1. No category

Date:
May 19, 2015
From:
Jerry Edelen, DSO-Public Affairs
Thru:
Bill Stolz, DCAPT
To:
Commodore Rich Thomas
Subject:
May, 2015 District Public Affairs Report
HIGHLIGHTS:
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6.
National Safe Boating Week is here!
Entries are solicited for the National Public Affairs Photography Contest.
Strictly Sail Event is held.
Tom Sarnicola has an article published in the Richmond Standard newspaper!
National Command Messages are listed.
Monterey County Board of Supervisors issues National Safe Boating Week
Proclamation.
7. Volunteers are sought for the National Public Affairs Speaker’s Bureau.
8. District supports Annual Stan Team Inspection.
9. 5th Division supports the Great Russian River Race.
10. District Honor Guard creates Douglas Munro Award and Website!
11. 5th Division supports the Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival.
12. Antler’s Optrex is a huge success!
13. Coast Guard is toasted at the 2015 Submariner Birthday Ball.
DETAILS:
1. All Flotillas and Divisions should be well on their way towards insuring this
year’s National Safe Boating Week will be a roaring success! The week
encompasses the entire period of May 16-22 and there will be national media
attention during this week. This is the perfect time to get our Recreational Boating
Safety Message out. Every Flotilla should have set up special Public Affairs
Activities and strived to obtain the maximum publicity from your events.
Please keep your Chain of Leadership informed of your activities. Diana Serchia
has volunteered to be the District NSBW Coordinator this year as she did so ably
last year. One very easy event to schedule would be to ask the City Council and/
or Board of Supervisors in your area to issue a Proclamation proclaiming NSBW
and listing your Flotilla/ Division’s many accomplishments. You might also list the
accomplishments of any active duty Coast Guard unit you work with in your area.
Of course, you should write up the proposed Proclamation to make it easier on the
political body. If you need an example, please e-mail me and I’ll send you an
example. When submitting your proposed proclamation, ask to have it presented
during the City Council/ Board of Supervisor’s monthly meeting. Many of these
meetings are televised and your unit will get even more exposure!
2. 2015 National Public Affairs Photography Contest
This contest recognizes Coast Guard Auxiliary Photographers who have
successfully captured interesting and compelling images of Auxiliary members and
assets in action across specified program categories. Last year, District 11 North
Personnel won in several categories. If you’ve taken an interesting picture
covering an Auxiliary activity in this past year, please enter it. The picture will be
published in Navigator Magazine and you and our District will receive some
excellent publicity!
Each Coast Guard Auxiliary member may submit up to two photographs per
category. (ONLY one category per email please) Each submission must:
1. Indicate the category to which is it being submitted in the CAPTION and EMAIL
SUBJECT LINE - Example: “2015 Photo Awards Contest - Fellowship” 2. Contain a proper photo caption and credit information/name of photographer as
per the Coast Guard PA Stylebook:
http://www.auxpa.org/downloads/Stylebook.pdf
3. Photos must have been taken between 1 June 2014 and 31 May 2015. If identifiable minors are present in the photo, a signed proper model release form
must also accompany the submission (form #7020:
http://wow.uscgaux.info/ Uploads_wowII/092/ANSC_7020_photo_release.pdf). All entries must be in digital .jpg format of at least 5 megapixels and follow all
standards as outlined in the USCG Auxiliary Public Affairs Policy Guide and USCG
Policy on Photography. Only red eye removal, lighting enhancements, and
cropping are permitted. Photos may be color or black and white. Any photograph
with improper uniforms, procedures or other infractions of policy will be excluded.
This year, all photos and accompanying material must be submitted electronically
to Joseph Giannattasio BC-ASP: [email protected] no later than 31 May
2015. NO EXCEPTIONS.
No hard copies will be accepted.
