WHY DO WE TRAIN?
Transcription
WHY DO WE TRAIN?
NTrain Issue 2013 WHY DO WE TRAIN? The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is Semper Paratus(Always Ready). The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s goals and strategies are to ensure the public has a safe, secure, and enjoyable recreational boating experience by implementing programs that minimize the loss of life, personal injury, and property damage while cooperating with environmental and national security efforts. Inside The NTrain Edition of the PILOTHOUSE DIRAUX: Working Smarter, Not Harder 2 DCO: Things Are Happening3 DDC-Prevention: What’s New 4 From POMS to OM (Order Management) 6 DDC-Logistics News: Did You Know 9 DCAPT East: Planning, A New Season 10 DCAPT South: Essentials of Servant Leadership DDC-Logistics: Why Diversity Invitation to Spring Dtrain, Clarksville, Indiana Spring DTrain Training Classes Offered 11 12 14 15 Our Deadline for the Spring-Summer Issue is: 24 April, 2013 U.S. COAST GUARD Commandant Commander Eighth District Chief Director of the Auxiliary Director Of Auxiliary Operations Training Officer Storekeeper Auxiliary Affairs Specialist ADM Robert Papp RADM Roy A. Nash CAPT David J. Rokes CDR Juliet Hudson CWO3 Philip Pinto SK2 Nathan Giles Robin Randle-Brown OFFICERS DCO COMO Joseph W. “Bill” McGonigal DCOS George “Rick” Schal DCAPT- E Donald J. Metz, II DCAPT- S Randy Ventress DCAPT- W Jimmie L. Hufnagel IPDCO COMO Richard A. Washburn Pres, Past Commander’s Assn. Chris M. Whitacre STAFF Commodore’s Staff D-AA D-AD DSO-DV DDC-GA DSO-FN DSO-LP Auxiliary Sector Coordinator COMO Gordon W. Scholz Geralyn N. McKee Stephen E. McLain John P. Whelan Mark W. Dever Keith D. Blosser John R. Ellis III David F. Stroup Gregg L. McKee Mark A. LaPenna Randy J. Hawkins Kevin Gallagher Jay G. McDonald Chris M. Whitacre DDC - Response DSO-NS DSO-AV DSO-CM DSO-DFSO DSO-OP QE Coordinator Robert O. Bruce William T. Siler C. Duncan Wilkinson Michael P. Heid John E. Kleymeyer Doris J. Armour William G. Husfield DDC - Prevention DSO-MS DSO-MT DSO-PA DSO-PE DSO-PV DSO-VE Gerlinde Higginbotham Nancy A. Reece DeAnne C. Rodenburg Mary A. Ward Thom McQueen Eric Piper Roseanne R. DeRamus DDC - Logistics DSO-CS DSO-IS DSO-MA DSO-PB DSO-HR DSO-SR DIVISIONS DCDR 1. Ray Nunweiler Jr. 2. Mattew Morris 4. Rick Goranflo 5. Mort L. Mullins 6. Loren S. Gannon, Jr. 7. Robert Davis 8. William G. Husfield 11.Jack Woods 12.Albert J. Vance II 16.Donald C. Moak 18.Jeffrey A. Tinklepaugh 24.DeAnne C. Rodenburg VCDR Chris Dowless John Gorell William E. Seymer Matthew L. Meyer Burl Shulaw Norman Arbes Alan E. Wade James C. Williamson David C. Roberts David L. Maul Eric Piper Joseph F. Kleri CDR Juliet Hudson DIRAUX Focus on Recreational Boating There were several changes in how N-Train was run this year. To use an old cliché, the Auxiliary National Staff is trying to “work smarter, not harder.” Changes are afoot to reduce costs while improving services to the membership. As with all change, some things are bound to be difficult and other things may not work. The key to change is focusing on what direction we want to go and making an effort to reach that end. From the active duty side, we are adapting to evertightening budgets and a directive from the Office of Management and Budget (White House) requiring a 14% travel-specific expenditure cut for the Coast Guard in fiscal year 2013. My office is required to reduce travel expenses this year by more than $19,000. The travel restrictions will remain in effect through fiscal year 2016. As of now, SAMA remains unaffected. The cuts will not decrease my presence in the field or that of CWO3 Pinto or reduce the provision of necessary personal protective equipment to Auxiliarists. As the Commandant said at N-Train, “the Coast Guard will do less with less” rather than trying to continue to do more with less. This presents challenges and opportunities for the Auxiliary. The challenges include reduced funding at local and national levels. The number of available C-Schools was cut this year. Funding for Auxiliarists to attend meetings, training and conferences will be scrutinized. There are also opportunities for the Auxiliary. As the active duty Coast Guard scales back, the great work of the Auxiliary will come to the fore. The Auxiliary can also reform itself into a more modern and effective version of itself by embracing technology and seeking out alternative ways of getting the job done. On a different note, there are process changes in how Auxiliary investigations are processed by the Security Center Continued on Page 3 3 NTrain Issue DIRAUX Continued from Page 3 COMO William McGonigal District Commodore Things are Happening I’m pleased to report the end of the Mayan Calendar did not mean the end of the world. Instead, we started a whole new era. Same thing with our Auxiliary District. New EXCOM, new Board, and new staff. I am honored to be your Commodore as we begin our new journey for the next several thousand years. The concern for a major calamity did have some positive effects. Many more of us have become “preppers,” which is a good thing. Some of our members are preparing emergency kits for unexpected events. Our new Chief of Staff, Rick Schal, is working with the Divisions to improve