America's Volunteer
Lifesavers

            

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

 Juan Hernandez PhD, Commander           James Sleichert, Vice-Commander

Flotilla Commander's Message

From the Commander

Fellow members,

It gives me great pleasure to share with you the Division awards our members and the Flotilla received at the Division meeting last month.  Our members and the Flotilla received a total of 22 awards, 15 individual and 7 Flotilla awards.  This is truly outstanding and our heartfelt congratulations go to these members and to all of you for such remarkable achievements.

Our IPFC, Judi Bidwick, deserves special recognition for winning the Outstanding Flotilla Commander and the Member with Most Reported Hours for 2008. Equally important, our VFC, Jim Sleichert, was also recognized as the Most Valuable Member for 2008.

Award	Name	Category	Place
1.    Member Achievement	Julia E. Bidwick	Public Education	1st Place
2.    Member Achievement	Julia E. Bidwick	Public Affairs	1st Place
3.    Member Achievement	Julia E. Bidwick	Auxiliary Administrative Support	1st Place
4.    Member Achievement	Harry E. Bruno	Public Education	2nd Place
5.    Member Achievement	Harry E. Bruno	CG Administrative Support	2nd Place
6.    Member Achievement	Harry E. Bruno	Operations	2nd Place
7.    Member Achievement	Walter P. Jennings	Marine Environmental Protection	3rd Place
8.    Member Achievement	Louis M. Magyar	CG Administrative Support	1st Place
9.    Member Achievement	Henry S. Reynolds	Marine Environmental Protection	1st Place
10. Member Achievement	Arthur W. Sperling	Health Services	2nd Place
11. Member Achievement	Patrick G. Wheeler	Vessel Examiner	1st Place
12. Seventh Coast Guard District	Julia E. Bidwick, FC	Flotilla with Most Reported Hours for 2008	Plaque
13. Seventh Coast Guard District	Julia E. Bidwick	Member with Most Reported Hours for 2008	Plaque
14. Seventh Coast Guard District	Julia E. Bidwick	Outstanding Flotilla Commander	Plaque
15. Award of Merit	James P. Sleichert	Most Valuable Member	Certificate
1.    Flotilla Achievement	Flotilla 86	Public Education	3rd Place
2.    Flotilla Achievement	Flotilla 86	Operations	3rd Place
3.    Flotilla Achievement	Flotilla 86	CG Operations Support	2nd Place
4.    Flotilla Achievement	Flotilla 86	Health Services	2nd Place
5.    Flotilla Achievement	Flotilla 86	Marine Environmental Protection	2nd Place
6.    Flotilla Achievement	Flotilla 86	Public Affairs	3rd Place
7.    Award of Merit	Flotilla 86	CG Administrative Support	1st Place

We had an active month, some of the key activities included:  a GPS class for 18 students March 23 – April 2; a fellowship luncheon on March 24th; a QE mission on March 26; and the Division picnic at Station Cortez on April 17th.

Congratulations are in order for the following members who were successful in re-qualifying during the QE mission: Ed Stebner as coxswain and Janet Heijens, Ron Roth and Roland Couture as crew members.

 

The radio room project and other activities required to complete the relocation from the Nokomis station, such as assembling the storage shed, have been completed.  Members of the team that worked on these activities were recognized at our last meeting and, I want to thank them again for their outstanding support.

Finally, I want to share with you information about two projects that our Flotilla is leading at the national level, namely, the Digital Selective Calling Tracking and Navigation System (DSC-TNS) and the Flotilla Leadership Academy program. 

The DSC-TNS will be presented to the National Area Planning Meeting in Miami on Friday, April 24^th.  We plan to train teams of radio watch standers to help support and deploy this system locally and throughout the country. 

The Flotilla Leadership Academy is one of the programs being developed by the National Training Department to train new leaders and Flotilla Commanders.  This program is led by Instructional Design Division and will be deployed on the Blackboard 8 Community System hosted by Southern New Hampshire University Online.   Judi Bidwick and Dee Kermode are working with me on this project. We plan to have this course ready for beta testing this summer and our flotilla, along with others, will be involved in this process.

Regards,

Juan C. Hernandez, FCC

Flotilla 86

 

 Juan Hernandez
 

 

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
James Sleichert

 

FROM THE VICE COMMANDER’S DESK:

     Well, as usual, we have been busy since the last newsletter.  We completed a GPS class, erected the shed from the Moorings, and had a fellowship luncheon.  We also had a QE mission and re-qualified a Coxswain and 3 crew members.  We are also finishing up the work on the antenna at the Training Center and did two days of vessel inspections at South Bay Yacht club.

