Getting to Know AUXINFO: Finding VE Count by Month

By Daren Lewis

Shipmates,
We are all aware the data systems we use in the Auxiliary are challenging. I'm very excited by the tools emerging from our National IT organization but in the meantime we've got to use what we have. The tool any member can access is AUXINFO -- the public face of AUXDATA. In this brief video tutorial I show a particular task -- finding VEs in the Sector by month. While you may never need to do this particular task the tutorial may prove useful as you explore the AUXINFO system.

RBS Workshop Weekend 3/5/11

RBS Workshop Weekend

Date: 3/5/11

Time: 08:30

Uniform-ODU

Location-MSU Portland

08:30 VE workshop

Everyone interested in or who is a current vessel examiner and/or program visitors are encouraged to attend the workshop as subject matter is closely related. The class covers everything from basic requirements, changes and methods of performing proper exams in our area of operation. Remember the goal of good vessel examiner is not to risk quality for quantity. Instructor for this class will be Ken Babick. The class is not required this year. For more details please contact SO-VE Joshua Sharkey or SO-MT Jonathan Polimeni.

09:45 IT workshop

Everyone interested in or current instructors are encouraged to attend the workshop. The course is design for all instructors both member training and public education. The course covers the requirements, changes, and best practices. . Instructor for this class will be Ken Babick. The class is not required this year. For more details please contact SO-MT Jonathan Polimeni.

11:00 PA workshop

Public Affairs workshop is a great course for everyone since many of our activities includes interaction with the public. The workshop is will cover the requirements for becoming a certified PA assistant for the auxiliary and what everyone need to know when dealing with the public . Instructor for this class will be Richard Rivera. The class is not required this year. For more details please contact SO-PA Richard Rivera or SO-MT Jonathan Polimeni.

SO-MT Jonathan Polimeni

Applying Vinyl Decals

Shipmates,
Over the last year we've given away a lot of vinyl decals celebrating our Flotillas. I prepared a quick video showing the way to successfully apply these decals.

2011 State of the Coast Guard Address

Shipmates,
This morning you will have seen an ALAUX with ADM Papp's email to all members of the service about his 2011 State of the Coast Guard Address. I encourage each of you to view the address and have found a version on YouTube that should make the process easier.

From: Papp, Robert ADM

Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 7:01 PM

Subject: State of the Coast Guard Address now online

Shipmates,

Earlier today, it was my honor to provide my first State of the Coast Guard Address. I was proud to have many members of the Coast Guard Family at the address including former Commandant's Admiral James Gracey and Admiral Bob Kramek. It was a great opportunity to catch-up with some old shipmates, take a fix on the Coast Guard and chart the course ahead.

For those who were not able to view the live broadcast, I am happy to inform you that the broadcast is now available on line at http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=1118951. In addition, the text of my speech and the new Commandant's Direction is now posted on the Senior Leadership page. You can access the Senior Leadership page at http://www.uscg.mil/seniorleadership.

Thanks to all of YOU - I am privileged to serve with YOU...

Semper Paratus,

Admiral Bob Papp

Commandant

2. 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.

3. Internet Release and Distribution is Authorized.

4. CG-5421 sends

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=407tyEbJL7w&feature=player_embedded

Coast Guard Reading List and a recommended reading

Shipmates,
Our friends over at the Coast Guard Office of Leadership and Professional Development (CG-133) have just released the updated Coast Guard Reading list:

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg1/cg133/resources/readinglist.asp

I've been a big fan of the list over the years as I've pursued my leadership journey. An exciting addition to this year's list is the selection of readings by a number of senior CG leaders. Check out the entire list with details at the link above.

• Commandant Papp's choice: Rescue Warriors: The U.S. Coast Guard, America's Forgotten Heroes, by David Helvarg
• VADM Brice-O’Hara’s choice: Until the Sea Shall Free Them, by Robert Frump
• VADM Currier’s choice: Bloodstained Sea, by Michael G. Walling
• RADM Salerno’s choice: Heroic Leadership: Best Practices from a 450-Year-Old Company That Changed the World, by Chris Lowney
• VADM Brown’s choice: Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships, by Daniel Goleman
• VADM Parker’s choice: The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration, by Isabel Wilkerson
• MCPO-CG Leavitt’s choice: Successful Leadership Today, by Douglas L. Drewry
• MCPO-CGRF Allen’s choice: Ask the Chief: Backbone of the Navy, by J. F. Leahy
• CAPT Weeden’s Chaplain of the Coast Guard choice: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, by Ruth Haley Barton

If you are a reader I highly recommend adding a few books on leadership and the history of our service to your annual reading list. If you don't read much this list is a great place to start.

