BREEZE Winter 2020 by Dorothy Riley

Breeze

District 7 â&#x20AC;¢ United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Issue 2, 2020

WHAT’S INSIDE....

Contents 4

From the Bridge - CDR John Briggs, DIRAUX 7

From the Bridge - COMO Gary P. Barth, DCO 7

From the Bridge - COMO Pat McMenamin, DCOS 7

USCG Auxiliary Na onal and District Awards 2020

From the Bridge - John Holmes, DCAPT-N, DCOS (e)

From the Bridge - Robert M. Sherman, DCAPT-E

From the Bridge- Tom Bamford, DCAPT-W

From the Bridge-Mar n S. Goodwin, DCAPT-N (e)

A Conversa on with Commodore Gary Barth

2019 Florida FWC Boa ng Educator of the Year

R. Michael Stringer

Charleston Coast Guard Auxiliary Member Receives High Honor -by Barbara Burchfield

Page 26

The President’s Volunteer Service Award -by R. Michael Stringer

Virtual Public Educa on Classes via Videoconferencing -by Karen Miller

You Can Help! -by Judith Hudson, IPDCO

Member Receives D7 COMO Daniel Maxim Award for Excellence in Educa on -by Toni Borman

A Conversa on with Commodore Gary Barth -by R. Michael Stringer Commodore Gary Barth elected DNACO-E -by Barbara Burchfield

AUXDATA II Is Here -by John Robbins

Nau cal Orgininals -by Geri Daley

Hello, Recrea onal Boa ng Safety Program Visitors! -by Barbara Burchfield

District 7 Face Covering Policy

Words from the Editor -by Dorothy J. Riley

Social Media Resources

Issue 2 2020

Page 24

You Can Help! Judith Hudson, IPDCO

Nau cal Orgininals Geri Daley Page 32

Cover: Henry (Hank) Cushard hoists the national colors for the last face to face membership meeting of Flotilla 59 Stuart, Mar. 10, 2020. Photo by R. Michael Stringer

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Toni Borman

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Member Receives D7 COMO Daniel Maxim Award for Excellence in Educa on

Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

BREEZE Issue 1 2020 Read the BREEZE online at: www.uscga-district-7.org/breeze.html

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

Preven on Directorate Russell Dewey Jackson, DDC-P Gary Gunter, DSO-MS Michael Griﬃth, DSO-MT Mark Chiappone, DSO-NS Barbara D. Burchfield, DSO-PV Harry Tipper III, DSO-PE William S. Griswold, DSO-SL Patricia Zuluaga, DSO-VE

Response Directorate Frank Wondolkowski, DDC-R Thomas E. Powers, DSO-AV Mark C. Gaisford, DSO-CM Bruce A. Lindsey, DSO-OP William F. Hanlon III, DSO-IM

Logis cs Directorate James F. Stone, DDC-L Craig R. De Toma, DSO-CS Gary Gray, DSO-DV Paule e R. Parent, DSO-FS Angela Pomaro, DSO-HR Susan Z. Has ngs, DSO-IS Edward Zaret, DSO-MA Robert Quigley, DSO-PA Dorothy J. Riley, DSO-PB Diane Riggan, NSBW Coordinator

Director of Auxiliary District 7

CDR John Briggs Opera ons Training Oﬃcer

CWO4 Hailie Browne U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY District Commodore

Commodore Gary P. Barth District Chief of Staﬀ

Patricia McMenamin Immediate Past District Commodore Commodore Judith L. Hudson District Captain North

John Holmes District Captain West

Thomas Bamford District Captain East

Robert Sherman Auxiliary Sector Coordinators ASC Sector Charleston

Walter Runck

Others ASC Sector Jacksonville Jullianne Bouchard, DSO-SR Carl Dalton Motes, DSO-LP Donna Miller, DSO-FN

District Administra ve Assistant & Aide

William Sekeres ASC Sector Key West

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Division 1...........Juan Humberto Vazquez Division 2...................James McMenamin Division 3 .................... Jeﬀrey W. Barnes Division 4 ................... Zoraida Sorren no Division 5............. ... Christopher J. Haarer Division 6............................ Mark Barros Division 7............... Anthony R. Novellino Division 8.................Antoine e v. Borman Division 9.................... Douglas Donovan Division 10..................... William G. Ballard Division 11.......................... Leslie D. Long Division 12................ Richard G. Bankert Division 13................... Claude M. Bullock Division 14.................... Jonathan A. Hunt Division 15............. Raymond W. O’Connell Division 16...................... Doug Armstrong Division 17.................. Jules H. Moquin BREEZE is the oﬃcial publica on of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 to provide ar cles of interest and informa on to its members. All ar cles and photographs submi ed must be consistent with the policies of the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. Electronic submissions are encouraged. Send high resolu on images as a achments not embedded within a document or email. Ar cles should not exceed 750 word length. BREEZE ar cles and photographs may be reprinted with proper a ribu on to BREEZE and the author/photographer. Send comments and submissions to: do eriley@gmail.com .

Edward Pra ASC Sector Miami

Andrea J. Rutherfoord David M. Sco , D-AA DAC Richard Washburn, D-AD-SA Teresa A. Barth, D-AD-LT Carolyn R. Hooley, D-AD-CC Douglas Colwell, D-AD RR Phillip T. Poole, D-AD-LL Robert Weskerna, D-AD ST Robert A. Fabich, Sr., D-AD-SP

Division Commanders

District Commander

Rear Admiral Eric C. Jones

ASC Sector St. Petersburg

Ronald R. Howington ASC Sector San Juan

Ramses Rodriguez-Diaz

Personal informa on 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. Submission deadlines: Apr. 15, June 30, Sept. 15, Nov. 30, 2020.

Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

District 7 Staff Officers

District Staﬀ Oﬃcers

CDR John Briggs, Director of Auxiliary District 7

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

Respecting Elected Leadership

ith election results across the district coming in weekly, it seems to be an appropriate time to put out a friendly reminder to give our freshly elected leaders a chance to lead. I commend and congratulate everyone who has volunteered extra time toward steering the Auxiliary by way of a leadership position — that kind of courage alone deserves our respect and recognition.

•

One way to support the new leaders is by using the chain of leadership. The chain of leadership is an important tool in the hierarchy of the Auxiliary. Understanding why the chain of leadership exists and why it should be followed is important. Before skipping a link in the chain of leadership when faced with an issue, consider the reasons below to work through the elected leaders.

Odds are, by following the steps above, a resolution to the problem will be recognized at the lowest level because a well thought COA was brought to the table.

Following the chain of leadership shows respect. Not every decision our leaders make will be appreciated. In fact, some will seem counterproductive or unwise to those who do not have the full picture. That being said, circumventing the chain or taking concerns higher up the ladder won’t build trust with the immediate elected official. It will only create tension and distrust. So what can be done? Help the chain of leadership do its job. Remember, the chain of leadership is usually dealing with numerous issues across a spectrum of different members to ensure mission success. Leaders have a lot going on; their time is valuable. Work within the system to make sure problems are resolved at the lowest level. Here are some things you can do to expedite this process and increase the odds of success: Determine what the problem actually is; find the root cause, and explain it in simple terms. Gather the facts. • If possible, develop and prioritize three recommended Courses Of Action (COA) that will resolve the problem. 4

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•

Approach the chain of leadership at the lowest possible level with authority to resolve the issue with the problem statement and recommended COAs. Be professional and objective.

Ignoring the chain of leadership reflects poorly on all involved. Jumping the chain looks bad. The Commodore, District Captains, and Division Commanders don’t have time to field every member’s complaint. Their time is valuable, very limited, and they rely on subordinate leaders to take care of member issues at the lowest level possible. Discussing issues at the lowest levels shows respect for the chain of leadership and trust that they will act when necessary. The chain of leadership enacts change. Refined over the Coast Guard’s long history, the chain of leadership promotes change by raising concerns in an orderly fashion. Imagine if every member just arbitrarily decided to contact the Commodore or the Director when a change was needed. While some folks may contact the correct staff officer, many will only create more confusion by involving those who can’t help. The chain of leadership provides order at the deckplate level. Flotilla Commanders usually know who needs to be contacted for a given situation. Still, if they don’t, they will turn to the next higher position until the proper elected leader is found. This system streamlines the process so that issues can be resolved quickly without involving unnecessary parties. The chain must work in both directions. Respecting (Con nued on page 5) Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

CDR John Briggs

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

(Con nued from page 4) the chain of leadership doesn’t just mean showing respect up the chain of leadership and down the chain of leadership. Leaders must be responsive and compassionate, promoting the chain of leadership by taking timely action. If concerns or requests sent up the chain are ignored, the members will most certainly begin looking for another leader, usually higher in the chain of leadership, to assist them. The chain of leadership isn’t some archaic tradition. The chain of Remembering a me before the pandemic—CAPT James Passarelli, District leadership encourages members to have a closer relationship with 7 Chief of Staff presents two first place Na onal Public Affairs photography their leadership and enact change awards to Robert Fabich, Sr. at the District 7 Training Conference Sept. 1921, 2019 in Orlando. Fabich earned the awards in two categories: Marine through a single system. WithSafety and Public Affairs. To his le stands COMO Gary Barth and CDR John out the chain of leadership, the Briggs, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of Auxiliary District7 (USCG senior levels would quickly get Auxiliary photo by R. Michael Stringer, Flo lla 59 Stuart) overwhelmed with complaints and calls for guidance without a John Briggs unified way of addressing them. Helping and respectCommander, U.S. Coast Guard ing the chain of leadership synergizes our actions, Director of Auxiliary bolsters trust and further solidifies your pledge to the Seventh Coast Guard District U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and its purposes.Ω

Photo by Marcus Winkler, Unsplash, royalty free to use.

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

Commodore Gary P. Barth New leaders and so much more...

