Breeze winter 2017

Breeze

Winter 2017

Newsletter of District 7 • United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

This issue honors the recipients of awards at NACON 2017

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Click on title or image to link to article. Click on logo on lower left corner of each page to return to contents.

Words for the Members from the D7 Helm A New Year is Ahead

Words for the Members from the D7 Helm A Challenging Year

Gary P. Barth, DCOS 7

COMO Judith Lee Hudson

Bill Griswold Named to National Safe Boating Council National Board of Directors.

2017 District and National Publications Contests.

Compiled and Edited by Stephen Ellerin FSO-PB

Breeze Staff article

Breeze Earns First Place at NACON

By Dottie Riley, DSO-PB

District 7 Publications Contest First Place Division Newsletter

By John Quinn, ADSO-PB

District 7 Publication Contest First Place Flotilla Newsletter

Newsletters: Are they worth the effort?

WHAT’S INSIDE....

By John Quinn, ADSO-PB

By Dottie Riley, DSO-PB National Public Affairs Photography AwardsOperations

National Public Affairs Photography AwardsFellowship

Breeze Staff

Breeze Staff

National Public Affairs Photography Awards-Vessel Examiner

Diversity NACO 3-Star Awards Breeze Staff

Breeze Staff

NACON Recreational Boating Safety Awards

Sector Charleston and the City of Charleston Welcome USCGC Willow

Breeze Staff

By John L. Quinn, ADSO-PB

Caps for Coasties

Awards Earned by D7 Units and Members

By Robert Fabich, Sr.

20 Conserving Water

Submitted by COMO Judith Hudson

Breeze Staff

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Mentoring: The Art of Keeping New Members Engaged

By Mary Patton, DSO-PA

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National Safe Boating Council Grant Award

By Linda R. Jones

Use Social Media to Help Spread the Boating Safely Message-Page 26 BREEZE

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BREEZE Volume LXIII Winter 2017 Read the BREEZE online at: www.uscga-district-7.org/breeze.html

District Staff Officers

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD District Commander

Prevention Directorate

Lawrence S. Berman, DDC-P Edward E. Pratt, DSO-MS Alberto Miguel Juliachs, DSO-MT Agnes K. Mical, DSO-NS Diane Berman, DSO-PV Jules H. Moquin, DSO-PE William S. Griswold, DSO-SL Chuck Kelemen, DSO-VE

District 7 Staff Officers

Response Directorate

Rear Admiral Peter J. Brown Director of Auxiliary District 7

CDR Xaimara Vicencio-Roldan Operations Training Officer

CWO4 Charles (Bee) Perry U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

Jonathan Ward Nicholls, DDC-R Tommy Robert Augustsson, DSO-AV Donald L. Wellons, DSO-CM H. Festus Burchfield, DSO-OP William F. Hanlon III, DSO-IM

District Commodore

Commodore Judith Lee Hudson District Chief of Staff

Gary P. Barth

Immediate Past District Commodore

Logistics Directorate

Daniel C. Hess, DDC-L Craig De-Toma, DSO-CS Thomas Allen Lane, DSO-DV Paulette R. Parent, DSO-FS Angela Pomaro, DSO-HR Susan Z. Hastings, DSO-IS Salvatore Magro,, DSO-MA Mary Barbara Patton, DSO-PA Dorothy J. Riley, DSO-PB Diane Riggan, NSBW Coordinator Alejandro de Quesada, D7 Historian Craig De-Toma, Webmaster

Commodore Robert Weskerna District Captain North

Patricia Ann McMenamin District Captain West

Frank A. Wondolkowski District Captain East

Russel Dewey Jackson Auxiliary Sector Coordinators ASC Sector Charleston

Others

COMO Henry G. Pratt III

Jullianne Bouchard, DSO-SR William F. Hanlon, ADC-ICS Carl Dalton Motes, DSO-LP James F. Stone, DSO-FN Theresa Sweeney, PPCA Peter W. Hecht, ADSO-AV

ASC Sector Jacksonville

Maxine Elizabeth Rattrie ASC Sector Key West

District Administrative Assistant & Aide Manuel Sosa Jr., D-AA Nicole R. Betterson,D-AD Teresa A. Barth, D-AD-P Carolyn R. Hooley, D-AD William W. Bartley, D-AD Robert J. Hoffman, D-AD Gerald Randolph Patton, D-AD

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Elsie S. Metcalf

ASC Sector Miami

Marcelo Freire

ASC Sector St. Petersburg

Ronald R. Howington

Division Commanders Division 1...........................Angel R. Rivera Division 2..........John D. Sprague-Williams Division 3........................Joseph C. Aleba Division 4 .......................Charles R. Elliott Division 5.......................William T. Butler Division 6..................Benjamin R. Kidder Division 7.......................Eugene S. Keller Division 8......................Murray. D. Price Division 9................Thomas W. Bamford Division 10....................Donald L. Wellons Division 11.......................Jesse Aron Scott Division 12.........................Allen N. James Division 13....................Susan K. Redding Division 14.......................David L. Patrick Division 15...................Andrew J. Render Division 16....................Rosemarie Moscia Division 17........................John W. Holmes BREEZE is the official publication of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 to provide articles of interest and information to its members. All articles and photographs submitted must be consistent with the policies of the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. Electronic submissions are encouraged. Send high resolution images as attachments not embedded within a document or email.

BREEZE articles and photographs may be reprinted with proper attribution to BREEZE and the author/photographer.