My recommended reading for 2011 is The Little Big Things, by Tom Peters. The book is an easily digestible set of lessons, 163 in all, to pursue excellence. Tom presents these lessons in an accessible, personal style informed by decades in leadership roles from his early years in the Navy to his work with organizations around the world today. If reading isn't your thing Tom has been publishing free audio versions of each lesson under the title "New Audio: Tom Reads The Little BIG Things" at his blog - you have to hunt for them a bit but the other material you find is worth the time: http://www.tompeters.com/recently.php

Commander's Comments January 2011

Shipmates,
Thank you for your extraordinary efforts in 2010 to promote recreational boating safety and accomplish the maritime safety, maritime security and maritime stewardship missions of our service. The members of our Division achieved record levels of execution in our core mission areas. In many mission areas our division leads the District in both total mission execution and per-member mission execution.

As we start a new year it is important and useful to reflect on what has made this possible.

Member initiative and dedication to duty
The fundamental factor in our success is your desire and willingness to serve – to volunteer and, once committed, to follow through.

Important and accessible missions leading to capacity, capability and readiness
We are successful insofar as you have missions that:

• We are authorized to accomplish 
• For which we are provided or can provide for ourselves the required funding, resources and training
• Are important – a key measure of which is that they are valuable and interesting to the members who participate and attract new members

In the words of the Auxiliary mission statement we, “contribute to the safety and security of our citizens, ports, waterways and coastal regions.”  This mission statement encompasses our traditional recreational boating safety missions as well as a huge range of potential opportunities to serve beyond our traditional mission set. In the last decade we’ve seen real interest from our active duty, reserve and civilian shipmates in integrating Auxiliarists into more mission areas. In many cases this interest has become enthusiasm as a few members have proven themselves, and in so doing proven all of us, filling specific roles.

The opportunity to augment presents challenges to both the individual member and to our Flotilla and Division leadership. On an individual basis members are faced with many options, few well-defined pathways to success, and the need to overcome many milestones (e.g. classes, direct operational status, computer access, mandated training) just to get started.

Your leadership is faced with balancing the needs of members pursing these expanded opportunities with the interest of members in our traditional missions and the overall priority placed on Promoting and improving Recreational Boating Safety -- the first and underlined priority of Commandant Papp’s Auxiliary Policy Statement.

As I think about balancing our missions I’m struck by a recent comment our Commandant recently made to Homeland Security Today:

“I think the state of the Coast Guard is sound, and when I say ‘sound,’ I mean we’re able to meet the mission. However, we’re not able to meet all missions on every day. We have finite resources, and the decisions my operational commanders in the field have to make is how to apply those finite resources against the highest priority on any given day.” 

Sounds a lot like the choices we each make as members and leaders to get today’s job done and prepare for an uncertain future.

We are lucky as Auxiliarists -- we have a mission set which requires only our time and the training we manage ourselves – the RBS mission set. Except for the funding for surface operations in support of RBS we need little financial support. The VE and PV missions can be accomplished by individual members as their time permits. We can quickly qualify new members into these mission areas so they can feel and be effective – even as they await full membership.

I am increasingly convinced that a strong RBS program can be used as leverage to extend our capacity (members & facilities), capability (skills and qualifications), and readiness so we can help answer the call as the Coast Guard faces “highest priority on any given day”. This isn’t a zero-sum game – RBS is a valuable mission and a tool. Strong and growing Flotillas using, RBS as leverage, provide a support system for those members working in other mission areas and will bring in new members growing our ability to respond to the needs of the Coast Guard and the nation.

History and continuity
The measure of our work is counted not only in the numbers today but also in the success of our units in the years ahead. I count myself very lucky to serve in the Division each of you has contributed to building. Some of our members have been doing this for a very long time and as I look at our success I am mindful that we are the recipients of a legacy of service reaching back over 70 years.

Fellowship
Beyond the value of our missions and the satisfaction I derive from my service none of what we do would be worthwhile if I didn’t like and respect the people with whom I serve. We are at our core a voluntary association of citizens and we need to continue to be mindful of the feelings of our shipmates. Everywhere I’ve gone in the past year I’ve been greeted by warmth and a clear commitment to our core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty.

I am looking forward to a successful 2011 for our five Flotillas and the Division.

As always, please be safe out there and look to the safety of your shipmates.

Warm regards,
Daren Lewis
DCDR 7

2011 Pacific Northwest Sportsman's Show Watch Standing

Shipmates,

It is again time for the second of our major show events of the year - the 2011 Pacific Northwest Sportsman's Show. This show is an outstanding opportunity to spread the Recreational Boating Safety message, attract participation in our classes, schedule VEs, raise the profile of the joint Coast Guard/Auxiliary team and speak to potential new members.

