NORTH ORANGE COUNTY WATCH FLOTILLA 66 1 PHOTO COURTESY OF ANNE EVANS North OC Watch Volume 8, Issue 1 Spring/Summer 2015 Newsletter – District 11S - Division 06 - Flotilla 06 Inside this Issue: FC Message p.2 Division Awards p.2 Member Achievement p.4 New Members p.4 Members in Action p.4 Training/VEs p.5 D-Train p.6 What Auxiliarists Do p.7 Mandated Training p.7 Additional Opportunities p.8 Members/other p.9 Upcoming Events p.10 2014 VE of the Year Frank Boice Veterans Day, November, 2014,Yorba Linda Veterans Park
NORTH ORANGE COUNTY WATCH FLOTILLA 66 2 A Message from our Flotilla Commander Another year is almost halfway over, and Flotilla 66 is doing a phenomenal job in activity. With over 1,300 Vessel Safety Checks completed we are leading the nation -- and we're not done yet! We've also had some veteran FSOs hand the baton over to other members who have done a great job of getting involved and promoting their respective programs. Steve Jobs said, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do"; our Flotilla is definitely proof of that. We don't get paid to do what we do in the Auxiliary so the only way for us to be successful in our Auxiliary careers is to love what we do. Along with some new FSOs we also have some new members. They have expressed a strong desire to learn more and participate in the areas that interest them. In past year’s we've led the Division with the most activity, and our new members will help us be even more active. New members are required to complete the newly established Member Passport, and all members are encouraged to complete it to become more familiar with the various aspects the Auxiliary has to offer. The upcoming Division and Flotilla picnics are great ways to get to know your fellow members. The Flotilla belongs to all of you, so if you have ideas on what you'd like to see in the Flotilla let Joel and I know. We serve at the pleasure of the Flotilla and want to make sure everyone is getting everything they want out of the Flotilla and the Auxiliary. The Flotilla leadership consists of the elected and appointed officers- all of whom are here to help in continuing to make Flotilla 66 one of the best in the District. A special thanks to Frank Gonzales for putting our newsletters together. Please continue to support the newsletters by submitting stories, articles and photographs to Frank for "District Award Winning" material. A big thank you to the Flotilla Leadership and to all of the members of Flotilla 66. We've had a great beginning to 2015, and may the rest of the year is even better! Clint Wells, PA I Flotilla Commander | Flotilla 66 Division Chief | Support Services Human Resources Directorate U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary [email protected] 714.595.3526 MEMBERSHIP 2015 DIVISION COW & AWARDS 21FEB2015 Within the Division, and within the District, Flotilla 66 again made its presence felt in the work performed by flotilla members in 2014. Frank Boice (with FC Clint Wells and Como Blanchette)– Most VSC’s Frank Gonzales (with Como Blanchette) – Best Floilla Newsletter
NORTH ORANGE COUNTY WATCH FLOTILLA 66 3 Frank Boice, Ray Evans, Anne Evans, COPT Jennifer Williams Division Commander Bob Arovas, Anne Evans UNINSPECTED PASSENGER VESSEL work DIVISION COMMANDER AWARD Besides awards, and the Divison Change of Watch, there was fellowship and memories made: Da Frank’s rule ! singing “old Lang Syne”? DCDR Arovas, Paul Kearney 68, and guest Pati Guevara Patrick O’Driscoll Photos courtesy of Anthony Gonzales and Anne Evans
NORTH ORANGE COUNTY WATCH FLOTILLA 66 4 MEMBER ACHIEVEMENT Hello Anne, All is well. I've graduated Chiropractic College and, by the time this is published, I will be a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic! Unfortunately, the timing and location of the flotilla meetings makes it impossible for me to attend. I live and work in the Inland Empire. However, I do intend to carry on with my duties as member welfare. I am proud to be a member of the auxiliary and am thankful to be a member of this flotilla even if it's from a distance. Sincerely, Jordan Rio (BTW, Jordan is our unofficial "welfare officer" who calls with birthday messages and sends notes to members who are ill). WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Lets make sure we welcome our newest members: Heather Shanahan, Erskine Levi and Alexandria Santrach. MEMBERS IN ACTION Photos courtesy of Anne Evans and Frank Gonzales
NORTH ORANGE COUNTY WATCH FLOTILLA 66 5 TRAINING VESSEL EXAMINATIONS On Friday, February 20, 2015 5:43 AM, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote: First, I want to thank the VEs of 66 for "stepping up". To date in February together we have made visits to 20 commercial operators. When I started rounding these companies up as potential customers, I just assumed that the 21+ VEs in 66 would pitch in, and we would be able to accomplish everything I could schedule. "Step up" you did! From talking to the owners/senior managers of the operations we have already visited, it is very clear that we have made a very professional name for ourselves. They really believe that we are the "go to" source for boating safety information. Well done - all of you. There are going to be a lot of additional opportunities. There remain at least two significant rental outfits in Newport I have not yet even talked with. In addition there are two more outfits in Long Beach to be enlisted. There are already five March visits scheduled, with an expectation of an additional five or so to be added to the schedule in the next two weeks. We even have three more already on the schedule for the last week in February. I just peeked at AUX INFO to try to get a "feel" for how we are doing. The answer appears to be OK. As of last Sunday our VEs have accomplished about 450 VSCs this year. That is about 435 more than the rest of Div 6 combined, it is about 31% of the VSCs completed in the USCG AUX Pacific Area, and about 7% of the VSCs accomplished nation wide by the USCG AUX in 2015. Many of the "big" operations are ahead of us between now and the end of June; with 875 anticipated VSCs on Catalina alone. The current schedule has another 300 VSCs already on it. Between the several hundred VSCs to be scheduled (besides those on Catalina) and re-do VSCs that will be scheduled, we can think about totals for the year that may be able to exceed 2,000 VSCs. I don't know if that has ever been done by any one Flotilla, but WOW even if it has. Regards, Frank Boice 114-06-06 FSO-VE Note: As of April 30, 2015, the number of VSCs is 1,361!!! VESSEL ID This photo should be captioned: "VSC 101: Where NOT to Place the Vessel Registration & ID Numbers." Photo taken near Lido Bridge area, Newport Beach, 08 April 2015. Photographer: Ramon D. Evans
NORTH ORANGE COUNTY WATCH FLOTILLA 66 6 D - TRAIN 2015 09 January 2015, Costa Mesa, CA. District Eleven Training (D-Train) started with “The Fun Run,” in which Flotilla 66 was represented by Jeremy Thio, our Secretary of Records and our Flotilla Staff Officer for Diversity (FSO-DV). Evidently, the run did not exhaust Jeremy, as he even took part in the Conga Line Dance during Fellowship night. Hopefully, more of 66 will take part in the Fun Run next year. Later in the evening, the traditional night of Fellowship at the Costa Mesa Hilton took place. The theme this year was “The Spirit of ’76,” which led to creative interpretations. Seen on the dance floor and in the chili line were Colonial Pirates, one “Burgermeister” AKA Paul Kearney, and a lovely Puritan AKA Sharon Gytri. One couple (Ramon and Anne Evans) translated the theme as the Spirit of 76 (sans apostrophe) as in Union 76 Oil Company (Unocal). They dressed in authentic Unocal memorabilia that had been gathered by Ramon during his 30 years with the company. The chili cook off could have been a disaster for our own Flotilla 66, as up to the proverbial Eleventh Hour, ours was the only unit not represented in the contest. Saving the day was Judy Hall who created a chili entry for us. Word around the campfire is that she prepared the dish in her hotel room that afternoon. We appreciate Ms. Hall’s efforts, especially since she is allergic to tomato and several other chili ingredients (she said her room smelled like chili for the whole conference). BZ Judy! 10 January 2015, Costa Mesa. Frank Boice was announced as the Auxliliarist who had performed the most VSCs in the nation for 2014. BZ Frank B! In addition, Frank Gonzales, editor of Flotilla 66 North Orange County Watch, was announced as the winner of the prestigious Marconi Newsletter Publication Award for District