Send comments and submissions to: dottieriley1@verizon.net or to senior editor John L. Quinn: editor.uscgaux. d7.breeze@gmail.com Personal information of members is protected by the Privacy Act of 1974.

The use of these rosters, addresses and telephone numbers on any computer or online service including the Internet is prohibited by the Act. Mark your calendars: 2018 Submission deadlines: Feb. 15, May 15, Aug. 15, Oct. 30, 2018.

ASC Sector San Juan

Javier Bernabe

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Commodore Judith Lee Hudson A Challenging Year

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

Not only has it been a challenging year, but it also has had its rewarding times. As I made my way throughout the district this year, I heard about issues and concerns, but I also heard about successful missions, outstanding members, accomplishments that were setting records, and members in approval pending (AP) status who were and are contributing in amazing ways!

Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way.

Thank you for renewing your membership to participate in 2018. A special gratitude to our 2017 officers appointed, as well as elected. Your district appreciates your accepting the responsibility of serving and the time, effort and dedication that you gave to our goals and missions. Human Resource officers are to be commended for serving in difficult times with the extra care and checking it takes to complete the application process correctly. They work to keep waiting members involved and patient during the many weeks to get a member identification number, and to encourage these new members to be active, learning and contributing during the extended time until they are vetted. This is not an easy job; it takes a special person to continue to serve and be positive in this position. Thank you Human Resource Officers!

Congratulations to 2018 officers. Thank you for agreeing to serve in an office. I know that you are busy setting goals and preparing for a great year ahead.

We all recognize that not everything is going well; however, it is important also to acknowledge that we are supporting the Coast Guard and our communities’ recreational boating public. Our missions are very important. Now is the perfect time to reflect on what we achieved in 2017. Not all activity reports are filed, so I am not going to list any statistics, but we did very well in Recreational Boating Safety, our No. 1 mission area – Public Education, Vessel Safety Checks and Program Visitations. Food Service also excelled in many ways this year. Our Communications Department is growing and very active. Air Operations were steady in missions and hours all year and served in exemplary fashion in hurricane recovery missions. Communications Services made improvements on our website and was always responsive to requests for messages getting to you. Don’t forget departments that always “hum” like Information Systems, Finances, Public Affairs and Publications.

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To ensure our morale is on the rise in 2018 and to make the year successful, try these suggestions: • Our No. 1 and the most important customer is our members. Connect with them, get to know them, appreciate them.

• Avoid seeing problems as larger than they are.

Keep them in perspective. Break them down into smaller components to work on. Identify the source(s).

• Resolve issues in logical, step-by-step fashion.

• Accept change as a part of living – see it as an opportunity to learn and improve.

• Move toward your goals – when setting them, make sure they are realistic, have a path to getting there, and have the buy-in of members. Even small accomplishments can mean moving in the right direction.

• Take decisive actions. Take steps to resolve adverse situations as soon as possible.

• Look for opportunities for self-discovery – that can put the fun in your life.

• Have a positive outlook and approach – it works, and it’s catching!

• Keep a balance in your life and the life of your unit.

Let’s all keep listening to each other, learning and increasing our knowledge and skills, and leading in our areas of expertise and success. Have relaxing, safe, and very happy holidays! See you next year! Ω

COMO Judith Lee Hudson, DCO 7 Click on image to watch ← a message from COMO Judith Hudson

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Gary P. Barth, District 7 Chief of Staff

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

A New Year is Ahead The year 2017 proved to be a very busy year for our District. The arrival of two hurricanes, (one which affected the entire district) not only prevented us from having our scheduled District Training Meeting but has forever changed the lives of many of our members. Especially hard hit were Divisions 1, 13 and 16. We still are not able to account for all members in Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands. Elections in Divisions 1 and 16 have yet to happen and many members still have no power and water. Please keep these members in your thoughts and prayers.

Elections are over, and we are ready to begin a new year in District 7. Leaving us as District Captain East is Dewey Jackson, who will become the District Directorate Chief for Prevention starting Jan. 1, 2018.

Thank you, Dewey, for a fantastic two years. Our new District Captain East, William (Bill) Bartley, is a member of Flotilla 36 Boca Raton. Several of you will assume an office of higher responsibility, either as an elected or appointed officer. I commend you for “stepping up” to make our district better. It’s an honor to have leaders who are dedicated, committed and determined to serve our Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and most of all, our members. We now need to focus our efforts on the upcoming year.

In 2018 we need to strive toward increasing our membership, as well as our surface, air and communications facilities. We have lost many members this past year for various reasons. It is essential that we emphasize recruiting in 2018. New members

are needed so we can continue to fulfill the missions requested of us by the Coast Guard.

To better perform their duties, the Coast Guard is also looking to our members for some specific skill sets (Clergy Support, Financial Educators, Food Service, etc.).

Keep these special skills in mind in our recruitment efforts as we strive to bring in diverse and dedicated new member.

To help with member retention, we are releasing a fresh, and new mentoring program in the early part of 2018. A personal qualification standard will be included as a part of this new program. This will ensure that we have the best possible mentors for our new members. Thanks go to Karen Miller and Angela Pomaro for their efforts in making mentoring a reality.

As 2017 comes to a close, I would like to thank each member for all you have done to support our missions and make District 7 the best district in the Nation. Let’s strive to make 2018 an even better year.

Get involved, stay involved and we’ll all have a great new year.

