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

Congratulations to each of you who contributed to the 17, 676 volunteer hours that our flotilla accumulated over the past year.  This shows the commitment that each of you has for the Auxiliary:

·        9,289 hours entered on your 7029 forms

·        2,343 hours of marine patrols

·        2,592 hours of administrative support

·        1,308 hours of operations support

·        135 hours of marine safety

·        193 hours of member training

·        87 hours of search and rescue

·        26 hours of recreational boating safety/marine dealer visits

·        846 hours of public affairs events

·        624 hours of public education courses

·        215 hours of vessel safety checks

·        14 hours of aids to navigation, health services, and recruiting assistance

Each of the forty-nine active members who share this commitment to serve the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary can be proud of what they achieved this past year.

The challenge is to get our inactive members to make a commitment to a few hours for the flotilla over the next few months. 

My tenure as Flotilla Commander was challenging, eventful, productive, and enjoyable.  I appreciate the support I received from the staff officers and the general membership.

As Immediate Past Commander, I will assist our new Commander in any way I can.  I will be available as a resource to the membership in addition to continuing my efforts with Public Education and Publications, and look forward to a new experience as Operations Officer.

Judi Bidwick
Flotilla Commander

 

Judi Bidwick, FC

Information

 

Important Notice Best Viewed With Windows Internet Explorer Flotilla Staff Officers                CM - Juan Hernandez                CS -  Denis Keyes                FN -  Janet Heijens                IS   - Harry Bruno                MA - Richard Markwitz                MS - Roman Gzyl                 MT -  Lou Magyar                OP - Jim Sleichert                PA - Al Bidwick                PB - Judi Bidwick                PE - Judi Bidwick                PS - John Kandes                PV - Jerry Mitchell                SR - Ruthanne Bruno                                       General Meeting:               First Tuesday - 1930                  Training Center               On The Water Training               Every Thursday - 0830                Marine Max, Venice

Vice Commander
Juan Hernandez Ph D

 

First and foremost, I wish you and yours a safe and joyful holiday season; we are happy that our seasonal members are back and look forward to working them again.  We had a productive year highlighted by important achievements and, thanks to  your support, we were also successful in managing the changes that took place at the training center and the Nokomis station.

I am appreciative for your support in electing Jim and me for leading the Flotilla next year.  We feel enthusiastic about the caliber of our staff and look forward to a rewarding year for all members.  We want to kick things off by engaging every member in helping us  maintain an environment of mutual cooperation, trust, communication, and goodwill when relating and working with each other – this is the hallmark of our Flotilla. Let us commit to behaviors and practices that will make this possible in all our activities

 ·         Trust one another's judgment and value each other's expertise.

·         Model honesty and integrity as expected behaviors of others.

·         Create a supportive work environment where each member is free to express
          their opinion and raise questions and concerns.

·         Respect all members as being of equal value. Recognize the contributions of
          others --congratulate them with specifics whenever possible.

·         Listen actively to one another, never interrupt, and be willing to graciously
          accept and adopt other's ideas or suggestions.

·         Share information in a complete and timely manner.

·         Place priority on fulfillment of Flotilla goals and support others efforts to achieve
          them. Pitch in to help someone else when needed - even if it's not your job.

·         Strive for excellence through continuous improvement in all aspects of your
          work.

·         Take initiative in personal development, keeping skills current and competitive.

·         Ask for only what you need; promise only what you can deliver; write down and
          fulfill promises; advise others as far in advance as possible when
          circumstances prevent you from fulfilling commitments.

·         Double-check everything you give to others for accuracy, completeness, and
          consistency.  

·         Be prepared to do your part. Maintain a positive attitude even when faced with
          less than desirable situations. Be mindful of others - modulate your voice,
          keep a sense of humor.

·         Take care of all items that need to be taken care of to keep our Flotilla
          functioning.

·         Create an environment where all enjoy participating in Flotilla activities and
          leave with a sense of joy, self-esteem, and achievement.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!  

Juan C. Hernandez
Vice Flotilla Commander

 

Aids To Navigation
Ed Stebner, FSO-AN

This will be my last Aids to Navigation article as the FSO-AN Officer, and I thank the Flotilla for this position. I have accepted the SO-AN position for Division 8, and hopefully, I will be able to obtain useful information to pass on to the new FSO-AN Officer. I plan on introducing and conducting new training aids and classes for all Aid-Verifiers, and members who want to become one.  I wish Joe Floyd the new FSO-AN, "good-luck;" I'm sure he will do a great job.  

Remember to continue reporting discrepancies & verifications and try to do some chart-updating in our AOR. Marinas and small-craft facilities have changed along the "ICW" AOR.

