Flotilla 76 Members pass AUXCOM

By Andrew Cochran, VFC 76

Congratulations you following members who have recently completed the Auxiliary Communications Specialty training and have received the specialty training ribbon.

• Cathy T.
• Dorian T.
• Bill M.
• Carel V.
• Daren L.
• Rick W.
• Scott R.

AUXCOM is one of the core requirements of becoming AUXOP qualified along with Aux Seamanship and Aux Weather specialist courses.

The AUXCOM class is a general introduction to Coast Guard radio technology and operations. It is very helpful training for members who want to be active in Surface, Air, and Radio operation. For those members wishing to pursue a higher level of communications training the Telecommunications Operator (TCO) certification is also available. Please see your member training or communications staff officer if your are interested.

Correction to add Rick and Scott. V/r, Daren Lewis, FSO-CS

Flotilla Picnic Sign-up - August 17, 2013 11:00 am – St. Helens Columbia View Park

Shipmates,
We are having a collaborative/pot-luck picnic this year. To help coordinate the event we are asking members to sign up ahead of time to bring particular items.

To sign up send me (Daren) an email veryuseful@gmail.com with what you can bring in what quantities and I will update the list.

Thank you,

On behalf of our FC & VFC, Diane Epstein and Andy Cochran

Event:
USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 76 picnic
August 17, 2013 11:00 am – St. Helens Columbia View Park

Items needed:

Chairs - everyone bring your own.

Non-alcoholic beverages (no alcohol is allowed at the site):

Spot 1: Korsmo/Anderson if needed              To serve how many:

Spot 2:  Olson             To serve how many:

Spot 3:               To serve how many:

Hamburger Buns

Spot 1: Andy               To serve how many: 40

Spot 2: Diane              To serve how many: 24

Salad

Spot 1: Rusten             To serve how many: 12

Spot 2:               To serve how many:

Spot 3:               To serve how many:

Chips & Dip

Spot 1:  Olson            To serve how many:

Spot 2:               To serve how many:

Spot 3:               To serve how many:

Dessert

Spot 1: Matt & Ellen C             To serve how many: 12

Spot 2:  Rusten             To serve how many: 12

Spot 3:  Korsmo Anderson             To serve how many: 30

Spot 5:  Epstein  To serve how many:

Spot 6:               To serve how many:

Paper Plates to serve 40:

Cups to serve 40: Laura W

Plastic Utensils to serve 40: Dave & Kara B / Korsmo/Anderson

Napkins to serve 40: Dave & Kara B

Games (no prizes):

CG Jeopardy and Knotty Relay: Laura to bring instructions so we can co-op the game organizing.

Other:

Sweet pickle relish - Laura W
Dill pickle chips - Laura W
Kraut for the dogs - Laura W
Secret sauce (OK its thousand Island dressing) - Laura W

Veggies for burgers: Korsmo

Uniforms: Name tags with your first name

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
The Auxiliary Manual authorizes members to wear a name tag with our first names included. I find this is a great option in a number of circumstances:

• At Flotilla meetings where it helps prospective and new members acclimate while meeting a dozen new faces.
• When representing the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard at outside events.
• In general business use on Coast Guard bases.

The name tag with my first name has become my default option with Tropical Blue. For formal events and when wearing Service Dress Blue I wear my standard, last name only, name tag.

The Coast Guard Uniform Regulations, COMDTINST M1020.6 (series) authorize active duty and Reserve personnel to wear name tags that display first and last names in lieu of the standard name tag (last name only). An individual’s first and last name and the “U.S. Coast Guard” legend letter sizes must be the same as for the standard name tag. This applies only to name tags of Bakelite or similar material, not to cloth name tapes. Commands have the authority to require the standard name tag when a higher level of uniformity is necessary. Auxiliarists are similarly authorized to wear name tags with first and last names displayed in accordance with these guidelines. A displayed first name must be the Auxiliarist’s full common first name or conventional shortened derivative (e.g., Mike instead of Michael). Nicknames or parenthesized names are not authorized (e.g., Doc, Mac, “Lefty”). Auxiliarists must also have a standard name tag for when a higher level of uniformity is necessary. - COMDTINST M16790.1G Auxiliary Manual, Ch.10.F.3.

Congratulations to the members of 76 who qualified as crew and coxswain!

Shipmates,
On 22 June 2013 a number of our members underwent qualification exams for crew and coxswain. Congratulations to Cathy, Dorian, Mary, Elisabeth, and Tim on your success. Go out, be safe, be effective, and serve with pride.

Thank you to the Flotilla 73 Academy Team and all the Div7 members who worked as cadre, mentors, and on the training Facilities.

Photography: Getting close

An early lesson of being a yearbook photographer in high school was the need to get close to our subjects. I spent far too many hours trying to salvage a close crop from a photo I'd taken from too far away. In the days of B&W film photography there was only so much latitude if you wanted the whole book to have the same look photo to photo. This weekend I had the opportunity to do some photography while underway for the Flotilla 73 Crew/Coxswain academy and tried to focus on the close shot. 

