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Friday Morning General AssemblyArticle & photos by Mel Borofsky, Editor, SITREP |
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| Commodore Steve Budar called the meeting to order |
Friday morning, August 22
The audience was a sea of blue, and the sounds of the USCG Auxiliary Pipe Band filled the room. The business meeting of the National Conference was close at hand.
National Commodore Steve Budar (NACO) called the meeting to order and announced the parade of flags. Each District Commodore carried their unit’s flag and placed them on the dais behind the speakers stand. They then retired to the seats on the conference floor.
The Color Guard of Cadets from the Citadel followed wearing their distinctive uniforms. They carried the colors proudly and posted them following the singing of the National Anthem by Auxiliarist Bill Griers of District 7.
The names of Commodores who crossed over the bar since the last conference were read with the tradition tolling of the ship’s bell. District 7 Commodore Alan Brown offered the invocation.
NACO Budar iterated the theme for this year’s conference, “Recruiting, Retention and Responsibility.” He gave a rundown of the training opportunities available at this year’s conference.
Following the introduction of the National Bridge and other guests, NACO Budar introduced the Past National Commodores Edgerton, Bertelsen, Pratt, Tucker and Lanz. NACO Budar extended thanks to the spouses of the National Bridge for their continuing behind the scene support. Members of foreign delegations, partner organizations and supporting vendors were then introduced.
District 7 Commodore Allen Brown welcomed the conference attendees to his home District. DCO Brown described the District and its membership. “They are force multipliers in every sense of the phrase,” he said. He humorously welcomed all to the “wet paradise of Florida” the home of the pink flamingos and Tropical Storm Fay.
Rear Admiral Steve Branham, Commander 7th CG District also welcomed all to his District. He called the Auxiliary the “world’s greatest volunteer organization, in fact the number of Auxiliarists in District 7 far exceed the number of active duty.”
He described his close relationship with Commodore Brown and the members of the Auxiliary in his District. The amount of volunteer service work performed by the Auxiliary “boggles my mind.” “As I sign service certificates I am in awe of the total number of years these Auxiliarists have served the Coast Guard and their nation,” he said.
“We are truly one family, Semper Paratus,” he concluded.
Following RADM Burnham’s welcome COMO Budar convened the annual meeting of the National Board of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. “According to the rules the first item of business is to conduct the elections of the National officers for the terms of office from 1 November 2008 through 31 October 2010,” he said.
Department Chief-Legal Donald Krispin described the election rules and assisted with the election. This is always an exciting part of the conference. The election process was followed and a new National Board was elected. The tally committee was comprised of Past National Commodores.
National Commodore (elect) - Commodore Nicholas Kerigan
National Vice Commodore (elect) – Commodore James Vass
National Area Rear Commodore Atlantic East (elect) – Commodore Thomas Venezio
National Area Rear Commodore Atlantic West (elect) – Commodore Thomas Mallison
National Area Rear Commodore Pacific – Commodore Thomas Connell
Guest speakers from foreign delegations and partner organizations offered greetings and comments during the lulls that occur during the counting of the ballots. Guests from the volunteer organizations of Canada, Australia, Argentina, the Philippines, and many Caribbean nations honored us with their presence.
Chief Commander Creighton Maynard of the US Power Squadron spoke about their training programs and their ongoing relationships with the USCG Auxiliary.
Coast Guard and Best of Web awards were presented. All awards will be announced in a separate article to follow on SITREP.
NACO Budar then introduced RADM Jody Breckenridge, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources and Director of the Strategic Transformation Team. The Human Resources Directorate is made up of human resource professionals, military and civilian, with one distinct mission; to meet the people needs of the Coast Guard while meeting the needs of Coast Guard people.
Some of her directorate’s undertakings include a focus on diversity. The needs of the Coast Guard are constantly expanding and personnel from every walk in life are being sought to meet those needs. They are also involved in the “Modernization of the Coast Guard.” “What is it?” she asked, and then replied, “it is the Coast Guard looking towards the future, today. We are taking a look at ourselves today and we are taking a look at our future.”
“The environment we are working in is changing,” she said. “Therefore our Coast Guard must change.”
RADM Breckenridge then went on to describe some of the changes that are now occurring in the upper management and equipment of the Coast Guard. “This is not a one year evolution, probably a five year resolution,” she said.
“The Auxiliary, right now, is ahead of the active duty in restructuring, and we are using some this as a model for what we are doing,” she said.
She stressed the continued support of the Coast Guard Mutual Aid program. “Thank you for helping ourselves,” she said. She recounted some of the benefits afforded, to Auxiliarists and active duty. She mentioned the need to provide funds for extraordinary medical care. “Auxiliary contributions do make a difference,” she concluded.
NACO Budar presented a special award to RADM Buddy Mendoza of the Philippines Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA). Mendoza was instrumental in bringing the PCGA and the USCG Auxiliary together. NACO Budar also presented a plaque to VADM Joselito Aseniro, PCGA, retiring National Commodore of his organization. Aseniro greatly fostered the relationship between our organizations.
NACO Budar and Ms. Anne Brengle of the Coast Guard Foundation signed a “Letter of Intent.” The letter reads:
“Whereas, the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. (the “Association”) has been established to support the fiscal activities of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (the “Auxiliary”);
Whereas, the fiscal support provided to the Auxiliary has been and continues to be achieved in a variety of ways, both by the Association and through collaboration efforts with other organizations;
Whereas, from time to time, the Association interacts with other organizations to form a partnership agreement to develop and implement programs for the mutual benefit of both organizations;
Whereas, The Association and the Coast Guard Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”) acting through certain of its officers, have begun preliminary discussions for fund raising opportunities through the efforts of both organizations;
Whereas, the Board of Directors of the Foundation, in its meeting on 11 April 2008, discussed and adopted a resolution approving the expansion of the Foundation’s fund raising efforts to include the Auxiliary; and,
Whereas, the Association wishes to collaborate with the Foundation to develop a joint effort that would be in the best interests of both organizations.
Be it resolved by the Board of Directors as follows:
1.That the Association desires to work with the foundation in various fund raising efforts.
2.That Mr. Budar and Mr. Kerigan, together with other officers of the Association are hereby authorized to develop a Memorandum of Understanding with the Foundation to carry on fund raising efforts.”
NACO Budar then recessed the meeting for lunch. The members are to reconvene at 1300.
~HRW