our preparedness planning. In addition, we are rolling out a Districtwide conferencing system. This will allow leaders in affected areas to rapidly communicate with surrounding divisions, staff officers, and District leadership. You can find out more at the upcoming D-Train! What are you doing for the new year? Did you make any resolutions? Perhaps a good resolution would be to attend your next Flotilla meeting, or Division Meeting. Things are happening. Don’t get left out! (SECCEN). SECCEN has worked hard to clear their backlog of investigations and waiting times for new members is back to a few months. There is a new enrollment form (available on our website). I’m awaiting further guidance about Auxiliary membership eligibility extending to legal immigrants. The most important item for new members is that the AUXMAN 3.A.4.e is now being strictly enforced. Any applicant who does not submit the required information about convictions with their applications may be subject to a swift disenrollment. I strongly recommend that anyone who has a criminal history without a conviction should supply amplifying information with the application package to prevent it being sent back to my office with an unfavorable determination. All communication between Auxiliarists and SECCEN will go through the DIRAUX office. Any questions about these changes should be routed through the HR chain. “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” William Arthur Ward 4 NTrain Issue Robert (Bob) Bruce DDC-Prevention Gregg McKee, DSO-NS and I attended a series of Prevention presentations at N-Train in St. Louis in January. Our collective news from N-Train follows: Public Education Focus is back to basics, focusing on our real objectives will continue with our in-class education but also will develop online PE courses. The PE Department is working on an Instructor Enhancement Program. Notice of these courses taught should be sent to your state BLA through your state SLO. Public Affairs PA is the interface between the Auxiliary and the Public. All PA Officers should have completed at least PA-I training. PA Officers should know CG and Auxiliary PA policy regarding basic journalism, photography, and news formats. Auxiliary PA officers have the same responsibility as active duty PA Officers. Imagery is a hot topic right now. Please review ALCOAST 114/09 regarding photo and video editing. You may edit photos by cropping but you must not obscure anything unless it is approved by the National PA Department. You may white balance or make slight quality improvements to photos and videos. You may not add or remove anything. You may not change the color except through white balance. If you take any pictures of children under 18 years old you must have a signed parental consent form (available on the Auxiliary National PA website). The form must be maintained for two years. Since we are a national organization, the most restrictive privacy laws in the US apply to all printed, video and web materials. In addition to child photography there are implications concerning the expectations of privacy and private versus public property. All photos must have the proper VIRIN/Vision ID and Captions as per CG rules. A VIRIN is a numerical filename system where the first six numbers are the year, month and day. For example, 050622 is June 22, 2005. These numbers are followed by a dash “-“ and then the service indicator letter “G”. Next are the last four numbers from the photographer’s member identification number and the first letter of the photographer’s last name; this is followed by a dash and then the photographer’s daily sequence number. 061114-G-0000B-500.jpg (digital) If you have Adobe PhotoShop or some other editing program that supports metadata, fill in the information for each picture as completely as possible. Additional information on Coast Guard Visual Imagery is in chapter 5 of the USCG Public Affairs Manual. Be very careful of using materials created by others. This includes videos and photos you find online. You may be violating a copy write. To avoid any possible legal problems you should contact the “A” department for assistance in getting legal permission to use the video or photo. This is a very serious legal area. For that reason it is being stressed that no one should be a PA officer without at least completing PA Specialist I training. The AUX-12 C School provides a good introduction. If nothing else, each auxiliarist involved in PA should read the PA manual. Goto http://www.training.auxpa.org/ for additional training information and otheruseful PAinformation. 