U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Sierra Division 11

Department of Homeland Security
United States Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
District 11NR Sierra Division 11
March 28, 2011 Minutes
Date: March 28, 2011
Time: 1900 Hours
Location: Department of Education Boardroom, 700 East 5th Street, Carson City, NV.
Members Present: Leon Borden DCDR/SO-MS, David Young VDCDR, Tom Henderson FC 11-01, Stuart Harrington FC 11-04, Ricky Thomas FC 11-05, John Boyne SO-CM/NS, Dale Herman SO-FN, Jim Snell SO-IS/SO-MT, Vic Beelik SO-PB, Bill Stolz SO-PV/VE, Dee Dee Kincade SO-SR, Lorin Grover 11-05. A quorum of the Board was present to conduct business.
Pledge of Allegiance: Lorin Grover
Guests present: None
Approval of Minutes: Motion made by Ricky Thomas, seconded by Stuart Harrington to approve the February 2010 Minutes. There being no discussion the minutes were adopted.
Awards: Awards presented at DTrain:
• Best of the Web Flotilla Trophy went to Dave Young as FSO-CS of 11-03
• Best Publication went to Vic Beelik as FSO-PB of 11-04
• Tom Komadina 11-03 and Jack Leth 11-01 received Letters of Commendation for their work on the District Store website.
• Leon Borden was presented with his AUXOP designation.
• Kathy Boyne was presented with the State of Nevada Auxiliarist of the Year Award.
Individual Awards• 20+ VSCs conducted in 2011: Ricky Thomas and Tom Henderson
• 195 pts.
• 2010 Program Visits: Lorin Grover 115 visits, Bill Stolz 127 visits
• 2010 Vessel Exams: Tom Henderson 165 VSCs, Joe Harris 353 VSCs
• 2010 Radio Watch Hours: Bill Leoppard 174 hours
• 2010 Radio Combined Communications: Bill Leoppard 358 hours
• 2010 CG Administrative Support: Kathy Boyne 169 hours
• 2010 Operational Coxswain: Bill Stolz 144 hours, Jack Leth 168 hours
• 2010 Operational Crew Hours: Tom Henderson 121 hours, Pat Walter 141 hours, Dee Dee Kincade 189 hours
Division Commanders Report, Leon Borden:
Leon just returned from the District meeting and DTrain, therefore the report was verbal. The main emphasis from DTrain was that the Auxiliary is becoming more integrated with the Coast Guard and therefore will be required to conform more and more to Coast Guard standards. ODU Uniforms must be worn with boots at all times except when patrolling on an Auxiliary facility. There are 8 new mandated training requirements for all Auxiliarists (more under the SO-MT report). There was much discussion on the America’s Cup and the details need to be clarified. There is an emphasis on inland waterway safety. There was a disappointing presentation at DTrain on the new Paddle Sports Safety Class.
Station Lake Tahoe Auxiliary Liaison Report BM2 James Macri: Not Present.
Coast Guard Liaison Report, Jack Leth: Not Present. Dee Dee Kincade will be acting Coast Guard Liaison between April 10 and April 23 while Jack is away on vacation.
IPDCDR Report, David Law: Not Present. No report submitted.
Vice Division Commander Report, David Young: (See Attachment A). Dave has signed up as an Auxiliary press member for the America’s Cup events. Dave’s report shows that out of 101 members 40 are holding an office. Given that California and Nevada both have low volunteerism rates this is a good showing. Dave will be adding flotilla monthly mission statistics to his report each month. Dave has also created a spreadsheet of Board and Staff reports that he has received each month. Check the spreadsheet to make sure your report has been received.
Flotilla Commander Reports:
01 - Tom Henderson – (See Attachment A). Tom would like to highlight Bill Leoppard’s participation on the HF Radio during the Tsunami. Bill was on the radio starting at 0500 until he was relieved. Bill received recognition from D11S. Tom was asked to write up a short report of the incident for Angelo Perata DCO.
03 - Jim Kremsner – (See Attachment A). Leon reported there were 6 sign-ups for a Boating Safety Class at the Boat Show.