The main show days are Wednesday, 09 FEB to Sunday 13 FEB 2011.

I encourage each of you to participate in at least one shift and, as your schedule permits, serve multiple shifts.

The uniform is ODU and we are requesting members wear inflatable PFDs (provided onsite) to showcase the ease of wear of these lifesaving devices.

The shifts are slightly longer than the boat show with four watch standers rather three to allow adequate breaks during shifts.

Signing up for watch standing:
Last year we used an online schedule and email approach which worked well and we'll replicate the process this year.

1. Review this schedule for open watches
2. Send an email to veryuseful@gmail.com with the your availability and preferences. If your schedule is flexible please indicate that is the case.
3. You selections will be updated into this schedule upon receipt and will display in this post.
4. You will receive a confirmation email within a few hours
5. You will receive a reminder email the day prior to the show.

If the watch bill does not display above please use this link.

Tickets will be provided for watch standers and will be held at will-call. You are more than welcome to spend time viewing the show before or after your shift. As with last year we will have shuttle service from the Delta Park West Marine parking lot to eliminate the cost of parking.

Controlling Communications with Mariner-TCO Class

Posted By Jonathan James

All, Saturday will be a combined member training and TCO academy located at MSU Portland on the Training Deck. The start time will be 0830 and will conclude about 1500. Lunch will be on your own and the galley will be open for breakfast and lunch.

Chief Rief from Sector Columbia River Command Center and OS2 Carter who is an Operations Specialist from the Sector Command Center will be providing the training for the Saturday class.

A highlight of the training:

---> Important skills for the watchstander to concentrate on in crisis situations.

---> Standard Script for Watchstander to Follow When Taking Assistance Information.

---> Standard Response to a Request for Vessel Assistance If Determined To Be a Non-Distress.

---> Standard Response to a Request for Vessel Assistance If Determined To Be a Distress.

---> Marine Assistance Request Broadcast Format for Radiotelephone Transmission.

---> Other Marine Broadcast Formats for Radiotelephone Transmissions (Pan-Pan, Security)

---> Communicating Between Coast Guard Resources.

---> Networks and Network Operations.

---> Pass-down Procedures.

Related material for this class are located in the following sections of the PQS:

* APPENDIX B CONTROLLING COMMUNICATIONS WITH MARINER.
* APPENDIX C STANDARD SCRIPTS AND RESPONSES TO REQUEST FOR VESSEL
ASSISTANCE.
* APPENDIX D COMMUNICATING WITH CG UNITS READING ASSIGNMENT.
* APPENDIX E NET AND DIRECTED NET OPERATIONS READING ASSIGNMENT

A makeup session for Fuel Dock and pump training will be offered for the members who participate in this division training session.

ICS Class

ICS 300 - Portland OR - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

February 22, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (1st DAY) - Full
February 23, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (2nd DAY) - Full

ICS 300 - Vancouver WA

April 21, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (1st DAY)
April 22, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (2nd DAY)

July 21, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (1st DAY)
July 22, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (2nd DAY)

September 22, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (1st DAY)
September 23, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (2nd DAY)

ICS 400 - Vancouver WA

February 24, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (1st DAY)
February 25, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (2nd DAY)

May 19, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (1st DAY)
May 20, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (2nd DAY)

August 25, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (1st DAY)
August 26, 2011 8:00am-5:00pm (2nd DAY)

Contact SO-MT Joanthan Polimeni for details.

Extraordinary performance in 2010: Vessel Safety Checks

Shipmates,
Last night at the Flotilla 78 change of watch George Sipes and I had the opportunity to discuss our VSC program in 2010. In the course of the conversation we looked up FL78's numbers to compare to other Flotillas in the District and Division 7's numbers to compare to other Divisions nationally.

Flotilla 78's VSC count alone exceeded that of each of the other nine Divisions in the District - 1,425 VSCs*. Way to go 78!

Only two other Divisions in D13 exceeded Flotilla 76's count of 759 VSCs for 2010 - our shipmates in Division 6 with 912 and in Division 1 with 852.

Nationally there are only three Divisions, of 170, that exceeded our total Division VSC count in 2010 of 2,958. Two of these are large Divisions in District 7 with 447 and 514 members respectively -- to our 258. The other is District 11NR - Division 10 which turned in two more VSCs - this was done with only 87 members and is an incredible achievement worthy of great respect.