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

t has been my honor to serve the members of District Seven for the past two years as your Commodore. We started 2019 in a government shutdown. Now, we are finishing amid a pandemic, COVID-19. For the second me in recent years, we have had to cancel our scheduled District Training Conference. The last me was due to a hurricane, and now because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2019-2020 has been an unusual two years for us all. Let’s hope that 2021 has a be er start and improved health and safety for everyone. In 2019 we had an excellent year with recruitment. We added over three-hundred members in 2019, but due to a ri on s ll lost members for various reasons. In 2020, due to the pandemic, recrui ng has been low compared to standard mes. Even with COVID-19 we have s ll added 160 plus new members since Jan. 1, 2020. The term limits for Staff Officer posi ons has had a posi ve effect on affected members seeking upward mobility in our organiza on. New and fresh ideas have helped in many areas. The Auxiliary Chaplain Support within District Seven is very dynamic and is an excellent help to the ac ve duty. The use of Coast Watch security inves ga ons has proven to be an invaluable tool enabling us to quickly process new members. The new process has resulted in members obtaining their membership numbers promptly and allows the new members access to complete their CORE training. Auxiliary Paddle Cra public educa on classes have started, and we are currently working on the Auxiliary Paddle Cra Afloat program. The addi on of the Sea Scouts to units within District Seven units has been a success since the beginning of 2020. We have one Sea Scout Ship now with several others on the way to being chartered. Many excellent and exci ng plans are progressing successfully within the District. The use of electronic mee ngs has been a challenge to many of the units. Most units now are very capable of u lizing electronic communica ons for not only their mee ngs but are also having their meetings and have great success with conduc ng public 6

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educa on classes. Several flo llas have reported increased a endance for public educa on classes online versus the tradi onal classroom environment. The younger genera on of the boa ng public would prefer to a end online courses as they have become accustomed to the use of electronic devices for most of the tasks for which they par cipate. The new Risk Management Team Coordina on Training for our members is 81% in compliance and required for many cer fica ons. The allowed online group size has been increased from 6 to 10 members for each session and will enable more members to stay current in qualifica ons. The new AUXDATA II has been challenging. Most units are star ng to be able to work with members on how to enter their hours. Na onal is currently working on many problems with AUXDATA II, but it will be an excellent new tool as we go forward. In the first three months of 2020, our members have contributed approximately 153,257 recorded hours. These numbers only go through the end of March 2020. Over 7,000 hours in marine patrols and almost 4,600 of Coast Guard Opera onal Support. We have 123 Auxiliary Food Service, 541 Telecommunica on Operators, 862 Vessel Examiners and 537 Program Visitors. Once again, our District 7 Diversity program has led the way for the NACO 3 Star Diversity Awards. We received 85 unit awards and an increase of 31 new awards for the year. Thank you to all who helped with these awards. The District 7 Emergency Management team does a stellar job of assis ng the ac ve duty and our members during emergencies. Our district is aﬀected by many natural disasters, such as hurricanes and most recent earthquakes. Our district always stands (Con nued on page 7) Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

(Con nued from page 6) ready to assist our members and members of other districts as needed. Our district elec ons were conducted u llizing the electronic vo ng system, “Elec on Buddy.” This worked very well and was the second me in recent years that elec ons had to be done by electronic means. The results of the elec on for the incoming Execu ve Commi ee members for 2021 are: District Commodore District Chief Of Staﬀ District Captain East District Captain North District Captain West

Pat McMenamin John Holmes Robert Sherman Mar n Goodwin Toni Borman

During the Na onal Elec ons, I was elected as Deputy Na onal Commodore Atlan c East and Recrea onal Boa ng Safety. My new posi on will be working with District 1NR, 1SR, 5NR, 5SR and D7. I also have oversight for the Na onal Recrea onal Boa ng Safety area. This includes Recrea onal Boating Safety Outreach, Public Educa on and Vessel Examina ons and Program Visita on directorates. On Sept. 23, I had the honor of receiving my Oath of Oﬃce from Rear Admiral Eric Jones, Commander Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami. Before the administra on of the Oath of Oﬃce, Commander John Briggs presented me with the Coast Guard Auxiliary Meritorious Service Medal. This was a memorable experience with all par cipants wearing masks and social distancing. Thanks to all at District Seven Headquarters for making this happen.

Always remember that our greatest asset is you, our MEMBERS. As elected/appointed oﬃcers, we need to be ever mindful of this and At the District always “REMEMBoard Mee ng, BER THE MEMwe were able BER.” Thank you to do a “first” u for your help, lizing the “Youunderstanding Tube” pla orm and service to for all members District Seven, to be able to “atthe Coast Guard tend” the meetAuxiliary, the ing if they chose Coast Guard, and to do so. During our Na on these this mee ng, the past two years. new “CommoWe are the “Sendore Mary Larsen sa onal Seventh” Excellence in Eddue to you, uca on Award” our members. was passed as an Rear Admiral Eric Jones, Commander Seventh Coast Guard District Stay SEMPER presents the Coast Guard Auxiliary Meritorious Service Medal to amendment to COMO Gary Barth, Sept. 23, 2020 in Miami. (United States Coast Guard PARATUS, and Annex “A” of our Auxiliary photo) BRAVO ZULU for Standing Rules. your help in all the district has Congratula ons to all of the na onal and district accomplished in the past two years. Ω award winners. The list of awards will follows on

Congratula ons to the new EXCOM and all members who stepped up to serve for an elected oﬃce at any level.

page 10. My only regret is my inability to present these awards to the members in person at our District Training Conference. Hopefully, next year we’ll be back to “normal.” BREEZE

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

Commodore Gary P. Barth

Pat McMenamin, District 7 Chief of Staﬀ

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

So proud to be a member of District 7 First and foremost, let me begin by expressing my gra tude and apprecia on to all members of District 7 for the outstanding and reless effort you give each day. Your dedica on to duty and support to the Auxiliary and Coast Guard does not go unnoced. Although we faced a mul tude of adversi es this past year, COVID-19, lockdowns, economic and social strife, and AUXDATA II, you have remained steadfast in your commitment to a greater cause. I am just so proud to be a member of D7, where you have con nued to carry on as condi ons have permi ed. Although frustrated at mes, District 7 Auxiliarists con nue to meet the challenges and embrace the missions set before us. You and your safety are our main priori es as you make this organiza on successful! We are beginning to see more members par cipate in program visits, vessel exams, patrols and online boa ng educa on classes. Although our Auxiliary Scout (AUXSCOUT) program started this year, we were severely restricted in ge ng it off the ground. However, we were s ll able to help sponsor a few ships and set the stage to grow the program over the next few years. With recrui ng now back in ac on one-on-one, your con nued recruitment and reten on of members is vital to our success. Our Member Training officers have been in overdrive. I am most impressed with the amount of member training that our members accomplished these last several months. Keeping members engaged enhances our ability to keep our main job, Recrea on Boa ng Safety, on track. Congratula ons on your achievements so far during this very unusual year. You, our members, con nue to meet the on-going and updated training requirements. With the addion of the new Introduc on to Risk Management and the RM Team Coordina on Training, Health Risk Assessment form, and the Blood Borne Pathogens Awareness course, you met the challenge headon and made it happen. These addi onal training standards keep us up to date with our ac ve duty counterparts and ensure everyone completes the missions successfully and safely. 8

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Each year, I am amazed that our members step up their crea ve and innova ve ideas and programs to educate the general boa ng public. The latest data from Na onal Marine Manufacturers Associa on shows 2020 cumula ve sales of new powerboat retail sales were up 5%; personal watercra up 10%; saltwater fishing boat sales up 5%; and jet boats up 9% compared to a year ago. It is more important than ever to keep producing and releasing safety messages to the public. This can be easily accomplished by u lizing all the PA Resource Depot resources found on the District 7 homepage. Our District Staff Officer for Program Visitors informed me that the Depot has folders for downloadable social media messages, videos, radio Public Service Announcements and Na onal Safe Boa ng Week ‘Wear It’ images. New addi ons include the 2019 USCG boa ng safety images, Safe Boa ng Council’s life jacket label infographics, and several colorful boa ng safety images. Although we celebrate many successes, we s ll have work to do in many areas. We need to embrace “new” ways of making things happen and ge ng missions completed. We are s ll facing many unknowns in the coming months, and I understand your concerns. Online mee ngs and communicaons are essen al in keeping our members engaged. I also want to encourage you to get involved in the online boa ng educa on program. We have seen an enormous increase of boaters on our waterways this year. Offering an online boa ng safety class is vital in ge ng the boa ng public’s safety message. Yes, I would also love to be able to do in person classes, but that may not be an op on for the foreseeable future. We have many Auxiliarists ready and willing to assist each flo lla in se ng up a successful (Con nued on page 9) Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

(Con nued from page 8) program. Our Auxiliary Paddle Cra (AUXPAD) is now in the full development stage. Ensuring our members are apprised of the opportuni es before them will help us enhance these areas. Like many of you, I was extremely disappointed that we could not meet this year for our Annual District Training Conference (DTRAIN). I look forward to hearing from you on the type of training classes you would like to par cipate in. Of course, I really missed the fellowship opportunity of bringing our members together from across the district. However, we are forging ahead with plans for a more enhanced training conference next fall. Over the next two years, I remain encouraged to see the full implementa on of the AUXPAD program. I encourage greater communica on between our staﬀ

oﬃcers and elected leaders. I understand the need for improved training for our elected and appointed leaders and, yes, less paperwork. Be er communicaons to the deck plate are necessary to ensure our members understand our goals and purpose to help them be successful. As your incoming Commodore, the rest of the District leadership and I stand ready to assist you in every way possible. Again, I want to acknowledge the dedicated, hardworking members of District 7. Your ac ons set the standard for the meaning of volunteerism. Let us all con nue to strive for excellence in all that we do. In District Seven, we live the mo o: “The Sensa onal 7th District Auxiliary – Where opportuni es don’t just happen, we create them!”