Eight categories for photo submissions are: Public Affairs Event - Auxiliarists spreading the Auxiliary message to external
and internal audiences Fellowship - Auxiliarists having fun in a social setting – alcohol and smoking not visible Marine Safety - Auxiliarists engaged in proctoring marine license exams, assisting in inspecting
containers, vessels, engaged in beach cleanup and or other environmental activities Member Services - Auxiliarists recruiting and/or providing information or services for members
such as training, finger printing, photo taking and mentoring Operations - Auxiliarists operating boats, aircraft, radios, etc Public Education - Auxiliarists providing recreational boating safety instruction
or courses in weather, GPS Vessel Safety Checks - Conducting recreational boating safety checks,
Discussing proper boat equipment Team Coast Guard - Auxiliarists, reservists and Active Duty working together on missions, training,
PA events or fourth cornerstone events
Last year our District won several categories. Let’s try to win them all this year!! 
3. The Strictly Sail Event was held at from April 9th-12th in Oakland. This
internationally acclaimed sailboat show is the largest and oldest in-water sailboat
show on the West Coast. 6-10 Flotilla Commander Mike Badano and 6th Division
SO-PA Tammera Badano helped to support a District 11N by assisting at the
Strictly Sail Pacific public affairs booth at Jack London Square in Oakland, CA.
The District’s Strictly Sail Booth
An Event Staff Member at the event brought his PFD’s in to find out what
kind of PFDs they were, to have them inspected and to find out if they were
serviceable.
4. Tom Saricola, Immediate Past Division 5 Commander, had an excellent article
about Auxiliary Patrolling published in the Richmond Standard Newspaper.
The article may be viewed at:
http://richmondstandard.com/2015/04/u-s-coast-guard-auxiliary-to-help-richmondpolice-patrol-san-pablo-bay/
5. The National Public Affairs Directorate has approved a series of Command
Messages that may be included in all District, Division, and Flotilla Publications.
These messages highlight important concepts that should be repeatedly
emphasized to insure they are followed:
Stand up for cultural differences. Address injustice, inequity, disrespect
and exclusion.
Take the Civil Rights Awareness Course.
Understand the definition of civil rights.
Take the Civil Rights Awareness Course.
Develop a strong team environment of acceptance and trust.
Take the Civil Rights Awareness Course.
Be aware and knowledgeable about your organization’s diversity program.
Take the Civil Rights Awareness Course.
Embrace the provisions of the Coast Guard’s Diversity, Anti-Discrimination,
and Equal Opportunity Policy Statements.
Take the Civil Rights Awareness Course.
Return all gifts that violate US Coast Guard policies.
Take the Coast Guard Ethics Course.
The ethical thing to do is the right thing to do even when nobody is watching.
Take the Coast Guard Ethics Course.
The only gift you need is the gift of ethical reasoning.
Take the Coast Guard Ethics Course.
Good ethics start at home! It is about doing the right thing.
Take the Coast Guard Ethics Course.
If it doesn’t sound right, most likely it’s not.
Take the Coast Guard Ethics Course.
Protect yourself from unwanted infection; wash your hands often.
Take the Influenza Training Course.
Remember to cover with your arm and not your hand.
Take the Influenza Training Course.
Get a flu shot, do not delay another day.
Take the Influenza Training Course.
Prevention is the best medicine! Get a flu shot.
Take the Influenza Training Course.
Promote healthy living. If you are ill, go home.
Take the Influenza Training Course.
Build resilience – Prevent Suicide.
Take the Building Resilience and Preventing Suicide Course.
Help shipmates to handle stress and know their limits.
Take the Building Resilience and Preventing Suicide Course.
Stay emotionally healthy to cope with day to day challenges.
Take the Building Resilience and Preventing Suicide Course.
Never underestimate the power of understanding and support.
Take the Building Resilience and Preventing Suicide Course.
Feeling depressed? Contact your physician or mental health
Professional for guidance.
Take the Building Resilience and Preventing Suicide Course.
What is your business, is not for others.
Take the DHS/Protecting Personal Information Course.
Be aware of how to handle sensitive data.
Take the DHS/Protecting Personal Information Course.
Prevent compromising sensitive information.
Take the DHS/Protecting Personal Information Course.
Safeguard DHS and personal identifiable data.
Take the DHS/Protecting Personal Information Course.
Prevent misuse of personally identifiable information from all sources.
Take the DHS/Protecting Personal Information Course.
Securing the homeland is securing your work space.
Take the Security Fundamentals Course.
Security is a continuous process. It does not stop at the end of the work day.
Take the Security Fundamentals Course.
Determine how much risk is acceptable and the consequences.
Take the Security Fundamentals Course.