Eleven, 2014. Frank’s newsletter stood out among some fine District publications, including those of Barbara Gullo (61) and Sharon Gytri (11-12). Flotilla 66 sincerely appreciates Frank’s dedication and effort to present the quality of the North Orange County flotilla. BZ Frank G! 10 January 2015, Costa Mesa, CA. USCG Auxiliary’s formal dinner on Saturday night was attended by Sue Hutchings and Jeremy Thio. Food presented by AUXFS Jose Rio was excellent. The only complication was that the official District photographer showed up with no camera. As in the chili contest, coming to the rescue again was Flotilla 66. Jeremy Thio fought weekend traffic to drive back to his house, pick up his camera, and make the return trip to the Hilton in time to photograph the dinner event. Over and above the call of duty, Jeremy! Submitted by Newsletter Staff Writer WHAT DO AUXILIARY MEMBERS DO? USCG AUXILIARY MEMBERS attend meetings, answer telephones, audit books, greet visitors, pick up supplies, deliver lunches, order materials, recruit, re-fill their gas tanks, distribute pamphlets, teach, operate radios, examine ATONs, make center pieces, answer emails/send emails, visit ill members, wash tablecloths, run PA booths, plead for donations, research, hang posters, keep up relationships with partner organizations, patrol coast lines, act as bookkeepers, take minutes, memorize acronyms, examine recreational vessels, lead, follow chains of command, send birthday greetings, operate computers, examine Uninspected Passenger Vessels, crew facilities, organize picnics, go into REYR/come out of REYR, attend workshops, act as carpenters, fabricate booths/dismantle booths, design web-sites, adhere to protocol, make mistakes/correct mistakes, act as coxswains, provide OPFACs, attend diverse community fairs, write reports, purchase communication equipment, read manuals, fill home and office with Auxiliary items, wash and iron uniforms, walk security patrols, polish boots, participate in aviation training, calculate service hours, bake cookies, sing, maintain proficient CG vocabulary, take photographs, pay dues, military
NORTH ORANGE COUNTY WATCH FLOTILLA 66 7 press shirts, forget to eat lunch, design logos, sell ball caps, attend banquets, present/receive awards, act as NET control, hang upside down reading vessel HINs, figure out GARs, fingerprint recruits, address legal situations, report pollution, complete PQS requirements, serve food, augment CG, crawl in engine spaces, operate robots, play bag-pipes, wear kilts, give speeches, assist instructors, dock walk, tailor uniforms, provide transportation to members who do not drive, invite retired members to fellowships, edit newsletters, grill hamburgers, cook at CG Stations/cutters, demonstrate use of PFDs, clean areas after events in community centers, sweep, haul trash, conduct memorial services, ring bells, file papers, make videos, attend webinars, go to C –Schools, train, hang flags, sew cloth tags on uniforms, pose for pictures, log hours, check in on NET night, plan Change of Watch fellowships, and finally, re-fill gas tank again. SO WHAT DO USCG AUXILIARY MEMBERS DO? They respond to fellow members with, You want me to do what?! Anne E. Evans, 114-06-06 26 February 2015 MANDATED TRAINING Subj: AUXILIARY MANDATED TRAINING PROGRAM - STATUS UPDATE -008/11 1. Mandated Training Requirements: ALAUX 037/10 described the development of new mandated training requirements for all Auxiliarists. To summarize, it indicated that a mandated training course delivery method was not expected to be completed until early 2011. It also indicated that the new mandated training course and frequency requirements would be placed in effect upon completion, and identified the course and frequency requirements as follows: a. Required to be performed by all Auxiliarists during their first year of enrollment and then once every five years thereafter: (1) Suicide Prevention. (2) Security Education & Training Awareness. (3) Privacy Awareness. (4) Prevention of Sexual Harassment. (5) Sexual Assault Prevention. (6) Civil Rights Awareness (titled changed from Human Relations Awareness). b. Required to be performed only once by all Auxiliarists (new members during their first year of enrollment): (1) Ethics Training. (2) Influenza Training. Regards, Ramon(Ray) Evans, SO-VE, FSO-CS District 11sr, Division 6, Flotilla 6 Ph. 714 970-1891