     Member Training on each Thursday has been a great success.  Lou Magyar and his assistant Ed Stebner are doing a great job.  Lou has the program well organized and makes the classes as interesting as anyone can.  I hope we will be able to keep up the training for most of the year.  Also, we will have another QE mission on the 30^th of April. 

     Summer is approaching and that means many of our members will be going north.  I hope all members are trying to log in as many hours on the water as possible and also keep current in any of their qualifications.  Remember it is much easier to do the hours now than at the end of the year.  Lou and I are working to get all the re-qualifications for crew and coxswain done as soon as possible.  Remember that QE’s do not like to do missions in December so get your hours on the water NOW.  Get your hours for all your qualifications NOW.  Now does not mean December. 

     Well, that is about all I have to say except, I wish all member going north to have a great summer.  Please let us now when you get back, so that, we can get you working again and not let you feel left out. 

   

James P. Sleichert

 FVC    

Communications Services
Denis Keyes, FSO-CS

  

We updated the 2009 Roster and if you need a copy contact me at deniskeyes@verizon.net.

The level of E-Mail activity is sharply down as members go home for the summer. Have a Safe trip and a quick return this fall.

 Denis Keyes
 FSO-CS

Information Services
 Harry Bruno, FSO-IS

 

The deadline for the IS 210 course has been extended to April 1, 2010.   As of the first quarter your IS officer has entered  274  forms in AUXDATA.   Your cooperation is appreciated in submitting your forms weekly for a recurring mission or in a timely manner for 7029.  Our flotilla, being one of the most active, increases the amount of paperwork and your cooperation in submitting your forms in a timely manner allows them to be entered properly.

 

Harry Bruno

FSO-IS

Materials
 Ron Roth, FSO-MA

 

As of May 1^st the 7^th District Materials Center will be open and the website, cgaux7.org/d7store, finally will be up and running.  You can see the Center’s offerings in person or online and can make purchases in person, online, and by mail, telephone or fax.  The Center’s hours are Monday and Friday from 10:00 am through 4:00 pm.

The Center is located in the Naval Annex building at the Clearwater Airbase on the north end of the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport.  Address: 15300 Fairchild Drive, Clearwater, FL 33762.  Email: D7materialcenter@gmail.com.  Telephone: 727-535-2593.  Fax 727-535-2703.

 RONALD ROTH

FSO-MA 

               Member Training
                    Lou Magyar, FSO-MT

         “Train, Maintain, Operate”

Member training went well in April.  The Venice Fire Department held firefighting training with about 20 members including several members from other flotillas (83 & 87).  An AUX Weather course started on 20 April with 12 members registered with many members from other flotillas (82, 83, 84, & 87).  We held a QE check ride late last month and re-qualified 2 coxswains and 3 crew.  There will be another QE mission on 30 April with 1 coxswain and 5 crew going for re-qualification. The Training schedule for the rest of April and the month of May follows.

25 April 2009 (boats) MM
           Towing evolutions

30 April 2009 TC
           Marlinspike Seamanship

1300
QE prep (Boats) MM

1600
QE Mission (Boats) MM

7 May 2009 TC
           ATQ -04-01 through ATQ-04-02
           What is DSC?
           Sexual Harassment workshop

14 May 2009 (boats) MM
           What if?
           Perform ATQ-04-01 through ATQ-04-02

21 May 2009 TC
           DCS Plotting
           Standard navigational information
           NWS Weather reports

28 May 2009 (boats) MM
           ATQ -05-01 through ATQ-05-02
           SAR patterns and execution

 Lou Magyar
 FSO-MT

Operations
Judi Bidwick, FSO-OP

Public Affairs
Al Bidwick, FSO-PA

 

The Sharks Tooth Festival has come and gone.   Members who worked on Saturday were a little disappointed with the number of people who visited the booth.  However, crowds on Saturday stopped by the booth in a steady stream throughout most of the day, keeping members busy all day. 

This year, for a variety of reasons, we had fewer members who volunteered to work at the booth.  Consequently, those who worked stayed a lot longer than they had to in past years.  I want to thank Jim and Monika Sleichert, Harry and Ruth Bruno, and Judi Bidwick, who helped set up the tent on Friday, and worked all day on Saturday.  I also want to thank Juan Hernandez and John Kandes, who worked with them at different times throughout the day.  A great job was done by Judi Bidwick, who worked all day on Sunday, and Karen Hillelson, who helped Judi, while I was running back and forth from the Training Center, and Mary Wagner and Mike Marmion, who each worked for several hours. 