Since Divisions vary so much in size it is more useful to look at the number of VSCs per active member in the Division. Nationally the Auxiliary did 4.4 VSCs per member in 2010. Division 7 did 11.5 VSCs per member. This is the fourth highest per member rate of the 170 Divisions. The four Divisions with higher rates have fewer than 100 members and one or two very productive VEs -- in the case of 11NR Div 10 they have a single member with over 2000 VSCs per year for the last 5-6 years.

A few very productive VEs (750+ VSCs/year) is a fragile way to accomplish our RBS mission. Illness or a change in focus can devastate a VSC program dependent on just one member or a few members.

This brings me to the most important point in the data - we accomplish our total numbers and our rate with a broad swath of our membership. We do have a number of outstanding performers - George conducted 475 VSCs while Lynn, Matt, Josh, Lance, Hall, and John H. were between 100 and 300 VSCs. Excluding these seven members we still had over 1,350 VSCs. In total we had 64 VEs active in 2010. We are not entirely dependent on a few members to accomplish the VSC mission. This gives us the ability to sustain our performance in the long term and meet the surge needs of ramp/dock work for Make Way, Opening Day and other events.

It is also the type of VE organization we need to continue to build to meet the challenge we face - 80 thousand registered boats and likely 100+ thousand unregistered paddle craft.

Thank you for the great work in 2010. Also my particular thanks to our outgoing SO-VE Dick Andreasen for his hard work and willingness to go anywhere, anytime to make our VE cadre effective and ensure they had the materials to get the job done. 2011 VE Decals are on hand -- let's get to work!

NOTE If you would like to look at the data I have put the spreadsheet online. Visit this link: https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0AvHhc1QsrrWwdERWOEg3UDdpR0NCODd3NVYtd1FVanc&hl=en&single=true&gid=0&output=html

*All figures are from AUXDATA as of 30DEC10

Portland Boat Show Schedule and Watch Standing

Shipmates,

It is again time for the first of our major show events of the year - the 2011 Portland Boat Show. This show is an outstanding opportunity to spread the Recreational Boating Safety message, attract participation in our classes, schedule VEs, raise the profile of the joint Coast Guard/Auxiliary team and speak to potential new members.

The main show days are Wednesday, 12 JAN to Sunday 16 Jan 2010.

I encourage each of you to participate in at least one shift and, as your schedule permits, serve multiple shifts.

The uniform is ODU and we are requesting members wear inflatable PFDs (provided onsite) to showcase the ease of wear of these lifesaving devices.

Signing up for watch standing:
Last year we used an online schedule and email approach which worked well and we'll replicate the process this year.

1. Review this schedule for open watches
2. Send an email to veryuseful@gmail.com with the your availability and preferences. If your schedule is flexible please indicate that is the case.
3. You selections will be updated into this schedule upon receipt and will display in this post.
4. You will receive a confirmation email within a few hours
5. You will receive a reminder email the day prior to your watch(es).

If the watch bill does not display above please use this link.

Tickets will be provided for watch standers and will be held at will-call. You are more than welcome to spend time viewing the show before or after your shift. As with last year we will have shuttle service from the Delta Park West Marine parking lot to eliminate the cost of parking.

ALCOAST 595/10 - 2010 HOLIDAY GREETINGS

Shipmates,
As many of you don't receive ALCOAST messages directly I want to pass along the holiday message from Commandant Papp.

Thank you for your service,
Daren

R 152359Z DEC 10

ALCOAST 595/10
COMDTNOTE 5100
SUBJ: 2010 HOLIDAY GREETINGS
1. SHIPMATES, IN THE MIDST OF THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, LINDA AND I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SEND OUR WHOLEHEARTED THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.

2. EACH AND EVERY DAY YOU PROVIDE FOR THE SAFETY, SECURITY, AND STEWARDSHIP OF OUR NATION AND ITS WATERS. YOUR OUTSTANDING WORK OVER THE PAST YEAR, WHETHER ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE, CIVILIAN OR AUXILIARY, ONCE AGAIN SHOWCASED THE VALUE OF OUR SMALL SERVICE. IN HAITI, YOU WERE FIRST ON-SCENE TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN THE WAKE OF A DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE, AND YOU HAVE LED, AND CONTINUE TO LEAD, THE EXTRAORDINARY CLEAN-UP AND OVERSIGHT OF THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL RESPONSE. WE ALSO REMEMBER OUR RETIREES, WHO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US AND STILL SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD FAMILY. THIS YEAR, OUR FAMILY ALSO EXPERIENCED THE PAINFUL LOSS OF SHIPMATES. WE REMEMBER THEM. WE MISS THEM. WE WILL NEVER FORGET THEM.

