Our Quarterly Newsletter. The Finest Hours. April 2016 Flotilla

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1 April 2016 Flotilla Our Quarterly Newsletter FORT WAYNE, IN - The Guiding Light is, hopefully, an informative history of the recent activities of Flotilla It is published quarterly. Our flotilla, currently with twenty-three (23) members, is Land Locked in Northeastern Indiana, with an Area Of Responsibility (AOR) around the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. Our flotilla is one of five flotillas assigned to the South Central Division of the Ninth Central (9CR) Coast Guard District. Being land locked provides many challenges for our members to maintain the required hours for various activities, i.e. Boat Crew. Our members are required to travel distances to be able to get on the water time to locations like Toledo, Detroit, Bay City or Charlevoix. These trips are done at the member s expense, including some overnight stays at motels. The Finest Hours FORT WAYNE, IN - The Disney movie The Finest Hours opened in theatres at the end of January. The movie is based on an actual event in 1952 where members of the Coast Guard attempt to rescue the crews of two sinking tankers during a massive storm off of Cape Cod. Several of our flotilla members met at the Carmike Theater, located on the North side of town, on the 31 st of January, as a recruiting effort and to promote our scheduled safe boating courses and other missions. We were allowed to set up tables loaded with our various pamphlets and photos of our activities. We were able to interface with as many as 50 members of the public, educating them about the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. Fort Wayne s WANE TV interviewed members and broadcast a 45 second segment on the evening News, providing more exposure to the flotilla, from which several public comments have been heard by flotilla members. Thank you, WANE TV. 1

2 Road Trip GRANITE CITY, IL Three of our flotilla members took a road trip to discover the workings of the Auxiliary National Supply Center (ANSC) system and the CGAUX Association Merchandise Center, both located in the St Louis area. After over twelve hours traveling, the three returned to Fort Wayne with a better understanding of how things work at both facilities. Randy Ernst, Manager of ANSC in Granite City, IL took time from his day to walk us through the process and to show us the entire facility. For thirty-four years, the facility has been responsible for shipping all sorts of forms, pamphlets, postage and many other needed items to the flotillas, divisions and districts throughout the United States. Randy likes to think that, by sending out the materials that eventually goes to the public, his team is saving lives by performing the tasks they do as much as other Auxiliary members do at the flotilla level. Mandatory Training Ramifications FORT WAYNE, IN On November 10, 2015, our District CAPT, Norm Raymond, posted the following message in regards to the possible ramifications for NOT completing your mandatory training; Commanders and Commanders Elect: It is imperative that you address this issue with your Flotilla's as there has been a lot of wrong information that has been floating around as to when these MT penalties take effect. I encourage you approach this issue aggressively as Flotilla leadership as well as Senior leadership could be in jeopardy. PLEASE keep me informed on your progress with this issue. What are the Implications of NOT completing AUXMT by 31 Dec 2015? As of 1 Jan 2016 the following would apply if not completed: 1. Member may NOT be nominated to elected office in 2016 (By extension no election as well.) 2. Member may NOT be appointed to office in 2016 (ALL Divisions and Flotillas must complete their appointments in 2015 for those to serve in 2016.) (District Appointments beginning 1 Jan 2016 are under this rule and therefore a part of the consideration for all candidates.) 3. Member may NOT attend C-School in Member may NOT augment CG units in 2016 (AUXFS at station or aboard cutter, watch-standing, clerical work in CG offices such as OTO, serving as part of CG crew are some examples) 5. Member may NOT obtain first time qualifications without completing AUXMT as part of their training for that qualification. 6. Member may NOT attend national or regional conferences under CG orders in 2016 (All District Staff must complete their training as soon as possible) 7. Member may NOT re-certify in a qualification in Member may NOT receive any iteration of the Auxiliary Membership Service Award 9. Member may NOT be nominated for Auxiliarist of the Year or Greanoff Award in Member may NOT receive and a ID card Please review this communication very carefully. Please communicate to all leadership and membership expeditiously so that members and leaders have as much time as possible to complete these requirements before years end, 31 Dec These implications are far reaching! V/R Norman M. Raymond-District Captain Central U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, District 9 CR 2

3 Fort Wayne Boat Show FORT WAYNE, IN The Fort Wayne Boat Show kicked off on Thursday, February 11 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The Fort Wayne Flotilla manned a Public Affairs booth, promoting safe boating education, Marine Safety and recruitment while conducting classes in a small classroom area that was setup adjacent to the booth. The flotilla provided several children s classes, in addition to some knot tying and Vessel Safety Check (VSC) classes. Public Education FORT WAYNE, IN The first of two BOATING SKILLS & SEAMANSHIP (BS&S) classes that was scheduled to begin on February 22 nd was conducted with one student. A second BS&S course is scheduled to start on March 28 th. FORT WAYNE, IN Auxiliarist Rob Kerr provides instruction to five students in About Boating Safely class. Photo by Deb Kerr. FORT WAYNE, IN Auxiliarists Diane Campbell (left-center) and Deb Kerr (far left) helps the Army Corps of Engineer s Bobber the Water Safety Dog (AKA Auxiliarist Nick Minnich) demonstrate to children how to put on his Life Jacket (PFD). Public exposure for the Fort Wayne Flotilla was to as many as 9,000 visitors, says the show promoter, Peggy Johnson. The first of two scheduled ABOUT BOATING SAFELY (ABS) courses was conducted on February 27 th. Five students participated, including two teenagers. TinCaps Game FORT WAYNE, IN Division 22 is sponsoring a CG Auxiliary Day with the TinCaps (Fort Wayne TinCaps vs. Western Michigan WhiteCaps) at Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, IN. on May 22 nd, game time is 1500 hours. There are plans to have a Public Affairs booth on the concourse, a visit from Coastie, an Auxiliary Color Guard, a CG Aux introductory video on the scoreboard and one of our Division members to throw out the First Pitch. Plan on joining your 9CR Auxiliary members for this family event and fellowship. FORT WAYNE, IN Auxiliarists Victoria Boroff and Mary Myers enjoying their time working at the Fort Wayne Boat Show. In total, nine Auxiliarists participated, including one applicant, accumulating more than 120 man hours. Tickets are being sold for $9.50 by contacting Div. 22 VCDR, Deb Kerr at kerrdl@frontier.com no later than May 1 st. 3

4 Vessel Exam Season is Approaching FORT WAYNE, IN The first Vessel Exam session is approaching. Currently, there are plans to have a miniblitz at Schnelker Marine in New Haven on May 21 st, which is the first day of Nation Safe Boating Week. Awards None at this time Welcome Aboard TCT Training JACKSON, MI Seven of our flotilla members were part of a class of 11 that attended a Division sponsored 4 hour TCT class held on March 5 th in Jackson, MI. DCAPT Norm Raymond facilitated the training session that is required periodically for AUX-FS, Boat Crew and Coxswains. Food Service Training PORT HURON, MI Four flotilla members participated in another Food Service Training (AUX-FS) in PORT HURON, MI held on the weekend of March 18 th through March 20 th. Our DCDR, Diane Campbell, facilitated the training assisted by VCDR Deb Kerr. PORT HURON, MI Group photo of Food Service Training class. Also a photo of Rob Kerr, FS1 Adam Greenwald and Nick Minnich as the FS1 explains techniques of cutting chicken. Photos by Deb Kerr. Station Port Huron s own FS1 Adam Greenwald demonstrated his expertise by assisting the five trainees prepare meals for the crew at the station. Nick Minnich and Rob Kerr earned their certificate of completion at the end of their training. David A. Cook joins us as a new member. Welcome David to the Fort Wayne Flotilla. Photo by Deb Kerr. 4

5 Our Flotilla Logo Upcoming Events Apr 1-3 Apr 9 Apr May 16 May 21 May 22 May May 30 Jun 3-5 Jun Jun 30-Jul 2 Jul Auxiliary Spring D-Train, Novi, MI Div. Meeting, Jackson, MI Defensive Kayak course, VFW-857 About Boating Safely, VFW-857 VE Blitz, Schnelker Marine FW Tin Caps game, Parkview Field National Safe Boating Week Memorial Day Parade, Fort Wayne, IN Boat School, Charlevoix, MI River Roar, Bay City, MI Fireworks Fest, Bay City, MI Tall Ships, Bay City, MI Bay City, MI US Brig, Niagara, prepares to enter Bay City during the Tall Ships Celebration, She will return this summer. 5

6 Don t forget to buy your Coast Guard forever stamp at your closest Post Office. The Guiding Light is the official publication of Flotilla 22-4, 9CR, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. It is written, edited, and distributed quarterly by the members. It is published at no cost to the US Coast Guard or the Government. Rob & Deb Kerr are the Co-Editors, Confidentiality Notice: PRIVACY ACT OF 1974: The disclosure of the personal information contained in this publication is subject to the provisions contained in the Privacy Act of The subject Act, with certain exceptions, prohibits the disclosure, distribution, dissemination or copying of any material containing the home address, home telephone number, spouses names, and social security numbers, except for official business. Violations may result in disciplinary action by the Coast Guard and/or civilian criminal sanctions. 6