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

Pat McMenamin, District 7 Chief of Staﬀ

Very respec ully submi ed,

Pat McMenamin, District 7 Commodore(e)

USCG Auxiliary 2020 Election Results 2020 – 2022 National Board

(The term of oﬃce begins Nov. 1, 2020) NACO(e)– National Commodore – Alex Malewski VNACO(e) – Vice National Commodore – Gus Formato DNACO(e)– Deputy National Commodore – Atlantic Area East and RBS - Gary Barth DNACO(e) – Deputy National Commodore – Atlantic Area West and Mission Support – Tom Mullally DNACO(e)– Deputy National Commodore - Pacific Area and Operations – Mary Kirkwood NACO(e) Commodore Alex Malewski is pleased to announce the re-appointment of Commodore Linda Merryman as the DNACO -ITP (Information Technology and Planning).

2020 Election Results District 7 District Commodore, Patricia McMenamin District Chief of Staﬀ, John Holmes District Captain East, Robert Sherman District Captain North, Martin Goodwin District Captain West, Toni Borman

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

USCG Auxiliary National and District Awards 2020 COMO Gary P. Barth

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

The members and units receiving awards were announced at the District Board Mee ng. Award winners are as follows:

NATIONAL AWARDS NACO 3 STAR DIVERSITY AWARDS – District 7 received 85 awards this year which is up from 53 last year. Division 1 Flo lla 11 Flo lla 16 Flo lla 17 Flo lla 1-12 Division 2 and 100% of flo Division 3 and 100% of flo Division 4 Flo lla 43 Flo lla 44 Flo lla 48 Division 5 and 100% of flo Flo lla 67 Division 7 Flo lla 72 Flo lla 79 Division 8 and 100% of flo Division 9 and 100% of flo Division 10 Flo lla 10-1 Flo lla 10-10 Flo lla 10-11 Flo lla 11-1 Flo lla 11-3 Flo lla 11-6 Flo lla 11-9 Flo lla 11-10 Division 12 Flo lla 12-1 Flo lla 12-4 Flo lla 12-6 Flo lla 12-10 Division 13 10

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llas in Division 2 llas in Division 3

Flo lla 13-1 Flo lla 13-2 Flo lla 13-3 Flo lla 13-8 Division 14 and 100% of flo llas in Division 14 Division 15 Flo lla 15-1 Flo lla 15-3 Flo lla 15-9 Division 16 Division 17 Flo lla 17-2 Flo lla 17-6 Flo lla 17-10 Flo lla 17-11 The Na onal Boa ng Federa on Award for Public Educa on is given annually. The award recognizes the most outstanding and produc ve flo lla in the USCG Auxiliary. This year the award goes to Flo lla 81 Manatee, Florida. NACO GROWTH AWARDS

llas in Division 5

llas in Division 8 llas in Division 9

This award is for recogni on of outstanding contribu ons to the growth of the United States Auxiliary. The following members will be receiving this award: Juan “Hache” Vasquez Flo lla 1-10 San Juan Wallace Weakley Flo lla 11-10 Dunedin, Fla. Jonathan Pike Flo lla 21 Augusta, Ga. Joseph Primosch Flo lla 11-3 Maderia Beach, Fla. Gregory Ashe Flo lla 11-9 Tarpon Springs, Fla. Timothy Dolan Flo lla 11-1 Clearwater, Fla. Frans Eyberse Flo lla 56 Vero Beach/Sebas an Fla. Walter Runck Flo lla 12-6 East Cooper, S.C.

Congratula ons on your eﬀorts in helping the growth of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

DISTRICT SEVEN AWARDS 1. The Commodore William Mansfield Perpetual Trophy. This award goes to the flo lla that conduct(Con nued on page 11) Issue 2 2020

Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

Awards

This year the winner of the Commodore William Mansfield Perpetual Trophy is: Flo lla 96 Wiggins Pass, Florida The Commodore’s Cup Awards. This series of awards is presented to the winning/most improved flo lla and division in each of our six core ac vi es, measured as an improvement in 2019 compared to 2018. I’ll announce the best overall flo lla and best overall division, using the same criteria.

8. The most improved division in Program Visita on in 2019 is: Division 4 9. The most improved division in Opera ons in 2019 is: Division 2 10. The most improved division in Public Educa on in 2019 is: Division 9

2. Most improved Flo lla for Program Visita on in 2019 is: Flo lla 12-4 Central Grand Strand, South Carolina

11. The most improved division in Vessel Examina ons in 2019 is: Division 7 12. The most improved division in Member Training in 2019 is: Division 9 13. The most improved division in Membership Growth in 2019 is: Division 10

3. Most improved Flo lla in Opera ons in 2019 is: Frans Eybers of Flotilla 56 Vero Beach and Sebastian Flo lla 69 Opalocka, was the recipient of the COMO Donald Frasch InspieFlorida rational Leadership Award for 2019. He is pictured

14. The Commodore’s Cup Award, for the best performing flo lla in the district. Each eligible with COMO Gary Barth and his award. (USCG Auxiliary member of this win4. Most improved Flo lla photograph) ning flo lla will receive in Vessel Examina ons in the Flo lla Meritorious 2019 is: Achievement Medal. The Commodore’s Cup Award Flo lla 17-6 Central Brevard, Florida. for the Best Flo lla of the year for 2019 is: Flo lla 39, Dania Beach, Florida 5. Most improved Flo lla in Member Training in 2019 is: 15. The best performing division in 2019. For this, Flo lla 39 Dania Beach, Florida the same criteria of the six mission areas of member growth, vessel safety checks, opera ons, member 6. The Best Performing Flo lla Net Membership training, program visita on, and public educa on Growth in 2019 is: during 2019 are used to determine the winner. A Flo lla 10-11 Hilton Head Island/Blu on, South Meritorious Team Commenda on will be presented Carolina to the winning Division’s Division Commander, Division Vice Commander, and eligible staﬀ oﬃcers. The 7. The Most improved Flo lla in Public Educa on for Commodore’s Cup Award for the Best Division of the 2019 is: (Con nued on page 12) Flo lla 92, North Port, Florida BREEZE

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

(Con nued from page 10) ed the highest number of Vessel Safety Checks in 2019. Note: This is not part of the Commodore’s Cup Award ensemble.

Awards

For crew: Ronald Kaplan Flo lla 54 Delray-Boynton Beach

(Con nued from page 11) year for 2019 is:

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

Division 17 16. The Ernest T. and Anne Fruhner Award of Excellence in Public Educa on Award is presented annually to the two flo llas with the greatest NASBLA graduates reported in AUXDATA/ AUXINFO for the previous year. The two winning flo llas shall each receive $1,000 in public educa on materials or equipment of their choice to enhance their public educa on programs. The winners are:

18. A new award this year recognizes the District candidate for the COMO Dan Maxim award for Excellence in Educa on. The award covers both Public Educa on and Member Training. The first District 7 winner for 2019 is: Julia Bidwick Flo lla 86 Venice Florida

19. Commodore Donald L. Frasch Inspira onal Leadership Award recognizes the most exemplary performance by a Flo lla Commander during the previous calendar year. Only Flo lla Commanders Pat McMenamin, District 7 Chief of Staﬀ (right) presents Barbara Burchfield from Flotilla 12-3 Lake Murray with the District 7 Auxiliarist of the Year Award who have Flo lla 92 and the Auxiliary Commendation Medal at the South Shore Marina . To Burch- demonstrated North Port, field’s left is Festus Burchfield. Photograph by Jim McMenamin, Division Florida and Flo- Commander 2. (Photographer’s note: Masks were removed for pictures only sustained, excep onal lla 15-8 Her- as social distancing was maintained throughout the presentation.) standards of nando Beach, proficiency Florida and conduct, and whose appearance and bearing 17. The Casey Purvis and Robert Fuller Avia on was consistently impeccable, shall be considered. Awards of Excellence, awarded to the pilot and This year’s winner is: crew/observer who have accumulated the most Frans Eyberse, Flo lla 56 Vero Beach/Sebas an, FL flight hours in a calendar year. 20. District Seven Auxiliarist of the Year (AUXOY). Pilot hours must be non-mishap hours; Air crew/ The award recognizes exemplary performance by an observer hours are the total hours by an air crew eligible Auxiliarist during the previous 12 months. member while serving as an Air Observer. The Only Auxiliarists who have demonstrated sustained, awards honor the memory of Auxiliary avia on proexcep onal standards of proficiency and conduct gram members Casey E. Purvis and Robert S. Fuller and whose appearance and bearing were consiswho lost their lives on February 1, 2001 while flying tently impeccable shall be considered for this award. a training mission with the Coast Guard. Both AuxThis year’s winner is: iliarists made great contribu ons to the program in terms of me and dedica on. The winners for 2019 are: For pilot: Fred Ross Flo lla 69 Opalocka 12

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Barbara Burchfield Flo lla 12-3 Lake Murray, SC

Congratula ons to all of the award winners! Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

Greetings from the District 7 Chief of Staﬀ (e)

s your new District Chief of Staff, I am both honored and excited to serve our USCGAUX family in this new responsibility. The collabora on, coopera on, and par cipa on our members display in our mul ple missions is noteworthy and mo vates me to achieve all that I can for our members every day. Our new and outgoing Commodore set the bar for placing members first as our primary focus; con nuing this philosophy and enhancing it is one of my highest goals. The true contributors that I call the real heroes are the men and women who every day find ways to serve our Coast Guard family and the boa ng public under constantly challenging circumstances. The sa sfac on they enjoy by knowing they made a difference is, in many cases, their only reward, and it is this founda on we rely on for our con nued success. The new EXCOM staff ’s transi on will be very