Control your conversations in public while using unsecured communications.
Take the Security Fundamentals Course.
Protect operationally sensitive information.
Take the Security Fundamentals Course.
Become a guardian against sexual assault.
Take the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Course.
Recognize the difference between acceptable and unacceptable conduct.
Take the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Course.
Maintain a work environment free from unlawful discrimination, reprisal and harassment.
Take the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Course.
Create command climates and work environments that promote inclusion, equity and respect.
Take the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Course.
Prevent and respond to sexual assault.
Take the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Course.
Recognize, prevent and respond to sexual assault.
Take the Sexual Harassment Prevention Course.
Minimize the risk of becoming a sexual harassment offender or victim.
Take the Sexual Harassment Prevention Course.
Be informed about sexual harassment prevention techniques.
Take the Sexual Harassment Prevention Course.
Understand sexual harassment is a threat to our work place and well-being.
Take the Sexual Harassment Prevention Course.
Learn about your roles and responsibilities in recognizing, preventing and responding to sexual
harassment.
Take the Sexual Harassment Prevention Course.
6. On May 12th, BM2 Travis Green, from Coast Guard Station Monterey, Tamara
Badano, 6th Division SO-PA, Mike Badano, Flotilla Commander of Flotilla 6-10 and
your humble correspondent appeared before the Monterey County Board of
Supervisors to accept a Proclamation for National Safe Boating Week.
The Proclamation
7. The National Public Affairs Directorate is trying to reinvigorate the Speaker’s
Bureau Program across all of the Districts. The purpose of the program is to
identify Auxiliary volunteers who would speak to different groups about the benefits
of joining the Auxiliary and about Auxiliary-related matters. If you are interested in
volunteering to join the program, please let me know. There is no obligation to
speak to any group or on any topic that you don’t feel comfortable with.
8. Tamara Badano, Division 6 SO-PA reports: When working on the Silver Charm
supporting Air Station SF you know you will get wet. Below are pictures of Wally
Smith and Chris Meyer on the Silver Charm with Linda Vetter supporting Air
Station San Francisco. The annual “STAN Team” inspection has been on going
with the helicopter crews and rescue swimmers. They are doing their annual “QE
Check rides”. The Silver Charm has been out almost every day catching rescue
baskets, litters, pumps, and rescue swimmers. Air STA SF has stated they value
working with the Aux because we make them look good because we know what
we’re doing.
Wally Smith, Chief of Staff and Chris Meyer
9. Wil Sumner, 5th Division Commander reports: On Sunday, May 3rd, the 2015 Great
Russian River Race was conducted at Memorial Beach in Healdsburg. The 5th
Division set up a PA Booth at the Race. There were four CG Auxiliarists
participating- James Matthies, Pat O’Rielly, John Guaragalia, and Wil Sumner. We
ended up examining over 30 kayaks and canoes. Approximately 500 people
attended this event. A lot of safe boating literature was distributed and a great time
was had by all:
Russian River Race Booth
“It got much more crowded when the Kayakers arrived!”
10.
Our District Honor Guard created an award and a website to support the award:
To be given to those whose "selfless service, sacrifice and
commitment to duty" with the District 11 Northern Region Honor
Guard makes them worthy to receive an award named for a man who
paid the "ultimate sacrifice" in serving our country and supporting and
defending his fellow shipmates and Americans.
Our District Honor Guard Website:
http://cghg.weebly.com/douglas-munro-award.html
The Award was presented to Commander Williamson at a special Honor Guard
Function at District Honor Guard Captain, Tracy Schultz’s home.
Commander J. Andrew Williamson, the first Douglas Munro
Award Recipient
11.
Will Sumner, 5th Division Commander, reports on the
Bodega Bay Fisherman Festival, Build a Boat Race. 4/11/15:
In Action at the Festival: Crew, Peter Van-Rijn and Gail Giacomini.
