From the Helm Greetings from the Division 7 First, let me start by wishing our Commander members and their families a healthy and happy holiday season. I would also like to give a special welcome to our new members and Welcome Aboard.
Tony Novellino DCDR
on track toward a 5% gain in membership, and well-- we all know what hit us in early March. Auxiliary leadership ordered us to stand down from almost every activity.
By the middle of the year, we realized this “Coronavirus” AKA We started 2020 with a great set of COVID-19 would be with us for an explans and ready to go in our mission tended time. Division 7 began virtual to teach and promote boater safety training starting with Team Coordinaand in direct support of the Coast tion Training, virtual Public Education Guard. classes at Flotilla 79 Tampa, ZOOM In January and February, we partic- meetings, and virtual certification ipated to support to the Coast Guard through online testing in areas of and law enforcement with security pa- member interest that formerly needed trols and radio watch for Tampa Bay’s a proctored exam for certification. We biggest annual event, Gasparilla. We have learned to adapt. continued to support Clearwater Air Auxdata II changeover during a Station with the C130 logistics suppandemic shutdown has provided port mission. We held radio watches challenges. Still, our division Inforat Station St. Petersburg. We worked mation Services leaders have done on navigation systems at Sector St. a Bravo Zulu job to help us learn the Petersburg and held Public Educanew tool and adapt-- a challenge for tion classes throughout the division. ALL of us. Vessel Examinations and Program We are still adapting and following Visits were on track to exceed 2019 numbers, and recruiting efforts had us smart safety measures and Centers for Disease Control guidelines. We are back to performing logistics patrols with Clearwater Air station and supported the active duty recruiting arm of Sector St. Petersburg, and some Food Services requests are beginning to pop up. (See pages 28-29) COVID-19 vaccines are on the horizon, so we may start moving toward the new normal as we transition into the new year. Let us pray for this pandemic to end so that we may not only resume a more normal lifestyle with friends and family but also with the Auxiliary and Coast Guard. Again, Happy Holidays, and I wish everyone a safe and fruitful New Year! Ω
INTERCOM
Division 7 Tampa Bay
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