Waves. Breaking Waves, Breaking News Just For USCGA Flotilla Lake County Flotilla

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1 Waves Breaking Waves, Breaking News Just For USCGA Flotilla Lake County Flotilla Our Flotilla website: January-February 2015 HOW DID WE DO IN 2014? by Jim Bell, FSO-IS and Past FC Numbers say: Vessel Examiners VSC's Given Program Visitors PV Visits Instructors PE Class Sessions PE Class Hours MT Sessions MT Hrs Crew Coxswain Mom Missions Hrs Regatta Missions Hrs CG OPS Support Missions

2 Hrs Total Missions Total Hrs ,900 3,127 Members AP 2 3 BQ IQ 3 0 AX 0 0 Awards Say: Vessel Safety Checks 2014 Division Totals = 706 Vessel Safety Checks 267 Paddle Craft Checks (Flotilla Award by Division ) TWELVE CHICAGO 267 Individual Award by Division Nevin J Hofing Regular Inspections (Flotilla Awarded by Division) 1 st LAKE COUNTY IN nd TWELVE CHICAGO rd SOUTH SUBURBAN 71 Individual Awarded by Division Flotilla Award 1 st BEDWELL, RONALD D 44 Bedwell, Ron 44 2 nd MOSCA, DAVID R 43 Mosca, David 43 3 rd HUSKE, LEONARD G 30 Bell, J 12 Member Training Hours 2014 Division Totals = Hours (Flotilla Awarded by Division) 1 st TWELVE CHICAGO nd CALUMET HARBOR rd LAKE COUNTY IN 35.5 Individual (Lead) Awarded by Division Flotilla Award 1 st SCOTT, MICHAEL H 54 Bell, James 33 2 nd MULLALLY, THOMAS J 51.5 Hopkins, John 8 3 rd BELL, JAMES L 25 Hampton, Jennifer 6.5

3 Individual (Aide) Awarded by Division Flotilla Award 1 st BELL, JAMES L 34.5 Bell, James L nd MARCUS, MELVYN L 8 Hopkins, John 8 3 rd BEGLEY, MARYELLEN R 8 Hampton, Jennifer 8 Marine Safety Hours 2014 Division Totals = 44.9 Hours Flotilla 1 st TWELVE CHICAGO nd LAKE COUNTY IN 18.7 Individual Awarded by Division Flotilla Award 1 st BELL, JAMES L Bell, James L nd SCOTT, MICHAEL H rd TAMRAZ, RICHARD F 9.4 CG Operational Support Hours 2014 Division Totals = Hours (Flotilla Awarded by Division) 1 st TWELVE CHICAGO nd CALUMET HARBOR rd LAKE COUNTY IN 41 Individual Awarded by Division Flotilla Award 1 st BEGLEY, MARYELLEN R Hopkins, John 41 2 nd ROSS, HARRY E rd HOPKINS, JOHN D 41 Marine Dealer Visits 2014 Division Totals = 288 Visits (Flotilla Awarded by Division) 1 st LAKE COUNTY IN nd SOUTH SUBURBAN 15 3 rd JACKSON HARBOR 13 Individual Awarded by Division Flotilla Award 1 st BELL, JAMES L st BELL, JAMES L nd HOPKINS, JOHN D 30 2 nd HOPKINS, JOHN D 30 3 rd CHAPPELLE, KATHLEEN E 15 3 rd GONZALEZ, ANGEL L 15 GONZALEZ, ANGEL L 15 GONZALEZ, SYLVIA B 15 GONZALEZ, SYLVIA B 15 MOSCA, DAVID R 15 MOSCA, DAVID R 15