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smooth as we all have worked together as a team for the past several years. Our new District Commodore Pat McMenamin is ac vely solici ng applica ons for a mul tude of district staﬀ posi ons, and I encourage you to apply as we need fresh ideas and talented staﬀ in many posi ons. The return to opera ons normal may take a while, but it will happen! Our District Conference will become an annual event once again, and sharing changes of the watch will bring memories and leadership changes well into the future. As the finest volunteer organiza on in this na on, we will connue to lead the way to a safer boa ng community because you, our members, expect and deserve nothing less. BRAVO ZULU ALL. Ω

Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

John Holmes, District Captain-North

Robert M. Sherman, District Captain East his has been a challenging year. The D7 Bridge has met those challenges with crea vity, strategic thinking and development of a solid plan to deal with an unprecedented global health crisis. These challenges have affected our morale and desire to fulfill our mission and leadership responsibili es. CDR Briggs and BOSN Browne have provided direcon, support, and guidance to the en re Execu ve Commi ee (EXCOM) and members this year. I want to thank them both for their uncondi onal dedica on to the D7 membership. It is a privilege and honor to have these professionals as our D7 “gold side” leaders. I am so humbled and proud to have worked with such professionals that make up the EXCOM Board members. Deputy Na onal Commodore (e) Gary Barth has led our district through these challenging mes with poise, composure and a sense of humor. District Commodore (e) Pat McMenamin has worked relessly with the D7 Opera ons Training Officer to reinstate our surface patrols throughout the district and establish new and effec ve protocols for operaons. She also brought our Risk Management/ Team Coordina on Training back to life through virtual classes and seminars. This has been in addi on to her du es as District Chief of Staff in 2020. Illustration created by Dottie Riley

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

I cannot say enough about my fellow District Captains John Holmes and Tom Bamford. They provided me with priceless mentorship, and I have benefited from their advice and counsel. Their leadership has made me a be er Auxiliarist.

stepped up to provide guidance and direc on to their respec ve Flo lla Commanders during the COVID health pandemic. I want to thank them all for their perseverance and pa ence in establishing effec ve communica ons. I would like to thank Chris Haarer, DCDR 5, for his two years of service. He has provided excellent leadership with a calm demeanor. Jeff Barnes, DCDR 3, had a “bap sm by fire” in his first year as Division Commander dealing with new challenges and endeavors. Mark Barros, DCDR 6, was instrumental in providing guidance and direc on dealing with difficult flo lla issues. Claude Bullock, DCDR 13, completed his first year and has improved training and communica ons in the Florida Keys. Juan (Hache) Vazquez, DCDR 1, held a leadership training weekend before the COVID crisis and had to deal with a shutdown of Sector San Juan since. Doug Armstrong, DCDR 16, has brought his division back to life, ac vely recrui ng new members, and now the future is bright for our members in the Virgin Islands. We are now in the elec on season and I look forward to working with the new EXCOM members and D7-East leadership next year. I am confident that we will follow our tradi on of excellence. We are guided by the Coast Guard’s core values of honor, respect and devo on to duty. We will always be “ONE TEAM, ONE MISSION” in our pursuit to maintain excellence and proficiency in comple ng our chosen tasks. Ω

All the D7-East Division Commanders (DCDR) have 14

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

Tom Bamford, District Captain-West

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

n the year 1492, a voyage into the unknown was a moment in me that has forever changed our world. When Christopher Columbus sent out on the voyage of a life me, he wrote in his journal, “By prevailing over all obstacles and distrac ons, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or des na on.” These were some of the most prophe c words wri en by a man about undertaking a journey into the unknown, into uncharted waters, where fear and trepida on were the distrac ons. Who is that masked man? Judi Bidwick (center) accepts the District 7 COMO

In 1993, 501 years a er that Daniel Maxim Award for Excellence in Education presented Oct. 5, 2020. She first voyage of Christopher Co- is flanked by Toni Borman, current Division 8 Commander and District Cap(e) and Tom Bamford, current District Captain-West. (United States lumbus got underway toward a tain-West Coast Guard Auxiliary photograph.) Note: Social distancing was prcticed new beginning- a new world as except for photos. it would become known, I too had all signed on to carry out. However, those misset off to find my new world by sions with which we have been entrusted will s ll be sailing solo from Manasquan, New Jersey to Sanibel there once we all get past the health calamity facing Island here in Florida. I grew up loving to sail. The wri ngs of Christopher Columbus were always an in- our na on. Our primary mission has always been to spira on to keep me moving forward on my journey, carry out the Auxiliary support to the Coast Guard. expressed especially by the quote men oned above. Ironically enough, if you think about it, the Coast Guard is suppor ng us by trying to ensure our safety Moreover, here we all are today facing another venand the safety of our families. They, too are dealing ture, another journey into the unchartered waters with the same struggles for all service members and of life. In these mes of our lives, it is undoubtedly their families. Safety is and will remain the number the most catastrophic life experience most of us one priority, no ma er one’s service affilia on. have ever encountered. Sure, there have been many The Auxiliary family is loaded with very highly skilled otherworldly events that have nearly brought our worlds to their knees. I would venture to say that not members. We need to work together and draw on one another for our common good to be crea ve, one of us in our wildest dreams, although Stephen yet remain within guidelines on ways to give back King might, could have believed the tragedies that to our shipmates and our communi es. I can say have unfolded during the past several months. with great certainty, the majority of members I have So fast-forward to our Coast Guard Auxiliary world of brought on board and pledged in affirmed their motoday, 2020. I can certainly say without a doubt that va on of becoming a member of the Coast Guard in my 29 plus years of Auxiliary service, I would nevAuxiliary was because of the desire to “give back.” er have expected there would ever be a me when our collec ve missions might not be executed, as we (Con nued on page 16) BREEZE

Issue 2 2020

Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

Tom Bamford, District Captain-West (Con nued from page 15) So let us come to the table without complaining and ask our leaders to query the USCG on ways to support their needs. Let us not talk about what we cannot do; instead, what it is we can do. Almost every day I hear some comments by an individual indicating, “I did not join just to sit around, and since there is nothing to do, I am not sure I will stay.” Obviously, the op on is theirs to choose for determining what value the member brings to the organiza on. No ma er who we are, no ma er our age, no ma er where we come from or what we do, every member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary brings value to our communi es, the Coast Guard and our na on. We must bring our collec ve energy together and be determined that nothing will cause our ship to broach. Just because the storm clouds of a pandemic are on our beam, we will steady the course together. You can look up broach; it is a nau cal term.

one another up and check on each other, including our service members and families. When all is said and done concerning the hazards and seriousness of the mes we face, you will feel great personal sa sfac on that you were there to support missions, which will afford new opportuni es requiring our skills, talents and commitment. Be proud of who you are. Be proud of the contribu ons you offer to our unique organiza on and be proud of the na on you serve. We are the “Volunteer Service Organiza on of Choice.” We are the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. There will be a me when you will look back and know, without a doubt, the contribu ons offered made a difference in the lives of those individuals we serve. There will also be a me when and where we all will be able to “Splice the Main Brace.” Another nau cal term. “The sea will grant each man new hope…as sleep brings dreams of home.”~ Christopher Columbus Ω

We will get through these mes. As it is said, “It is always darkest before the dawn.” We need to hold

Martin S. Goodwin, District Captain-North (e) It is 6:30 on a Saturday morning as I get into my car and prepare to drive to a popular boat ramp about 45 minutes away. I’m going there to meet up with another vessel examiner and set up a vessel safety check station. It’s a beautiful summer day, the type of day that entices boaters to put off whatever other plans they’ve had and spend the day on the water. I know there will be a lot of activity at the ramp, and we’ll be quite busy conducting vessel safety checks. Alone with my thoughts as I Every Vessel Safety Check is an opportunity to educate boaters. When indrive to the ramp, I begin to specting equipment, make sure you know which items have been recalled or have expired. Safety First. (USCG Auxiliary photo from flicker) wonder about the role that I play, the role that the Auxil(Con nued on page 17) iary as a whole plays, in promoting boating safety. I’m 16

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(Con nued from page 16) well aware of our efforts to connect with the boating public and the number of hours our members contribute to the recreational boating safety mission. Indeed, in my leadership positions at both the flotilla and division levels, I’ve kept careful track of my Auxiliary unit’s performance statistics for program visits, vessel safety checks, public education classes, operations patrols and other RBS efforts. These statistics are useful in tracking an Auxiliary unit’s performance over time and detailing how different Auxiliary units compare to each other in the RBS mission. Still, they don’t answer the basic question of measuring our direct impact on boating safety. How do we measure the influence we have in terms of accidents prevented and lives saved? Is this even measurable? It’s widely accepted that proving a nega ve is difficult, if not impossible. A emp ng to determine the extent that our ac ons influence the nonoccurrence of an event, such as a boa ng mishap, in the context of our Recrea onal Boa ng Safety (RBS) efforts is akin to trying to prove a nega ve. However, we can see our efforts’ impact if we stop doing them, thereby removing our influence. The global pandemic and resul ng

Auxiliary standdown have enabled us to do just that. The COVID virus, while terrible in its own right, has provided us the opportunity to see the results when the Auxiliary is unable to perform its missions. It has, in effect, allowed us to measure what has previously been considered to be unmeasurable. This year, there has been an increasing trend in boa ng accidents and more significant percentages of the boa ng public not wearing life jackets. While there may be other contribu ng factors influencing these results, the simple fact is that recrea onal boa ng safety suffers when the Auxiliary is unable to do its job. These results show that our RBS efforts, both individually and collec vely, are significant and have a direct influence on boa ng safety. As I arrive at the ramp, my mind switches gears to the tasks involved with setting up the vessel safety check station. Yet, the renewed sense of purpose I feel is palpable. While I may not know exactly how many accidents I may prevent or how many lives I may save as a result of my efforts on this day, I do know that my individual actions, and our actions as an organization, make a tremendous difference and bring immense value to those we serve.Ω