04 – Stewart Harrington - (See Attachment A). Stu discussed the phone tree for his flotilla.
05 – Ricky Thomas – No report submitted. The flotilla taught a boating safety class two weekends ago. The flotilla participated in the Reno Boat Show last weekend. They plan to teach classes at both Cabellas and West Marine on April 2nd.
Staff Reports:
SO-CM John Boyne – (See Attachment A). John checked out Jeff Price’s COMMS radio trailer at DTrain.
SO-CS Tom Komadina – (See Attachment A). Compliments to Tom for his work on the District Store.
SO-FN Dale Herman – Report on file.
SO-HR Steve Perez – (See Attachment A).
SO-IS Jim Snell - (See Attachment A).
SO-MA Pat Walter – (See Attachment A).
SO-MS Leon Borden – Nothing to report.
SO-MT Jim Snell - (See Attachment A). Jim Snell received an email yesterday concerning the eight new mandated classes for Auxiliarists. We are concerned because they are all computer based. It is not operational as of yet. Leon mentioned that if member training is conducted at a flotilla meeting members are covered for accidents during their commute time to and from and meeting. Dee Dee asked that the FCs canvas their members for those that would like to take the Aids Verifier qualifying class. Jim passed out the New Member Training CD from Division 6 to the FSO-MTs.
SO-NS John Boyne – (See Attachment A). There is a new PQS for Aids Verifier qualification.
SO-OP Jack Leth – (See Attachment A). Leon asked whether any of the organized events would like to use the services of AUXAir.
SO-PA Vacant
SO-PB Vic Beelik – (See Attachment A). It is an honor to receive the Best Publication at DTrain. Vic discussed the passing of 11-04 flotilla member Stan Millan. Services are being held on April 18. Vic will let us know if an Auxiliary honor guard would be appropriate.
SO-PE Vacant
SO-PV Bill Stolz – (See Attachment A). SO-SR Dee Dee Kincade – Nothing to report.
SO-VE Bill Stolz – (See Attachment A). Bill included in his report a list of planned VSC Days. Flotilla 11-04 will host the Meeks Bay event on May 28 over Memorial Day weekend. Please encourage your VEs to participate. FSO-MAs must order decals. Bill as SO-VE cannot order decals. Bill feels we have more than enough decals available to service this year.
Old Business:
Change of Watch: The decision was made to hold our Change of Watch at the Casino Fandango in Carson City, NV. It was also decided that the event will be a luncheon.
District OPEX: This will be a two day event at Coast Guard Island, Alameda, on July 16 and 17. They are providing camping on the island. We are looking to District to help fund the trailering of assets. The event will include Auxiliary surface, air and communications assets along with Coast Guard surface and air support. It will be exercise training for the America’s Cup. Lunches will be provided on Saturday with a BBQ dinner in the evening.
Meeting Schedule: The consensus is that we prefer to continue to meet face to face. Ricky Thomas FC 11-05 was the only opposing vote. He would like only quarterly meetings and Webinar meetings. Ricky finds attending the meetings a hardship given the gas prices and his work schedule. We discussed the value of continuing to meet face to face and working as a team. There was a recommendation to move the meetings around to the various flotillas during the year. The Webinar may not work in our area. The issue was tabled until the next meeting.
New Business:
DTrain: We reviewed DTrain training events. Leon attended the Webinar session and found it to be very limited unless you have a high speed connection. Monterey received the Phifer Award. Group Humboldt may become Sector Humboldt.
National Safe Boating Week: Please report all events in April and May.
Good of the Auxiliary: Vic Beelik would like for our members to send him stories for his Direction Finder articles on “What Would You Do?” The member does not have to write the article, they only need to report the situation. Vic will write the article. Leon reported that Angelo Perata DCO would like us to have joint OPTREX events. Is this a possibility with Division 3, Sacramento? We have several limitations due to TRPA boat inspections and lack of and expense of marina slips. Leon needs to contact the DCDR of Division 3 and discuss the viability of a joint OPTREX.
