From the Bridge - COMO Pat McMenamin, DCOS 7

Pat McMenamin, District 7 Chief of Staff

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 eff ort you give each day. Your dedica on to duty and support to the Auxiliary and Coast Guard does not go unno ced. 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 offi cers 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 addi on 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. 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 fi shing 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 Offi cer 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 communica ons 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. Off ering 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 fl o lla in se ng up a successful

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(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 offi cers and elected leaders. I understand the need for improved training for our elected and appointed leaders and, yes, less paperwork. Be er communica ons 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!”

Very respec ully submi ed,

Pat McMenamin, District 7 Commodore(e)

USCG Auxiliary 2020 Election Results

2020 – 2022 National Board

(The term of offi ce 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 - Pacifi c 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