Al Bidwick
FSO-PA

 

Public Education
Ruth Bruno, FSO-PE

 

Eighteen students completed our GPS course on April 2nd.  The Weekend Navigator course was completed by three students and an ABS course was taken privately by two students.  We held two Public Education-- On the Water courses with a total of seven students.  The PE department completed 288 hours in the first quarter which included two BS&S--13 courses, GPS, Weekend Navigator, ABS and two PE On-The-Water courses .  We thank all the instructors and aides who have helped to make our program a success. 

Our schedule for the fall and spring below can be found onthe front page of our website. 

 Public Education Program Schedule

All classes meet at the USCG Auxiliary Training Center, 1200 Harbor Dr. Venice, Fl

Cost for classes:  Boating Skills and Seamanship $55.00
                               GPS $50.00

Boating Skills and Seamanship….
Registration Thursday, September 10, 2009, 6-7pm, Training Center on Harbor Drive, Venice.
Classes meet 6:30--9:00pm  Monday and Thursday  9/14/09—10/12/09

Boating Skills and Seamanship….
Registration, Thursday, October 15, 2009, 6-7pm Training Center on Harbor Drive, Venice
Classes meet 6:30--9:00 pm Monday and Thursday  10/19/09—11/16/09

GPS…
Registration Wednesday, October 13, 2009, 6-7pm, Training Center on Harbor Drive, Venice
Classes meet 7:00--9:00pm, Wednesday  10/21/09—11/11/09 

Charting and Navigation   Registration in January, Class dates:  To Be Announced

Boating Skills and Seamanship….
Registration Monday, January 4, 2010, 6-7pm, Training Center, Harbor Drive, Venice, Fl
Classes meet 6:30--9:00pm  Monday and Thursday  1/7/10—2/4/10

Boating Skills and Seamanship….
Registration Monday, February 8, 2010, 6-7pm, Training Center on Harbor Drive, Venice 
Classes meet 6:30--9:00pm  Monday and Thursday  2/11/10—3/11/10

GPS    

Registration Wednesday, March 10, Classes meet March 22, 25, 29, Apr 1/2010      
Classes meet Wednesday, 7:00-9:00pm, Training Center on Harbor Drive, Venice

ON-THE-WATER 4-Hour Program is offered six to eight times a year to those who have passed the Boating Skills and Seamanship course; 4-hours in a single or twin engine as an observer, docking, undocking, fueling, anchoring, area familiarization and many other objectives will be demonstrated by USCG certified coxswains and instructors.  Cost TBA—determined by current fuel prices (approx $50).     

 About Boating Safely:  Registration in BSS Classes, Class dates:     To Be Announced

Information or class registration, please contact:
Ruth Bruno 941-496-9574    Judi Bidwick  941-492-5904   Flotilla 86 941-488-1900

Ruth Bruno
FSO-PE

 

USCG AUX, FLOTILLA 86, Calendar  May, 2009

                    THINGS TO COME 

                            April 30          QE Mission

        May 4             AUX WEA—Ch 6, Ch 7 (Training Center, 0930—1300)

May 5             Flotilla Meeting—Training Center, 0700 Fellowship

May 7             Member Training:  ATQ-04-01 through ATQ-04-02

                                                    What is DSC ?

                                                    Sexual Harassment Workshop  (Training Center)

                      May 11            AUX WEA—Ch 8, Review (Training Center, 0930—1300)           

                           May 14            Member Training:  What If?

                               Perform ATQ-04-01 through ATQ-04-02  (Marine Max)

                           May 16            National Safe Boating Week

                                                    VE Blitz at Venice Boat Ramp

                           May 18             AUX WEA—EXAM  (Training Center, 0930)

                           May 21            Member Training:  DSC Plotting

                                                     Standard Navigational Information

                                                     NWS Weather Reports  (Training Center)

                           May 25             Memorial Day

                           May 28             Member Training:  ATQ-05-01 through ATQ-05-02

             SAR Patterns and Execution  (Marine Max)

June 4              Member Training:  CPR (Venice Fire Department)

AUXILIARY eLearning

       TWO NEW COURSES AVAILABLE 

A new online course - Introduction to Personnel and Membership – is now available on Auxiliary eLearning.

This course will be of interest to anyone who would like to learn how to recruit, enroll or retain members. It takes the student through the subject matter in a systematic way, introducing existing and new Auxiliary materials and evaluating the student’s progress. The course should be particularly useful to new personnel services officers and flotilla commanders, who have an essential role in enrolling new members.

