MINUTES TO SPECIAL MEETING
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
December 9, 2005

Called to order 8:35 a.m.

Approval of Minutes
Last meeting was at Bowling Alley, copy not available

Flotilla Commander Comments
Meeting attended (sorry, FC, that's all I wrote down!)

Introduction of Visitors & New Members:
Visitors:
Capt Lachowsky commented uniform items in basement on Base can be made available to Aux members.
LCDR Albright from Juneau is Director of the Auxiliary. There is a staff of four. They help with training and maintain records. She encouraged us to find out more about the programs you can do if you are an auxiliarist. There are 13 flotillas in AK and all are different. Some focus on vessel examining and others focus on safe boating. Need to help establish operation program. Starting slow with four people but will grow. Goal is orange boat with flotilla members and no USCG. She cautioned us not to choose too many activities but focus on a few and do them well.
Chief Gross, trainer from Anchorage. He is an Operations Training Officer. There are two 25-foot and one 27-foot boats in Homer, Seward, and Whittier. They are interested in a couple more locations. Kodiak has one 41-foot and one 25-foot boat here.
Mark Gilmore is new liaison, Chief ISC Security. Here since August. Has navigation background.
Mike & Martha Barnette, Dave Salzer, Latoya Lukin, and Carly Gunderson present. Jeff Eichs was introduced and I think he is applying as new member. Josh Anderson and Darren Asuncion present.

New Officers
George Lee, FC and Mark Nymeyer, VFC were sworn in by LCDR Albright. Mike Amberg was appointed to Operations position.

Staff Officer Comments & Reports
1. Mark N., Marine Dealer Visitation, checking re booth space for ComFish.
2. Joy Ng, Career Counselor (CC), reported the AIM program is not the way it used to be and recruiting has been taken out of the hands of the Aux.
3. Susan N., Communications Services (CS) and Information Services (MV), could use Aux camera to take pics. Our website not automatically linked to USCG. Reminder she always needs hours from members.
4. Suzanne Jensen, Finance (FN), has all the dues collected for year-end report. If need any reimbursements, must get them in to her before end of 2005.
5. Personnel Services (PS) is being turned over to Jenny McCarty. Reminder that proof of citizenship form is missing from our current new membership packets. Jenny has a complete set and we need to get an updated set for FC.
6. Rebecca S., Materials (MA), said vests were in and to check with Suzanne. New Materials Center Catalog is available. Suzanne J. mentioned Aux polo shirt would be good step toward a uniform. Comment that if you are doing Aux work, you should be in uniform.
7. Joy Ng, Marketing & Public Affairs (PA), mentioned need someone to coordinate Coastie. Coastie is used to promote boat safety. Schools, churches, and villages have requested visits by him.
8. Olga is interested in Public Affairs (PA) and says Kodiak Daily Mirror wants future information instead of old news. Comment made about contacting Mike Rostad to write up something about the Aux.
9. Joy Ng said Public Education (PE) is the setting up of the American Boating Course, secure the facilities and enough teachers, then attend the class and facilitate. There are six chapters to teach. We have teachers for four chapters and need more.

New Business
FC Lee said Bill Maloney, Bart Rippe, Mike Amberg and he will be the first four to go through the training for vessel operations. They will in turn train others.
FC Lee requested we add opening prayer after pledge of allegiance. No objections and FC Lee requested Pastor Nymeyer plan on doing this at each meeting.
FC Lee mentioned we need 3-4 people trained to do vessel exams to replace Gil. We have people to do the exams but need a coordinator. Susan N. would like to know how many vessel exams Gil recorded.
FC Lee reminded us the vessel examiners test is online and is open book. It does require a higher passing percent. Perks is big orange float coat and a clip board. Will take additional names for interested members. Fritz Miller interested.

Old Business
PFD Boxes - Herter's reported on status of boxes and life jackets. Need to get the boxes from Harbormaster and store on Base plus make the ones that need repair accessible to Pastor Nymeyer. Mark N. advised that SBS donated almost $600 worth of lumber for life jacket boxes. LCDR Albright suggested we could use moldy vests for demos. Also reminded that any Aux member can visually check and report back. Boxes need to be back out by April first.

Visitor Comments
LCDR Albright said there are district staff officers equal to every position listed under staff officer on the agenda and a person could contact the CG person with that experience for questions. February District conference coming up. C130 from ADQ and SE to Anchorage then bus to Valdez. Hotel should be less than 4100. President's Day Weekend. Thursday travel to, conference Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, then Monday travel home. Free registration to one new member. Three tracks, readiness, marine safety (including fishing vessel safety exams), and operations.
Susan N. mentioned can set up appointment with her for fingerprinting or see Meika at Printmasters.

Next meeting is on 01-14-06 at 8:30 a.m. at the Galley.

Meeting adjourned @ 9:35 a.m.