and

    Auxiliary Manual will be reviewed at each meeting. 

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:  Accepted by motion as they appear in the Fore and Aft.

UNIFORM REVIEW:   Judi Bidwick reviewed the proper uniforms for various auxiliary activities.  Each uniform was worn by one of our members.

FINANCE REPORT:  Accepted by motion

STAFF REPORTS: 
FSO-AN:   Ed Stebner told members of a new form #7054 for reporting ATON information.  He reviewed reporting procedures.  Ed plans to present an in-service in the future.

FSO-CS:    Henry Reynolds asked members to let him know if they received the email he sent.  This will enable him to set up an appropriate distribution list.

FSO-VE:    Henry Reynolds said the decals for VSC for 2007 are here.  They are green in color.  There will be a VE meeting at the next Flotilla meeting convening at 1830 prior to the general meeting.

FSO-IS       Harry Bruno made a copy of the Unit Summary Report available to members.
 He thanked members who submit their forms in a timely manner and encourages everyone
 to submit their forms.

FSO-MA:   Ruth Bruno asked any member who would like to order a belt for the ODU to please let her know. Members can now order uniforms from the Uniform Procurement website

FSO-MS:   Fred Shaneyfelt spoke on the Sea Partners and AWW programs.  Literature will be made available when people are given a VSC.

FSO-MT:    Bud Beeman stated member training is going well.

FSO-PA:     Al Bidwick said we received excellent media coverage for our PE classes.

FSO-OP:     Jim Sleichert emailed the Calendar for February.  He asked coxswains to submit their dates for patrols.

FSO-PE;     Ruth Bruno told members the BS&S class has begun with 24 students and the ACN course with 6 public education students.

FSO-PS:     Paul Corcoran is interviewing one candidate for membership from the previous BS&S class.

MAINTENANCE:    John Harrison announced plans for the renovations of the building at the Moorings in Nokomis.  He asked for volunteers for this project as well as help in rebuilding the overhang on our T.C.

FELLOWSHIP:       John Harrison suggested we hold a fellowship get together every month charging $5 pp to cover refreshments.  John agreed to chair the Fellowship Committee.  Judi Bidwick said  Juan Hernandez is working on setting up a luncheon boat trip for March.

AWARDS:

TEAM COORDINATION TRAINING:  Jean and Stan Ozimek

AUX WEATHER SPECIALIST:  Jean and Stan Ozimek

NAV RULES EXAM:   Charlie Dulany

COXSWAIN:  Jean and Stan Ozimek

INSTRUCTOR:  Garland Russ

BOAT CREW:  Pat Stebner

5yr COXSWAIN CERT.:  Charlie Dulany

AUX OP:  Patrick Wheeler

FACILITY INSPECTIONS:  John Harrison, Garland Russ 

OLD BUSINESS:  Judi Bidwick reminded volunteers that work will begin shortly on the Moorings and that arrangements are being made to pick up the materials.

NEW BUSINESS:  Judi Bidwick reviewed details of the meeting she attended with the Sarasota Commissioners in reference to grant monies.  Commissioners explored creative ways to properly fund the grants this year.

* Guenther Hennig suggested members read the excellent article that was
received via email entitled:  “Can the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Survive the 21^st Century?”

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2100.  Our next meeting will be held February 6, at 1930 at the Training Center.

Respectfully submitted,

Ruthanne Bruno,
FSO-SR