You can access the course at: http://64.207.134.26/usr/moodle2/course/view.php?id=27  You may need to create an Aux eLearn account if this is your first visit. If you have any questions or comments on the course, contact course developer Vincent "Tex" Boyer at vincentboyer@bellsouth.net or DVC-TD Nick Tarlson at nick@tarlson.com.

The Administrative Procedure Course (APC) – is now available on Auxiliary eLearning.

This course is will prepare you to take the APC test on the National Testing Center, which is a prerequisite for holding elected office. It takes the student through the subject matter in a systematic way, introducing and summarizing existing Auxiliary resources and evaluating the student’s progress.

The APC covers a lot of material – essentially the entire Auxiliary Manual, and many of our members have had difficulty passing the test due to inadequate preparation. If you can take this course, and complete the chapter quizzes with a score of 90 percent, you will almost certainly pass the online test as well.

You can access the course at: http://64.207.134.26/usr/moodle2/course/view.php?id=43. You may need to create an Aux eLearn account if this is your first visit. If you have any questions or comments on the course, contact Nick Tarlson, DC-Td at nick@tarlson.com.

Uniforms

 COAST GUARD UNIT BALL CAP CLARIFICATION -011/09

1.  ALAUX 33/08 of 10 November 2008 dealt with several Auxiliary uniform matters.  One of these involved the wear of ball caps, specifically Coast Guard unit ball caps.  Section  1.C.2. stated:

    "If an Auxiliarist is authorized to wear a Coast Guard unit ball cap, such wear shall not extend to activities involving public interaction.  This is to ensure that an Auxiliarist is not mistaken by the public as an active member of a Coast Guard unit with commensurate authority.  For example, an Auxiliarist may not wear a Coast Guard unit ball cap when performing VSCs."

2.  Questions have arisen as to whether or not the conduct of Auxiliary patrols (e.g. - surface patrols on vessel facilities) constitutes "...involving public interaction."  The short answer is "Yes, Auxiliary patrols involve public interaction."  As further clarification, the following involve public interaction:

    a.  Performance of Vessel Examiner (VE) activities involving Vessel Safety Checks (VSC) and Commercial Fishing Vessel  Safety Exams (CFVSE).
    b.  Performance of Program Visitor (PV) activities.
    c.  Performance of Instructor (IT) activities.
    d.  Performance of patrol activities (surface, air, shoreside including missions involving mobile radio facilities).
    e.  Performance of Marine Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection  (MSSEP) activities.
    f.  Performance of public outreach, public affairs, and recruiting activities.
    
3.  Situations in which a Coast Guard unit ball cap may be worn, if authorized, include:

    a.  Wear of the cap to, at, and from the unit in the course of providing the direct support for which it is authorized   (appropriate for commuting, stops for gas, and drive-thru services).
    b.  Wear of the cap to, at, and from flotilla meetings (appropriate for commuting, stops for gas, and drive-thru services).
    c.  Wear of the cap to, at, and from flotilla fellowship events (appropriate for commuting, stops for gas, and drive-thru services).

4.  If there is any doubt about the propriety of wearing a Coast Guard unit ball cap due to potential interaction with the public, then the Auxiliary ball cap shall be worn.

5.  These guidelines will be included in the next change to the Auxiliary
Manual.

6.  The purpose of this list is to keep Auxiliarists as well as all other interested parties abreast of current developments, policies, manuals, etc.  All information contained herein and linked is OFFICIAL policy and information.

Meeting Minutes
Ruth Bruno, FSO-SR

 

U.S.C.G. AUXILIARY, FLOTILLA 86, MINUTES APRIL 7, 2009

 

                    

Commander Juan Hernandez called the meeting to order at 1930 with 21 members and guests Fred Kermode, DCDR and Raymond Paysour, IPCDR.  Also in attendance were prospective member Val Weede and transferee Fred Varicchio.  Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation followed.

             FC Juan Hernandez:

           * The radio station project is almost completed and with the help of a few

              community organizations was able to be on budget.
            * Tomorrow work will be done on the antenna at the training center.

            * ICS210 deadline has been extended to 4/1/2010.

            * GPS class is completed.

            * QE mission done on 3/26 and a second one scheduled for 4/30.

            * Boat Safety Month and the Shark's Tooth Festival are upcoming.

           

            MINUTES:  A motion was made, seconded and all voted in favor of approving             the March Minutes as they appeared in the Fore and Aft.

 

            FINANCE:  Janet Heijens presented the Finance Report.  A motion was made,

             seconded and all voted in favor of accepting the March Finance report subject              to audit.                   

                                               STAFF REPORTS: 
 

          FSO-NS:  Joseph Floyd stated he had a few discrepancy reports.