Notices: Our next Division 11 Meeting will be held April 25 at the Department of Education Boardroom, 700 East 5th Street, Carson City, NV.
Motion to Adjourn: Motion made to adjourn by Ricky Thomas and seconded by Stu Harrington. Meeting was adjourned at 2038 hours.
Respectively submitted: Approved by:
Dee Dee Kincade SO-SR Leon Borden DCDR
Attachment A
Division Board and Staff Reports
Sierra Division 11
March 28, 2011
Elected Officer’s Reports:
David Young VDCDRDETAILS Staff reports:
1. Reports are due the Saturday prior to the division meeting.
2. Officers should review the tracking document “Report Tracking” in Google Docs to assure that they have submitted reports.
I was unable to attend 11-04 flotilla meeting as previously planned due to a conflict.
I visited John Boyne manning a station at the Cabella’s Great Outdoors event on Sunday March 20.
AUXDATA Numbers: Officer participation as of March 15.
1. There are 101 active members in the division.
2. 40 members fill 85 of 96 division and flotilla officer positions, averaging 2.1 positions per officer-member.
3. 5 members hold district offices, 2 of whom also hold division or flotilla office positions.
4. 58 members do not hold any district, division or flotilla offices.
AUXDATA Numbers: Division summary & leading flotilla data as of March 15.
1. Training: 27 hours, 8 events. 11-03: 27 & 7
2. Public Affairs: 219 hours, 48 events. 11-01: 143 & 31.
3. Operations: 112 hours, 24 events. 11-01: 51 & 15.
4. Vessel exams: 59, 76% pass rate. 11-05: 35, 100% pass rate?
5. Dealer visits: 13. 11-05: 7.
6. PE classes: 0.
AGENCY INTERACTIONS
None. UPCOMING EVENTS, DATES AND LOCATIONS
None.
Flotilla Commander Reports:
Tom Henderson 11-01
DETAILS
At our March Flotilla meeting, four of our members (Dee Dee Kincade, Jack Leth, Bill Stolz & Tom Henderson) received the Coast Guard Unit Commendation along with Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco for their help with Helo Training.
1. Operations: March 5th - We provided dockside assistance for the Polar Bear Swim at GarWoods. 11-03 had a facility (Following Sea) and 3 PWC’s on the water for this event. During the men’s swim, we had to assist 7 swimmers out of the water. Thanks to all that helped make this a safe event. Also present for this event was Marine 6 (Placer County Sheriff) and 2 PWC’s from Incline Fire and the USCG Safe Boat.
2. We will be starting two boat training next week March 29th & 31st at Station Tahoe’s request to help them get ready for their upcoming RFO (Ready for Operation) inspection.
3. March 5th – We participated in the Tahoe City SnowFest Parade with the Active Duty pulling the Safe Boat and Auxiliary with Bill Stolz’ truck. We had a great time handing out candy to all the kids watching the parade. While in the staging area prior to the parade, we had a 1 ½ hour wait. Thus, we had a tailgate breakfast for the active duty and auxiliary. This was a great fellowship event thanks to all that made the event so nice. Special thanks to Bill & Cameran Stolz and Dee Dee Kincade for the food and cooking.
4. March 13th – We provided a facility (Camie Marie) for the Arctic Paddle SUP race at Kings Beach, CA.
5. On the morning of the 9.0 Earthquake in Japan, Bill Leoppard was on the HF Radio for 5 hours to relay information up and down the West Coast. Thank you, Bill, for your time in what could have been an emergency on the West Coast.
AGENCY INTERACTIONS
FSO-OP Jack Leth is working with NDOW to get the five new Paddle Sport Brochures printed.
Dee Dee Kincade and Jack Leth continue to work with Sue Rae Ireland at the Non-Motorized Working Group to provide a link to Paddle Safety info on our Division Website.