Bravo Zulu and Semper Paratus

Gary P. Barth, DCOS 7

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida—While some of our Auxiliary members from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are yet unaccounted for, some of them have temporarily relocated to the United States. Olga Pavan, a member of Flotilla 12 Cangrejos, has temporarily relocated to St. Petersburg and is staying with her daughter, Auxiliary member Heleyde Aponte. Photo by Heleyde Aponte

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Bill Griswold named to National Safe Boating Council National Board of Directors.

MEMBER FOCUS

William “Griz” Griswold was named to represent the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary on the board of directors of the National Safe Boating Council. As a member of this body, Griz facilitates partnership and collaboration efforts with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on such important boating safety initiatives as the Wear It! North American Safe Boating Campaign; National Safe Boating Week; and “Ready, Set, Wear It!” Life Jacket World Record Day, to name a few.

After a 37-year career in the military, both in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Coast Guard, Griswold retired in 1993 as a captain in the Coast Guard. After commissioning in the U.S. Army, he served aviation tours including a tour in Vietnam. Later, after transferring to the Coast Guard, he served at various Air Stations performing search and rescue missions in both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Griswold also deployed aboard Coast Guard icebreakers for two trips to Antarctica. When the 200-mile limit was initiated, he served a tour in Kodiak, Alaska. sailing on cutters’ aviation detachments enforcing the laws of the 200 -mile economic zone.

His staff tours included military readiness, personnel and recreational boating. Griswold served Director of Auxiliary tours in Alaska and New York, and eventually served as the Chief Director, Auxiliary at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington. Since retirement in 1993, he has been active in the local Auxiliary unit in Florida, at the District and National Auxiliary Staff levels, and served as Chairman of the National Safe Boating Council 2002 – 2004. He is presently the president of the United Safe Boating Institute. Ω

Breeze staff article

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William Griswold, a member of Flotilla 43 Lake County, immerses himself in Recreational Boating Safety initiatives at all levels beginning with flotilla events up to Auxiliary national directorates and the National Safe Boating Council. He is pictured above teaching a water safety program to children in Lake County and below at a static Public Affairs event. United States Coast Guard Auxiliary photographs.

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2017 District and National Publication Contests The winners-and how we judge.

Compiled and Edited by Stephen Ellerin FSO-PB

MEMBER FOCUS

The District contest recognizes Coast Guard Auxiliary units that have successfully published three or more issues of a unit publication during the past year.

Flotilla newsletters eligible for judging must be published monthly, bimonthly or quarterly during the year. Division newsletters eligible for judging must be published at least quarterly during the year.

Robert Fabich, Staff Officer-Publications Division 15, Stephen Ellerin, Flotilla Staff Officer-Publications Flotilla 82, Leslie Long, Flotilla Staff Officer-Publications Flotilla 11-1, Karen Miller, staff Officer-Publications Division 11, and Dottie Riley, District Staff Officer-Publications constituted the Judges Panel.

Their charge was to consider announcements of coming flotilla, division and district activities, recognition of flotilla member achievements or awards, member training items, and balance of content using the standards contained in the current USCG

Auxiliary Publication Guide and evaluated on several categories including: design, layout, writing quality, photojournalism, and use of The Associated Press Style Guide.

Similarly, the National contest recognizes Coast Guard Auxiliary units [district, division and flotilla] that have successfully published three or more issues of a unit publication during the past year.

Flotilla newsletters eligible for judging must be published at least quarterly during the year. Division newsletters eligible for judging must be published at least quarterly during the year. District newsletters eligible for judging must be published at least quarterly during the year.

District 7 and its units continue to do us all proud.Ω

Breeze Earns First Place at NACON “Content [of Breeze] is entirely dependent upon you, the members.”

Divisions in every sector participate in various annual events. While divisions on the west coast may participate annualy in the Gasparilla Boat Parade and Frogman Swim, the east coast participates annual events from Barefoot Mailman to the Lobster Rodeo. Those smartphone cameras will do a lot more than take selfies!

We are proud to once again bring home the Auxiliary’s National Public Affairs-Publications First Place Award for district level newsletters for our very own Breeze.

While I may take credit for layout, content is entirely dependent upon you, the members. This means this award is for every member who contributed photos and articles in 2016.

Thank you!

Hopefully, these words will encourage you to continue to contribute.

We are always in need of great photographs. These include all events in which our members participate from community outreach, to Vessel Examinations, Public Education, Operations, and fellowship. If it is a great photo, we want to publish it! Additionally, we participate in annual events that have become so routine that we often do not think about taking photographs or writing articles about them.

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Special thanks to John Quinn and Jonathan Buie, Assistant District Staff Officers-Publications, who worked especially hard to get your articles and photographs to me, and who crafted legible paragraphs from bullet lists and sentence fragments.

Whether we shine again next year is up to you.

Remember, you control the content! All I can do is present it well.

Dottie Riley, District Staff Officer-Publications, D7

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District 7 Publications Contest The winners are...

By John Quinn

MEMBER FOCUS

Division Newsletter Karen Miller is this year’s winner for best division publication in the District 7 Contest for Division 11 newsletter, Chip Log. Her path to this award has been interesting. She had a successful career as an educator and head of a telecom company. This experience got Miller heavily involved in writing technical manuals and documentation. When she retired and moved to Florida, she had aspirations of writing the next great American novel. However, in 1993, she got side-tracked when she took a boating safety course sponsored by her future flotilla. She aced the exam and got recruited right away. Instead of writing her novel, she became active in her flotilla in a variety of ways, holding every Flotilla Staff Officer position (FSO) except Marine Safety. Not surprisingly, she excelled as an Flotilla Staff Officer-Publications where she combined her writing skills with her computer skills. She is not sure whether it is a talent or a curse, but Miller can spot a typo, across the room, backward and upside down! Her proofreading skills have become legend so she is called upon to proof several District 7 publications. As the editor of Channel Marker, she won the National Publications Contest in 2000.

lie Long, this year’s District 7 Publications Contest winner for best flotilla publication. The apple does not fall far from the tree.