Operation Extended Hands https://www.cgauxa.org/ A devastating fire destroyed two Coast Guard homes near Coast Guard Station Cape Hatteras Inlet, N.C. with fatalities and total property loss. The Auxiliary Association asks you as a member of the Coast Guard family to extend your hand to assist those in need. The Auxiliary Association has established OPERATION EXTENDED HANDS to receive your donations. 100% of all donations will go to USCG Cape Hatteras Station to provide assistance to the families aﬀected. Our hearts and prayers go to our shipmates and their families. Your help is much needed and appreciated. Make your checks payable to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association and please write “OP-Extended Hands” on the check Mail to Coast Guard Auxiliary Association 1301 West First St. Suite E-1 Granite City, IL 62040 (Photo: USCG Auxiliary Public Aﬀairs)

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE

Mar n S. Goodwin, District Captain-North

2019 Florida Fish and Wildlife Boating Educator of the Year COMO Gary P. Barth

MEMBER FOCUS

an McIntyre, a member of Flolla 17-6 Central Brevard, has been a Coast Guard Auxiliarist since 2008. He is a veteran who served in the Coast Guard Reserve for 42 years, re ring in 2000 with the rank of Chief Warrant Oﬃcer, CW04. Dan was recalled to ac ve duty in 2002 and served for another 2 ½ years as a Performance Excellence Consultant at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He has had an exemplary service record with the Auxiliary and has earned numerous awards and promo ons as he has moved up the ranks. He was finally allowed to really re re in Dan McIntyre, a member of Flotilla 17-6 Central Brevard 2005. earned the 2020 Florida Fish

have produced 1,959 third-grade graduates. McIntyre achieved this success level while also delivering a full schedule of adult and youth “About Boa ng Safely” classes. During that same period, he taught or facilitated 52 adult classes at 14 schools resul ng in the gradua on of 619 adults and 1,533 youth graduates under 17.

As a result of McIntyre’s dedica on and hard work, the “Boats N’ Kids” class safety ini a ve has become a District 7 Coast Guard Auxiliary priority a er the 2019 Na onal Execu ve Board Mee ng. McIntyre is planning to implement a new program with and Wildlife Commission In 2015 McIntyre found his calling instructor ac vi es designed for 6 to ‘Boating Educator of the Year’ when he became fully engaged in award. (USCG Auxiliary photo) 11-year old in groups. The program will focus on life jackets, dockside Recrea onal Boa ng Safety Public safety, boa ng safety, environmental Educa on. Mo vated by the increasstewardship and basic emergencies, designed to be ing number of drowning fatali es among children taught with a team of two or more instructors. In in Florida each year, he decided to seek a solu on. his current posi on as Assistant District Staﬀ OﬃMcIntyre researched child water-related accidents cer for Public Educa on, Dan has embarked on an and sta s cs and consulted with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and other organiza ons. He finally adopted ambi ous plan to export this class beyond Brevard to encompass schools throughout the Auxiliary 7th a syllabus that had been shared by Auxiliary Flo lla 14-1 Amelia Island. McIntyre then envisioned teach- District Area of Responsibility which includes Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and the U.S. ing children how to be safe in the water, around Virgin Islands.Ω boats, and how to respond to water emergencies. His goal was to grow more responsible boa ng adults by developing a simple yet impac ul course that would ins ll basic water safety concepts in 9-year old students. That spring, McIntyre partnered with the Brevard County School Board to deliver a unique approach to third-grade elementary school students en tled, “Boats N‘ Kids.” Since that humble beginning, the Brevard Schools have asked McIntyre to return every year with class sizes averaging 15 to 30 students. From 2015 to 2018, he served over 2,300 volunteer hours as a Recrea onal Boa ng Safety instructor or facilitator. Dan’s work has resulted in the delivery of 120 “Boats N‘ Kids” classes at 31 Brevard County schools that BREEZE

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Boating Educator of the Year

Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

Charleston Coast Guard Auxiliary Member Receives High Honor Barbara Burchfield, District Staﬀ Oﬃcer-Partner Visitations 7

MEMBER FOCUS

Catherine Heibel, a Charleston Coast Guard Auxiliary member, represents the Coast Guard Academy Admissions Division in a recruiting event on the tarmac during the Air and Space Expo in December 2019, at Charleston Air Force Base. (Coast Guard Auxiliary photo provided by Barbara Burchfield).

he U.S. Coast Guard honored a local Charleston Coast Guard Auxiliary member for outstanding volunteer service to the Coast Guard Academy Admissions Division based in New London, Connec cut.

Catherine Heibel, a member of Charleston Flo lla 12-8, was commended for performance of duty while assigned as South Carolina coordinator in the Academy Admissions Partner Program from July 2019 to July 2020. The cita on notes that Heibel demonstrated outstanding dedica on for recrui ng and outreach missions to assist many talented young men and women for the Coast Guard Academy. As a member of the na onal volunteer network, Heibel helped to improve and expand student outreach while significantly improving the Academy Admissions program awareness to educators and community leaders in the Charleston area.

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During the past year, Heibel par cipated in several events represen ng the Coast Guard Academy Admissions program, including college fairs, high school visits, student outreach, congressional events, and appointment presenta ons. Par cipa ng at her own cost, she found crea ve ways to engage interested applicants during an unprecedented global pandemic. The le er of commenda on applauds her exceponal and noteworthy representa on and contribu ons to a ract highly mo vated candidates for Coast Guard service. The commenda on was signed for the Commandant by M.S. Fredie, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Director of Admissions, USCG Academy. Heibel was commended for her meritorious service as she upheld the highest tradi ons of the United States Coast Guard. Ω

Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

MEMBER FOCUS

The President’s Volunteer Service Award In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Par cipa on founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the vital role of volunteers in America’s strength and na onal iden ty. This award honors individuals whose service posi vely impacts communi es in every corner of the na on and inspires those around them to take ac on, too. Thirteen members of Flo lla 59 Stuart received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for their hard work and dedica on to recrea onal boa ng safety in the community. Mar n County Commissioner Edward Ciampi presented the award separately to each Auxiliarist during a private ceremony at the USCG Auxiliary building in Sandsprit Park on Thursday evening, October 8, 2020. Ac ng as a force mul plier for the United States Coast Guard, Flo lla 59, Stuart is ac ve in search and rescue, public educa on, vessel safety examina ons, and radio watchstanding. Our members provide the valuable tools necessary for the public to stay safe on the water. Ω

Reprinted from October 2020 issue of “Crossroads Currents,” newsle er for Flo lla 59 Stuart, R. Michael Stringer, editor. Photos: Flo lla 59 archive photographs.

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

Virtual Public Education Classes via Videoconferencing

MEMBER FOCUS

Karen L. Miller, Division Chief, Public Education Directorate

Photos: Zoom shots of Public Education Class run by Flotilla 11-1 Clearwater. Each attendee granted permission.

ith the advent of COVID-19 and the almost complete shutdown of the CG Auxiliary in March, flo llas across the country could not fulfill their Recrea onal Boa ng Safety missions. One of the most important of those missions is Public Educa on. We saw classes canceled mid-stream and all future classes canceled for the safety of the instructors, aides and students. This shutdown also caused a significant hiccup in the flo lla’s ability to bring in income to cover its essen al expenses. Almost immediately, the Na onal Public Educa on Directorate contacted the Na onal Associa on of State Boa ng Law Administrators (NASBLA) to obtain permission for the CG Auxiliary flo llas to conduct classes via the Internet. A er much nego a on, discussion, paperwork and follow-up, NASBLA and most individual states approved the online proposal. There are a few hold-outs, but all of District 7 states and Puerto Rico have received approval.

flo llas in District 7 began the process of announcing their new, online videoconferencing classes and had great success in picking up students from pent-up demand and even from classes that were stopped in March midway through. This represented hundreds of students enjoying the benefit of learning boa ng safety from CG Auxiliary instructors in the comfort of their homes. The CG Auxiliary was back in ac on! To assist the other flo llas in overcoming some reluctance they may have encountered from their leadership and/or instructors, a whole series of interac ve workshops were developed. These included how to decide on a pla orm to offer the classes, register and collect course fees; step-by-step procedures to get well-prac ced and professional in an online environment, etc. Many of these are also in PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat format to be used as a reference guide for the Public Educa on staff officer and elected bridge members and in-

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(Con nued on page 22) 21

Virtual Public Educa on Classes via Videoconferencing (Con nued from page 21)

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structors. (See: HTTP://wow.uscgaux.info/content. php?unit=E-DEPT&category=virtual-pe-classes for these workshops.) These workshops succeeded in bringing many more flo llas into the world of virtual classes. Now they can fulfill the RBS mission and bring in a significant income to the flo lla. On Aug. 31, under the tutelage of Dewey Jackson, District Directorate Chief for Preven on and Harry Tipper, District Staﬀ Oﬃcer for Public Educa on, and assistance from Hortensia Sampedro, SO-MT 6, we conducted a Kick-Star ng Your Virtual PE Class via Videoconferencing work-

shop. Over 40 members of the district a ended the evening videoconferencing session. Several a endees received the material enthusias cally and are now implemen ng virtual classes in their flo llas. If your flo lla hasn’t go en on the virtual Public Educa on class bandwagon yet, ask yourself, why not? With face-to-face classes not even on the horizon while COVID-19 is s ll rampant, take advantage of the material available to you and start your venture. If you have ques ons or concerns, contact Harry Tipper, DSO-PE, via your chain or contact the author or Hortensia Sampedro (all info in the AuxDirectory), and they’ll do everything they can to help you get your flo lla up and running with Public Educa on oﬀerings. Ω