UPCOMING EVENTS, DATES AND LOCATIONS
April 23rd – VE Day at Reno Toy Storage
Jim Kremsner 11-03
DETAILS
Meeting was held Mar 16th at Round Table Pizza. Discussed were the load in and load out at the boat show. Also, the patrols that are upcoming at Pyramid Lake in March and April. We are calling for crew and available assets. D-train was mentioned for those wanting to attend. New member packets were distributed to 2 prospective members. Cabellas has requested the Melroy for their Safe Boating Week Promotion at the Verdi location. And Ricky Thomas has agreed to man Little Toot during the Memorial Day outing at Lake Lahontan.
AGENCY INTERACTIONS
None.
UPCOMING EVENTS, DATES AND LOCATIONS
Sierra sport fishing derby April; 9-10 and 16-17
Cabellas Safe boating week Promotion TBA
Kids free fishing day June 11th
Memorial Day weekend VE and Patrols Lahontan
Stuart Harrington 11-04
DETAILS
1. Russ Noorda re-instated; Dick McSorley-Sustained Svc Aux Svc Award, 847 hours; Brian Williams Membership Svc Award, 5years dedicated service.
2. The AUXCOM seminar is being held for members of the flotilla. Three sessions have been held and good progress is being made.
3. ABC classes will be held on June 18, July 16 & August 20
4. Need phone tree for emergency communications, Stu Harrington & Vic Beelik are leads. Dale Herman will backup Vic and Jim Snell will backup Stu.
5. COW – Nov 5, Question-Lunch or Dinner? 5/5 split, but members willing to go either way.
6. We have one new member, Greg Busenlehner. He will be completing the required paperwork and submitting it shortly.
7. 11-04 will handle the Southern Crossing Windjammers race on June 25, 2011.
Douglas County Sheriff's Department on the water classes to be held the last week of May or the first week of June. This will complete the training that was begun last year.
AGENCY INTERACTIONS
Ricky Thomas 11-05
No report received.
Staff Reports:
John Boyne SO-CM
DETAILS
1. Bill Leoppard provided Radio Guard for the Hook Line and Sinker Ken Embree’s Fishing Derby at Pyramid Lake on 12 March and I provided the Radio Guard on 13 March for the same Fishing Derby.
2. I attended the Comms Workshop at D-Train.
3. Rescue 21 is not replacing the Marine Radio system. The digital frequencies used on Rescue 21 are providing the Coast Guard with a secure radio frequency to conduct their business. Rescue 21 is used to get a fix on distressed vessels that have registered their DSC Radios. Station Lake Tahoe is in the process to get the antennas installed that are necessary for Rescue 21 communications. It may not happen unless TRPA and the Forest Service agree with the antenna installation.
4. I forwarded the DSO-CM Report for March to the FSO-CM members.
AGENCY INTERACTIONS
(From the DSO-CM March Report) HF Tsunami Reports:
It was reported through the Communications links that the HF Communicators were stood up in D14, D13, D17 and D11S. Lots of real time information was being passed by the HF coordinator in D11S and he was sending the information via email. One of our own HF communicators Bill Leoppard was at his station monitoring from 0500 on and transmitting traffic. Here is a quote from the D11S station “ALCON, as of 111930Z MAR 2011, the Tsunami session of the West Coast Region Net is standing down by
the mutual agreement of all parties involved. Thank you all for your participation in this response to what could have been a major event for the West Coast and Districts 14 and 17. Special thanks are due to NF11BN for acting as ANECOS and a key relay station between D11S and D13 and also to NF13ER for acting as NECOS for the D13 HF net.” Thank you very much Bill for all that you did. I am very happy that you are on board with the Comms team!
UPCOMING EVENTS, DATES AND LOCATIONS
April 9-10 and 16-17 Eagle Eye Charters and Sierra Sport and Marine Fishing Tournament at Pyramid Lake. ACU will be needed if Auxiliary Facilities are going on Patrol. Hours will depend on AUX FAC Patrol times.
STAFF OFFICER CM GOALS
Same.
Tom Komadina SO-CS
DETAILS
1. Mailing list updated to reflect some member changes.
2. New blog posting by Jack Leth re Polar Bear Swim.
Steve Perez SO-HR
DETAILS
1. I continue to receive and forward potential membership referrals.
2. Thank you to the FSO-HR's who are sending me monthly reports and updates.
3. Flotilla 11-01 personnel and Station Tahoe had a great time at the Snow Fest Parade in Tahoe City. The tailgate breakfast cooked by Bill Stolz was a great social time for all involved.
STAFF OFFICER HR GOALS
1. As a result of my DDA duties, I plan on providing information that will assist flotillas in determining if they would qualify for a NACO 3 Star Award in Diversity. While the award process can be somewhat intimidating, applying for and receiving the 3 Star award would be worth the effort.
2. Attend D-Train. Gather information from both N-Train and D-Train and bring back pertinent information to our division and flotillas.
3. Evaluate the Diversity training in the Division, and set a training schedule for the various flotillas.
Jim Snell SO-IS
DETAILS
11-05: Bob Summers has been provided a P/W and is now inputting into AUXDATA.
AGENCY INTERACTIONS
None at this time
UPCOMING EVENTS, DATES AND LOCATIONS
None at this time
STAFF OFFICER IS GOALS
1. Get the FSO-IS members inputting data into AUXDATA in a timely manner
2. Help out the FSO-IS members with any problems/questions they might have
3. Get AUXDATA Logon Passwords for our members as requested in a timely manner. The member will request a P/W though their FSO-IS person.
Jim Snell SO-MT
DETAILS
SO-MT I will be handing out a copy of the CD provided by Div 06 for “New Member Training” to each Flotilla for review.
Flotilla 11-01
1. Several members from 11-01 are planning to fight the snowy, windy roads to attend DTrain; Angelo Perata DCO, Wes and Kenna Craig DSO-PB and D-AA, Steve Perez DDA, Tom Henderson FC, Jack Leth FSO-OP, Jerry Gilmore VFC and myself FSO-MT. There may be others attending that I am not aware of.
2. Individual members are still working to become Watch Standers. As we get closer to May we will have more opportunities to stand watch on the radio.
3. There are four members from 11-01 that are interested in becoming Aids Verifiers; Joe Harris, Cameron Stolz, Angelo Perata (requalifying) and myself. I know Dave Young is also interested from 11-03. If we have a few more members we can get Jim Duncan DSO-NS to come up to our area to teach the class and give the exam. Flotilla Commanders please canvas your flotillas for interested members. I will be talking to Jim at DTrain as to when he is available.
4. Last month Jerry Gilmore conducted a member training segment at our flotilla meeting on marine electrical safety.
Dee Dee Kincade FSO-MT 11-01
Flotilla 11-03 No Report Provided [No FSO-MT]
Flotilla 11-04
1. Russ Noorda re-instated; Dick McSorley-Sustained Svc Aux Svc Award,847 hours; Brian Williams Membership Svc Award , 5years dedicated service.
2. The AUXCOM seminar is being held for members of the flotilla. Three sessions have been held and good progress is being made.
3. ABC classes will be held on June 18, July 16 & August 20
4. Need phone tree for emergency communications, Stu Harrington & Vic Beelik are leads. Dale Herman will backup Vic and Jim Snell will backup Stu.
5. COW – Nov 5,Question-Lunch or Dinner? 5/5 split ,but members willing to go either way.
6. We have one new member, Greg Busenlehner. He will be completing the required paperwork and submitting it shortly.
7. 11-04 will handle the Southern Crossing Windjammers race on June 25, 2011.
8. AGENCY INTERACTIONS - Douglas County Sheriff's Department on the water classes to be held the last week of May or the first week of June. This will complete the training that was begun last year.
Stu Harrington FSO-MT 11-04
Flotilla 11-05 No Report Provided
AGENCY INTERACTIONS
None at this time UPCOMING EVENTS, DATES AND LOCATIONS
None at this time
STAFF OFFICER MT GOALS
Get the Flotilla MTs working on the training plans/requirements for each member.
Get a TCT eight hour course held here for our Division.
Coordinate the OPTREXs to be held on July 23rd and September 17th.
John Boyne SO-NS
DETAILS
I forwarded the DSO-NS March Report to the FSO-NS and all NS qualified members. I was unable to attend the NS Workshop at D-Train because I attended the POMS Workshop.
