This Saturday morning official opening of NACON was conducted with great fanfare by the Nashville Community Concert Orchestra, which played a number of patriotic pieces while the participants assembled, climaxed with the Star Spangled Banner, and then proceeded to play the Coast Guard Anthem. The Naval ROTC Color Guard conducted the flag ceremony.

Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell welcomed the delegates saying, “Mayors all over the country understand and appreciate what the Coast Guard Auxiliary does in their communities.” Mayor Purcell commended the Auxiliary for its leading role as the largest volunteer element of the new Department of Homeland Security. “Nashville is especially conscious of the Auxiliary as the capitol of the ‘Volunteer State,’” the Mayor quipped, injecting humor into his welcome.

COMO Clemmet J. (C J) Paddack welcomed the assembly as Commodore of the hosting region, District 8, Eastern Region. He read a proclamation from the Governor of Tennessee, wished everyone a pleasant stay, and encouraged us to come back soon.

RADM Duncan, 8th District Commander, similarly welcomed the group and introduced RADM David Belz, the keynote speaker.

RADM Belz, Assistant Commandant for Operations (G-O), delivered a welcome address on behalf of the Commandant, Admiral Tom Collins. As the lead agency in the new Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard Auxiliary brings important resources to Coast Guard forces. At the conclusion of his address, Admiral Belz presented the “Secretary of Transportation’s 911 Award” to last year’s National Auxiliary leadership.

CAPT Dave Hill, Chief Director of Auxiliary, posed the question, “Is there a revolution in Auxiliary Affairs ahead?” Comparable to the major revolutions in military affairs, such a change would involve an innovative interaction of several major factors, including the events of September 11, 2001. The Coast Guard Auxiliary has been poised for such a revolution since the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996. This act significantly changed the premise for the Auxiliary’s missions. Quoting from Title 14 of the United States Code, he pointed out how the Auxiliary went from “assisting” the Coast Guard to being fully authorized to participate in Coast Guard activities. The result has been a full arrest of the prior membership decline and growing numbers and quality of Auxiliary activity.

CAPT Hill held out several Auxiliarists as examples of the unique role the Auxiliary has assumed. Pamela Bednarik of the 1st Southern District in New York, who has performed many assignments including hundreds of aerial photography missions, supporting the aftermath of the TWA crash and other significant events. Another example is George Keefer, who has qualified as OOD underway on the Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay.

National Commodore (NACO) Bill Edgerton thanked the Auxiliary for its effort but especially for its readiness. Recognizing that it is sometimes frustrating to have to be ready but not called on. “Thank God the call did not come,” he said. In the coming year, we will have an increasing role in security sensitive Coast Guard missions. This means new security and suitability checks, which will be funded by the Coast Guard and be comparable to those now conducted with Reserve personnel.

David Barton, Workforce Advisor to the Commandant, commended the Auxiliary for its diversity management.

COMO Everette Tucker, Jr. provided a brief on international affairs, including the 3 day Caribbean Search and Rescue (CSAR) conference in Miami. This conference brought together governmental and volunteer representatives of 23 Caribbean, North American and South American countries.

National Vice Commodore and Chief of Staff (NAVCO-COS) Gene Seibert reported on the vast array of developments during the year. The first public affairs C School was presented at Training Center Petaluma, CA in May, new public education product brochures, legislative proposals to change the Coast Guard Authorization Act, leadership training, online training and testing and new programs to implement the Marine Domain Awareness and Homeland Security are among the most noteworthy accomplishments. In the near future, we will implement a mapping system to highlight Auxiliary resources, establish templates for increased patrol activity commensurate with various MARSEC states of readiness, and introduce a one hour presentation suitable for presentation to local communities to explain the Maritime Domain Awareness program.

Each of the National Vice Commodores reported on key developments in their areas.

COMO Mary Larson reported on many activities in the Atlantic East area, including a communications net which came up within 20 minutes of last month’s East Coast blackouts, and stood by for several days while the emergency was stabilized and resolved.

COMO Steve Reams reported on many accomplishments in Atlantic Area West, including a massive effort to support the recovery of debris from the Shuttle Columbia disaster. Auxiliarists participated in the response teams along with 140 personnel from 18 agencies, and assumed key roles in the Command Center for up to two months after the crash.

COMO Gail Ramsey told of many developments in Pacific Area, including a District 13 paddle craft program designed to serve this large and critical recreational boating community.

Boat US and the Coast Guard Department of Boating presented several awards (see separate coverage)

ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS

Additional Workshops in the afternoon covered many new and exciting mission areas and related topics.

On Line Mentoring – T Department (Member Training)
Presenter: Bob Williams, DVC-TM

This new program, featured in the current issue of Navigator, is designed to augment member training efforts at the local level. Any member that would like some extra help in a particular area can go to www.auxsupport.org and receive assistance in many different ways. Using either email or chat rooms, the member can obtain assistance from a qualified mentor. Conference rooms can be used for online meetings and training rooms are available with PowerPoint presentations and live audio, all electronic. The resource is online and ready to use. The department is looking for additional mentors to meet the demands of the system, as well.

New Short Courses – E Department (Public Education)

Several new short courses are available for public education students. A new “GPS for Mariners” course focuses more on the practical aspects of using a GPS, rather than the theoretical approach used in the old course. “How to Read a Nautical Chart” takes the student through “Chart 1” symbols and usage. Additionally, individual chapter numbers 9, 10, and 11 of “Boating Skills and Seamanship” are suitable for delivery in a short PE course environment.

Make PE Zing – E Department (Public Education)

Flotillas can significantly increase their public education offerings by seeking out local boating equipment retailers and providing regular classes on-site at these stores. Retailers are enthusiastic about this program, since once in the stores the students are likely to become customers. The retailers provide incentives such as discount coupons on safety equipment, complimentary memberships, and other attractive promotional items. Contact your local West Marine, Boat US, Boater’s World, Bass Pro Shop, Wal-Mart, or comparable store to launch this vital program.

One day courses are an attractive way to build your public education outreach. They have significant advantages over lengthy courses, including no attrition problems, minimal scheduling problems, and a great variety of potential course offerings. In addition to those mentioned above (see New Short Courses), don’t be afraid to innovate and package “On the Water Training” or “America’s Boating Course” with the smaller courses.

Many flotillas underestimate the value as well as the ease with which an overhead video projector can be acquired to enhance their public education classes. Several inexpensive units are now available. The returns on public education classes should pay for these units in short order. For details see your division or district public education officer.