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NACO Jim Vass presiding |
January 29, St. Louis: January 29, St. Louis. National Commodore (NACO) Jim Vass called the assembly to order promptly at 0900. President of the National Association of Commodores, Commodore Rick Ives provided the invocation.
A color guard from combined St. Louis Coast Guard units presented the colors. Vice National Commodore Tom Mallison led the Pledge of Allegiance. Commodore Mallison then asked the assembly to join him in remembering the members of the Coast Guard family standing watch at home and abroad and those who have crossed over the bar.
Introductions were made and a roll call was taken. It was determined that a quorum was present.
“Welcome to our National Training Conference 2011. The theme of this year’s NTrain is ‘Dependability, Integrity and Diversity,” said NACO Vass. “No other volunteer organization in the world attracts people with talent dedication as does the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Dedication and service characterize the average Auxiliarist. This dedication must be reflected by the Coast Guard Auxiliary leadership, and therefore, we must provide the training and tools needed for our evolving missions,” he said.
NACO Vass continued, “Throughout this week we have provided training that focused on membership skills that will enhance the member’s knowledge and ability to participate in the missions of their choice. Each of you should find the time you spent here worthwhile, the members of the staff have devoted significant time and effort to meet your expectations and I ask that you take advantage of their efforts.”
The minutes of the Board Meeting from our National Conference on 28 August were passed by a unanimous voice vote.
National Executive Assistant (N-EA) Anne Lockwood then introduced Rear Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, the Assistant Commandant for marine safety, security and stewardship. The Admiral is responsible for developing national marine safety, security and environmental protection, policy and regulations.
RADM Zukunft was the leading Coast Guard officer in response to the BP oil spill disaster, “Deepwater Horizon.” He recalled some of the unique situations of that emergency; coordination of approximately 10,000 involved vessels, their safety and security, “A fleet larger than the D-Day invasion of World War II,” he said. “Job one was to keep the mission safe.”
He heaped high praise on the number of highly trained volunteers available, including a considerable number of Auxiliarists. “Over 55.000 Auxiliary man-hours were involved then and on a continuing basis,” he said. He commended the Auxiliary public affairs support in working with the outside media.
N-EA Lockwood then introduced Rear Admiral James A. Watson, Deputy Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Command. RADM Watson brought greetings from the local Commanders of the St. Louis area. He discussed the Auxiliary role in safety, security and support in the marine domain. He stressed the high value of knowledge of the sea and having a good vessel under foot. He also discussed the role of the Auxiliary in uninspected vessel security, safety and inspection.
RADM Watson lauded the Auxiliary Interpreter Corps, giving many examples of their use and value not only to the Coast Guard but to other service organizations and nations. He stressed the continued use of America’s Waterway Watch as a valuable security program. “Taking advantage of local knowledge is a high security factor,” he said.
E-A Lockwood then introduced Rear Admiral Kevin Cook, Director of Prevention Policy. His responsibilities span many of Coast Guard marine safety, security and stewardship missions affecting waterways management, domestic and international shipping, recreational and fishing boats, and port facilities.
RADM Cook is a familiar visitor to Auxiliary gatherings and he remarked, “It is great to renew old friendships and get to make new ones.” He said he admires the “excitement and passion” Auxiliarists apply to their mission. “I am looking forward to excellent relationships with the new Bridge,” he said.
He complimented the Auxiliary’s AUXOP program and our partnerships with like minded organizations. “Our goal is to provide tools and training to raise the bar,” he said.
Conference Coordinator Ernie Davenport presented a well-received video preview of NACON 2011 in Charlotte this coming August.
Presentations to the general assembly followed. Commodore Don Lloyd spoke on diversity in the Auxiliary; Mr. Joseph Bloomquist introduced “Mango Language Access” a computer program that acts as a translator for six languages; Mr. Tom Nunes spoke about improvements in public affairs.
Dr. Robert Fong, Director of the Training Department discussed the new AUXOP program. He delineated the combinations of courses need to achieve AUXOP status. The complete breakdown of the requirements can be found on the Training Department’s web site. He did make it very clear that tracking accomplishments was the responsibility of the individual Auxiliarist. When all of the needed courses have been accomplished, notice of this is sent to the District Director of Auxiliary via the chain of leadership (starting with the Flotilla Commander). The training Department is including a “frequently asked questions” help desk on their web site.
Chief Director of Auxiliary, Captain Mark Rizzo, presented a Meritorious Team Commendation award to a group of thirteen Auxiliarists who were involved in the creation of an international nautical terms dictionary. Captain Rizzo then presented NACO Jim Vass his AUXOP certificate and badge.
Following a break for lunch the General Assembly listened to a presentation by Mr. John Fetterman of the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). He described a NASBLA program to train maritime crews. The Auxiliary Operations manual was used as part of the course generation. Commodore Tom Venezio amplified the Auxiliary’s contribution and needed future support to the NASBLA crew program.
Mr. Jeff Hoedt of the Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety discussed recreational boating safety. He stressed the continued need for outreach programs such as advanced boater education. “Fatalities on the water are still at an unacceptable level, new initiatives are needed,” he said. “A good example of a working outreach program is the automobile seat belt program. A goal of 70% life jacket usage would greatly reduce fatalities,” He spoke about an awareness campaign that features public service announcements such as “Don’t Wreck your Summer.” He pointed out the effectiveness of such campaigns in the State of Minnesota which has led the nation in lowest boating fatalities for many years. He urged Auxiliarists to wear their life jackets when on the water - “set a good example.”
Chief Legal Counsel, Commodore Sig Murphy, discussed the difference between Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) and Memorandums of Agreements (MOA). He also offered the assistance of the National Legal Department to the District Commodores. He cited the need, especially when contracts with outside agencies and commercial entities are being drawn.
Deputy National Commodore Bruce Miller spoke on the restructure of the Information Technology Department. Senior Fellow of the Department, Mr. Steven Johnson presented the new electronic 7029 form, its value and ease of use. “No paper, no pdf, no e-form, no Adobe, it is a completely self contained browser. All it takes is a one click submission to the Information Systems (IS) Officer, no calculations, nothing to turn in. Hopefully this will cause an increase in the reporting of man hours,” he said.
NACO Vass and Mr. Wade Blackwood then signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Auxiliary and the American Canoe Association (ACA).
NACO Vass presented gifts to outgoing District Directors of Auxiliary and Operations Training Officers. The Commodore presented Lt. Lori Bard with his “challenge coin” for the assistance she has provided to the Auxiliary.
NACO Vass closed the General Assembly by leaving the podium and coming down to the assembly floor stressing his vision for leading the Auxiliary. We must continue to meet America’s ever changing needs through our attention to recreational boating safety, the security of America’s waterways and improving methods of educating the boating public.
He iterated our mission to support that vision by making support of recreational boating safety one of our primary missions along with contributing to the safety and security of our ports and waterways. We have to strive to improve the quality and delivery of our methods of education and work with other like minded organizations to improve the knowledge of the boating public. “We must increase the awareness of safety on the water,” he said.
A part of our mission is to increase the amount of vessel safety checks, fishing vessel inspection and marine dealer visits. We must attempt to increase our safety and regatta patrols. Study groups have been formed to determine why we are loosing Coxswains and vessel facilities. He was pleased to announce that our membership has been stable and we have rebounded from the dip of a few years ago.
Progress in our public education is down. We should be looking to increase the number of sessions offered to the public. “Sell the quality of the course and its instructors,” he said. “We should be recruiting and training more qualified instructors.”
“Membership training hours are holding steady and the number of AUXOPs are increasing. The newly revised AUXOP program should increase the number of members who qualify,” he said. NACO Vass equated the term “dependable” with being reliable and ready to do what you have volunteered to do; “integrity” with honesty; “diversity” through our idea, our forces our competencies.
There is value in studying reductions in our programs and determining the reasons. His goals include improving the performance and effectiveness of our membership and have a good time while doing so.
He closed his message saying, “Be safe on the water and set a good example to others. Come to the National Conference in Charlotte. Travel safe on your journey home.”
The meeting was adjourned.
~MG 01-30-11