3. WE FACE MANY CHALLENGES IN THE NEW YEAR. INDEED, THERE IS MUCH IMPORTANT WORK TO BE DONE-BUT MY FAITH IN YOUR ABILITY TO COMPLETE OUR CHALLENGING MARITIME MISSIONS HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER. FOR NOW, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ENJOY THE WARMTH OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON. REST, RELAX AND SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND SHIPMATES. AS YOU ENJOY THE COMPANY OF YOUR LOVED ONES, REMEMBER OUR COAST GUARDSMEN, AND ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN OUR ARMED FORCES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, WHO ARE PROUDLY STANDING WATCH, PROVIDING SAFETY, SECURITY AND PEACE FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

4. YOU ARE AN EXCEPTIONAL GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS AND I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW THANKFUL I AM TO SERVE WITH YOU. DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, AND FOR THE MANY THAT WILL FOLLOW, WE WILL CONTINUE TO FAITHFULLY SERVE. THIS IS OUR CHOSEN PROFESSION. THIS IS OUR WAY. THIS IS WHAT WE DO. WE ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD, PAST AND PRESENT.

5. STAND A TAUT WATCH, SEMPER PARATUS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

6. ADMIRAL BOB AND LINDA PAPP, SEND.

7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

December 2010 Commander's Comments

Shipmates,
Over the last few weeks I've had cause to reflect on the sense of calm in the face of challenge that the mentorship, training and operational experience I've received as a member of the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard has granted me. I find myself responding calmly and competently to events that once would have caused consternation or even panic. I consider this sense of calm as one of the many gifts I've received from my shipmates, one for which I am very grateful. This particular gift does not come without a price, for me that price is the concern that I've not done everything I can do to ensure the safety of my shipmates. Our area of greatest inherent risk remains our surface and air operations programs. We work hard to give you the equipment, training, policies and procedures to operate safely but when it comes time to operate we rely on your integrity and judgement. This model has served us well in many ways -- we play by the rules, we use the provided PPE at the requisite times, we call off missions and evolutions due to conditions, and exercise our judgement and integrity in many other ways while operating.

We also need to count on that judgement and integrity when it comes to personally determining if each of us has the physical capability and mental focus to conduct our operational mission on a particular day or even if the time has come to switch the focus of our duties to other non--operational Auxiliary missions. The causes of such determination can be a passing illness, onset of disease, stress at work or home, a family tragedy, simple lack of rest, or any of a number of other factors. Honestly we are all aware age plays a part as well although it impacts each of us differently. We need to look to our core values and assure our culture allows honest dialog about our readiness, does not question the hard call to scrub a mission, and honors the extremely difficult decision to give up an operational qualification.

Our policy includes qualification or flight examinations. Part of the reason for this policy is to check that we are mentally and physically capable of completing the tasks for our qualification. We cannot expect our few members with responsibilities as Qualification Examiners or Flight Examiners to carry the whole burden of these judgements - hopefully we have all considered our level of competence and physical capability well before it comes time for our examinations. You should also expect your leadership to be willing to have respectful and frank conversations on these readiness topics. We owe it to each other.

This brings me back to my original point, I'm honored to work with such incredibly dedicated and competent shipmates - friends I've come to rely upon and would be willing to stand with in any storm. It is important to assure that our competency does not lead to a sense of complacency. We need to be introspective about our personal readiness and have honest conversations about operational readiness with our shipmates. We need to be able to answer yes to questions like "Can we quickly get any member of our crew out of the water?" and "Is our vision and hearing adequate to the conditions?". Again, we owe it to each other.

It is somewhat counterintuitive when discussing "when not to go out", but one thing that can make a huge difference in safety is operating regularly, participating in training opportunities, and building beyond being qualified to being truly proficient at our operational missions. There is nothing like actually operating to bring any concerns about readiness into focus.

Thank you for your service. Be safe out there and look to the safety of your shipmates,
Daren

Leadership: 24 hour rule

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2010/12/how_ford_24_hour_rule.html




Ford, HBR

So we put a rule in place. It says: 'You have 24 hours to take a new and emerging issue, try to understand it and see if you can resolve it yourself. After that, you have to go public with it.' It's an escalation process. Because with a lot of these issues, we can solve them pretty quickly by applying the intellect we have in this company.

Finding balance

Shipmates,
I've recently been in the grip of a project at work that has required greater than normal focus and a departure from the family <-> work <-> Auxiliary balance I like to maintain. I accept that my responsibilities will, from time to time, upset my preferred balance -- particularly if I am challenging myself. Times like these do remind me of an unhealthy period in my life when I lived out of balance on an ongoing basis. This was not due to the fact that I was doing too much of any one part of the puzzle that is a life, rather I was inattentive to