U. S. DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
UNITED STATES COAST
GUARD AUXILIARY
Flotilla 96
13531 Vanderbilt
Drive
Naples, Florida
34110
General Meeting March 20, 2013
Attending: 38 members and four guests
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Pledge of allegiance and moment of
silence observed.
Flotilla
Commander Jim Mayer gave a brief overview of the
meeting agenda.
Commodore
John Tyson reported that sequester has
reduced travel and C schools for the auxiliary, but budget for patrols remains
the same. Reminded members to update
personal information on online form 7028.
(Handout with instructions was distributed.)
Introduction of guests: David Raphael, Ralph Catanese, Sue Brugett
and Tom Vizioli.
FVC Rich
Laughlin urged members to wear the
uniform correctly and led an exercise for those attending to inspect each
other.
Brief presentation
on Sexual Harassment by Peter Wallace,
cautioning all to be alert to prevent person-to-person incidents as well as
hostile environment. Tyson added that
“unintended” emails have sometimes caused problems.
New member
pledge administered by Mayer and Laughlin to
Carol DiCostanzo and Brandon Gosselin.
Lourdes Quiterio reenrolled as member.
Mayer announced that the Audit
Committee has declared our books are clean.
Awards:
Certificates for 8-hour TCT to Laly Santiago, Ray Mino, Matt Chester and Larry Bowers.
Certificate of appreciation to Jerry Lipps from TSA.
Gold star to Michael Dobrovic for program visits.
Five-year service awards to: Michael DiPierro, Michael
Dobrovic, Andy Evva, Emily Harris and Win Schrader .
25-year service award to Ron Strom.
Staff
Reports:
Michael DiPierro, Operations: Ops is totally occupied with crew
training. Hurricane prep will be
discussed at Ops meeting on 27th.
Bosun Miller from FMB will be at that meeting. Dredging crew is removing huge rocks from
inside Wiggins Pass.
Len Nuzzo, Vessel Examinations: Team will be at Lovers Key 2nd and
4th Saturdays every month.
Certificates have come through for some qualified examiners. Ready to help any who need to requal for VE.
Jeff Doyle, Marine Safety: Primary concern is pollution and
environmental protection. Four guys in
MS office in Fort Myers are looking for help.
HazMat course there coming up.
Tom Hart, Human Resources: We have 99 members, second highest in the
division. Some will be lost soon. Everyone needs to help with recruiting and retention. Fill out the 7028 to update the Coast Guard’s
skills bank.
Paul Thompson, Information Services: Updating flotilla computers. Working on website and Facebook with Heidi.
Heidi demonstrated the flotilla’s Facebook pages and asked for contributions
from members.
Richard Laughlin, FVC: Hurricane planning is under way and will be
covered at our next meeting.
Jim Mayer, Flotilla Commander: Bestowed the Paintbrush Award for outstanding
cooperation in repainting and refurbishing the flotilla building to Rich
Laughlin, Tom Hart, and Ray Mino.
Announced flotilla’s 40th
anniversary party June 8 from 10 to 11 am.
Has appointed action teams to increase
membership (Tom Hart) and attendance at PE classes (Paul Thompson).
April cleaning committee will be led
by Dave Shuster, FSO-Member Training.
Gave a slideshow presentation on the
Dashboard, the auxiliary’s primary
effort to document and compare flotilla activities in program visits, vessel
examinations, operations hours, public education, member training, and
membership. Our flotilla ranks among
highest in the division on all activities.
No old business and no new business.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Harris, Secretary/Records