There is one big advantage we have when framing these shots... we have our organization name emblazoned across the back of our life jackets, exposure coveralls, and SAR vests. This means boring backs become a great part of the shot.

Surface Operations Qualified? Maintaining qualifications in a time of uncertainty

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
As you likely know we will not have the Navy for Rose Festival and therefore no Naval Vessel Protection Zone (learn more about NVPZs). We will still have a Safety Zone for the Dragon Boats. In addition we are facing reduced operational funding for the fiscal year.

I know some members rely on the high operations tempo of Rose Festival to complete the annual 12 hours of surface operational time required to maintain crew and coxswain qualifications. In light of the Fleet Week change and other uncertainty I encourage you to think about how you will get your on-the-water time for 2013. Plan ahead and don't get caught short.

All that said, everything I hear says there is still a commitment to Auxiliary surface operations. We are an important component of the operational community. The challenges we are seeing are the same ones being faced by all our Coast Guard shipmates. All units are seeing changes in tempo and funding.

Please take the National Member Survey

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
Have an opinion? It is time to express that opinion in the latest version of the member survey. Please
take a few minutes to complete the survey.

It is time to voice your opinion directly to the national leadership.Every few years we take the pulse of our membership to gain some insight into how our organization can be more effective for our members. Your participation in the 2013 Member Survey is important. Your answers to the survey will allow the leadership to discover what you most enjoy about being an Auxiliarist and what might be done to make your experience even better.

National Member Survey

Rose Festival/Seafair update

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,

By now many of you have gotten the news that we'll have limited participation of Coast Guard assets at Rose Festival. Local USCG and USCG Auxiliary activities will continue based on the needs of those events still taking place, such as the safety zone for the Dragon Boat races. I wanted to share the District Commander's comments in this press release. 

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard announced the cancellation of cutter and air asset participation during the 2013 Portland Rose Festival’s and Seattle Seafair’s Fleet Week celebrations, Thursday. 

Recent fiscal reductions, due to the Budget Control Act of 2011, have resulted in reduced Coast Guard participation in community outreach programs in 2013. 

“We are reducing our participation in various community events to focus our funding on highest priority missions.” said Rear Adm. Keith A. Taylor, commander of the 13th Coast Guard District. “We will continue to maintain our valuable relationships with the Pacific Northwest communities and will remain ‘Always Ready’ to answer the call.” 

Cancelling cutter and air asset visits is one of many steps the Coast Guard is taking to preserve the Coast Guard’s ability to meet the highest-priority mission activities, including search and rescue, critical security operations, and emergency response. The Coast Guard will continue to provide safety zones and maritime enforcement during both events. The Coast Guard believes there is value in demonstrating the capabilities of our assets, and will assess participation in future events on a case-by-case basis as the Coast Guard’s budget permits.

We stand a taunt watch with the rest of our service as we navigate these challenging budgetary times for our Nation.

Wash & Wear Trousers - Stand by for Auxiliary use

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,

Great clarification from the National HR Directorate on the new wash & wear trouser. Bottom line - these are being targeted to Active Duty & Reserve first and we will be authorized to wear at a future date. As some may recall these authorizations take some, but not too much, time.

V/r, Daren

Shipmates,
I received further clarification to the "Wash & Wear Trousers" Uniform update I distributed on 29MAR2013. At this time, the new Wash & Wear Trousers are ONLY authorized for wear by the USCG Active Duty & Reserve; they are not yet approved for use by the Auxiliary. If you have forwarded the previous information down the chain to the General Membership, please follow-up with this update. Sorry for any confusion.

Please see below for more specific details (source: H-Directorate Office):
"You may have [received notification] regarding Coast Guard Approval of a new Wash and Wear Male Trouser and Female Dress Slack for use with the Tropical Blue and Winter Dress Blue Uniforms (not the Service Dress Blue Uniform). This uniform part will be available in the Exchange System by the end of June 2013.
However, authorization is based on an interim guidance policy which has not yet been acted upon by the CHDIRAUX for use by the Auxiliary. As in the past, the UDC will issue bulletins about uniform changes that have been approved by the Coast Guard Uniform Board for active duty members, but not yet promulgated for use by the Auxiliary. That approval usually comes in the form of an ALAUX and an annotation to the on-line version of the AUXMAN.
Therefore, until the CHDIRAUX officially notifies the Auxiliary of the availability of these new garments and authorizes them for wear by our members, please do not send this information to the Deckplate, as it will only result in multiple inquires from District Commodore’s for answers that our Directorate does not have at this point."
v/r
Brett
--
Brett C. Bigelow, BC-HXP
Human Resources Directorate
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

National Public Affairs, Publications, Photo and Video Contest

Shipmates,
Get out your photos since June 2012 and take your cameras with you as you participate in Auxiliary activities -- the National Public Affairs, Publications, Photo and Video Contest closes in six weeks. Here are the details:

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2012 – 2013 National Public Affairs, Publications, Photo and Video Contest Guidelines

DEADLINE:   31 MAY 13 – NO EXCEPTIONS

TIMEFRAME:  01JUN12 - 31MAY13

AWARDS:  Each first place winner will be announced and presented with a 7X9 inch plaque at the Coast Guard Auxiliary National Meeting (NACON) in San Diego, California in August 2013. Winners may also be recognized in member communication vehicles from the national public affairs directorate.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTEST
This contest recognizes Coast Guard Auxiliary units who have successfully executed a robust public affairs program and or portfolio of a public affairs mission that attracted attention of the media and/or the general public. Each DSO-PA shall nominate no more than three (3) flotillas, two (2) divisions and their own district for this award.

Contest entries should be submitted electronically to pfritchie.uscgauxiliary@aol.com and should consist of no more than two pages summarizing the accomplishments of the unit during the  specified time frame. Submissions shall be received on or before 31-May-13 without exception. A judging panel of certified Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialists shall be convened to evaluate the entries and select the winners.

PUBLICATION CONTEST
This contest recognizes Coast Guard Auxiliary units who have successfully published three or more issues of a unit publication during the specified timeframe. Each DSO-PB shall nominate no more than one (1) flotilla, one (1) division and their own district for this award.

Nominations consisting of a copy of exactly three (3) separate issues of the unit publication should be submitted electronically to pfritchie.uscgauxiliary@aol.com using free Dropbox file sharing software (http://dropbox.com).  Each entry shall be identified with the name of the publication’s editor and the unit’s number.

Submission shall be received no later than 31-May-13 without exception.  A judging panel of certified Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialists shall be convened to evaluate the entries and select the winners. Entries will be evaluated on several categories including design, layout, writing quality, photojournalism, and use of Associated Press Style Book, Coast Guard Style Guide, and Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs Publications Officers Guide and USCG Auxiliary Public Affairs Guide.


PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
This contest recognizes Coast Guard Auxiliary Photographers who have successfully captured interesting and compelling images of Auxiliary members and assets in action across specified program categories.  Each Coast Guard Auxiliary member may submit up to two photographs per category. Contest entries should be submitted electronically to joetasio@verizon.net using free Dropbox file sharing software.  (Free download via:http://dropbox.com)

Each photograph must be labeled using current Coast Guard file naming protocol and contain a proper photo caption and credit information as per the Coast Guard PA Stylebook.  In addition each photograph should clearly identify the category it is being entered into.

Photo Categories are:
•       Fellowship
•       Marine Safety
•       Member Services
•       Operations
•       Public Affairs
•       Public Education
•       Vessel Examination

Submissions shall be received no later than 31-May-13 without exception.  A judging panel of certified Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialists will be convened to evaluate the entries and select the winners.  It should also be noted that no photographs containing identifiable minors (persons under 18 years) may be submitted without being accompanied by a model release form signed by the minor’s parents.  Submit on U.S. Coast Guard form ANSC 7020 (01-13).

VIDEO CONTEST
This contest recognizes Coast Guard Auxiliary videographers who have successfully captured images of Auxiliary members and assets in action and/or edited them into an interesting and compelling video segment. Each Coast Guard Auxiliary member may submit one (1) video to this contest.

The video must contain a proper video slate as specified in the Coast Guard PA Stylebook.  Contest entries should be no longer than 5 minutes in length and submitted electronically to itsrusty@me.com using free Dropbox file sharing software (http://dropbox.com)

Submissions must be received no later than 31-May-13 without exception. A judging panel of certified Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialists will be convened to evaluate the entries and select the winners.  It should also be noted that no videos containing identifiable minors (persons under 18 years) may be submitted without being accompanied by a model release form signed by the minor’s parents.  Submit on U.S. Coast Guard form ANSC 7020 (01-13).


ADDITIONAL RULES FOR ALL NATIONAL CONTESTS
1.)  DIR-A and DIR-AD are not eligible to participate in these contests.

2.)  No public affairs national staff member may enter a contest for which their respective division and/or branch has contest oversight responsibility. (e.g. photo branch members may not enter national photo contest.)

3.)  The judging panel may, at their sole discretion, choose not to award a winner for any specific contest and/or category if it is their opinion that none of the entries for said contest/category meet the minimum Coast Guard Auxiliary standards for excellence.

4.)  Each national contest coordinator may prescribe an alternative method of transferring/receiving contest entries as needed within reason.

5.)  All DSO-PA’s, DSO-PBs and DCO’s have been advised of this contest via email prior to 15-APL-13. Contest notice and guidelines were also disseminated via AUXDIRECT email list to all subscribing members.

6.) No contest entries will be accepted for any contest/category after 23:59 PST on 31-May-13.



Patricia P Fritchie,
Deputy Director Public Affairs - A Directorate
U S Coast Guard Auxiliary
                
Life Jacket, Wear It, the name says it all!