U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

MEETING MINUTES

August 11, 2007

Called to order 8:38 a.m. 

Visitors:  Introduced Chrystle White, Secretary to CDR Michael L. Gatlin, Pers Division
of ISC (who is interested in doing minutes as of next meeting -- way to get involved!).

FC Comments

Presented Certificate of Acceptance to Bob Hough.

USCG Mark Gilmore advised decals are available for vehicles and passed out application to be turned in to MILPOL.  MILPOL has to witness affixing of decal and it is to go on primary vehicle that travels to the Base.  If you are bringing guests to a meeting, please advise Mike Amberg (486-6824 H) or Mark Gilmore (487-5760 W) and they will let Security know so the visitors can get through without a pass.

Staff Officer Reports

Susan N., Information & Communications Services - Questioned whether to dis-enroll inactive members Rebecca Skinner and Dave Yakish.  Need member hours.  Can e-mail to Susan or download form.

Mike A., Member Training - Moving forward with organizing info on each member.

George L., Operations - Mr. Murphy and Mr. Gross wanted to come down in August or September for more training.  If interested in becoming crew certified, contact George Lee or Bob Hough.  To do the training one must wear ODUs, the blue uniform, at a cost of approximately $45.  May wear deck shoes.

Six people took the 100 and 200 level Incident Command training last May and George advised eight people took the 300 level recently, which is required to participate in emergencies and is useful in the setting up of multiple agencies in crisis.  One member took the 400 level but advised this was truly command level training.

George passed out life jackets at Pasagshack during the July meeting and also explained the process to a couple walking near the dock. 

Old Business

Life vest boxes - 10 sheets of 5/8-inch plywood given to us.  Stored at the steam plant.  Mike R. still available to help.  Thanks to Cecil S. and Mike R. for getting out the few boxes they did.

Suggestion of need for a sign at eye level at each box location explaining what life vest boxes are for.  Comment made that need to reach the parents through the kids.

ABC Class - Jenni M. mentioned will have more sign-ups and subsequent need for more ABC classes.  She also suggested an ad in the paper regarding class times and have someone call the hotline before each class.  Still a need for more instructors for the ABC class.  FC Amberg suggested 2 nights for pre-training for instructor status.  Question of need for larger facility for ABC class.  FC Amberg to check with ISC.

Can do ABC course online or do the book and CD ROM for independent study, then have an instructor or someone proctor the test.  Member Joe Spear's vessel safety examiner certification was held up by no record of his having completed an ABC class, though he had; that's how important this beginning class is besides now being a prerequisite for general membership.

New Business

FC Amberg advised September 15th will be Division 2 meeting in Anchorage and he will be attending.

Nominations will be taken at September meeting for next year's officers.

New guideline for pending members may be loosening a bit so pending members can become more active.  After a pending member's first letter, they can immediately start functioning as a full member including being a vessel examiner.  Pending members do not have MWR privileges.

Reminder only 2 guests per month at the Galley.

Member & Visitor Comments

Question was brought up about Coastie getting into the schools earlier than ComFish and that Coastie needs to be here more often.  Suggestion of using PFD Panda at other times of the year to advertise the life vest boxes.

Discussion on Incident Command System and how it works well although they keep fine tuning.  After Hurricaine Katrina, there was a need to recertify everyone in the USCG because of changes.  For people that take the ICS classes, it helps familiarize them with structure of the system and the language.  Discussion how Auxiliary members can be used in an emergency.

Question re what are the vessel examiner qualifications and answer is need ABC class, vessel exam test, then 5 supervised exams of vessels to become certified.  Must do 5 vessel exams per year to stay current.

Next meeting is on 09-08-07 at 8:30 a.m. at the Galley.  Meeting adjourned @ 9:38 a.m.