|
Flotilla
29 New Member Information
CHARTING YOUR COURSE FOR SERVICE in the UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
AUXILIARY
Introduction
Congratulations on becoming a United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
member! We are both pleased and proud to have you aboard as a member
of Division 7, Flotilla 2-9. This new member page is dedicated to
you and is designed as a quick reference to supplement your personal
orientation with your Flotilla Commander, Vice Flotilla Commander or
Personnel Officer, the information package and the NEW MEMBER
AUXILIARY MANUAL you recently received from your Personnel Officer.
Your New Member Manual is the first of many manuals and publications
you will receive or obtain as an Auxiliary member. It is very
important to thoroughly read your manuals and keep them updated.
Here is a list of website addresses
and uniform information contacts that are extremely useful for new
members:
Chief Diraux:
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg3/cg3pcx/
Manuals:
http://www.cgaux.info/g_pcx/publications/comdtinst/index.html
Forms:
http://forms.cgaux.org/forms.html
E-Training:
http://www.dirauxannex.org/member_training_web_presentation.htm
As you know, the Auxiliary is the volunteer
civilian, non-military component of the United States Coast Guard.
The purpose of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is to assist the Coast
Guard in any of its missions except where prohibited by Federal
statute
(Title 17 U.S.C. Chapter 23 et seq),
such as in direct law enforcement and military actions. We are a
diverse group of nearly 30,000 members dedicated to safer
recreational boating on the waters of the United States. Our love of
the water, knowledge of boating, our specialty training, and
willingness to serve our fellow boaters binds us together to promote
safe boating. During the past 12 months, the Auxiliary has donated
1,730,000 hours of their time to benefit boating safety, conducted
nearly 140,000 vessel safety checks of boats and 10,000 personal
water crafts, spent over 80,000 hours teaching boating safety,
sailing and navigation courses, and made 34,000 marine dealer visits
to distribute boating safety materials.
RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY:
(PE) Public Education - we teach various
boating safety courses to the public.
(VE) Vessel Safety Checks - we conduct
annual safety equipment checks of recreational boats and
public vessels.
(PV) Program Visitor - we make regular
visits to local marine dealers and marinas and provide
updated information and print publications.
MEMBER
SERVICES:
(FN) Finance
(IS) Information Services
(MA) Materials
(PS) Personnel
(MT) Member Training
(PA) Public Affairs
(PB) Publications
(SR) Secretary
COAST
GUARD AND STATE SUPPORT:
(OP) Operations - we assist in boat parades,
regatta patrols, special events, and search and rescue
operations.
(AN) Aids To Navigation - we verify position of
private aids to navigation, service Federal aids to navigation
and assist the National Ocean Service and the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers updating charts.
(CC) Career Counselor - we recruit cadet
candidates to the U.S.C.G Academy and disseminate information about
this opportunity.
(CM) Communications - we train to assist both
the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard in radio communications and in
some areas we have the opportunity to serve as a watch stander.
(MS) Marine Safety & Environmental Protection -
we are given training by the Coast Guard to assist them in
pollution control, on-scene public safety, and emergency
response and extraction of dangerous or hazardous materials.
(AV) Aviation - for Auxiliarists who are
qualified and licensed as aviation pilots, we routinely provide
air support as observers and may assist in search and rescue
missions by providing visual coordinates to Auxiliary
operational facilities (OPFAC) to help locate boaters and assist
other vessels in distress.
Fellowship:
We
get together for family fun and socialization which is an
essential ingredient in making any volunteer organization
successful. Fellowship with other Auxiliarists and members of
the Coast Guard makes Team Coast Guard work and binds
the entire organization together.
Benefits of
Membership
The benefits of
Auxiliary membership are both tangible and intangible. You will
proudly wear the uniform and insignia and fly the Auxiliary ensign
while participating in the activities involved in the Auxiliary's
missions of recreational boating safety and support of the United
States Coast Guard.
By acceptance of membership in this organization, you are doing
so as a volunteer, however, there are certain responsibilities and
obligations we all have pledged to conduct or participate to the
very best of our abilities and as time and circumstances permit.
Dues
Your membership dues are important part of your organization's
budgets. Each year your dues are divided into four parts for your
Flotilla, Division, District and National which are incorporated
into our budgets for the year. Our dues help to support Auxiliary
activities at all organization levels and are tax deductible. Each
year you will receive a notice when dues are payable and you make
your payment directly to your Flotilla Finance Officer (FSO-FN).
Member
Number
You will or have been given an official Member Number which you
should know and understand and will appear on your Coast Guard
Membership Card. Form this point on, your status, activities,
training, test scores and other accomplishments will be recorded in
the Auxiliary Information System (AUXDATA) using that number. Upon
receipt of your official Membership Card please check to be certain
your name and number is correct, then complete any missing blanks
with your personal information, attach a picture for identification
and have it laminated. Many area office supply stores and copy
centers have this service available but if you experience any
trouble do not hesitate to speak with your Personnel Officer
(FSO-PS) or your Flotilla Commander (FC) or Vice Commander (VFC) .