When asked what it meant to win the District 7 Contest for best Division publication, she replied, “Yippee! I am a very competitive person.” On a more serious note, she expressed hope that such contests would inspire more to get involved in supporting Auxiliary publications, noting, “they are so important for communication, team-building and morale.”

Finally, she aspires to win the National Publications Contest for best division publication in 2018. Did I mention, she is very competitive? Ω

Her leadership and writing skills have propelled her to serve as Division 11 Commander on two separate occasions, to serve as District Staff Officer-Publications for District 7, and as Branch Chief-Public Affairs on National Staff. As Division Chief in the Boating Department she initiated and edited their publication, Waves. Because of her technical writing skills she has been called upon to write a Flotilla Nuts and Bolts PowerPoint presentation and has now completed work on Division Commander’s EDGE (Education, Development, Growth and Excellence) presentation.

As National Branch Chief-Public Affairs, Miller revised their publications guidelines. Oh, and along the way, she has served as a mentor to other aspiring writers and editors. In fact, Miller mentored LesBREEZE

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District 7 Publications Contest

MEMBER FOCUS

The winners are...

By John Quinn

Newsletters: Are they worth the effort?

Flotilla Newsletters

Dottie Riley, DSO-PB

Leslie Long is the winner of the District 7 Publications contest for best flotilla publication, Channel Marker, newsletter for Flotilla 11-1 Clearwater.

Long is a retired English teacher. When she and her husband moved to the Florida Coast nine years ago, they wanted to pursue their interest in boats and being on the water. They decided that if they joined the USCG Auxiliary, they could “do something helpful when other people got into trouble on the water.” This is why they joined Flotilla 11-1, and one thing led to another.

When Karen Miller, Flotilla Staff Officer-Publications 11-1, assumed the position as division commander, other flotilla members urged Long to fill this position, citing her background as an English teacher.

With some trepidation and promises of support, she agreed. Karen Miller was a good mentor, not to mention an award-winning publisher of a newsletter in her own right. With hard work and the support of the talented contributors and photographers in her flotilla, Long began to feel comfortable in her position and succeeded in putting her own stamp on the flotilla newsletter.

What Leslie enjoys the most about her work is the “art” of taking the work of other talented people and putting it together to create an actual e-magazine. When asked her thoughts on winning the District 7 award for best Flotilla publication, Long gave great credit to her flotilla remarking, “We won the award. Our flotilla staff officers and others contribute interesting stories. We get wonderful pictures from the great photographers in our flotilla, as well. When we collaborate, we all win!” Long is very generous with her praise, but she certainly deserves credit for the creativity that she brings to putting her publication together in an award-winning package.

The offices of Flotilla Staff Officer-Publications and Division Staff Officer-Publications are too often shrugged off as not vital to unit functioning and remain vacant all year. In truth, few members volunteer to fill these positions. These offices are difficult to fill for numerous reasons.

A Publications officer should have basic writing skills and be an experienced user of publishing programs such as Microsoft Word, Publisher or Adobe InDesign. Additionally, they must have a basic understanding of the Auxiliary Manual and the Publication Officer’s Guide. While that is a lot to learn, the benefits are rewarding for both the unit and the Publications officer.

It is one of the best ways for a member to learn Auxiliary policies, uniform requirements and all things Auxiliary related.

The benefit of newsletters to the unit and its members is understated. Newsletters help build morale by acknowledging the member’s efforts through highlighting past events, and by informing members about upcoming events. Newsletters also serve as great recruitment tools.

Officers frequently argue that newsletters are outdated and better served through social media. Have you recently checked your flotilla or division page on social media? Most are outdated and rarely do members post photos of recent events.

Most often social media pages recycle Coast Guard posts. While we are proud of our Coast Guard partner, we are the Auxiliary and should more frequently focus on our activities. This too can do more to recruit new members and build morale than recycling Coast Guard news.

Build morale- volunteer to serve as a Publications Officer in 2018! Ω

One day, Long hopes to win the National publications contest. With her talent and her flotilla’s collaboration, why not? Ω BREEZE

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District 7 Earns National Public Affairs Photography Awards Breeze Staff

National Public Affairs Photography Award: Fellowship Robert Fabich Sr. earned first place in the National Public Affairs photography contest in the fellowship category. He is a member of Flotilla 15-1 Crystal River.

Fabich joined the Auxiliary in 2009 and currently holds several qualifications including Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist 1, Auxiliary Port State Control Dispatcher, Telecommunications Operator and Auxiliary Food Service Specialist.

The things Fabich most enjoys is innovation and in bringing modern ideas to the Auxiliary. He is a strong supporter of mentorship and is committed to providing the tools necessary to those acquiring a new skill or seeking success in becoming leaders.

Fabich reports, “Simply put, we are here to augment the Coast Guard and I believe we must maintain the skills to serve by their side or in their absence.” Ω

MEMBER FOCUS

Fabich serves as N-SME (member services editor); Assistant District Staff Officer-Public Affairs-Photographer, District 7; Assistant District Staff Officer-Aviation-Publications (District 7 AUXAIR editor); Assistant

Staff Officer Division 15 for the division’s publication 7:15 Express. Additionally, until the end of 2017, he serves as Staff Officer-Publications and in filling the vacancy of Staff Officer-Communication Services. Fabich earned the National Public Affairs -Publications award in 2016 for AUXAIR, in the district newsletter category.

2017 First Place National Public Affairs Photgraphy Contest. Category: Fellowship ORLANDO – CDR Marshall Branch, Coast Guard Air Station Savannah and Auxiliary aviators share laughter and stories during the second annual Auxiliary Aviation Dining Out. The Fellowship social was attended by Coast Guard and Auxiliary aviators from across District 7 during the District 7 Training Meeting held at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center Sept. 22, 2016. USCG Auxiliary photograph by Robert A. Fabich, Sr.

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District 7 Earns National Public Affairs Photography Awards

MEMBER FOCUS

Breeze Staff

2017 First Place National Public Affairs Photography Contest. Category: Operations TAMPA – An Auxiliary facility from Division 7 serves as a vessel in distress to assist Coast Guard crews from Station St. Petersburg perform annual currency maintenance. USCG Auxiliary photograph by Valerie Fernandes

National Public Affairs Photography Award: Operations Valerie Fernandes, a member of Flotilla 78 Pass-aGrille is the recipient of the photography award in Operations. A true Florida ‘snowbird,’ Fernandes is an active member in two districts and Florida enjoys the fruits of her labors at least half of each year. She is certified as an Aid Verifier, Boat Crew Coxswain, Instructor, Marine Dealer Visitor and, Vessel Examiner, Telecommunications Operator, and Auxiliary Food Service specialist. Fernandes is one of the best photographers in Division 7 and in addition to all of her BREEZE

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other activities, serves as Flotilla Staff Officer-Publications in her flotilla. In this position, she has earned her division’s award for best newsletter three years in a row.

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District 7 Earns National Public Affairs Photography Awards

MEMBER FOCUS

Breeze Staff

2017 First Place National Public Affairs Photography Contest. Category: Vessel Examiner MARCO ISLAND – Jim Moyer conducts Vessel Safety Examinations and offers boating safety information to members of the boating public. USCG Auxiliary photographs submitted by Jim Moyer

National Public Affairs Photography Award: Vessel Examiner Jim Moyer, a member of Flotilla 95 Marco Island is the recipient of the National Public Affairs Photography Awards, Vessel Examiner category.

Moyer joined the Auxiliary-for the second time-in 2006 and serves as Flotilla Staff Officer-Vessel Examinations. He enjoys doing Vessel Safety Checks and BREEZE

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promoting boating safety. Moyer originally hails from south-eastern Pennsylvania and he first joined the Auxiliary in 1979 after taking a boating safety program offered by the Marco Island flotilla. Ω The Breeze would like to give a shoutout to Keith Wohltman who took the photos submitted under Jim Moyer’s name.

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District 7 Earns National Public Affairs Photography Awards Breeze Staff 2017 First Place National Public Affairs Photgraphy Contest. Category: Vessel Examiner MARCO ISLAND – Jim Moyer conducts Vessel Safety Checks. USCG Auxiliary photographs submitted by Jim Moyer.

Photograph taken by Keith Wohltman, member of Flotilla 95 Marco Island.

MEMBER FOCUS

Learning experience: When submitting photos to the National Public Affairs photo contest on behalf of other members, be sure to correctly name the photographer!

Photographs That Deserve Honorable Mentions.

CLEARWATER PASS, Auxiliary facility Broad on the Bow enroute a capsized sailboat with two people in the water. USCG Auxiliary photograph

by Teresa Kasper, Flotilla 11-1 Clearwater

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Image by Storyblocks

MEMBER FOCUS

Diversity NACO 3-Star Awards

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 competing for the award must complete a minimum of four action items in each goal category as defined in the program description. The following is a list of District 7 units that earned the NACO Three-Star Award in Diversity: Flotilla 1-12 Santurce, Puerto Rico Flotilla 51 The Palm Beaches Flotilla 91 Fort Myers Beach Flotilla 11-1 Clearwater Flotilla 17-6 Central Brevard Flotilla 34 Pompano Beach Flotilla 54 Delray-Boynton Beach Flotilla 95 Marco Island Flotilla 11-7 Hudson Flotilla 36 Boca Raton Flotilla 56 Vero Beach-Sebastian Flotilla 96 Wiggins Pass

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Flotilla 11-10 Dunedin Flotilla 37 Lighthouse Point Flotilla 58 Ft. Pierce Flotilla 98 Charlotte Harbor Flotilla 12-6 East Cooper Flotilla 44 Daytona Beach Flotilla 59 Stuart Flotilla 9-10 Ft. Myers and Cape Coral Flotilla 12-10 Georgetown Flotilla 48 New Smyrna Flotilla 87 Englewood Flotilla 13-8 Upper Keys

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District 7 Units and Members Earn Prestigious NACON Awards Awards Presented at NACON USCG Boating Safety Division

Recreational Boating Safety Award of Excellence

Flotilla 9-10 Ft. Myers and Cape Coral

MEMBER FOCUS

Awards of Excellence, (also known as the Eagle Award), are presented each year to recognize one of the top contributors to recreational boating safety missions in each of the three Auxiliary organizational areas. Each National Area Commodore (ARCO) is responsible for selecting one member from the area they represent. Area candidates are nominated by each District Commodore and forwarded, with supporting data, to their respective ARCO. Based on their overall contributions, each ARCO selects an award recipient based their own qualitative or quantitative evaluations of the data submitted in support of the candidates.

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 26, 2017—COMO Ken Jacobs, Director, Diversity Directorate presents a Three-Star Award for Diversity earned by Flotilla 37 Lighthouse Point to COMO Judith Hudson. Behind her is Gary Barth, DCOS. To her right, COMO Richard Washburn, National Commodore. USCG Auxiliary photograph by Robert Fabich Sr., Flotilla 15-1 Crystal River

USCG Boating Safety Division Recreational Boating Safety Partnering With Pride Rafael Matos-Rivera, FL 12 Santurce “Partnering with Pride” award recognizes the power, imagination, creativity, and vision of partner leadership.

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 26, 2017--Flanked by COMO Richard Washburn, National Commodore (left), COMO Judith Hudson, D7 Commodore, accepts the USCG Boating Safety Division, Recreational Boating Safety Partnering With Pride award earned by Rafael Matos-Rivera, FL 12 Santurce, Puerto Rico.

USCG Auxiliary photograph by Robert Fabich, Sr., Flotilla 15-1 Crystal River

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Sector Charleston and the City of Charleston Welcome USCGC Willow

By John L. Quinn, Senior Editor

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - On Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, under the command of Lt. Cmdr. Brendan Harris, USCGC Willow arrived in its new homeport, Charleston, South Carolina. She replaces USCGC Oak which departed in 2015. On Monday, Oct. 23, 2017, Rear Admiral Peter Brown, commander of USCG District 7, presided over the homeport welcoming ceremony held at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston.

The Willow is a 225 foot Juniper-class seagoing buoy tender with a crew of 45, formerly homeported

at Naval Station Newport. For more than a year Willow underwent a substantial overhaul in a Baltimore dry-dock. The cutter is now ready to assume its primary mission of maintaining 257 aids to navigation within District 7’s area of responsibility which covers the Carolinas to the Caribbean, and includes Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guantanamo Bay. Willow will also have responsibility for law enforcement, pollution prevention and response, search and rescue, and homeland security for the southeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. BREEZE

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The Willow is the third in a line of historic Coast Guard Cutters. The first to sail under this name was a side-wheel steam-powered vessel homeported in Memphis, Tennessee where it began patrolling the Mississippi River in 1927 with the U.S. Lighthouse Service. Willow was officially commissioned in 1939 with the merger of the Lighthouse Service and the Coast Guard. The second cutter named Willow served both as a mine placer and mine sweeper during WW II and was transferred to the Coast Guard in 1947 as a buoy tender. Willow was homeported in San Francisco until its decommissioning in 1969. The present Willow was commissioned in 1997 and now commences the second half of its career in Charleston following her overhaul in Baltimore. Ω Photographs: CHARLESTON, South Carolina - Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017—Color guard at the Homeport Ceremony for the USCGC Willow, pictured above. USCG photographs

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Caps for Coasties

By Robert Fabich, Sr.

STATION YANKEETOWN—Station personnel take a group shot wearing the caps donated by USCG Auxiliary Division 15. Photo by Robert Fabich, Sr., Flotilla 15-1 Crystal River

MEMBER FOCUS

USCG Auxiliary Division 15 donated caps to all members of Station Yankeetown during a brief ceremony that took place between the command and the Auxiliary Oct. 4, 2017.

Division 15 started the project known as “Caps for Coasties” after a discussion about developing a greater sense of belonging and pride in the station. Participation in this event was so successful that the division will supply caps for all new members as they arrive for duty at Station Yankeetown.

Pictured from left are MK3 Dunkle , BM1 Jason Andrade, Linda Jones, Ombudsman, Andrew Render, Division 15 Commander, and James Nastelli, Flotilla Commander 15-8 Hernando Beach. USCG Auxiliary photos by Robert Fabich, Sr., Flotilla 15-1 Crystal River

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Awards Earned by D7 Units and Members

MEMBER FOCUS

COMO William Mansfield Perpetual Trophy for Most Improved Division in Member Training 2016 – First Place Division 8, Sector St. Petersburg Flotilla 84 Sarasota Most Improved Division in Membership Most Improved Flotilla in Program Visitation Growth Flotilla 14-4 Jacksonville Beach Div 9, Sector St. Petersburg Most Improved Flotilla in Operations Commodore’s Cup Award Flotilla 6-11 Miami Best Flotilla of the Year – 2016 Flotilla 93 Naples Most Improved Flotilla in Vessel Examinations Flotilla 13-8 Upper Keys Commodore’s Cup Award Best Division of the Year – 2016 Most Improved Flotilla in Member Training Division 14, Sector Jacksonville Flotilla 82 Longboat Key Best Performing Flotilla in Net Membership Growth Flotilla 75 Ruskin Flotilla 91 Ft. Myers Beach Flotilla 9-10, Cape Coral and Ft. Myers

District 7 USCG Auxiliary Ernest T. and Anne Fruhner Award For Excellence in Public Education – 2016 FL 52, Jupiter

District 7 USCG Auxiliary Most Improved Flotilla in Public Education 2017 National Safe Boating Week Award Flotilla 12 Congrejos, Puerto Rico Best Division NSBW Program Division 14, Sector Jacksonville Most Improved Division in Program Visitation Division 14, Sector Jacksonville District 7 USCG Auxiliary 2017 National Safe Boating Week Award Most Improved Division in Operations Best Flotilla NSBW Program Division 2, Sector Charleston Flotilla 10-11, Hilton Head Island Most Improved Division in Public Education District 7 USCG Auxiliary Division 1, Sector San Juan Commodore Donald L. Frasch Inspirational Leadership Award Most Improved Division in Vessel Examinations Festus Burchfield, FL 12-3 Lake Murray Division 2, Sector Charleston

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collage created photos this issue.

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D7 Photo Stop

GULF OF MEXICO- “I think I underestmated the heigth of my boat!”

MEMBER FOCUS

An HC-130 Hercules aircraft flies over Auxiliary facility Broad on the Bow in preparation for drop training. USCG Auxiliary photo by Ray Stefansky, Flotilla 11-7 Hudson

Above left: PORT CANAVERAL, Jetty Park--The cutter Eagle makes its approach to Cape Canaveral. Above right: Auxiliary facility Guardian runs out to sea to escort the Eagle back to port. USCG Auxiliary photos

by Jim Emken, Flotilla 17-6 Central Brevard Right: TAMPA BAY- Manny Sosa and Michael Lloyd, both members of Flotilla 11-1 Clearwater, check aids to navigation in Clearwater Harbor. USCG Auxiliary photo by Leslie Long, Flotilla 11-1 Clearwater

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Conserving Water

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Submitted by COMO Judith Hudson During the holidays, water plays a role in everything from food preparation to the clean-up process. Here’s how to incorporate water conservation into your holiday preparations:

by taking just a few simple steps.

So stop the leaks, slow the flow and use water wisely!

• Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator or the microwave instead of running hot water over them.

• While brushing teeth, shaving, etc., turn off the water.

In the bathroom: • Flush less — remember the toilet is not an ashtray or wastebasket.

• When cold water will do, avoid using hot water.

• Rinse vegetables and fruits in a sink or pan filled with water instead of under running water. This water can then be reused to water houseplants.

A running faucet can use up to 4 gallons per minute.

• When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water and fill the rinsing sink one-third to one-half full. Avoid letting the water run continuously in the rinsing sink.

• Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.

• Scrape food scraps into the garbage can or a composting bin, rather than rinsing them into the sink’s garbage disposal. A garbage disposal uses up to 4.5 gallons of water per minute.

• Run your dishwasher only when you have a full load. Dishwashers use between 7 and 12 gallons per load.

We need to save water every way we can. If we don’t conserve, we’re pouring water — and money — down the drain. It is estimated that each person in our region uses an average of 111 gallons of water each day. You can reduce your water consumption BREEZE

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• Take shorter showers — 5 minutes or less.

• In the shower, wet yourself down, turn the water off, lather up, then turn the water on to rinse off soap.

• Use less water for bathing — close the drain first and fill tub only one-third full. That initial burst of cold water will be warmed by the hot water as the tub fills.

In the kitchen: • Operate the dishwasher only when you have a full load.

• Scrape, don’t rinse, your dishes before loading in the dishwasher.

• When purchasing a dishwasher, consider a water-efficient model.

• Use your garbage disposal sparingly and start composting your kitchen waste.

• Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator or microwave, not under running water.

• Store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap run while you wait for cool water to flow.

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(Continued from page 20 • When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water and fill the rinsing sink to one-third or onehalf full — avoid letting the water run continuously in the rinsing sink.

In the laundry: • For washers with variable settings for water volume, select the minimum amount required per load.

• If load size cannot be set, operate the washer with full loads only.

• Use the shortest wash cycle for lightly soiled loads; normal and permanent press wash cycles use more water.

• Check hoses regularly for leaks.

• Pretreat stains to avoid rewashing.

• Install instant water heaters in bathrooms and in the kitchen so you don’t have to let the water run while it heats up.

• Insulate your water pipes — you’ll get hot water faster, plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.

• Avoid installing a water-to-air heat pump or air-conditioning system — newer air-to-air models are just as efficient and do not waste water.

• Install water-softening systems only when necessary; save water and salt by only running the minimum amount of regenerations necessary to maintain water softness; turn softeners off while on vacation.

• Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it, such as watering a plant or cleaning.

• Replace leaky drain plugs in sinks and bathtubs. Ω

Photographs this article by Graphic Stock. License for reprint paid.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Additional tips:

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MEMBER FOCUS Happy Holidays to all of the members and their families from the USCG Auxiliary District 7 staff no matter which special day you celebrate!

We look forward to a wonderful and most productive year in 2018.

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Photograph by Graphic Stock. License for reprint paid.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Mentoring: The Art of Keeping New Members Engaged

By Mary Patton, DSO-PA How many of you have seen new members join, come to one or two meetings, and then disappear?

We can’t let new members die on the vine for lack of watering! In other words, new members need active MENTORING. We need seasoned members to step up and take a new member under their wing. Show them where they can purchase uniforms, as well as the proper insignia that goes on each type of uniform and instructs them on the proper way to wear the uniform. Most new members buy operational dress uniforms (ODU) as their first uniform. They need to know the correct way to roll up the sleeves. Bring an ODU blouse to the next meeting and show them how the “cuff” is made. This is where MENTORING comes in.

One of the four cornerstones of the Auxiliary is Fellowship. MENTORING is a form of fellowship.

It’s helping a new Auxiliarist navigate the system by giving them a list of the mandated training courses

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and where they can find them on the Internet. It’s telling them about becoming a Vessel Examiner, a Program Visitor or how to become boat crew qualified. After new members sign on the “dotted line,” give them a call and ask if they have any questions about the Auxiliary. Call them a few days before the next flotilla meeting and tell them you are looking forward to seeing them at the meeting. Make them feel welcome.

We all tend to talk to people we know at flotilla meetings, but remember that new members probably don’t know anyone. Include them in your conversation and start their instruction right away—for instance, describe a flotilla, division and district.

Tell them about our offices, instead of rank. When someone is interested in joining or has already joined a new organization, they are hungry for information about this new group. You, as their MENTOR, should provide this information and by talking to them and instructing them, they will become sharp, active members! Ω

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National Safe Boating Council Grant Award

By Linda R. Jones

MEMBER FOCUS

CRYSTAL RIVER, Florida—Linda Jones, a member of Flotilla 15-1 Crystal River was awarded a Grassroots Outreach Program Grant as part of the National Safe Boating Council’s North American Safe Boating Campaign. In 2017, Grassroots Outreach Program recipients were offered $500 to help promote the campaign in local communities. Jones serves as Flotilla Commander and holds several Flotilla Staff Officer positions including Public Affairs and Public Education.

Within the flotilla’s area of responsibility are thousands of boaters who visit local waters all year long.

With the increased number of boaters after Memorial Day weekend, Jones thought it would be helpful to offer child-sized life jackets to boaters who take advantage of a free vessel safety check, or who attend one of the flotilla’s boating safety classes. While some people have life jackets for their children, children grow fast. The outreach event gave the parents an opportunity to get a new jacket for their child at no cost.

Jones and Paul Jordan, Flotilla Staff Officer-Vessel Examinations, arranged to get the vessel examinations team together to do vessel safety checks and have the life jackets ready. The flotilla also offered life jackets to those who took the About Boating Safely class June 24, and to participants of the Boating Skills and Seamanship

program in September. The local newspaper, Citrus County Chronicle, gave excellent coverage and advertised the vessel safety check event every day for three weeks.

Jones could choose between purchasing the life jackets herself on or in having the National Safe Boating Council send them to her through their supplier. She chose to take the ones the council sent since they provided 25 top name brand life jackets. The jackets were very well-made and of a quality that any parent would love to have for their child.

On the day that the vessel safety check blitz was scheduled, the weather started out hot and rainy.

Vessels arrived in large numbers at the local ramp as boaters were determined to get out to the scalloping areas. Five vessel examiners completed the checks “on the move” as the boats edged closer to the ramp. That was necessary to keep vehicles moving, so other boaters did not get annoyed. When approached about getting a free vessel safety check with the added benefit of receiving a free child’s life jacket, many said they already had a life jacket for their child. Some, however, still took advantage of the free vessel safety check. Jones noted, “It was very encouraging to see that boaters wanted the safety checks and parents were making good choices to keep their children safe on the water.”

One 7-year-old boy arrived at the marina (second location) without any life jacket.

His parents were excited about getting him a new life jacket. When he tried on the life jacket, he zipped it up and hooked the buckles all by himself. He was so excited to be wearing it! The family was at the marina for some time as they fueled the boat and bought snacks. In the meantime, the little boy walked all-around showing people his new life jacket. One local boater was so happy to receive the infant jacket because she said they were very hard to find.

Many of the boaters thanked the Auxiliary for all they do to help boaters. They commented that they thought it was wonderful that we were providing the free life jackets for children as part of the National Safe Boating Council program.

(Continued on page 25)

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(Continued from page24) After four hours at two different locations, extreme heat and humidity, and on-and-off rain, the team determined that this National Safe Boating Council event, sponsored by USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 15-1 of Crystal River was a success.

MEMBER FOCUS

In addition to Linda Jones, participating members included Paul Jordan, Flotilla Staff Officer-Vessel Examinations, Don Jones, Flotilla Staff Officer-Operations, Vince Maida, Flotilla Vice Commander, James Armitage, Flotilla Staff Officer-Diversity, Larry Berman, Staff Officer-Information Systems, James Simon, Immediate Past Flotilla Commander and Flotilla Staff Officer-Materials. We thank them for a job well done! Ί

Photo Captions: Previous page: CRYSTAL RIVER, Florida— Jakob Morris, Sammy Starkie, Lisa Morris, and Hunter Morris pose wearing their life jackets at Fort Island Trail Bait and Tackle Shop.

This page: Linda Jones, Flotilla Commander 15-1, is pictured with Brian Krerh wearing his new life jacket.

USCG Auxiliary photos by Paul Jordan

District 7 Virtual Library Help us preserve our history!

Send newsletters, flotilla records, histories, etc. in digital format to the District 7 Virtual Library. http://d7virtuallibrary.com/

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Use Social Media to Help Spread the Boating Safely Message Auxiliary Social Media Auxiliary social media pages are a good source of information and ideas as well as a great way to spread the recreational boating safely message and recruit new members. But…yes, there is a caveat… to help spread the boating safely message you must do three things: 1. LIKE the page so that our posts appear in your newsfeed.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

2. LIKE our posts.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Seventh District on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uscg.auxd7/

3. SHARE our posts to your page so that your friends will see our message.

Everyone has their own newsfeed so your friends do not see the contents of yours unless you SHARE on your timeline.

LIKE and SHARE!

United Staes Coast Guard Auxiliary Seventh District

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/uscgauxiliary/

While you are online, check out all of the new features on the District 7 Web page. Between the links on the sidebar and the ones within the table, it could not be any easier to find what you need!

https://www.facebook.com/RecreationalBoatingSafety/

http://www.uscga-district-7.org/

Please remember to LIKE and SHARE!

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U.S.C.G Auxiliary Recreational Boating Safety on Facebook:

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