Minutes of General Meeting August 21,2013

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

Flotilla 96

13531 Vanderbilt Drive

Naples, Florida 34110

General membership meeting August 21, 2013

Attending:  Twenty-five members and eight guests

Called to order at 1900, followed by Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence for fallen servicemen.

FC Jim Mayer gave a brief overview of the meeting.

Minutes of July meeting approved unanimously.

COMO John Tyson:  Fall District meeting and training on Sept 27-29.

Division Commander Dave Shuster:  Met with new CO at Station FMB to assess their needs.  Lots of opportunities to work directly with the Coast Guard.  (Example, AUXCHEF).

Petty Officer Mitch Miller, our CG Liaison Officer, and Fireman Audrey Hughes and Seaman Cole Cheshire demonstrated proper uniform for Tropical Blues and ODUs and answered questions.  PO Miller explained that the uniform is actually part of your protective gear on patrol, and emphasized the importance of having everyone look the same.

Herb Schneider, SO for Navigation Systems, gave a presentation on the program for Aids to Navigation Verifiers and urged interested members to attend workshops October 19 and November 2 in Punta Gorda to become certified.

Awards: 

Frank Rabb:  Certificate for Administrative Procedures.

Tom Hart and Ross Tisci:  Vessel Examiner Certificates.

Jim Mayer and Richard Laughlin:  Sustained Auxiliary Service Awards.

Awards (cont.) John Lyell for mandatory online courses.

Alan Poyser sworn in as Staff Officer for Public Affairs.

New Member:  FVC Laughlin administered the oath to new member Barry Brunell.

Staff Reports:

Ed Walters, Communications:  TCO class starting in September.

Tom Hart, HR:  Currently 101 members.  Losing four and two transfers.  Ten new members this year counting Brunell tonight.

Ray Mino, Materials:  Defibrillators serviced and ready.

Dave Shuster, MT:  Training set for TCO, boat crew and requal this year.  FL96 has most hours on the water in the division.

Carol DiCostanzo for Len Nuzzo, VE:  Regular Saturday vessel exams continue in Len’s absence.

Tom Hart for Peter Holsten, Finance:  Thirty-six members left to pay current dues.  Phone calls and emails going out to them.

Mike Clukey, PE:  Posters for Paddlesports America ready for printing and posting by volunteers.  Blast emails planned for more PE events.

Alan Poyser, PA:  Has appealed to editorial contacts for free PE ads.

Paul Thompson, IS:  Contacting new members about importance of filling out 7029 forms.

Mike Clukey appealed for someone to reinvigorate our fellowship program and suggested ideas such as a picnic for the Marlin crew.

Jim Mayer, FC:  Dashboard slideshow on 2^nd Quarter showed 96 well ahead of last year on almost all measures.

Appealed for all to participate in drowning prevention event at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs on Sept 7 to display life jackets and distribute brochures.

Discussed whether to solicit donations for refreshments at our regular meetings.

Rethinking options for Change of Watch.  Plans must be made soon.

Annual elections coming up.  Ask FC for guidelines if interested in running.

New business: 

Division meeting August 31 at Bonita Springs FD station 4.

Motion to solicit donations for refreshments passed unanimously.

Adjourned at 2025.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily C. Harris, FSO-SR.

Minutes of General Meeting July 17, 2013

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

Flotilla 96

13531 Vanderbilt Drive

                                      Naples, Florida 34110

General Meeting July 17, 2012

Attending:  24 members and two guests.

Called to order at 1905, followed by Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence for fallen servicemen.

Jim Mayer, FC, gave a brief overview of the meeting.

Minutes of previous meeting approved unanimously.

COMO John Tyson said Flotilla 96 measures up well this year compared to other flotillas, 107 in all, especially in new membership.  Auxiliary leadership plans to offer more online courses and will share some of the revenue with local flotillas.

Speaker Jonathon Blake from Boat US recounted various incidents of unsafe boating on and around July 4 with serious damage or loss of boat but no fatalities.  Alcohol is one of the primary cases of boating accidents, he said.  Encouraged the auxiliary’s efforts in vessel safety checks.  “Keep on doing what you’re doing,” he concluded.

Awards: Tom Hart, FSO-HR, Certificate for completion of online Introduction to Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.  Tom emphasized the need for more certified MS in auxiliary to supplement the short-handed staff at Ft. Myers Beach.

Richard Laughlin, FVC, summarized member training courses for summer and fall:

Two-session class for Vessel Safety Checks on August 24 and 31 at flotilla building.  The second will be hands-on experience with vessels at our dock.  All encouraged to attend.  Contact Peter Wallace, AFSO-MT.