5 NTrain Issue Member Training AUXLMS is now live. All mandated training courses except Civil Rights Awareness are online. ICS-210 is now online. Gold-side course catalogs and materials are also currently available. The new member course and exam is online. T Department is currently conducting webinars Tuesday and Thursday nights. Subjects include AUXOP course, SCE, TCT, and TCO. There was a good discussion of Mentoring and how to do it effectively. A mentoring section will be added to the training site. For now you can look at the USCG Mentoring Program at uscg.mil/leadership/mentoring. It is crucial to utilize mentors to help retain new and curent members. Retention is a important goal this year. Vessel Examinations and Program Visitations The Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety is the authority on all topics in this area. See uscgboating.org. The National V Department is our link to OBS. New manuals for both PV and VSC are in the works and is under review by OBS. Looks for manuals in the spring of 2014. Current errata are at http:// vdept.cgaux.org/JobAidFiles/Vessel_Safety_Check_ Manual_Errata.pdf We should be using the OPFAC addendum when inspecting operational facilities. See http://vdept. cgaux.org/JobAidFiles/Facilities-Inspections.pdf. and also http://vdept.cgaux.org/JobAidFiles/FacilityInspection-Worksheet.pdf . BoatUS, our new partner to underwrite the cost of VSC decals. West Marine is still offering a 10% discount for boaters receiving a VSC. National is also working on a MOA for the United States Power Squadrons to perform PVs. United Safe Boating Institute is working on a program to record the reasons why boats fail a VSC. There is a pilot study in five states but we can enter data now if we wish. Expect a program roll-out in 2014. See http://www.usbi.org/ vsc.php. There is a pilot program to train auxiliarists to do boat factory visits. There is also a program under way to take over the Coast Guard efforts in recording PFD wear rates. VSC decals: after receiving your initial allotment, you must report 50% in the system before you will be allowed to order any additional decals. If you have questions in the VSC or PV area look at the V Department website. It contains Q&A sections and a link to a national help desk. Navigation Systems Aton and Paton are at the request of active duty. Auxiliarists with AV qualification are grandfathered and do not need to complete the PQS. However, they are strongly urged to work through the PQS requirements. Auxiliarists wishing to become AV must complete the PQS. Nothing may be waived. Remember to checkout the The USCG Auxiliary’s Prevention Website. 6 NTrain Issue News from The Response Directorate The Coast Guard Auxiliary is switching from POMS to the OM (Order Management) system by 01APR2013. It is a Web-based software module that allows for the creation, authorization and reimbursement of patrol orders and management of budget allocations at the Sector and District level for Auxiliarist and crew, who provide support to the USCG. The OM user base is estimated at 5,500 users with approximately 25 concurrent users at any one time. This software will automate and streamline the entire Auxiliary patrol order/claims process, from the time an Auxiliarists requests orders until they receive their reimbursement. OM will eplaces manual (paper-based) claims processes that were labor intensive, time consuming and error prone. It will also provide report capabilities to assist Auxiliary leaders and USCG managers in ensuring the effective and efficient use of Auxiliary resources. OM is linked to AUXDATA . When you enter your patrol information and finalize your patrol the information is automatically sent into the data base. This alone will eliminate duplication errors. OM has increased security with the ability to create, read, update, and delete data in the centralized system based on the user’s role and position. You will create a user identification (ID) and passwords; this ID will indicate the allowable permission level a user has and prevent users from performing any actions in the OM beyond the scope of your level. As a whole the USCG has migrated to a Web-based environment using the USCG Standard Workstation III (SWIII). OM, which is a Solaris-Oracle Internet Explorer (IE) module, is web-based and runs on any workstation or laptop which supports the Microsoft (MS) IE Web browsers, IE7 and above, which includes all SWIII computers. The program will run on Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox the best. The program does not work well on Safari. No more paper filing for reimbursement, the system is set up to distribute the information to the financial authorization personnel who will them be able to look over and approve, send it back for further information or correction or disapprove if necessary. Your signature will be linked to your password. The system is up and running in several districts now. This action is being taken to insure quality assurance for the program. As each district begins usage the help desk personnel are receiving information on what is working and what is not. As with all new programs; issues good and bad occur, this is why the developers started using the system live in just a few districts. To be able to gather information and make changes in a short period of time is making the program work best. The goal is to have everyone on the system by the first of April this year 2013. The better news is the system is up and running for you to practice/train RIGHT NOW. Everyone on POMS is strongly encouraged to get logged on and start using it in training mode. So with this in mind let’s get started; Use the link http://ordermgmt-train.uscg.gov/ . The unauthorized access warning appears, 1.Click the OK button on the bottom of the warning. 2. Will be for you to get your user name and password. 3. The screen will then take you to the access to Order Management screen. 