NACO Budar

Committee of the Whole Meeting

National Commodore Steven Budar (NACO) called the meeting to order and explained the purpose and ground rules of the meeting.  In part, this meeting is required by the National standing rules, it is an informal meeting with reports and recommendation to be considered at the general board meeting, the next day.  No official action takes place at this meeting.

In his remarks NACO Budar emphasized his watchwords for his term of office, “Achieving Mission Excellence Through Recruiting, Retention and Responsibility.”  “All of our districts have taken this to heart.  This is not a goal, this is a process,” said Budar.

“Over the next few years I am looking forward to tremendous growth opportunities from the National level down to the flotillas,” said NACO Budar.

National Vice Commodore (NAVCO) Nick Kerigan welcomed the District Commodores and Vice Commodores saying, “I am looking forward to working with all of you.  The Personnel Security Investigation (PSI) process is over and I thank you for your excellent effort during these trying times.”

Captain Barry Smith, the Chief Director, Auxiliary (CHIDIRAUX) named the members of his staff that will be leaving his office and thanked them for their service to the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard.  He discussed future activities and current training programs.

“Please observe uniform policies.  I know that this doesn’t pertain to you (the Commodores) but please be observant of your fellow Auxiliarist’s uniform and its correctness.  Square away your fellow Auxiliarist, if need be,” said Captain Smith.

Brief reports from the National Chief of Staff, Warren MacAdams and the three National Area Commodores followed.

Commodore George Jeandheur was introduced as the new President of the National Association of Commodores (NAC).  This group was formerly known as the National Association of Past District Commodores (NAPDIC).  The change in name and organization was made to enable the appointed Commodores to become members of the Association, at their choosing.

Following a short break there was presentations and discussions led by Commodore (COMO) Ken Koeppen, COMO Tom Venizio and Immediate Past National Commodore (NIPCO) Gene Seibert.

COMO Koeppen discussed the “Coast Guard Asset Mapping Program” and COMO Venizio presented “A Comprehensive District Approach to Emergency Response Planning.”

NIIPCO Seibert outlined the newly formed “Leadership Guidance Team.”  This team was formed at the request of NACO Budar.  The objective of this team is to provide policy oversight of current and future leadership materials and training programs.  “The goal of this team is to insure the continuity of great leadership through the best ongoing training possible,” he said.

One of the objectives for the Auxiliary were “Doing the right things right.”  We need good leaders and good managers.  “The LGT will focus on training those individuals,” said Seibert.

“Leadership is a journey, not a destination,” said NIPCO Seibert.