4 Public Education 2014 Division Totals = 98.5 Hours (Flotilla Awarded by Division) 1 st SOUTH SUBURBAN nd JACKSON HARBOR rd TWELVE CHICAGO Individual (Lead) Awarded by Division Flotilla Awards 1 st JACOBSON, MICHAEL H 20 Bell, James L 8 2 nd CHAPPELLE, RICHARD C 12.5 Hopkins, John 4 3 rd CHAPPELLE, KATHLEEN E 9 Individual (Aide) Awarded by Division Flotilla Awards 1 st HUSKE, LEONARD G 19 Hampton, Jennifer 8 2 nd CHAPPELLE, KATHLEEN E Hopkins, John 8 3 rd CHAPPELLE, RICHARD C Marine Patrols 2014 Division Totals = Facility Hours (Flotilla Awarded by Division) 1 st LAKE COUNTY IN nd TWELVE CHICAGO rd CALUMET HARBOR 42.6 Individual (Coxswain Underway) Awarded by Division Flotilla Awards 1 st BELL, JAMES L Bell, James L nd SCOTT, MICHAEL H Hopkins, John rd LYLES, RUDOLPH Hampton, Jennifer 30 Individual (Crew Hours) Awarded by Division Flotilla Awards 1 st LYLES, RUDOLPH Hampton, Jennifer nd BEGLEY, MARYELLEN R Matusik, Amy 26 3 rd HAMPTON, JENNIFER A 157 Dolezal, Dianne 12.5 Special Recognition (Crew Hours) AURIGEMMA, RUTH A TAMRAZ, RICHARD F 90.1 Public Affairs 2014 Division Totals = Hours (Flotilla Awarded by Division) 1 st LAKE COUNTY IN nd th ST. HARBOR rd TWELVE CHICAGO Individual Awarded by Division Flotilla Awards 1 st David R Mosca 65.5 Mosca, David nd David M Bickel 54.5 Lizak, Frank rd Herbert J Spohr JR. 51 Gonzalez, Angel 27.5

5 Jim Bell Says: Thank You for all the time and energy you have devoted in It was a great year. Boat Owner is Mike Scott CHANGE OF WATCH (COW) by A.L. Gonzalez Our Division s Change of Watch (COW) was held at the Elks Lodge in Whiting, IN. The evening started with the gathering of many friends and guests. A good dinner was served. Our MC and Division Commander Mary Ellen Begley, introduced our guests, including our new Commodore Jerry Staggs and members of the Coast Guard. The Auxiliary was highly praised by the gold side! After our guests spoke, the Commander presented various awards to our members. We ended the evening with door prizes. We hope to see everyone at the next COW in Our thanks to the COW Committee for a successful event, to all the flotillas that donated a gift, and to the Elks for allowing us to have our COW at their facility. Flotilla 35-09: Looking at that upcoming year - A Vice Commander s View by Frank Lizak, VFC As we begin a new year, like all other things there are the traditions. There are New Year s Resolutions, the anticipation of spring, and in the Auxiliary, there are the winter trainings, learning new skills, brushing up on old ones and getting ready for that anticipated boating season. In keeping with these traditions, every year, there is hope in new beginnings to put the past behind us, bring up those lessons learned and look forward to the new. As the new Vice Flotilla Commander, as part of tradition, I sat down and thought of things I would like to see this flotilla strive to achieve. Taking to account the strength we have with our membership, as well as the diversity of ideas everyone brings to the unit, I see these as very easy to achieve. So, let s begin! 1. Increase participation in various activities such as: A. Vessel Inspections B. Member Training / New Member Training