4. Click on the Reset tool. So click on the Forgot Password link, I did this and had a return email within 5 minutes with a user name and password. 7 NTrain Issue The personnel at the help desk AUXDATA Order Management - (for testing only) access link. This will be your first time to login so you will need to get your user name. When a new account is added to a location, the user will receive an automated e-mail message with their new user name. Upon receipt of the e-mail message the user will use the password Reset tool. So click on the Forgot Password link, I did this and had a return email within 5 minutes with a user name and password. The personnel at the help desk are working hard to make this as easy as possible. This is why they want everyone to get registered with the system and train. 5. The login screen will appear enter your use name and password. One of the glitches that are occurring is the Forgot Password link - you may need to click on it several times or scroll down to the Help Desk direct link and let them know you are having difficulties. First Time in the system you will be asked to enter you Member ID number and Username in the appropriate fields. An account will be locked after three failed logon attempts. The user should contact their OIA or OSCDG-AUXDATA Helpdesk e-mail distribution group to have their account unlocked or wait 1 hour for the account to automatically unlock. User passwords must be changed every 45 days. After 45 days of inactivity, the user account will be locked. After 365 days of inactivity, the user account will be dropped (expired). If a user’s account is locked or expired, the user will be notified at logon with an alert message. If this occurs, the user should contact their OIA or OSC-DG-AUXDATA helpdesk for assistance. The user ID of a first time user will be their first initial followed by his or her last name. Once you have your User Name and Password you are in. Start training. If a user has multiple available locations, the location selection screen appears and you will need to select one to enter. This applies to air stations or members who patrol in multiple areas during the year, for instance in Kentucky for the summer and Florida for the winter. The home page will now appear, you will see the main menu navigational tool bar, click on any of the options listed. Continued on Page 8 8 N-Train Issue Continued from Page 7 For instance: The HOME button allows users to view daily, weekly, and monthly calendars through respective tables on the home paged, the calendar allows users to filter by Patrol Requests, Patrol Orders, and Cancelled Patrol Orders. The calendar is color-coded to display where your order status is such as Requested, Approved, Completed, etc. The REPORTS button allows users to view Patrol Status and Member Activity Reports. Additionally, the Order Issuing Authorities (OIAs) may view reports based on their locations, District level officers may view reports at the district level and below. The National level officers may view all reports. This is going to disseminate information instantly in real time to everyone from National down. The SEARCH will button allow users to search for user by member number, member name, member’s electronic mail (e-mail) address, facility registration, member qualifications, and locations. So imagine boat crew is needed for high water in Alabama, the National staff can do a search for available Coxswain, Crew and Facilities, instantly they will know who is available, how many and contact information to start the process to answer a need. The MY ACCOUNT button allows you enter your information, change your password and other personal items. The USER ADMIN PERMISSIONS can add or delete specific permissions for individual users. Clicking on an existing user will show the user’s current permissions, such as: Requesting Patrol Orders, Requesting Open Orders, Search Members, Search Facilities, Allocate District Funds Run Locations Reports and many more options. Side buttons are the Request Orders, the calendar (make sure you pay attention to dates, the week begins on Monday not Sunday) and then the status buttons. The training mode allows you to fill out patrol orders, fill in your facility information and all other information needed to request orders; patrol type, patrol time, patrol area, Coxswain, Operator, facility name. This system will allow you to search for members if you need to know the operators name or the coxswain’s name. For a name search, do NOT enter both first and last name - if you do, search will return no results. Now all you do is click submit. No more tabs, no more slow waiting periods, this program is so easy. Just begin filling out orders. Once you submit a training order you will receive an email directing you to a link that will approve the training order. You will be able to track your training orders on the calendar, just as if the program was running live. Now you can train on completing a Patrol Order. Find your order on the calendar, click on it and the Complete Patrol Order Screen will appear. Enter the information within the Facility Data and or Automobile data sections on the right side of the form, as appropriate. Now complete the expenses section. Now for a new step, we