Coxswain, Wil Sumner
Here are some photos of Flotilla 55 at the Bodega Bay Fish Fest booth
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4e5h7mqdu80kqoh/AACzOeu4FyQTJN3pzuWlXz1a?dl=0
Bodega Bay Booth: At the booth are Pat Orielly, James Matthies and Jeff
Tuttle
12. Tamara Badano, SO-PA, 6th Division reports: From April 29th through May
3, the 33rd Annual Antlers Shasta Lake OPTREX was conducted. An Operational
Training Exercise (OPTREX) is an opportunity for boat crew and coxswain
candidates to receive classroom and on-the-water training. Qualification
Examiners are available for candidates ready to take their final oral and practical
examinations. Training and sign offs were begun on Thursday and completed by
Saturday. The weather was warm and there was plenty of water for the 7 different
facilities. It was a glorious period of sunshine, hard work and great fellowship.
Commodore Gail Ramsey wrote the following message to all that took part:
All,
Another success. All passed, no injuries, no mishaps and all Facilities ran
well.
Thank you to the candidates for your hard work preparing for the event.
Thank you to all the members of Flotilla 39 that worked so hard (dawn to
dark) including those that have leaned into Div 8. This event is far reaching
and was shown by having members from ten Flotillas as far away as
Monterey, the San Francisco area, Sacramento, Utah and District 13. I do
not know of another recent event that has had so many members from so
many corners of D11N and D13.
Hopefully the news will spread of the calm waters, beautiful setting and the
hearty welcome from Flotilla 39.
Thank you 39 for the constant welcome you give the QEs. Marvelous to feel
so welcome.
STATS:
2 Initial Coxswain (one from Grants Pass, Oregon)
2 Initial Crew from Division 6
9 Requal Cox
8 Requal Crew
Photos from Antler’s Optrex (Photos by Tamara “T” Badano, 6th Div SO-PA
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wship after the hard work! (photo by Doug Manifold)
13.
On April 25th, your humble correspondent attended the 115th
Submarine Birthday Ball at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey.
While there, I was asked to provide the Evening’s Toast to the U.S. Coast
Guard. The toasts were provided, in order, to the Navy, Marines, Army, Air
Force, Coast Guard and then to our fallen and missing comrades. It was an
honor to be selected to provide the toast and elicited many questions from the
250+ assembled guests as to this “ground pounder’s” relationship with the
Coast Guard. 
14. BEST PRACTICES IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS (as outlined at N-Train)
Compiled by Victoria Jacobs, National PA Directorate, BC-ASX
MORLEY L. MASON, DSO-PA 8CR
• IN THE COMMUNITY
o We get a better sign up for Classes and Recruiting by having a booth at any local activity such as the
"Mullet Festival" (free) or Safety Fairs at companies (especially at shipyards and refineries in this
District). We have time to talk to people and often see people we know.
o We accompany any vessel exam efforts, or other public flotilla activities, where people can pick up
literature or we can talk about boating safety.
o We use attention grabbers on our PA booths. We have been setting up boards in front of our booths
with recent pictures of our members doing interesting activities in local areas. Local scenery with local
people seems to slow down or stop people long enough for us to start talking to them.
o We are in uniform, but we put up a large banner that says "Civilian Volunteers Needed." We get many
responses and we have the chance to explain who we are and how we help the community. COME JOIN
US!
o Use a lot of coloring books. Have a person stand 10-12 yards before the booth walking toward the
booth talking to the people. If they have young children with them (many do), ask if you can give the child
a coloring book and a sticker. By now you are in front of the booth with displays, literature and sign-up
sheets. People in the booth can offer information and handouts looking for interested people to talk to.
o ENJOY YOURSELF, HAVE FUN WITH THE PEOPLE. Speak in quick short sentences about why you
feel GOOD about being a volunteer.
• RADIO
o Look for radio towers in your surrounding area. Listen to them long enough to determine whether they
are talk oriented. Find the station location. Wear your uniform and pay them a visit (or more). If you
explain what the Auxiliary is and our concern for boating safety and local affairs you may be asked to
drop in if they have local talk shows on certain days. I had a weekly slot with other people Thursday
afternoons for three years. I discussed whatever the topic was for the day with others, and always
managed to mention boating safety or what our flotilla was doing in and for the local area.
• ADOPT A MARINA
o If you live near a marina set up a schedule with the owners. Do vessel exams and provide materials.
On scheduled days set up a tent cover booth with materials. Offer Vessel Safety Checks for those waiting
to launch or for larger permanent docked boats. Make current state and federal law information
available along with materials for small boaters.
