16 March, 2011 Attending: 41 members and guests
After preliminaries, Larry Urbanek, FC, introduced guests Ron Burling and AUXLO BM2/E5 Shaun Cervenka and presented awards.
Announcements of interest:
· Matt Chester will be deployed by the FBI to Afghanistan for four months.
· The Open Water Festival begins June 9 on Fort Myers Beach; we will coordinate coverage with FL 91.
· STAFMB will give no advance warning of SAR exercises and we are expected to participate.
· Next fellowship is lunch at Coconut Jacks on May 13. Contact Bernie Appelman or Jordan Pollack.
· The next Change of Watch is scheduled for December 15, 2011.
Dave Shuster, VFC, summarized staff reports and said the reluctance of qualified radio watchstanders to take a turn in the radio room is hampering flotilla operations.
Ops report by Michael DiPierro brought up the question of what our patrol boats are expected to do when they see recreational boats operating at dangerous speed near the public beach. Our AUXLO, BM Cervenka, reminded that our first responsibility is boating safety and education. Ask the offending vessel to slow down, he said. If they continue, back off and contact STAFMB immediately.
Approved addition of Allen Thompson, FSO-FN and Jim Mayer, FSO-MT to the signature card for our checking account at Bank of America.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Flotilla 96
13531 Vanderbilt Drive
Naples, Florida 34110
General Meeting, 16 March, 2011
General Members present: 21, Staff Officers present 16 , Aides present: 1, Guests 3
Meeting called to order by VFC, Shuster at 1900 hrs. Shuster also led the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence in remembrance of our fallen armed services personnel was requested by FC Urbanek.
A motion to approve the minutes of the February 16th General meeting was offered by DSO-MS Randi Aldrich and after due second by Jordan Pollack, those minutes were approved by voice vote without dissent.
Flotilla Commander’s Report:
Introduction of Guests:
FC Urbanek introduced guests: Mr. Ron Burling, AUXLO BM2/E5 Shaun Cervenka
Awards and Presentations
Auxiliary Member Service awards, 5 year ribbon
John Cullen and Alfred Lazzaro
AUXOP Member Achievement
Robert Morrison
Recreational Boating Safety Specialist
Melvin Milstein
Urbanek reported that AUX member Matt Chester will be deployed to Afghanistan in April, for a 4 month tour. He then related the following highlights from the Division Board meeting:
STAFMB is looking for someone to fill in for Betty Riddle, as Watchstander;
The Open Water Festival, last held in Dubai, will be headquartered at the Holiday Inn on FMB, June 9 thru 11. We will coordinate with Flotilla 9-1 regarding our anticipated participation. This will provide us with the opportunity to use the boating skills we have practiced
STAFMB has stated there will be no advance notice regarding SAR exercises and we will need to have one representative to represent our flotilla along with a representative from each of 3 other flotillas;
The next Change of Watch meeting is scheduled for December 15, 2011.
As a reminder, FC Urbanek stated that when participating in AUX activities, we must wear the uniform properly.
Vice Flotilla Commanders Report:
Summary of Staff Officer Reports
Shuster then offered a brief summary of the staff officer reports
CM: VFC Shuster reported that we do not have enough people covering the radio watch when patrols are scheduled. He then called for volunteers.
CS: The “Beta Website” John Gaston is coordinating this effort.
IS: There were 2004 hours reported as of March 1st.
MA; Ed Walters will be handling these duties until the end of season.
MS: Randi Aldrich has been designated as the Division Staff Officer for Marine Safety. She is in the process of creating the support training materials for the PQS requirements for Marine Safety. We still need qualified vessel examiners for six-pack licensees.
MT: AUX members interested in Watchstander training will be assigned a mentor. A course in AUXOPs will be coming up. An 8 hour TCT course is scheduled for later this month at STAFMB. Those in need of this requirement need to apply directly; however, please coordinate with FSO-Mayer. There will be a 1 hour TCT update after the adjournment of the General Meeting for those needing the annual update. A QE for Crew is scheduled for April 18th.
PA: The Bonita Boat Show was a great event and provided us with several opportunities to inter-act with the public. There were PE classes presented at BPS last week-end. There will be classes on Electronics and on How to Tow and Trailer Your Boat over the next two week-ends. A speaking engagement is scheduled for the “Over 50s Singles Club” at the 1st Presbyterian Church.
PE: There are 10 registrants for the upcoming ABS course, 3 registered for the GPS course and 6 registered for the LWK course. There were 9 registered from new ads.
PB: The Hatchcover is out and the Flotilla 99 newsletter will reprint the Kerner profile that is in the February Hatchcover.
PV: Five members have qualified that attended the PV qualification class.
HR: There is an application in process for two new member applicants and FSO Walters is working with others.
VEs are scheduled for every other Saturday at Lover’s Key. Last VE provided 12 examinations.
Mike DiPierro presented the Operations Report and scheduled patrols for the upcoming weeks.
Some discussion arose regarding AUXOPs observing illegal activity, i.e. dangerous watercraft operations inside the outer limitations of the beach regulations. AUXLO Cervenka commented that the AUX’s first responsibility is boating safety and education. Warn the watercraft operator of the violation/danger and ask them to slow down. If they continue, back off and contact STAFMB immediately on channel 16.
Old Business
New Business
FSO-MT Mayer presented the following motion:
The signature card for checking account 006-508-938-301 at the Bank of America will be updated to include Allen R. Thompson, Flotilla Staff Officer for Finance and Jim Mayer, Flotilla Staff Officer for Member Training. John Tyson shall be removed from the signature card.
This update authorizes Allen Thompson and Jim Mayer to withdraw funds, deposit funds, write checks against the account and to use the checking account debit card.
The motion was seconded by Stan Bricker and approved by voice vote without dissent.
The next fellowship gathering is scheduled for 12 noon May 13th at Coconut Jacks on Bonita Beach Rd. There will be separate checks and we can order from the menu. Please contact Jordan Pollack or Bernie Appelman for reservations. This is very important if you will be arriving by watercraft; there are a limited number of skinny slips available.
The meeting was adjourned at 20:37 hrs.
Submitted by: FSO-SR Billy R. Willsey