will have to get used to taking pictures of receipts. The program can accept jpg, png, or gif formats. The file should be less than 250 KB (kilobyte) and the resolution should be as close to 600 x 600 as possible. The receipts will then be uploaded to the Web. (There are instructions with every step) . Once you have completed your patrol you will need to sign it, this will be accomplished by using your password. Then click submit. No more mailing, just submit. You will be able to choose if the reimbursement goes to the operator or the coxswain on the form. When the system goes live in our district an email will be sent to the OIA. District 8 Eastern is ahead of the curve on this, our OTO Phil Pinto has been aware of the change, he is taking care of everything needed for your OIA. When you place your test orders they will be emailed to your OIA, make that person aware of the training/test email. This person or persons will have to approve your order just as if you were going on patrol. Communicate with them so everyone can train. As of today we do not know when 8 Eastern will go live, during the workshop that I attended assurances were made that ample notice would be given. The date, when we are given it, will be a drop dead date, so it is very important that you keep in touch with your DSO, SO, FSO-OP’s personnel. Submitted by: Geri McKee, D-AD 9 NTrain Issue News from The Logistics Directorate Did You Know? The 7028 is now a Webform! Yes, The 7028 is now available as a webform. There is a built in portal for Member data input in AuxDirectory (aka AuxOfficer). The “White” and “Yellow Pages” of the Auxiliary. The AuxOfficer is our directory of all members and units. It contains contact information, member competencies, offices, and skills. The goal is out members in touch with one another. It can be used by members as well the USCG. You can access AuxOfficer by going to: www.auxofficer.cgaux.org. If you just want to change your member information access the 7028 webform by going to: webforms.cgaux.org/forms/7028. Once you complete the changes and click the submit button, it instantly updates AuxDirectory and emails notice of change to your FSO-IS. Part of the 7028 now contains a Skills Bank. The plan is to use this database for emergency response by the both Auxiliary and The Coast Guard. All of us have special skills and specific qualifications that can be used at any given time or for any given emergency. By completing this section targeted email broadcast can be performed to assign the best people for the best job. Take a minute to take a look at it and complete it as soon as possible. Go to: auxofficer.cgaux.org/ skills_bank. The 7029 is now a Webform! You can record your 99 member hours for the month(Administrative hours), miles driven, and expenses. It is vital we record our non mission hours. We are volunteers and the United States Coast Guard really needs to know how many hours we accrue. Once you submit the completed form it emails data to your FSO-IS. Eighty-Six percent of members report hours but we need one hundred percent of the members reporting their 99 hours. Find the form at: webforms.cgaux. org/forms/7029. Semper Paratus “Alreadys Ready” 10 NTrain Issue Donald J. Metz, II DCAPT - East Planning for the New Season With the start of every year we get overloaded on goals and objectives set by us and others for the new boating season. With new member recruitment, member retention, training, public affairs and instruction, it can just make your head spin. Before you grab an anchor and dive overboard, let’s look at what your mission should be. At the Change of Watches I have attended this year I was asked for guidance and what should we be doing? My answer is simple: our mission is Recreational Boating Safety. I refer everyone to the Recreational Boating Statistics for 2011. In every part of our AOR, accidents and fatalities are rising with fewer registered vessels. This trend must decline. This is our mission, and we own it. Admiral Papp has stated that RBS missions are his number one priority. From the sector on down, the message is heard loud and clear. This should be our main focus; our mission is that the 2013 trend starts declining. How do we accomplish this? This goal can be met with a presence in the public and on the water. We have saved countless lives by performing RBS Missions; just think of where the accidents and death counts would be if we were not teaching boating class, doing program visits, conducting vessel exams, and doing patrols. So that is your start. Plan your calendar year now by scheduling your RBS missions throughout the season. When you plan an active schedule, members will not become stale. By appearing in the public sector on a more active schedule, the public will become interested in your Flotilla and will want information on how to join. Training will be necessitated by need of more members wanting to do missions. So you see where this is heading? You should be thinking well outside the box this year in planning public affairs events. Try venues that are not routinely used. Have your examiners explore different areas to contact new customers. If you are located near a Coast Guard Unit have your liaison meet with them and discuss the possibility of joint public affairs missions. Discuss your areas of involvement with the unit and what activities they would like to see for the coming year. Seek out and request advice from your State Liaison Officer and District Officers for ideas and suggestions on what others are doing. Most of all don’t get caught in the trap that we need to get new members and then spend most of your quality time thinking about how to recruit them. Stay active in the public eye this year and the rest will take care of itself. Remember, we will be judged by the results of the Recreational Boating Statistics for 2013. I know we are all up for the challenge. Thank you for all that you do, and let’s give it our maximum effort in carrying out this mission that we have been given. 