By Tom Bamford, District Captain-WestDo you know “WHY?

By Tom Bamford, Division Chief- Diversity Administration Division, District Captain-West

“What can be done within the divisions of an area of responsibility to enhance leadership succession for elected and appointed offi ces?”

This quesƟ on, posed during the 2019 District Training Conference (DTRAIN) in Orlando, became the precept for the “Unit Commander and Staff Leadership Conference.”

Jim Barnard, Vice Commander FloƟ lla 82 Longboat Key, Toni Borman, Division 8 Commander and Ross Jacobs, Commander, FloƟ lla 82 Longboat Key display the cerƟfi cates received for compleƟ ng the weekend course Jan. 22, 2020. Auxiliary photo provided by Tom Bamford, District Captain-West

InteresƟ ngly enough, during this past year, a few Division Commanders expressed the desire to resurrect a training iniƟ aƟ ve long ago disconƟ nued. That districtwide iniƟ aƟ ve had been known as the “FloƟ lla Commanders Academy,” which was conducted over a weekend for all incoming FloƟ lla Commanders and the FloƟ lla Vice Commanders. The previous training opportunity became the footprint for what has now become the “Unit Commander and Staff Leadership Conference.” The training was open to all the fl oƟ lla and division leadership teams within Sector St. Petersburg’s area of responsibility, as well as to anyone else from the district. AddiƟ onally, it was open to any member who might aspire to become part of their units’ leadership team.

Immediately aŌ er the iniƟ al presentaƟ on at DTRAIN, Vickie Aponte from the offi ce of the Director of Auxiliary was the fi rst to say she was on board to help develop the material we would be using for the new leadership training. To address the quesƟ on posed during DTRAIN, a team of nine including support from CDR Briggs, Director of Auxiliary D7 and CAPT Thompson, Commander, Sector St. Petersburg, set out to develop a program encompassing policies, direcƟ ves and best pracƟ ces.

The many other contributors, some of whom became instructors with their experƟ se included COMO Judith Hudson, Immediate Past District Commodore; Donna Miller, District Staff Offi cer-Finance; Terry Hershman, Immediate Past Division 7 Commander; Braxton Ezell, Immediate Past Division 8 Commander; Ray O’Connell Division 15 Commander; Ron Howington, Auxiliary Sector Coordinator Sector St. Petersburg; Douglas Colwell, FloƟ lla Vice Commander 99 and John Sollecito, Auxiliary Unit Coordinator, Ft. Myers Beach.

Also recognized were Brenda Burger, Assistant District Staff Offi cer-InformaƟ on Systems, Craig De Toma, District Staff Offi cer-CommunicaƟ on Systems and Tom Strzycki, Division 9 Vice Commander for their assistance in helping aƩ endees set up computers for their access to Auxiliary Data System (AUXDATA).

(ConƟ nued from page 28)

The purpose of the conference was not to be the same old ‘nut and bolts’ concept but rather a handson experience of learning the daily needs and applicaƟ ons for the leadership teams to become aware of the real daily responsibiliƟ es each would encounter. The Unit Commander and Staff Leadership Conference was held Jan. 4-5, at the Lee County Emergency OperaƟ ons Center in Ft. Myers. Eighty members from all fi ve divisions within Sector St. Petersburg’s area of responsibility aƩ ended, including three members from Division 13 in the Keys. In addiƟ on to the learning experience of one’s duƟ es, we enjoyed the opportunity for fellowship, good food and fun.

The training informaƟ on was all rolled into an e-handbook and “toolkit” for easily accessing the answers to the many quesƟ ons, which may arise in the execuƟ on of unit and department leadership roles. The handbook and a vast array of materials used during the training were provided on a USB drive to those who aƩ ended the two-day training. Each aƩ endee who completed both days also received a “CerƟfi cate of Training.”

Among the topics presented and discussed in break-out groups were the values inherent to culture, member value, diversity and inclusion. We discussed who are “leaders” and what key aspects of leadership are necessary for taking “ownership” of the role chosen, be it a unit commander or staff member.

PresentaƟ ons covered diverse topics such as recruiƟ ng and retenƟ on, discipline, uniforms, operaƟ ons, incident and injury management, as well as expectaƟ ons and performance. We also had a unique presentaƟ on concerning conƟ ngency planning and the District 7 West Auxiliary Incident Management Team structure that supports the Sector’s Incident Management Team group. Donna Miller provided an online fi nance presentaƟ on from Jacksonville.

One of the most criƟ cal areas we discussed focused on the one word: “WHY?”

The leadership training conference was intended to be a “fi re starter;” an opportunity to open the eyes to what each would be facing as the year unfolds in their respecƟ ve role. This conference was just the Ɵ p of the iceberg. We could have spent an enƟ re week diving deeply into the intricacies of every area. “The leadership training conference was intended to be a “fi re starter;” an opportunity to open the eyes to what each would be facing as the year unfolds in their respective role.”

The reaffi rmaƟ on to the “Prologue and Pledge for Elected and Appointed Leaders” was administered by COMO Judith Hudson to all aƩ endees at the beginning of the weekend. This was a vital ingredient of the leadership commitment.

Thank you to all aƩ endees for your open parƟ cipaƟ on, and we look forward to hearing of your successes. A very special thank you to all of those involved in the review and instrucƟ on process because you are the team that made this real.

Want to know more about the “WHY?” Join us the next Ɵ me to learn more.Ω