MICHAEL HUDEC, DS0-PA, D8WR
• D8WR has a public Google Calendar which houses the meeting dates for flotillas and divisions, along
with some of the larger public affairs events. This opens up the option for flotillas from a different AOR
or division to participate in some of the larger PA events.
• We use an online sign-up webpage on the District site for District run PA events. This simple Web-form
has spots for member information and shifts they wish to volunteer for. The form auto-sends itself to a
dedicated Gmail account. That account is handed off to the next DSO or ADSO that schedules our
District Public Affairs event participation. This helps with transition, especially since most of the boat
show preparation is being done across Christmas and early January (when officer positions are also
being changed.)
JERRY EDELEN, DSO-PA, D11NR
• Conduct Public Affairs Training at all D-Trains and Past Commander’s Association Conferences.
Include in the training, PA Apprentice Training.
• Ask Mayors, Boards of Supervisors, etc., for Nat’l Safe Boating Week Proclamations.
• Publish monthly District Public Affairs Reports, ask all PA Officers for input and district the report as
widely as possible.
• Participate actively in all District Staff Meetings and District Go-To-Meetings.
• Encourage the use of trained “Coastie” and Mascots at PA and PAVE events.
• Encourage District personnel to become PA Apprentice/ PA Specialist qualified by maintaining a
spreadsheet of PA Officers, their contact information and their progress toward the goals. Keep in
contact with the officers and offer encouragement/ assistance.
• Stay out of internal personnel issues involving PA Officers in the District Divisions and Flotillas. Refer
difficulties to the Chain of Leadership.
• Enjoy your job, or find another job in the Auxiliary to contribute through.
DAVE ESPARZA, DSO-PA, D11SR
• Every PA event has its importance no matter how small or large. I believe that PA is the life blood of the
Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Here in Arizona, one PA event usually leads to another and
another by networking. Keep in constant contact with your area contacts, TV, newspaper, radio etc., - they
don't want to hear from you once a year, they want to hear from you all the time. I have a local newspaper
that I write a monthly article for, we have several radio stations running PSAs and I do guest appearances on
one of the local radio shows Sundays from 0700-0900. These things do not happen without going the extra
mile and keeping in contact and having a quality message for the public.
• We also work closely with the Coast Guard recruiting office in Phoenix. We have an honor guard available
for Coast Guard funerals at the Arizona National Cemetery where we are on call and have been trained by
the recruiting office in proper procedures. We do the flag ceremony, we play taps and we present the flag to
the next of kin. The recruiting office and the families are very thankful for our volunteerism. I guess this would
be thinking out of the box for PA. We are invited to events through the radio show. We are invited to events
through the recruiting office. The recruiting office is invited to our events. This is a win-win situation all year
long. We get invited back to these events year after year.
• Other Divisions also have honor guard groups and have helped out at funerals at national cemeteries in
their area and “performed” at small local events and large sporting events.
D.M. BERGDAHL, DSO-PA D13
• One of my Best Practices is utilizing the local colleges. Digital Technology and other graphic
art/computer programs (and other areas of the colleges) are always looking for projects for students. I
have had students create flyers, videos and even podcasts. In addition, the professor will often allow you
to come in and give a plug for the Auxiliary. It is a great way to get the word out to our younger
generations as well as getting quality products for PA!!!
DREW HERMAN, DSO-PA, D17
• D17 has had some success with fancy knot classes for the public, such as how to make an ocean plait
door mat for Christmas.
• Here's a local radio segment on a session the week of 16 March:
http://www.kmxt.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6424&Itemid=2
• A Children's poster contest has proved very successful in Kodiak and is now in its fourth year. A local
marine dealer donates prizes and we award certificates at school board meetings.
• A weekly five-minute radio segment "Deck Watch" was a joint Auxiliary and active Duty production and
ran for about five years on public radio stations throughout the state. I can serve as resource for
pitching, format and production for those who are interested in doing the same thing.
• Always send releases to your active duty public affairs counterparts.
15. Remaining Public Affairs Activities during this time period not covered in
this District Public Affairs Report are covered in the Division Commander
Reports.
Respectfully reported,
Jerry Edelen, DSO-PA
[email protected]
District 11 Northern Region
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary