USCG Auxiliary, Flotilla 81

USCG Auxiliary, Flotilla 81 Corps of Engineers Resource Managers Office West Point, Georgia – 28 January 2012

Flotilla Commander David Cassell, Presiding

The following members were in attendance: Chuck Avanzato, David Cassell, Donna Cassell, George Collins, Jeff Hewitt, Lewis Higgins, Burt Hill, Bill Clerke, Chetan Sankar and Tom Parker. It was noted that with 10 members present the required quorum was achieved.

No Visitors were present.

After the pledge of allegiance, George Collins, the Flotilla Chaplin, provided the invocation

MINUTES - The minutes of the December meeting were approved as submitted.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Flotilla Commander, David Cassell welcomed everyone, stated he was looking forward to a very productive year. The upcoming year, we will be going more “Green” in hopes of reducing the amount of paper being used; he will use the power point this year instead of printing everything.

Vice Flotilla Commander, Donna Cassell stated that all the reports and important information will now be on the Flotilla Website.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Vice Flotilla Commander, Donna Cassell, provided the financial report by showing the year end 7025 report submitted to Division. It showed the Ending Balance as of December 31, 2011 was $3,866.53.

ACTIVITY DISCUSSION/STAFF OFFICER REPORT –Vice Flotilla Commander Donna Cassell provided a summary of the FSO reports to all members via e-mail and posted on the website. She also showed where they are found on the website, telling everyone that the Members Only tab is protected and you must sign in on the website in order to read the reports. The staff reports were presented as followed:

Communications – Chuck Avanzato, FSO-CM. Stated is anything new happened he would make sure we were notified.

Communications Services – Donna Cassell, FSO-CS.  As always, visit the website: http://dev02.cgaux.org/generic/members.php?flo=081-08-01  All monthly reports are being added to the website, under Members Only Tab…you will have to sign into the website in order to view. We are discontinuing printing all the reports in order to be more “Green.”

Contingency Planning – Shawn Schooley, FSO-CP  Sent to the Flotilla Commander and Vice Commander for review and to establish committee to review.

Finance – Report will be made available on the website.

Human Resources – David Cassell, FC-HR  Received one contact expressing an interest in membership

Information Systems – Phil Benefield/Donna Cassell, FSO-IS  Will be working together to make sure all records continue to be updated until Donna attends training.

Materials – Shawn Schooley, FSO-MA.  No items have been ordered recently.

Marine Safety & Environmental Education – Fred Matthies, FSO-MS.  Nothing to report this month.

Membership Training – Lewis Higgins, Jr., FSO-MT.  No activity.

Aid to Navigation – Don Baker, FSO-AN.  Asked the Corp to let me know when all the buoys are in place north of the railroad bridge.  When it gets warmer I will run the buoys north of the bridge and determine a position.  When the water comes up a little higher and I can get my boat off the lift I will run a night run south of the bridge.  I will be out of town for the next two weeks so when I return I will get together with the on the buoys.  I will run the night check about four o'clock in the morning. This will tell us if the batteries are still good.  Maybe we can get all the buoys in position this year.  Have asked that Anderson mark both sides of any new or replacement buoys.

Operations – Chetan Sankar, FSO-OP. Report to be given at the meeting.

Public Affairs – Phillip Benefield, FSO-PA. Report to be given at the meeting. Publications – Donna Cassell, FSO-PB.  Nothing to report at this time. Have received some of the information on the Newsletter and will be working to find someone willing to take on this project.

Public Education – Fred Matthies, FSO-PE.  News article has gone out regarding the first Boater Safety Course which is in February 2012. The schedule is on the website.

Program Visitor – Tom McKoon, FSO-PV.  Nothing to report at this time.

Secretary/Records –“D” Lindner, FSO-SR.  Minutes for December 2011 were emailed, and have been posted on the website. Vessel Examinations – George Collins, FSO-VE.  Attended the Boat Show in Atlanta  Have the VE decals for 2012 and inspection forms  John Breedlove and Pat Hodges took 100 decals with this on their trip.

OLD BUSINESS:

There was no Old business discussed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Standing Rules Flotilla Presented at the meeting for membership approval. Standing Rules Template was sent out to all Flotillas’ and there were only about 4 places we needed to insert information. After reviewing, there was a Motion made George Collins that we accept, a second from Bill Clerke, and the membership passed the Motion. Standing Rules were signed and submitted to Division for their approval.

2. Coast Guard Equipment List Flotilla Commander David Cassell told the membership that Division has passed on the request that each Flotilla put together an accurate list of Equipment owed by the Flotilla, and that we will all be asked to list anything we have in our possession that belongs to the Flotilla. For example, any PFDs that have been given to us to use, radios or signs. He will be putting together this list in the upcoming weeks.

3. ATON Patrol with Flotilla 83 Chetan Sankar and Burt Hill have been discussing a run to Apalachicola. It was suggested that we bring Flotilla 83 in on the runs, since Don Wilborn has made this run many times in the past. Also, a count was taken as the members interested. Approximately 10 members at this time are interested. Additional information will be gathered and submitted at the next meeting. AWARDS AND RECOGNITION – No awards were presented.

TRAINING – Uniforms and the Wearing of the Uniform Flotilla Commander David Cassell held training regarding the new ODUs and the wearing of the new ODUs. Each month he will try to present a training that will help to provide us with additional information. The Uniform information is now listed on the Website, under Members Only tab, along with Auxiliary Manual. His goal is to try and make the information more easily available.

CLOSING COMMENTS

David Cassell announced that due to the low water level “Don’t go out on the lake. It is dangerous with lots of hazards.”

Our Next meeting will be February 18, 2012