11 NTrain Issue Randy Ventress District Captain- South In January, Jimmy Hufnagel, Don Metz, and I, along with District Captains from all over the United States attended the The National Training Meeting (N-TRAIN) in St. Louis. We were afforded the opportunity to increase our knowledge-base by attending the Auxiliary Mid-Level Officer Course (AMLOC). I am still amazed at how much information we were given from our instructors in a twenty hour course. Subjects covered were: District Captain duties, Leadership competencies, Core Values, Protocol, and Conflict Management. One subject covered that I would like to share with you our readers are the Ten Principles of ServantLeadership, quoted from Robert Greenleaf’s “Essentials of Servant Leadership”. He states: “Try to lead with the heart of a servant.” This statement covers the subject very well. But what are the principals: Listening: A Servant- Leader must listen to seek and identify the will of the group. Empathy: Servant- Leaders must strive to understand and empathize with others. Healing: Learning to heal is a powerful force for transformation and integration. Awareness: General awareness, and especially self-awareness, strengthens the Servant- Leader. Persuasion: Servant- Leaders rely on persuasion, rather than positional authority in making decisions. Conceptualization: Conceptualizing perspective means that one must think beyond day to day realities. Foresight: This characteristic enables Servant-Leaders to understand lessons from the past. Stewardship: Robert Greenleaf’s view of all trustees holding the trust of their institution for the good of all. Commitment to Growth of People: People have an intrinsic value beyond their tangible contributions as workers. Building Community: Servant-Leaders seek to identify a means for building community among those that work in the community (organization). Even in the abbreviated version presented here, the impact of these ten Principles can be seen. “A person cannot truly lead unless he or she has learned to be a follower” Unknown Author. I highly recommend this course for anyone that may have the opportunity to attend it. 12 NTrain Issue WHY DIVERSITY (reprinted from the USCGA National Diversity Website) Diversity is about acknowledging differences and adapting practices to create an inclusive environment in which skills, perspectives and backgrounds are valued. Diversity is about understanding the individual differences in the people with whom we serve. These differences arise from a broad range of backgrounds and lifestyles, and we must recognize the value of using those different perspectives, ideas and ways of working to enhance the quality and outcomes of our mission. Our diversity is shaped and informed by a variety of characteristics including age, ethnicity, gender, disability, language, religious beliefs, life stages, education, career responsibilities, sexual orientation, personality and marital status. Membership diversity builds on the traditional principles of equal opportunity, ensuring that all members have access to opportunities and mission assignments. The responsibility for ensuring the successful implementation of any diversity program depends upon the contributions of all members. Elected flotilla and division leaders, along with their appointed staff, should implement strategies specific to the needs of the local unit however, such strategies must be consistent with the requirements set forth in the NACO’s Strategic Plan and Diversity Policy. The following diversity statement has been promulgated by the National Commodore and is posted on COMO Mallison’s official web site: “It is the policy of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary to ensure that all citizens, regardless of race, gender, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, religion, or physical or mental disability have an equal opportunity to become a member of this organization. People from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests are welcome and encouraged to join the Auxiliary to work side by side with us as we serve the boating public. The fundamental action imperative of diversity is to create an environment, which fosters an appreciation of the values, skills, and abilities of each individual member. Members are responsible to each other for promoting an inclusive atmosphere of acceptance and respect, for demonstrating a commitment to fair and equal opportunity, and for moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating our different backgrounds. We are committed to enjoying a diverse and inclusive membership. We all understand that diversity is not a problem to be solved, but that it is an asset to be developed.” NACO Three Star Award for Diversity Excellence The NACO Three Star Award for Excellence in Diversity is an annual award intended to recognize Flotillas and Divisions for distinction in managing and valuing diversity. Units recommended to receive the NACO Three Star Award of Excellence for Diversity Management must complete a minimum of four action items in each goal category listed below: Goal #1 – Create a Positive Environment 1. Appoint a Flotilla Diversity advisor. 