AGENCY INTERACTIONS
None in March.
UPCOMING EVENTS, DATES AND LOCATIONS
None
STAFF OFFICER NS GOALS
Division 11 needs more Aid Verifiers.
Jack Leth SO-OP
DETAILS
In March the AUX patrolled the Polar Bear Swim at Gar Woods on Lake Tahoe. Good use of PWCs (Following Sea-Mothership) and good inter-agency cooperation (see following paragraph). [I posted a blog on this event on the Division Web site. If you haven’t seen it, check out this link and read all about it.] 11-03 also patrolled the 7th Annual Hook, Line & Sinker Fishing Derby on Lake Pyramid. 11-01’s Camie Marie patrolled the Arctic Paddle SUP race off Kings Beach and is now at Sierra Boat Company available for two boat with Stn Tahoe (if the snow ever stops!). Next scheduled two boat events are 29 & 31 Mar. We will be assisting the Station with their RFO (Ready for Operations) in early April.
Latest version of the special events spreadsheet is rev010.
AGENCY INTERACTIONS
The Polar Bear Swim was a good example of inter-agency cooperation. I attended the organizer’s pre-event briefing at Gar Woods on 2MAR11, along with DCDR L. Borden and FC J. Kremsner. There were representatives present from Incline Fire and Placer County Sheriffs (who also represented North Lake Tahoe Fire). All of us worked very well together during the event. All in all this team assisted seven swimmers in need of help.
UPCOMING EVENTS, DATES AND LOCATIONS
I will be attending the mandatory Operations Workshop and TCT refresher presentations at D-Train.
There are two weekends of the Spring Catch & Release Fishing Derby coming up at Pyramid in April. With 11-01’s Camie Marie at Tahoe I have asked 11-03 to provide surface assets to handle. As of today I have not heard back.
I will be out of town from 10APR through 24APR.
GENERAL COMMENT
This week I met with OIC BMC Helterbridle at the Station to discuss (among other things) how he would like us to handle special events. He really appreciates what we do on special events and we started fine tuning our responsibilities during these events. We do know for sure we will be using more ACUs to take the traffic off Channel 21A. He is trying to set up meetings with the SUP and kayak organizers to bring them up to
speed on the new (tougher) requirements they will have to meet before Sector’s Waterways group will issue a permit. Stay tuned.
The Station has just made a new list of Standard Waypoints for Lake Tahoe. It drops the four NASA-JPL buoys and moves most of the waypoints a little further out from the shore. As soon I get an official final version I will distribute it to FSO-OPs for further distribution to their Flotilla personnel involved in Operations.
Vic Beelik SO-PB
DETAILS
1. Direction Finder Published on time.
2. Submitted “Direction Finder” in D-TRAIN contest for best Flotilla Newsletter
Bill Stolz SO-PV
DETAILS
1. The CGAUX National Supply Center is still out of display racks.
2. I had promised to bring in some racks for Rick Thomas but they are currently not accessible due to some remodeling at the station
Bill Stolz SO-VE
DETAILS
The following is a list of Vessel Safety Check locations for Division 11. All members from all flotillas are encouraged and welcome to participate. There is plenty of things non-Vessel Examiners can do to help. For additional information, please use the contact list. I am still hoping 11-04 hosts a VE event but hasn’t heard anything yet
Date
Place
Contact
23APR2011
Reno Toy Storage
1420 Kleppe Ln. Sparks
Bill Stolz
775-762-2257, billstolz@hotmail.com
28MAY2011
Meeks Bay Marina, Lake Tahoe
Bill Stolz
Obexter’s Marina, Homewood, CA.
Bill Stolz
28-30MAY2011
Lahoton Reservoir, NV *
Keith White
renocoastie@sbcglobal.net
25JUN2011
Ski Beach, Incline Village
Tom Henderson
tailspinth@aol.com
25JUN2011
PUD next to CG Station
Bill Stolz
*Free camping is available to Auxiliarist. Contact Keith for details.
This calendar is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.