         

          FSO-CM: Art Sperling said the work on the antenna is coming along.  He needs
                            watchstanders for April.

         

          FSO-IS:   Harry Bruno stated 274 forms have been entered in the first quarter.

         

          FSO-MA: Ron Roth announced the District 7 online store website is still down for  maintenance.  Ron also stated he has available SAR report forms as well New Member information CDs available.                                                                                      

         

            FSO-MT:  Lou Magyar said the AuxSea course is completed with 6 graduating (3 from our flotilla and 3 from another flotilla).  109 hours have been completed for MT    through 5/18.this quarter.  An Auxweather course will begin Monday 4/20 9:30 to         1:00 p.m   He will send out an email notifying other flotillas as well.  The Venice              Fire Department will be present next Thursday, 4/16 for instruction on putting out             fires. There will be a QE mission at the end of the month.  
         
 FSO-OP: Judi Bidwick announced that we had 541 underway hours and 184 Operational Support  20 hours for rescue. The only cancellations were boat during one of the safety patrols
          

           FSO-PB:  Judi Bidwick said the Newsletter is online. 

               

           FSO-PA:  Al Bidwick announced the Sharks' Tooth Festival is scheduled 4/18 and 4/19.  The Division picnic at Cortez is 4/17 and we will set up our booth for the Sharks' Tooth Festival prior to leaving for the picnic.  National Safe Boating week is coming soon. Al spoke about an article he wrote for the "Breeze" regarding the tow of one of our facilities by two kayakers. Al also stated PA completed 154 hours this quarter 

              

          

            FSO-PE:  Ruth Bruno announced 18 GPS students have completed the course.  We have also performed two PE OWT classes on board with a total of 7 students.  During  the quarter we held two BS&S-13 classes, GPS, Weekend Navigator as well as 3 private sessions of an ABS course.  PE department completed 254 hours and 10 PE OWT hrs for this quarter.

            FSO-PS:  Mike Marmion stated there is one new member being processed and one other in consideration.

 

             FSO-VE:  Patrick Wheeler announced that 13 persons have completed 34 safety checks and he has done 104 for a total of 138 to date.  Mary Wagner, who is newly certified, will begin safety checks this week.

                    

             MAINTENANCE:  Ron Roth told members that the shed had been assembled in the early part of the day. The total cost was $10.  The shed will need to be painted in

the future. 

    

             FELLOWSHIP:  Diana Floyd stated the March fellowship was attended by 10 people and was enjoyable. The April fellowship will be the Division picnic on April 17 at Station Cortez.  Anyone interested in going should notify Diane so she can set up car pooling. 

EMS:  Art Sperling is working on assembling the first aid kits.  EMS is now being
            recognized as an auxiliary function and a co-coordinator has been appointed. 
            Art also said he has handouts regarding heat exhaustion available.

FC stated he sent letters of thanks to the community partners who helped in our relocation project:  Fire Department, 16th Fire Alliance; Venice TV; and County Plumbing.

Henry Reynolds spoke in regard to the extra antennas we have.  A decision will have to be made on their disposition

              

 

 

AWARDS:

                 

              

              Qualifications:  J. Harrison; R. Couture; E. Stebner; S. Motchan; L. Magyar; M. Wagner. presented by Fred Kermode, DCDR and Raymond Paysour, IPDCDR.

     

             CG Meritous Team Commendation:  Henry Reynolds

 

             Flotilla Team Award Certificates of Appreciation for work done on completing the move from Nokomis:  A. Bidwick, H. Bruno, R. Chapman, J. Hernandez, W. Jennings, L. Magyar, M. Marmion, H. Reynolds, R. Roth, J. Sleichert,  A. Sperling, P. Sperling, E. Stebner, R Stutzman, T. Norton. 
      

 

              New Member Sydney Motchan was sworn in.

    

              Old Business:  None at present
    

              New Business:   Lou Magyar made a motion that we set aside monies
for Art Sperling to use in purchasing the items for the first aid kits he is assembling.  A discussion followed with the outcome being an increase in the amount to $300.  Lou has amended his original motion to allow $300 for the project; seconded by Robert Chapman. The motion was carried by a favorable vote from all.

       

              Lou also announced he was taking orders for ODU belts.  Anyone interested must supply him with their waist size.  He will order this weekend. 

                   

              Fred Kermode (DCDR) addressed the members and mentioned the value of the "heat exhaustion handouts" Art Sperling has made available. Fred announced that Flotilla 89 now belongs to Division 9 (070 09 09) as of 3/17/09.

              

             There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2020.

 

               Respectfully submitted,

Ruth Bruno, Secretary