2. Publish at least one article on diversity awareness in the flotilla newsletter per year. 3. Conduct one in-Flotilla diversity member training session per year. (Training materials are available on the Diversity Website or see your District Diversity Staff Officer) 4. Target all local neighborhoods and cultures in the community of the Flotilla in the Flotilla recruiting action plan. 5. Document a minimum of six meetings per year attended by 50% of the Flotilla membership. 6. FC and/or VFC must have attended leadership training at the District or National level as per AUXDATA. 13 NTrain Issue Goal #2 – Value all Members 1. Document informal awards and recognition programs and specify the actions taken for a positive reinforcement of member actions and behavior. 2. List a minimum of two routine communications with all members, i.e.: regularly scheduled newsletter, calling crew, or telephone tree for phone messages, Flotilla meeting notes staff, staff meetings with notes distributed. 3. Conduct exit interviews for all members leaving the Auxiliary and forward to the DSO-PS via the SO-PS. 4. Maintain 90% of members each year – less than a 10% member Disenrollment or retirement each year. 5. Show 65% of members are involved in Auxiliary activities according to AUXDATA. 6. List a minimum of four fellowship activities sponsored by the Flotilla throughout the year for all members and their families and friends. Goal #3 - Promote Individual Success 1. Assign a formal mentor to each new member for his/her first year of membership. 2. Utilize the Mentor Involvement Plan to help new members plan their involvement and training. 3. Provide written goals and expectations for all Flotilla staff and committee positions to all members at the beginning of the year. 4. Provide all Staff Officers with specific written job descriptions upon appointment. (check Aux. Manual) 5. Establish a Flotilla –mentoring program for potential Staff Officers. 6. Provide adequate access to meetings for members and potential members with disabilities. GOAL #4 - Carry out Diverse Outreach Activities in the Community 1. Flotilla and or Divisions that have intent to achieve this award must expand their outreach to the underrepresented populations in the community where they exist. 2. The applicant must show through data, portfolio, or some other means that it has completed not less than three outreach recruitment activities/events that have taken the membership into a diverse area of their AOR. 3. The outreach activity should be used to reinforce what has been learned in a diversity training to optimize and sustain a culturally competent organization. 4. Sustain an inclusive organization through actions such as a booth at a cultural event, share the Auxiliary experience in a unique way, share what has been learned. 5. Develop leaders, strengthen relationships, and enhance trust within the diverse community in the Flotilla AOR. 6. The organization does not just do something new but builds capacity for ongoing change in the thinking of the organization, strategies, and structure internally and externally. How to apply for the Award: Flotilla Commanders are encouraged to complete the diversity application by identifying that all task have been completed. The District Diversity Staff Officer should forward all recommendations to the Branch Chief-DV. There is no limit to the number of Flotillas or Divisions that a District may recommend to receive this award. Chain of Approval: Flotilla Commanders should follow the Chain of Leadership (FC to District Diversity Staff Officers to DCO) to submit their application. The District Diversity Staff Officer should review the documentation to ensure accuracy and forward it to the Branch Chief -DV for review and approval. awards Staff Officer. 2013 National USCGA Diversity Staff: Kenneth Stanley BC-DAE and Pamela Huck, BC-DAW DIVERSITY WEB SITE LINK: http://ddept.wow.uscgaux.info 14 DTrain Issue Join US for U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Spring D-Train Registration Form 21 March — 23 March, 2013 Holiday Inn Lakeview, Clarksville, IN 47129 Friday Night- Derby Dinner Playhouse $ 37.00 Little Shop of Horrors A musical about a floral shop assistant who raises an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon his plant grows into an ill-tempered, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame in exchange for feeding his growing appetite. Featuring early 1960’s rock n” roll, doo-wop. and Motown music. Book & Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Music by Alan Menken. Based on the film by Roger Corman. Saturday Night Commodore’s Banquet$ 34.00 Commodore’s Banquet Menu One Plate choice with Steak and Chicken, green beans, Parsley New potatoes, Rolls and butter, Chocolate layer cake, Coffee, Tea and a Cash Bar will be available. Vegetarian Platter Available on Request Uniforms: Thursday evening: Civilian Attire; Friday General Session: Tropical Blue, Blue Blazer outfit or Civilian Attire; Friday Fun Night: Civilian Attire; Saturday Training: Tropical Blue or ODU. Saturday night Commodores’ Banquet: Preferred uniform is - Dinner Dress Blue. Also acceptable are Dinner Dress Blue Jacket, Tropical Blue or appropriate civilian attire. NO ODU’S PLEASE. Contact your Flotilla Commander for information on late registration. 