NTrain 2011 – OPCOM

OPCOM, the Auxiliary’s National Operating Committee meets often throughout the year. The central location of NTrain, St. Louis, offers an opportunity for this group to meet, participants coming from all parts of the country.

The OPCOM is composed of the National Bridge, Chief Director of Auxiliary, Deputy National Commodores (DNACO), Assistant National Commodores (ANACO), Department Directors and their Deputies, and participants from the Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC.

The session is “closed door” allowing participants to discuss and air their aims and goals for the coming year and beyond. Most of that discussion concerns “work in progress” and publication of those discussions would be premature. A major and important feature of the OPCOM meeting is the ability to talk face-to-face with Commodores and Directors from other departments. This is an opportunity to discuss department needs that could be satisfied with “across the table” and often open discussion.

The meeting is chaired by National Vice Commodore (VNACO) Thomas Mallison. “As I look around the room there are many new faces and a few new departments. Many of you new to your job starting November first. You will be meeting District Commodores and District Chiefs of Staff over the coming days. With the exception of two, they will have been in office for just a few weeks. Fresh faces bring fresh ideas, allow this to work to our benefit,” he said.

During the six hour meeting each of the OPCOM participants presented their reports, answered question and offered suggestions. As is usual with Auxiliary meetings, a lot of communication takes place one-on-one before and after the session and, of course, during coffee breaks.

Many exciting events have already taken place, across the board. Most of the reports stressed improvements to current operations based in part from comments and suggestions from the general membership. Innovations presented were often based on emerging technologies. Some updated systems are already in place, to excellent review by members using these systems. Considerable advances in the International department and the Interpreter Corps were presented. Many times during the presentation the term “cornerstone” was used and recreational boating safety facets were included in most reports.

During the summation at the end of the meeting, National Commodore (NACO) Jim Vass said, “I am always amazed at the quality of the work of the National staff. A large corporation would find it hard to afford your combined talent and the contributions you make to our organization.”

Editor’s Note: Individual photographs and short biographies of OPCOM participants will be featured in a coming article as part of SITREP’s coverage on NTrain 2011.

~MG 01-27-11