You Can Help! COMO Judith Hudson, IPDCO

ll of us want to make our earthly environment safer and be er – we want to protect it. Also, we need to educate and remind others how all of us can care for our precious asset – our planet. Let’s renew our efforts and communicate with neighbors, co-workers, and friends about ac ons all of us can take to help with the effort. Here are some things that the World Wildlife Fund recommends: 1. Raise the thermostat even one or two degrees – more when you are not at home. When the thermostat needs to be lowered to save on energy, put on a sweater in the winter. Reducing the use of fossil fuels is an excellent way to help save the environment. 2. Put one foot in front of the other - start walking more and driving less. Use your bicycle, take the bus or the train instead of driving, when appropriate. Think about buying an electric car when the me comes to do that. Plan your errand runs to reduce the number of trips; combining reasons for ge ng in the car. More exercise and fewer trips is a win-win. 3. Go for seconds. Make reuse and recycle part of your conscious thinking about everything. Use things for the third me or for as long as you can. Plas c bags, padded envelopes, paper towels, newspapers, other household goods, furniture, toys, etc. can all be used for other purposes and be produc ve repeats. 4. Watch your waste. Items you may be throwing away can contaminate the soil and water for thousands or even millions of years. Check with your community resources to see if you have special procedures or disposal loca ons for things like oil and ba eries. Ink cartridges usually can be recycled. Many of the new super-efficient light bulbs contain mercury, so proper disposal is crucial. Check with the store where you bought them. (Con nued on page 23) BREEZE

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

You Can Help! (Con nued from page 22) 5. Paper, not plas c. Bring your cloth bags or paper bags with you to the grocery store. We desperately need to reduce the 350 plas c bags the average person uses each year. As you know, plas c bags can easily end up in the oceans, rivers and bays, killing fish and mammals. 6. BYOB. Last year Americans went through about 50 billion water bo les. Refill your bo les. Buy a filter for your home tap water. Much of the bo led water sold today is just filtered water. 7. Flip ‘em oﬀ. Use lights only in the rooms you are in. Otherwise, turn them oﬀ. 8. Plant a tree, bush, hedge or flowers. They are good for the soil, good for the birds, good for climate change, and good for the air you are breathing.

10. Support environmental organiza ons. Volunteer, give dona ons and keep informed on how you can support environmental groups, causes and organiza ons.

Thank you for improving our way of life!

Photo: Bill Oxford, Unsplash, license free

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MEMBER FOCUS

9. Sign oﬀ. If you are ge ng catalogs from companies you don’t buy from, call them to get removed from their mailing list.

Member Receives D7 COMO Daniel Maxim Award for Excellence in Educa on

MEMBER FOCUS

Toni Borman, District 8 Commander, District Captain-West (e)

Award Presentation in the age of COVID: Judi Bidwick (center) displays the Auxiliary Achievement Medal which accompanied the District 7 COMO Daniel Maxim Award for Excellence in Education presented Oct. 5, 2020. She is flanked by Toni Borman, current Division 8 Commander and District Captain-West (e) and Tom Bamford, current District Captain-West. (United States Coast Guard Auxiliary photograph.)

Based on feedback from districts reques ng addi onal incen ves and recogni on for the best instructors, the Educa on Directorate developed a pres gious na onal level award to recognize the best-of-the-best.

his year, District 7 selected Julia (Judi) Bidwick, a member of Flo lla 86 Venice, as their nominee for the na onal COMO Daniel Maxim Award for Excellence in Educa on for her outstanding work as an instructor in both member training and public educa on.

Bidwick came to Venice over 20 years ago where she took the Boa ng Skills and Seamanship course. She was impressed with the membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dedica on BREEZE

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and commitment to the core values of the USCG Auxiliary. She decided to join, recognizing that she possessed unique skills that could prove beneficial to the Coast Guard. Bidwick was re red from the Montgomery County School System in Maryland. She served as an elementary school teacher, a secondary school teacher, a gi ed and talented teacher, department head, curriculum developer, elementary principal, and finally middle school principal un l she re red a er 33 years of service. The Auxiliary soon became Bidwickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary focus.

Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

(Con nued on page 25) 24

(Con nued from page 24) She immediately became cer fied and began teaching public educa on classes. She served as the Public Aﬀairs Oﬃcer before taking on Public Educa on. Meanwhile, she worked toward Air Observer, Opera onal Auxiliarist, coxswain and crew cer fica on. In just a few years, Bidwick a ained all of her cer fica ons and was recognized as the Auxiliarist of the Year.

over the years. Recently she met with the younger children and parents in the local 4-H Club for two sessions, the first focusing on water safety and the second on environmental issues. At the conclusion, Bidwick awarded the children a Panda Cer ficate. The club leader was so impressed that she obtained permission from her school principal for Bidwick to meet with a group of 80 second-graders to show Inky the Whale and follow it with discussion. A short me later, Epiphany Cathedral School invited Bidwick to meet with small upper elementary school children to speak about careers in the Coast Guard. Following that, she met with pre-school children to talk about water safety. The children put on life jackets and enacted how to be safe around water. She met with 10th graders at the local high school to give an overview of boa ng safety and the state laws. Bidwick loves opportuni es like these to work with children and get back into schools whenever possible. These are just a few recent public educa on programs with children to illustrate what goes on all the me.

Bidwick’s accomplishments went far beyond those. She taught classes for the division and worked on curriculum development at the district and na onal, holding Branch Chief offices at the na onal level levels. Back at the flo lla, she taught and coordinated member training courses while holding Publica ons and Public Educa on Officer posi ons. Division 8 members view Bidwick as a valuable asset, and they give her praise for the Risk Management classes. By the way, her monthly newsle ers are outstanding and are recogThe list of Bidwick’s teaching nized as such by members up efforts is numerous. She has the chain of leadership. Bidwick provided programs or has spospends countless hours each ken with youth sailing groups, month edi ng, a aching photos, lady sailors, civic associa ons, and researching relevant ar local yacht clubs, Captains Clubs, cles for inclusion in each issue. service clubs, etc. She is the Throughout her career, Bidwick best in every way, one of the D7 COMO Daniel Maxim Award for has rarely had any member of Excellence in Education most posi ve and helpful persons her flo lla who logged more Borman has ever met. Unqueshours. onably, Bidwick is a superb teacher, universally so Judi Bidwick and author Toni Borman are friends. recognized. Over the years, she has done it all, crew, They are both teachers and have worked together coxswain, proctor, mentor, food services worker, to plan projects and, at mes, team teach. Working Flo lla Commander, what have you. Bidwick’s dedwith the Girl Scouts, they developed a water safety ica on is a model for everyone, as witnessed by her program for over 100 girls, where small groups met flo lla members, class members, and children who Auxiliarists at study sta ons as they rotated through- have worked with her. out the day. They reached out to the Elks, who Judi Bidwick has received many accolades over the graciously allowed them to use their Lodge for the program. Bidwick and Borman worked together that years and, together with her husband, Al Bidwick, has been awarded thirteen Na onal Public Affairs day. The Scout leaders were extremely apprecia ve Photography awards. In receiving the Commodore of their efforts. On another occasion, they worked Daniel Maxim Award, Judi Bidwick has reached a pintogether at an elementary school focusing on envinacle of achievements in both member training and ronmental educa on. public educa on. Ω Bidwick has taught numerous community groups BREEZE

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MEMBER FOCUS

Award for Excellence in Educa on

A Conversation with Commodore Gary Barth R. Michael Stringer

MEMBER FOCUS

he image of corpsman Gary Barth under fire, feverishly tending the wounded, and saving lives paints a diﬀerent picture than his current guise as mild-mannered USCG Auxiliary District Commodore.

In 1965, Gary Barth was a U.S. Navy hospital corpsman a ached to a Marine Infantry unit par cipa ng in an Arc c Circle exercise. This 30-day cold-weather training took place 250 miles north of the Arc c Circle in Norway. The ba alion slept in tents on the ice and snow in temperatures of 50 degrees below zero. The purpose of the exercise was to protect Norway from Russia should they a ack. Wearing all white gear and either snowshoes or skis, they moved camp every night at midnight. A er spending thirty days on the exercise, the ba alion received three-day liberty. Unfortunately, there was a large An -Vietnam War protest in Oslo, which soured their liberty.

red in 1994. He has always loved teaching, so a er re rement, he became a high school teacher. He taught a Criminal Jus ce class to high school juniors and seniors. His teaching partner, also a re red cop, was in the USCG Auxiliary. That is how Barth became an Auxiliarist in Columbus, Ohio. He laughed when he told me, “I never bought a uniform un l I moved to Florida. At that me, the flo lla in Columbus was more of a social and fellowship gathering place.”

Gary Barth and his wife, Terry, moved to Florida, and he worked as a Park Ranger in Saint Lucie County for nine months. His work took him past the USCG Auxiliary Flo lla 58 in Fort Pierce. One day he stopped by to talk with them and spent the next 17 years as a member of that flo lla. Unhappy with his Park Ranger job, Gary became an ESE assistant (Excep onal Student Educa on). He worked with students A er his Arc c Circle assignwith learning disabili es ment, Barth’s ba alion was for seven years at Sebasnext deployed to Panama an High School. Living for jungle warfare training. in Sebas an, Florida, it A revolu on to overthrow made sense to transthe government in Santo fer to Flo lla 56, Vero Domingo, Dominican RepubBeach/Sebas an, where lic, broke out. The ba alion COMO Barth and his wife of Marines was ordered to are currently members. intervene. The a er-ac on He published the Flo lla Gary Barth serving as an officer of the Columbus report references 4-KIA 58 Ft. Pierce newsle er (killed in ac on) and 27-WIA Division of Police. Terry Barth was a member of the force reserve unit. Photo from Facebook page. for many years and was (wounded in ac on) in the the Assistant District first two days of the conflict. Staff Officer-Publica ons “Most kids today don’t know about Vietnam, and (ADSO-PB) for seven years. some don’t even remember the Gulf War. You’ve got Commodore Barth genuinely likes people, and he to know your history before you know what’s hapenjoys being part of the public educa on program. “I pening in front of you, so you don’t repeat some of am very fortunate to have the support of our memthe same things,” he said. bers,” he said. “One of the be er accomplishments A er his me in the military, Barth worked 27 years (Con nued on page 27) with the Columbus Division of Police before he reBREEZE

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

A Conversa on with COMO Barth (Con nued from page 26) of the Auxiliary is oﬃcially recognizing the hard work of our members. Awards are o en the only payment our members receive, and without our members and their support, we aren’t an organizaon.”