15 NTrain Issue Duncan Wilkinson, DSO-MT DTrain Training Schedule ICS 210 will be presented by John Ellis for the last time at DTRAIN. This certification is required for Coxswain, PWO, and the MS program. The session is four hours. Preregistration: weethree2@mindspring.com. Walk-ins accepted. A four hour VHF Marine Radio training session will be presented by the DSO-CM. There will be a classroom review of proper radio procedures as defined in the Boat Crew Seamanship Manual (Chapter 11), the TCO PQS process, and AUXCOM study material. A real time practice session will conclude the session. You may bring your handheld radios, but they SHALL NOT BE USED in the transmit mode. Instructor Development is a way for members to advance in the process of being a certified Instructor. We have never tried this, but we know this eight hour session will work. The first two hours will be classroom review of the study material open to all. The next two hours will be instructor candidates IDC-PQS, Appendix B, signoffs for those who have passed the online Instructor Development Course exam (This open book exam should be completed at the start of the process as it is not designed to be a final exam). In the afternoon eight will be able to complete “Certification for Instructor, Part III, 10 to 30 minute Training Event” except the time limit is not more than 15 minutes. Those making the training presentation must have all tasks signed off in their IDC-PQS book including “Certification for Instructor, Part I, Completion of Test”. The training subject will be selected in advance from twenty topics prepared by Management and Leadership. Advance registration for the Instructor PQS signoff and/or for the eight presenters must be sent weethree2@mindspring.com. Walk-ins accepted if open seats available. Eight hour TCT will also be presented at Dtrain. All sessions must be attended to get credit. Preregistration: weethree2@mindspring.com. Walk-ins accepted. Leadership Training Workshop, will be four hours and will be presented by Michael Brzezicki, Div 11, LAMS instructor and National Branch Chief. The material will be from the CG Team Leader/Facilitator Courses. New Member Academy (four hours) for members of less than two years, but open to all. This is not FLC or our FCA material downsized, but a bottoms up new development presentation. A four hour Boat Crew Academy for those entering the boat crew program. ICS 100 & 700 must be completed and a mentor appointed by their FC. The OTO, Phil Pinto, will conduct training, but No Sign offs will be offered. Members may bring their AUXILIARY BOAT CREW QUALIFICATION GUIDE, VOLUME I: CREW MEMBER, COMDTINST M16794.52A with their name and member number at the top of Appendix B pages and all numbered tasks. This will be off site at the Sector Boat House, Left Descending Bank, Ohio River (10+ minutes away). The ODU uniform advised, but not required. A four hour Coxswain Academy for those advancing from crew to coxswain. ICS 200, 800, the online Operations exam must be completed, and a mentor appointed by their FC. NAVRULS completion is not required, but is highly recommended. The OTO, Phil Pinto, will conduct training, but No Sign offs will be offered. Members may bring their AUXILIARY BOAT CREW QUALIFICATION GUIDE, VOLUME II: COXSWAIN MEMBER, COMDTINST M16794.53A with their name and member number at the top of Appendix B pages and all numbered tasks. This academy is in the afternoon so ICS 210 can be taken in the Morning. This will be off site at the Sector Boat House, Left Descending Bank, Ohio River (10+ minutes away) The ODU uniform is advised, but not required. Sector will sponsor an orientation on their 25 foot Response Boat-small and CG-Auxiliary operations. There will be an AM and PM group. If weather conditions, water temperature, and river stage allow, there may be orientation rides on the 25 footers. This will be off site at the Sector Boat House, Left Descending Bank, Ohio River (10+ minutes away) The ODU uniform is advised, but not required; however, it may be required to ride in the 25 footer. Final details will be announced at DTRAIN. Department of Homeland Security PRESRT STD US POSTAGE PAID U.S. COAST GUARD PERMIT NO. G-157 United States Coast Guard U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY DSO-PB 8ER PO BOX 329 POWELL OH 43065 _______________________________ OFFICIAL BUSINESS U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Eighth District, Eastern Region Division 8 Invites you to the USGCA Fall DTrain September 19 - 22, 2013 Cadiz, KY