NORTH ORANGE COUNTY WATCH FLOTILLA 66 8 ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES The USCG Auxiliary and Master of Public Safety USCG Auxiliary HR Team ( DSO, ADSO & SO ): It is possible to participate and contribute in the USCG Auxiliary while balancing other parts of life like career, school, family and even retirement. One of the greatest challenges that we also face is competing for the time and talents of our volunteers. Maintaining morale and enthusiasm means striking the balance. It is possible to a Master through hard work and dedication, devotion to duty and preparation. For more information on Prevention PQS Opportunities in the USCG Aux, refer to PQS Listings at: http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=p-dept VR/SP/ Jim Cortes BC-HMT OTHER I have reserved a PA booth space at the Newport Boat Show (May 14th - 17th, Lido Village and Marina), and need volunteers to staff the booth. Please let me know if your or any of your flotilla members can work at our booth. I will forward the location of our booth space when it becomes available. Thanks, Steve Baine, FSO-PA 61 714-507-0687 cell NEWS FROM OUR RETIRED MEMBER My Adventures in Texas By Harriet Howard (Retired Member) Contrary to the Christmas carol, I did not spend the 12 days of Christmas with a partridge in a pear tree. Rather, I spent the holidays visiting my family who had recently moved to Texas from Yorba Linda. If you didn’t already know this, Texas is BIG. My daughter and son-in-law (former Auxiliarists) have a big, beautiful, fivebedroom house on three acres of land in Parker, north Texas, a suburb of Dallas. They also have a pack of five llamas. (Perhaps you’ve seen them in the past, walking the trails in Yorba Linda). During the 12 days of my visit, there was a cold snap of 30 degrees- BRR! As a Californian, I’m not used to such temperatures, but being long haired creatures from the Andes, the llamas loved it. On my first night in Texas, we all bundled up and drove to the big city of Plano to see the Christmas lights. –a beautiful sight! On Christmas Eve, we all walked in the freezing weather to visit the neighbors, bringing them homemade cookies
NORTH ORANGE COUNTY WATCH FLOTILLA 66 9 shaped like llamas, and the llamas themselves. (What a good way to get to know your neighbors.) I loved being with my family, but my next visit will have to be in the spring or fall. Northern Texas is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. By the way, not everbody in Texas wears boots. MEMBER ARTISTRY I’m sharing a copy of the Icon I painted in February 2014. I returned to art to help me deal with PTSD. My husband, Jon Paul, suggested I create our family Christmas card featuring my Icon. Before painting, I researched and studied several ancient Icons. The original Icon is a flat panel acrylic painting depicting Mary, Jesus, and Angels - all with halos. Almost everything within the image has a symbolic aspect. The Angels have wings because they are messengers. Colors are important also: gold represents the radiance of Heaven, red represents divine life, and blue is the color of human life. Calligraphic text naming Mary and Jesus is included in the picture. My original Icon was blessed by Father John Ubel, Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Paul, National Shrine of the Apostle Paul. Rayda Santrach
NORTH ORANGE COUNTY WATCH FLOTILLA 66 10 A special thanks to Heather Shanahan for her assistance in producing this edition Upcoming Events: May 16 – Newport Boat Show May 25 – Memorial Day June 20 – Division Picnic June 23 – USCG Birthday August – Flotilla Summer Fellowship Picnic at Yorba Regional Park. Friends and Family invited Sept 4 – 6, Tall Ships Festival, Dana Point November 11 – Veterans Day Memorial, Yorba Linda Veterans Park December 6 – Flotilla Change of Watch December 12 – Wreaths Across America Ceremony, Brea, CA Unless otherwise credited, all photos courtesy of Frank Gonzales Newsletter Published Semi Annual (Articles for inclusion in Fall/Winter 2015 publication need be submitted by 10/11/15) Frank Gonzales, Editor CONTACT at: [email protected] or (562) 612 3290 Flotilla website: www.a1140606.uscgaux.info
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