MEMBER FOCUS

“Moving forward, recruitment and reten on are two of the biggest challenges the Auxiliary faces. Last year, we did a good job with recruitment, but things have slowed down with the COVID pandemic. Ge ng members to step-up for leadership posi ons is another challenge. Also, going out of the chain of leadership can be a serious problem. Members must follow the chain of leadership when addressing issues. It is embarrassing when the Commandant of the Coast Guard asks, ‘Why is one of your Auxiliarists wri ng a congressman’?” “District 7 is opening ac vi es more than many of the other districts. We can now do one-on-one proctored tests. Vessel examiners can go out with a trainee to get new examiners qualified. The same goes for program visitors. Avia on missions Photos of COMO Gary P. Barth and his wife and fellow Auxiliary member, Terry Barth from COMO (AUXAIR) have opened up, and surface patrols are Barth’s Facebook page. now allowed if requested by the Coast Guard,” he explained. With the precau ons in place, District 7 is learning to func on within this new normal.Ω

Pat McMenamin, District 7 Chief of staﬀ and District Commodore elect, with COMO Gary P. Barth at the Auxiliary Na onal Training Conference in 2019. (USCG Auxiliary photograph)

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

Commodore Gary Barth elected DNACO-E

MEMBER FOCUS

Barbara Burchfield, USCG Auxiliary PA3

COMO Gary Barth is sworn in as DNACO at District 7 Headquarters in Miami, Sept. 23, 2020. The event was held at the office of Rear Admiral Eric Jones. Capt. Jeffrey Randall, District 7 Chief of Staff, read the prologue and Rear Admiral Eric Jones swore in COMO Barth as a Deputy National Commodore. COMO Barth was also presented with the Coast Guard Auxiliary Meritorious Service Medal by Commander John Briggs, Director of Auxiliary. He was “frocked” by his wife, Terry Barth, National Executive Assistant to National Commodore Larry King. (United States Coast Guard Auxiliary photo)

istrict 7 Commodore Gary Barth was elected Deputy Na onal Commodore-East (DNACO-E) Saturday, Aug. 22, in the first-ever online elec on for Auxiliary na onal posi ons. The elec on was hosted and chaired by Auxiliary Na onal Commodore Larry King and a ended by U.S. Coast Guard Captain Sco Johnson, Chief Director of the Auxiliary. The East region covers five districts in the Atlan c Eastern Seaboard area, north from Maine to the southern-most unit in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The two-year term of duty begins Nov. 1, and oversees the programs and missions involving more than 12,500 members, nearly half of the en re auxiliary BREEZE

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volunteer workforce. NACO Larry King stated, “The role of an elected Deputy Na onal Commodore (DNACO) is misunderstood and unappreciated by many, but it is without ques on, a vital posi on. DNACOs func on as tutors for District Commodores (DCO) in their geographic area, which can be a me-consuming responsibility since all new DCOs come into office within two months of a DNACO taking office. “However, each elected DNACO is also assigned oversight of a significant por on of na onal staff. (Con nued on page 29)

Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

(Con nued from page 28) That is a me-consuming chore for which there is no pre-acceptance training program. To have complete responsibility for Auxiliary Opera ons, Recrea onal Boa ng Safety, or Mission Support disciplines is a challenging responsibility that requires a new DNACO to do a lot of research and study to be eﬀec ve and demands excellent personal me management. If a DNACO is not organized in his/her daily rou nes, they can become overwhelmed with the responsibility. “An elected DNACO can exert great influence over the workings of the en re Auxiliary and is a cri cal accountability posi on, preparing one to move into the posi on of Na onal Commodore eventually. After I got over the ini al shock of all the new responsibili es I had been assigned, I found the posi on of DNACO to be as personally rewarding as any posi on to which I was ever elected.” In addi on to his na onal elected posi on responsibili es, COMO Barth will also oversee the all-important Recrea onal Boa ng Safety (RBS) directorate, one of the primary ini a ves tasked to the Auxiliary by the Coast Guard.

As an ardent advocate of boa ng safety, COMO Barth said, “During the current COVID restric ons this year, recrea onal boa ng and on-water ac vies have significantly increased in all categories of power and sailboats and all types of human-powered watercra . Unfortunately, there is also an increase in boa ng accidents, par cularly in the paddlesports category. The Coast Guard Auxiliary wants to reduce those accidents, loss of life, and property through our RBS educa onal and safety programs. I am excited to be a part of the dynamic RBS outreach team across the Atlan c Eastern Seaboard.” COMO Barth has been a member of the Auxiliary since 1998, volunteering more than 35,700 hours in his 22 years of service. He has held many elected and appointed leadership posi ons. Over the years, Barth has seen and been a part of the Auxiliary’s expansion and progress as it adapts to increased missions and performance requirements by the Coast Guard. He con nues to support his local Sebas an flo lla as Informa on Services Oﬃcer. He maintains earned qualifica ons and competencies as a boat crew member, instructor, vessel examiner, aids to navigaon verifier, and recrea onal boa ng safety program visitor. Ω

For more assistance or for more information call 1.800.881.2462 or visit www.CGMAHQ.org/locations to find your local representative.

To donate visit https://www.cgmahq.org/give BREEZE

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

MEMBER FOCUS

COMO Gary Barth elected DNACO-E

AUXDATA II Is Here

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

John Robbins, Division 7 Staﬀ Oﬃcer-Information Services

Photo by Myriam Jessier on Unsplash, royalty free to use. Edited for illustrative purposes by Dorothy J. Riley

Note: The author serves as Staff Officer-Informa on Services Division 7 and the ar cle is published here because it contains a lot of useful informa on. While Mr. Robbins would be pleased to offer his assistance, please observe the chain of leadership and contact your Flo lla Staff Officer or Division Staff Officer-Informa on Services first with your ques ons. General Informa on The new database to record all Auxiliary ac vi es, AUXDATA II, was rolled out in April, and as expected with any new system, there have already been numerous changes. If you have any problems logging into the system, let me know. Once you get your password, you should be ready to go; however, the system uses a 2-factor authen ca on each me you sign in. You can either have it send you a one- me passcode by email each me, or you can download the Salesforce Authen cator app that con nually 30

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generates temporary codes for you to use. Emails to my Gmail account usually take only a few seconds to arrive on my iPhone. Entering Ac vi es The system was designed so that all members could enter their regular ac vi es as normally submi ed on electronic forms like the 7029 WEBFORM - Member Ac vity Log, 7030 - Mission Ac vity Report, 7038 - Recrea onal Vessel Examina on Ac vity Report, and 7046 - RBS Visita on Report. Early versions of the so ware did not check for correct and complete entry, and the district quickly ended up with a list of over 1,500 ac vity logs that had errors such as no member listed for the ac vity, no unit listed, wrong mission codes, etc. Updates to the system that aﬀect how ac vi es are entered and approved con nue to be made and are likely to con nue through the end (Con nued on page 31)

Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

(Con nued from page 30) of this year. Therefore, for Division 7, I have made the following recommenda ons: (Many divisions throughout the Auxiliary are following these as well.) •

Con nue to submit the electronic forms for your ac vi es. The 7029 webform and the other E-forms should con nue to be available. If there is an issue with the electronic submission of a form, save it as a PDF and a ach it to an email to your Flo lla Staﬀ Oﬃcer-Informa on Services (FSO-IS).

•

Do not a empt to make any entries directly into AUXDATA II un l you have been trained on how to fill in and submit the form correctly. For anyone who desires instruc on on how to do this, I oﬀer Zoom training sessions, either as a group or 1-on-1 for those with special requirements. Send me an email if you are interested in training.