Telecommunications Operator Course will be ten sessions on Monday and Thursday evenings beginning September 9.  Required for watchstanders and boat crew.  Contact Peter Wallace, AFSO-MT.

Other classes of interest planned:  Boat crew to begin in October.  Aux Food Specialist class of three 8-hour days will prepare you for serving meals at Station FMB or aboard CG Cutter Marlin.  Contact Tom Hart.

Aids to Navigation Verifier Workshop

Course will be held in Flotilla 98 (Punta Gorda). There will be two sessions workshop this fall.

Dates are Saturday, October 12 and Saturday, November 2. Hours are 8am – 5pm

Phill Smith reviewed efforts to update content of our PE class on Local Waters Knowledge with new photos, a voluntary effort by local media specialists with only Wiggins Pass and New Pass left to complete.

Staff Officer Reports:

Jeff Doyle, FSO-MS:  Giving Sea Partners presentation in local elementary school on July 29.

Al Lazzaro for Michael DiPierro, FSO-Ops:  New SO-OPS is John Sollecito.  Only one patrol completed in June.  July looks slow, too. Plan needed to support radio for fall patrols, most difficult part of system to manage.  Ops meetings discontinued but will begin again in September on last Wednesday of each month.

Paul Thompson, FSO-IS:  Recommended sending 7029 every month.  Urged members to keep copies of paperwork related to activities to assure proper credit for hours.  Exploring use of Web-X to include absent members in active meetings.

Tom Hart, FSO-HR:  Now have 102 active members.  Distributed a list of mandated Member Training classes, most available on line.  This included instructions for setting up and using your LMS (Learning Management System) account.   Awarded certificates to Frank Raab and Sue Brugett for LMS courses completed on line.

Jim Mayer for Peter Holsten, FSO-Finance:  Twenty-one checks received for dues due in July, with generous donations.

No new businesss, no old business. 

Moved, seconded and adjourned at 2020 hours.

Respectfully submitted:

Emily Harris, FSO-SR

Minutes of General Meeting June 19, 2013

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

Flotilla 96

13531 Vanderbilt Drive

Naples, Florida 34110

General Meeting June 19, 2013

Twenty seven members and two guests attending

Meeting called to order at 1900 followed by Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence for fallen servicemen.

Jim Mayer, FC, gave a brief overview of the meeting plan.  Minutes of May 15 meeting approved unanimously.

Audio-visual presentation – National Safe Boating Week:  news reports from NBC2 and WINK TV.  Photos from 40^th Anniversary celebration.

Awards:

Carol DiCostanzo, Vessel Examiner Certification

Tom Hart, Program Visitor Certification and Good Mate Certification

Al Lazarro, Coxswain Recertification

Heinz Janke, 15-Year Anniversary Certificate

Staff Reports:

Mike Clukey, Public Education:  Flotilla 96 has been invited to give a presentation on kayak safety on Thursday evening, June 20, by Alligator Amblers, the local chapter of the Florida Hiking Association.  Presentation will be at Bass Pro Shop.

Jeff Doyle, Marine Safety:  Now has a list of tasks required for certification in Marine Safety.

Len Nuzzo, Vessel Examination:  We have 483 vessel safety checks this year.  This includes 141 paddlecraft and 342 boats.  Next VSC’s will be June 29.  VSC training will be held August 24 and August 31.

Ed Walters, Communications:  New Telecommunications Operator course will be in September.

Rich Laughlin and Ed Walters, Member Training:  Flotilla 96 with Flotilla 93 will hold a Training Vessel Safety Check class at Wiggins Pass on August 24 and 31.

The first is a standard class with lecture and audiovisual aids.  The second will be a hands-on practice for vessel exams at the Flotilla 96 dock.  Classes will also cover how to use your conversations with boaters to generate better attendance at PE classes and promote flotilla membership.

Starting Monday, September 9, Flotilla 96 with Flotilla 93 will hold a ten-session class for Telecommunications Operators.

Tom Hart, Human Services:  We have 101 members now but will soon lose ten inactive members.

Jim Mayer, FC, presented an overview of finances at Flotilla 96:

Cash in the bank as of 31 Dec, 2010, was $13,339.  As of Dec 31, 2011, it was $13,009, and as of Dec 31, 2012, it was $12,020.

Revenue and expenses in 2012:  Dues was $6,102 and Public Education was $3,045.  Dues payment was $2,657, PE expenses were $1,891, meetings and events (net) $895 and donations were $645.

Public education revenues:  In 2010 it was $5,853.  In 2011 it was $3,700, and in 2012 it was $3,034.  YTD in 2013 it is $1355.

Cash in the bank is down because of PE income.  Suggestions to date include doing nothing, decrease dues, increase dues by $5, $10, $20, $55, consider dues increase in each of next three years.

Old Business

A very active discussion followed Jim Mayer’s presentation.

A motion to raise dues by $5 in each of next three years was brought to the floor by Greg Guederian and seconded by Mike Clukey.  A vote was taken by members and the results were 13 in favor and 13 not in favor.  Motion failed.

A second motion was made, this one was not to raise dues but to add an additional line to the dues statement that would allow members to make a donation to the flotilla.  Members voted 17 in favor and six not in favor.  The motion passed.

Moved, seconded and adjourned at 2040 hours.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Harris,

Secretary/Records

(Based on minutes taken at the meeting by Richard Laughlin.)

Minutes of General Meeting May 15, 2013

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

Flotilla 96

13531 Vanderbilt Drive

Naples, Florida 34110

General Meeting May 15, 2013

Thirty-three members and seven guests attending.

Meeting called to order at 7:05 followed by Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence for fallen servicemen.

Jim Mayer, FC, gave a brief overview of the meeting plan.

Minutes of April 17 meeting approved unanimously.

COMO John Tyson reported District-level plans for National Safe Boating Week and change of leadership at District.  Sequester has wiped out the travel budget but expect to reinstate it next year.

Dave Shuster, Division VC, reported that Larry Urbanek, Commander, has resigned and an election to replace him will be held July 13.  Dave has volunteered for the position.  He said plans are under way at the Division level to offer training and support for Public Education and Public Affairs at the flotilla level.

Awards:

Chris Sundlee, transfer letter from DIRAUX.

Rich Laughlin, Auxiliary Performance Award for VSC and RSBVP

Matt Chester:  Auxiliary Service Award, Re-certification for Crew, 5-Year Service                Award.

Emily Harris, Second Sustained Service Award, Gold Star for receiving two Auxiliary Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Awards.

Rich Laughlin, VFC, said you may receive a call next week asking whether you want to opt in or out of duty in case of a hurricane.  More on this next month.  National Safe Boating Week (NSBW) is coming up.

Jim Mayer described a planned joint exercise with the Bonita Springs Fire Department, which will conduct a boat fire rescue demonstration.  We expect this to be covered by Channel 2 and Channel 5, as well as the Naples Daily News.

Len Nuzzo, FSO-VE, described efforts for NSBW that will cover boating ramps at Mullet Creek, Wiggins Pass, Delnor Wiggins Park and Lovers Key.

Rich Laughlin and Tom Hart will respond to an invitation from Bass Pro Shops to celebrate NSBW on Saturday by demonstrating and emphasizing the importance of life jackets for children.

Guest Speaker Marcia Cravens of the Sierra Club gave a presentation on the recent dredging at Clam Pass.  The problem there is keeping the pass open for outgoing tide.   A video on Clam Pass Park emphasizes birds and wildlife in this shallow conservation area used primarily for kayaks and canoes.

Staff Reports:

Mike Clukey, Public Education:  Paddlesports America class set for June 1 at the flotilla building, 9am to 1pm.  $12 for flotilla members, $30 for others.

Jeff Doyle, Marine Safety:   Recent Sea Partners class for grade school students well received.  Invited back next year.  He now has list of tasks required for certification in Marine Safety.

Len Nuzzo, Vessel Examination:  Nearing 450 Vessel Safety Checks so far this year.

Ed Walters, Communications:  Telecommunications Operator course will start in August.  Two already signed up.  ICS 100 and 700 online required for certification.  Radio net drill is scheduled for June 10.

Tom Hart, Human Services:  We have 101 members now but will soon lose 10 inactives.  Everyone should be recruiting new members.

Emily Harris, Secretary/Records:  You can read the minutes of previous general meetings by clicking on the link in the newsletter.

More business:

Flotilla 96 Dashboard shows we are ahead of last year’s totals in all six categories of activities.

Uniforms:  Tropical blues and ODU longs may be worn to general meetings.  No street clothes except in extreme cases.

New business:

Jim Mayer showed current financial statement for the flotilla and explained the need to increase dues to offset losses in public education income.  Discussion followed but decision will be made at the June meeting so the change can be reflected in invoices for 2014 dues that go out in July.

Moved, seconded and adjourned at 8:45.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Harris, Secretary/Records