Thank you and calm seas,

Ed Stebner
FSO-AN

Communications Services
Henry Reynolds, FSO-CS
 

Status
  1.Processed 144 Information Notices YTD
  2.Processed 56 Miscellaneous Notices YTD

Henry S Reynolds
FSO-CM

Information Services
 Harry Bruno, FSO-IS

 

It seems there is always a great deal of paperwork associated with an Auxiliary member.  Completing forms can be confusing and bothersome.  However, remember you are helping the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard to have accurate records which are vital to government support, and they translate to money for Team Coast Guard. 

You should have completed all minimum requirements to retain your qualification in a specific area by this time.  Late submissions often result in the loss of certifications due to a year end cut-off date.  Check your status in AUXINFO to be sure all your currencies are met.  If there are any questions please be sure to contact me.  If you have decided to drop a particular certification please contact me or the FC to have the certification removed from AUXDATA so that it will not show in red as REYR in your records. 

Thank you for your continued cooperation.

Harry Bruno

FSO-IS

 

Materials
Ruth Bruno, FSO-MA

The holidays are upon us.  Be sure to explore the "shop auxiliary" button at the bottom of the Venice Auxiliary website (cgauxvenice.org) during your holiday shopping.  Help the Auxiliary Association support USCG programs by shopping online with special vendors.  Some vendors listed offer "direct discounts" to CGAUX members on the "Members Benefit Page."  This shopping is for all types of items not just Auxiliary supplies.  Help yourself by getting bargains while you help the Auxiliary!

Ruth Bruno,
FSO-PE

 

Marine Safety
Henry S Reynolds, FSO-MS

 

 Remember!

   

To Report Suspicious Activity: Call the National Response Center at 877-24WATCH If There Is Immediate Danger to Life or Property, Call 9-1-1 or Call the Coast Guard on Marine Channel 16

What "Suspicious Activity" Should I Look For?

Though you are the person best suited to identify a behavior or activity as "suspicious" in the area you're most familiar with, the following list contains some issues you may want to consider in making such a determination:

? People appearing to be engaged in surveillance of any kind (note taking, shooting video/photos, making sketches, or asking questions).

? Unattended vessels or vehicles in unusual
   locations.

? Lights flashing between boats.

? Unusual diving activity.

? Unusual number of people onboard.

? Unusual night operations.

? Recovering or tossing items into/onto the waterway or shoreline.

? Operating in or passing through an area that does not typically have such activity.

? Fishing/hunting in locations not typically used for those activities.

? Missing fencing or lighting near sensitive locations.

? Anchoring in an area not typically used for anchorage.

? Transfer of people or things between ships or between ship and shore
   outside of port.

? Anyone operating in an aggressive manner.

? Individuals establishing businesses or roadside food stands near sensitive
   locations.

? Small planes flying over critical locations.

? People attempting to buy or rent fishing or recreational vessels with cash for
   short-term, undefined use.

(Reprinted from the American Waterway Watch website)

Henry S Reynolds,
FSO-MS

 

 

Operations
Jim Sleichert, FSO-OP

Public Affairs
Al Bidwick, FSO-PA

 

Lately it seems that I have been getting a few “attaboys” from folks in the Auxiliary who seem to think that I am doing a pretty fair job.  I really appreciate those kind words, even though no one has actually offered me even the slightest monetary reward. 

Don’t get me wrong.  I really do appreciate getting recognized for a job well done, but I must point out that any success on my part is only because of the support I get from members of our flotilla.  I am blessed with a large cadre of members who recognize the importance of publicizing the contributions of the Coast Guard and Auxiliary and supporting our Public Affairs Activities.  No matter what I ask, you come forward to help.  It doesn’t matter whether we are staffing an information booth, supporting vessel exams, advertizing public education, photographing/reporting on flotilla events, writing articles, or even marching in parades, our members turn out, usually in numbers greater that I actually need.

I can’t thank you enough for all your support!

Al Bidwick,
FSO-PA        

Public Educationon
Ruth Bruno, FSO-PE

The year is coming to a close with much success in the PE Department.  In 2008 we graduated 78 BS&S students, 28 GPS students and 2 public education ACN students.  In addition we had 4 students on board for the OWT PE class and have a group waiting for upcoming scheduling.  In addition the PE department was represented at the following events:  Shark's Tooth Festival in April; the Girl Scout event in May, two preschool education sessions in June, at National Safe Boating week booths, at the "Keep Sarasota Beautiful" event in May at the Venice Community Center and at an education class given aboard the catamaran Aquarian Quest in November.  Our VE officers also advertise our classes at the Venice Train Station and at each vessel exam.  We thank the PA department and the VE department for their help and support of the public education program.

Ruth Bruno
FSO-PE