Core Training course comple ons have to be entered by an IS staff officer who has completed AUX-10, the AUXDATA training school. Those should be submi ed using the Self A esta on form with Version 12JAN19 at the bo om. IS courses and other special courses s ll have to be submi ed to DIRAUX via the D7 Help Desk. Members can do that themselves or send the comple on cer ficates to their FSO-IS or to me for submi al. AUXDATA II Repor ng The new system offers a wide variety of report op ons. Many reports are designed to duplicate the reports you are used to ge ng from AUXDATA or AUXINFO. Na onal IS staff uses the list of reports in the D7 AUXINFO Quick Access website to design more reports that should be available soon. There are two reports that were quite useful that will not be available in their past form: the color-coded Training Management Report (TMR) that showed the training status of all members in a flo lla, and the Unit Summary Data (USD) report that showed all unit ac vi es in the various mission areas for a calendar year. All reports in AUXDATA II can be exported in a forma ed Excel file that can be further manipulated, but the new TMR is not color-coded BREEZE

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and is more difficult to read than the old one. The USD, the reports I use to determine division awards each year, will not be available in a single report, but reports for each mission area will have to be run separately. Those reports are s ll in development. The so ware is supposed to allow for the sharing of reports, so someone can create a report then share it with others; however, that func on does not yet work in our system. If any division or flo lla officer needs a specific report, I can run that report for their unit if it exists or create a new report to meet their need. One report I created lists the emergency contacts for each member along with their contact informa on. With us being in the middle of the hurricane season, that type of report could be par cularly useful. If anyone would like to learn how to modify exis ng reports for their unit or design something new, I also offer Zoom sessions for that. I can either share my screen with you and show you what to do, or have you share your screen, and I walk you through the process so you will have the report available in your folder. AUXDATA II is here, and we will have to learn how to use its capabili es best and get past its limita ons.Ω 

More AUXDATA II links and resources: wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=IT-GROUP&category=auxdata-ii AUXDATA II Help Desk / Service Requests. HTTP:// wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=IT-GROUP&category=training-resources Ge ng Started with AUXDATA II - USCG Aux wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=IT-GROUP&category=ge ng-started Video for DIRAUX Users. Crea ng a Member and Adding them to the Community. Links to User Guides: Auxiliary Member User Guide v1.3 (PPTX with links) AUXDATA II Training Resources - USCG Aux wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=IT-GROUP&category=training-resources

Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

AUXDATA II is Here

Nautical Originals Geri Daley, Vice Commander Flo lla 98 Charlo e Harbor Reprinted with edits from July/Aug. 2020 edi on of HARBOR LIGHT, the newsle er of Flo lla 98 Charlo e Harbor, Virginia Bryant, editor.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

SLUSH FUND: Unregulated funds o en used for illicit purposes. Originally — salted meat cooked onboard a ship. BITTER END: Last extremity, however painful or calamitous. On a ship, the word “Bi er” is used to turn the anchoring line around the bi s or posts fixed on the deck for securing lines. OFFING: Near or foreseeable future. The nau cal term refers to the part of the open sea in sight of, but a safe distance from shore refers to a posi on or course near but safely clear of land. THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND: Drunk. In the 19th century, sheets were not on your bed. Sheets referred to ropes and chains that are attached to the lower corner of ship sails. If you were on a three sailed vessel and all three sheets are loose in the wind, the ship would wallow about uncontrollably, much like a staggering drunk. Slightly psy was “one sheet to the wind.” PIPE DOWN: Stop talking or making noise. Refers to a Boatswain pipe or whistle to summon crew or relay orders— a piping. Piped to a meal or to dismiss the crew, the pipe is sounded. Upon the command to “pipe down,” the crew will leave and all will be quiet. BY AND LARGE: on the whole or overall Nau cal term is the ship’s ability to sail well toward and away from the wind ‘BY’ means near or at hand, and ‘LARGE’ means with the wind or the quarter. CABOOSE: Freight train car a ached to the end or rear of a train, used mainly by the crew. Refers to a ship’s galley or deckhouse where cooking is done. Origins probably Dutch word “Kabuis,” derived from middle low German “Kabuse.” HEAD: Toilet. Refers to the carved head on sailing ships, located at the bow where the figurehead was a ached to the hull. It was where the sailors went to relieve themselves, so they were going to the head. ABOVE BOARD: Honest and forthright. Pirates would masquerade as honest merchants. But as they approached an unsuspec ng ship, the pirate crew was hiding below the boards. Ω

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Hello, Recrea onal Boa ng Safety Program Visitors! Barbara Burchfield, District Staﬀ Oﬃcer-Partner Visita ons D7

hey eyy’r ’re h ho ott!! ANSC SUPPLIES – Get them while they’re hot! uxxxiiliiaarry N Naa onal onaall Be prepared with new stock. The Auxiliary ts of of literature lit i eraat ature Supply Center advises two shipments eh ho ou u ussseee. Yo YYou ou that have been received in the warehouse. m your yo ou ur FSOFSSO O-can request supplies and literature from our ur d oo o or. r. It I MA and have them delivered right att yo your door. doesn’t get any be er than that.

Form 7046 to report your program visits! USCG Boa ng Safety Circular – Fall 2020 The Coast Guard Oﬃce of Boa ng Safety just released the fall 2020 Boa ng Safety Circular with ar ccl les es on naviga on sidelights and a study to improve cles tthe th he ssh haalllow dr shallow dra water ATON system. Share this wi ith h yyour ou o ur Ve ur V ss Examiners, boat opera ons and with Vessel p pr prog rog ogrraam p pa artn program partners. Byy tthe B he N he umb umb um be e – 2020 year to date Numbers O Ok kay, it’s b eeeen a trying year, to say the least. You Okay, been m ight bee iinterested nte nt tere might in knowing that District 7 Pr P rograam Vi V isito performed nearly 35% of all visits Program Visitors naa o on nal allly llyy. W onally. What a great team!!! Thanks for doing yyo ou urr p art. Ω your part.

ANSC#3000 - Pamphlet, Vessel Safety Check “Boat Responsibly” - 125,280 copies ANSC#4015 - Sammy The Sea O er Coloring Books – 60,000 copies See the latest ANSC catalog (June 2020) here: https:// www.uscg.mil/Portals/0/ OurOrganization/auxiliary/ publications/misc/DCAT.pdf Welcome Aboard! This year we have 29 newly cer fiedorrecer fiedProgram Visitors in District 7. We’re so glad you’ve joined our Team. A big shoutout for all those who help with training, qualifi ca ons,and assistance to our teammates – thank you! Yes, you can s ll use Form 7046 There’s a lot of talk about AUXDATA II these days, but remember – you can s ll use

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

I am anything but bored, how about you? With all this spare me during COVID restric ons, I’ve been able to reorganize my brochures, supplies and even my oﬃce. Researching area businesses in the newspaper and online have brought in new Program XDATA II (aka Partners. And learning the new AUXDATA AD2) system has been interes ng, challenging hallengging in ng an aand nd rewarding (when I finally get it to do o what wha haat I want). want wa n ).

ARTICLES OF INTEREST 34

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

ARTICLES OF INTEREST MEMBER FOCUS

ARTICLES OF INTEREST BREEZE

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

Words from the Editor

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Dorothy Joan Riley, DSO-PB 7

ome of this is a repeat from my message last issue but some things bear repea ng.

During this cri cal me we must stay engaged with the Auxiliary and with each other, and newsle ers are a great way to do that. At the flo lla level, let your fellow members know what you are doing to fill your me. Are you taking Auxiliary courses? Have you learned something new? It ma ers not that it is Auxiliary related. Sharing with our fellow members keeps us connected to each other. Send a photo to the BREEZE. Have you read a great book? You need not write a full book review. Simply oﬀer your impression of the book and say why you liked it or did not like it. Write a review or brief paragraph about the book and send it to the BREEZE. Not all new skills are Auxiliary qualifica ons or courses. Maybe you taught yourself how to crochet or embroider. You may not be aware of this, but after both World Wars I and II, veterans recupera ng

in veteran hospitals were taught how to crochet, so do not let your gender stand in the way of “fessing up.” (I happen to have some beau ful pieces made by a World War I veteran.) Maybe you are brushing up on your photographic skills while on your morning walks or learning how to paint. Some of you may be learning how to cook for the first me while others are becoming a gourmet chef. How you keep yourself busy is not as crucial as maintaining our connec ons with each other and our commitment to the Auxiliary- and remember to share with your unit newsle er and the BREEZE. This, by the way, is my last issue as editor of BREEZE. R. Michael Stringer from Flo lla 59 Stuart will step in next year. He is quite talented and I have no doubt that you will enjoy his work. Please make his job easier and submit your photographs and ar cles for publica on. I wish him the best! Ω

Reminder to all users of social media: Members of the public are more likely to see our social media posts than see our newsle ers. Newsle ers are typically internal documents while social media are public. For this reason, it is cri cal to never post photographs of members of the Auxiliary not wearing the uniform correctly. Before taking that photograph, do a visual check of every member. Are they wearing reflec ve sunglasses? Do they have pens in their pockets, keys hanging from their belts or things hanging from their necks? Is everyone wearing the same uniform? Take correc ve measures. Ask the members to remove the discrepant item. If the discrepancy cannot be readily remedied, ask that member to step out of the frame. While we want to give everyone credit for their eﬀorts, when someone should not be included in the photograph, you can add the text, “also par cipa ng but not shown was -.”

Never post photographs of members not wearing the uniform correctly! 36

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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

Use Social Media to Help Spread the Boating Safely Message Auxiliary Social Media

1. LIKE the page so that its posts appear in your newsfeed.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uscg.auxd7/

2. LIKE posts that appeal to you, and 3. SHARE these posts on your page so that your friends can see these messages. Everyone has their own newsfeed so your friends do not see the contents of yours unless you SHARE on your meline. Spreading the word is not all that diﬃcult. LIKE and SHARE!

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on Facebook:

United Staes Coast Guard Auxiliary

https:// www.facebook.com/uscgauxiliary/

Seventh District

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!

h p://www.uscga-district-7.org/

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U.S.C.G Auxiliary Recreational Boating Safety on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RecreationalBoatingSafety/ Please remember to LIKE and SHARE to help spread the boating safely message!

Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Auxiliary social media pages are a good source of informa on and ideas as well as a great way to spread the recrea onal boa ng safely message and recruit new members. But…yes, there is a caveat… to help spread the boa ng safely message you must do three things:

BREEZE Winter 2020

Articles inside

From the Bridge - COMO Gary P. Barth, DCO 7

From the Bridge-Mar n S. Goodwin, DCAPT-N (e

USCG Auxiliary Na onal and District Awards 2020

From the Bridge - COMO Pat McMenamin, DCOS 7

From the Bridge - Robert M. Sherman, DCAPT-E

From the Bridge - John Holmes, DCAPT-N, DCOS (e

From the Bridge- Tom Bamford, DCAPT-W

From the Bridge CDR John Briggs, DIRAUX 7