6 C. Development of a mentor program D. Leadership training and encouraging members to move into leadership roles 2 Increase Public Affairs Activity A. News Articles for the monthly Flotilla newsletter (Pick a topic and write) B. Participation in PA Events. (Parades, PA Booths, Food Drives, boating classes) 3. Open Mindedness: If you have an idea about something, whether it is how something is done, new ideas for various projects, etc., don t be shy, bring them to the group. New ideas are always welcomed. 4. Recruitment and Retention: Every one of us is a recruiter so to speak. We can and are encouraged to recruit new members for not only the Auxiliary, but for the Gold Side and candidates for the Coast Guard Academy. Share your experience in the Auxiliary to potential new members. Don t be afraid to approach people. Just remember when you were hesitant about making that leap about joining too. Make that contact, you never know what the outcome will be. It shows the openness of the US Coast Guard with the people we serve. Not only could you be adding a new member to the flotilla, thus increasing the diversity, skills and knowledge of the flotilla, but in the very least, if you should run into them again in the community or on the water, you may at the very least, have a new friend and develops a positive reflection of the US Coast Guard and Auxiliary. Retention: Often in the Auxiliary, when we first sign up and volunteer our services, there is a lot of excitement for the adventure ahead, the head spinning number of acronyms to learn, and the vast array of specialties that are available for your interests. However, once we have been in a while, everyone hits that burn-out point now and then. We have it in our day to day jobs, and being in the Auxiliary is not different. We, as Auxiliarists, are a resourceful group. Think back to that time when you first began looking at joining the Auxiliary. Ask yourself, what was it that drew you to it? What was the excitement? One opportunity that could bring that spark back to your career is using that vast amount of knowledge you have gained through the years to become and instructor. Even more valuable is the passing of that knowledge and skills to mentor new members. Take a new member under your wing; show them the ropes, and what the Auxiliary has to offer. Share those sea stories; they re fascinating and its part of the history of the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. Your experience is priceless, not only is it valuable to new members, but to a new Vice Commander s as well. Trust me; I look to every one of our members, because although we have an established chain of leadership, it takes everyone to make this flotilla what it is and what it can be in the future.

7 Lastly, I would like to say, is we have a well-rounded group of people in this flotilla. We are diverse in so many areas, and with our recruitment efforts this will only serve to broaden our knowledge base for everyone. CWO Robinson, the Station Commander for Station Calumet Harbor, can trace his roots to the Auxiliary. He is very supportive and is willing to use our division as a go to resource. I would like to see this flotilla reach that point that when Commander Robinson is looking for support for the men and women under his command, that Flotilla is ready to answer that call. I would also like to extend outr hand out to the other flotillas in this division. What we do is not a competition, or a popularity contest. It is good to have pride in your flotilla, don t get me wrong, but as is tradition of the Coast Guard, it is an all hands effort. We take care of our own, from the sharing of ideas, to the call for assistance for PA (Public Affairs) events we all need to be there for each other. We have very good leadership in this flotilla, not only the current officers and its various Staff Officer positions, but with its past officers, some who even sat where I am now. To our current members who one day will assume these same positions, I challenge you to always strive to be the best in whatever you do for the Coast Guard, from the wearing of your uniform, to the knowledge you share with fellow members and with the public. Pride runs deep, and it will show to the other members as well as the public. Be proud of your commitment you made to serve the U.S. Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. I appreciate the opportunity and the trust all of you have provided me in assisting our Flotilla Commander to lead this flotilla in the coming year. As they say, my door is always open, and if there is anything I can do for you, don t hesitate to bring it to my attention. Somewhere there is an answer, and at the very least, I will help you find it. Now, let s move forward and have a fantastic year. Be safe out there, and as always Semper Paratus SPRING D-TRAIN by Jim Bell, FSO-MT Are you curious as to what s happening at D-Train this year? Well, here s a schedule of events: Friday, 13 March Uniform: Tropical Blue Long & Civilian Casual (CC) District Board Meeting and Elections and District Store 1st Time Conference Attendee Welcome Registration Desk Friday Dinner with Program and Speaker Open Hospitality Room Saturday, 14 March Uniform: Tropical Blue Long (TB) First Watch - Morning Meeting - Opening Session Registration Desk District Store Classes: Public Education

8 Round Table - Boat Crew Advisory Board (open session) Recruiting / Diversity (Part 1) Coastie (Part 1 ) Aviation Safety Program (Part 1) VE Basic Training Boat Crew Advisory Board (closed) Incident Management Lunch Leadership VE Refresher Recruiting / Diversity (Part 2) Night OPS / Towing Coastie WOW Web sites Aviation Safety Program (Part 2) Program Visitor Deck Plate Leadership Aviation Training PV Best Practices New member Orientation Advanced VE Training Aviation Swim PQS (Pool) OPS search patterns Sr. Leadership Meeting (invitation only) TBD COMMODORE S BANQUET - Dinner Attire: Service Dress Blue or Appropriate Civilian Open NEW ONLINE TRAINING/TESTING REQUIRED by Jim Bell, FSO-MT Members enrolled prior to 18JAN13 (yes ) have until 31DEC16 to complete the required training. New Members have from the base enrollment date to 31DEC the 2nd year to complete the training. The following are the required courses: Building Resilience and Preventing Suicide Security Fundamentals Privacy at DHS/Protecting Personal Information Sexual Harassment Prevention Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Civil Rights Awareness Ethics 1/Personal Gifts Influenza Training There are three ways to complete the training: 1) Individual online

9 2) As a group (with internet access) and lead by an Instructor. 3) A qualified Instructor may present power points for the classes IF YOU ELECT TO TAKE THIS TRAINING ONLINE, DO NOT SKIP AHEAD. The system times how long it takes to go through the class (including slides and videos). A minimum of 30 minutes must be spent on the class in order to receive a certificate (regardless of passing the final exam - if there is one or not). The National Training web site : VNACO Washburn stated that 'penalties' will be imposed on members who do not complete this training by the time allotted. I do not know at this time what the penalties may be. Thank you all for what you have done this year. RUBBER DUCKY Award by Jill Kiser, FSO-PB The December 2014 Rubber Ducky Award was given to Walter Douglas for his outstanding efforts on all the tests he passed in November. The February Rubber Ducky Award was given to Jill Kiser for her work on the Flotilla s newsletter and agreeing to be the Division s Publication Officer. UPCOMING EVENTS Our next Flotilla meeting is scheduled for THURSDAY, March 12, 2015 at Gander Mountain in Merrillville, IN. UPCOMING TRAINING MEMBER TRAINING UPDATE by Jim Bell, FSO-MT The following is a listing of upcoming member training to be held at the Mead Center in Chicago. February 21 Navigation 8 Crew Crew Duties Responsibilities on the Water February 28 Navigation 9 Crew Towing Assignments on the water March 7 Proctor Testing Proctor is available Test for any Aux-Op Test or Navtest Boat Scheduling (Setting up Boat Schedule for this season) March 13 & 14 D-Train Spring Training Conference will be held at the Hilton Lisle/Naperville March 21 Vessel Examiner Workshop If you want to become a Vessel Examiner this is the place. March 28 4 Hr. TCT Required for initial Boat Crew and Aux-Chef April 4 Operations Workshop (1 Hr. TCT PPE Inspection Please Bring Equipment) CG Station Calumet Harbor

10 April 11 IS Workshop (Learn how to fill out paperwork. Get credit for what you do. Open to anyone) April 18 Instructor Workshop Classroom Instructor Training April 25 Instructor Workshop Conduct Training Session June 13 Boat Camp Learn at Station and on the Water Contact Jim Bell for details on any of these training sessions OR read his s. Contact: Jill Kiser, PB Officer, USCGA Lake County Flotilla (e: If you have an article and/or photos from a USCGA event that may be of insight to our membership, please submit either a Word document or as text in format to Jill Kiser at beaner225@hotmail.com. Without everyone helping (by writing an article), we won t and can t have a Flotilla newsletter. The intention of this newsletter is to present fresh news from our Flotilla, not to reiterate news from other newsletters. NOTE: Please DO NOT share this newsletter to those who are not part of the USCGA. This newsletter, or any part, should not be posted on public sites, as it is private information.