Uniforms
The Auxiliary uniform is a very important symbol of your
membership and should be worn with pride. It is similar to the Coast
Guard uniform and should be worn on any mission where you represent
the Auxiliary or the Coast Guard. Each member is responsible for
purchasing their own uniforms appropriate to the activities in which
they participate and its general care.
As a new member, you should consider purchasing the Tropical Blue
Uniform. This basic uniform, both summer and winter versions, can be
worn for most Auxiliary activities. Check with your FSO-PS for other
uniforms you may need to consider purchasing for other activities.
Other uniforms, like the Winter Dress Blue, Undress Blue Long and
all other options of uniform selection is outlined in detail in
Chapter 10 - Uniforms in your new Auxiliary Manual.
Your FSO-PS can help you order the clothing for your uniform from
the National Distribution and your Flotilla Staff Officer -
Materials (FSO-MA) can order the proper insignia and devices needed
to make your uniform complete. In general, you might be expected to
pay about $125-150 for the entire basic uniform, Tropical Blue, that
will work well for most occasions.
Meetings
Your attendance at Flotilla meetings is
a very important part of your membership. Attending these meetings
will keep you up-to-date on all of the Flotilla's activities,
functions, training, fellowship, and will enable you to meet and
interact with other members in your Flotilla and Division.
Exercising your right to vote at these meetings and assisting in the
development of your Flotilla organization is just one of the many
benefits you receive. In addition to meetings with your Flotilla,
there are frequent Flotilla staff meetings with Flotilla Staff
Officers as well as Division meetings. All members are welcome to
attend these meetings. Division meetings will give you a broader
perspective of the Auxiliary's activities and missions as a whole.
Your FC and VFC attend Division meetings to represent your Flotilla.
Organizational Structure
The Auxiliary is the non-military, volunteer arm of TEAM COAST
GUARD, working alongside active duty Coast Guard, Coast Guard
civilians, and the Reserve. The structure of the Auxiliary, unlike
the military, is what makes our organization unique. Although we
have rules and regulations and must abide by certain Federal, State
and other agency laws, our internal organization is structured and
administered by set policies. Only the Coast Guard Commandant and
the National Board make policies, the rest carry out those policies.
Within the parameters of these policies, Districts may create their
own policy manuals. The members at the Division and Flotilla levels
decide, by vote, within which areas and at what level the Flotilla
will participate. Before we embark on a complete diagram of the
organization as a whole, it might be better to first take a look at
your Flotilla organization. A Flotilla, by definition, is "a small
fleet of ships." For our purposes, a Flotilla is the basic
organization in the Auxiliary, which includes members who own or
operate boats, who are actively involved in the Auxiliary's missions
of recreational boating safety and support of the United States
Coast Guard.
Flotilla Organization
A Flotilla is
made up of members who elect a Flotilla Commander and Vice Flotilla
Commander, who in turn, appoint Flotilla Staff Officers to carry out
certain missions and activities of the Auxiliary. All members, no
matter what level their elected or appointed positions are, belong
to a Flotilla. For more information, see Chapter 4 - Auxiliary
Organizational Structure in your Auxiliary Manual or Flotilla
Procedures Manual, COMDTINST M16791.5.
Training
As a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary you will
have the opportunity to receive training in a number of areas of
your choice.
Member Training Outline
There
are specific requirements and training that must be completed in
order to participate in various activities and missions of the
Auxiliary. For example, in order to participate in safety patrols,
you must complete Crew Status training as a Coxswain or Crew. Other
helpful training for patrols would include Specialty Courses in
AUXPAT (Auxiliary Patrol), AUXCOM (Auxiliary Communications), AUXSEA
(Auxiliary Seamanship), and possibly even AUXSAR (Auxiliary Search &
Rescue). Each year, your status must be maintained by conducting
specific amount of hours on patrols as either a Coxswain or as a
member of Crew.
Members interested in conducting Vessel Safety Checks (formerly
known as Vessel Examinations) would study the VE manual and pass an
open book exam. Your status in this area would be to perform certain
number of vessel safety checks each year. You can begin your
training now by logging here:
Online VE
Testing
Members can also try their hand on navigation rules and regulations by
logging onto
Navrules Train
.
To participate in the Auxiliary's public education, a member would
probably begin by assisting an instructor with teaching a Boating Safely
course for starters and then speak with your Flotilla Staff Officer
of Member Training, your Vice Flotilla Commander or Flotilla
Commander
about additional training in this area.
Diversity
The entire membership of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
is made of a wide variety of individuals from all walks of life.
Diversity.....is the uniqueness of all individuals, which
encompasses different personal attributes, values and organizational
roles. The diversity of our membership forms a mosaic of people who
bring a variety of backgrounds, styles, perceptions, values and
beliefs as assets to the Auxiliary .
Managing Diversity.....is the process of creating and maintaining a
positive environment where the capabilities, differences and
similarities of all members are recognized, understood and valued.
Through this process, all members may fully participate in achieving
their full potential and maximizing their contributions to the
Auxiliary, without advantaging anyone. |
