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Flotilla 12-8s AOR

U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY FLOTILLA 12-8, 7TH DISTRICT CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA Vol. 31 No. 4 MEMBERSHIP MEETING APRIL 13 1900 AT THE BASE
Full Flotilla Schedule
attendance at the Flotilla Meetings, the more benefit and enjoyment we derive from them. It is very important that everyone understand that I do not have a personal bee in my bonnet that causes me to be obsessed regarding the topic of uniforms. I understand, and so should you, that the Flotilla Commander is not a Watch Dog, Bully, Police Man, Truant Officer, Warden, or your surrogate Mother or Father. I am an Elected Officer in the Chain of Leadership & Management. Please allow me to lead and help me to manage through the empowerment of your personal support. It will be most helpful when those of us, who are not doing so, take on more personal responsibility and always do the right thing for this wonderful volunteer organization -- the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. When we became members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, we raised our right hands and made this pledge: I solemnly and sincerely pledge myself to support the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and its purposes, and abide by the Governing policies, established by the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.

FC SPEAKS TO SUPPORT AND UNIFORMS FSO-VE ANNOUNCES NEXT BLITZ

FLOTILLA COMMANDER
Thomas Schmidt FC May I thank all of you who attended the March Flotilla meeting. We had a better than average turnout, especially from our Flotilla Staff Officers. Seventy percent (70 %) of our FSOs were present and most looked great in their uniforms! See how that Uniform thing just popped out of my keyboard! I will get back to that shortly. Certainly, I am grateful for all of the members, who in addition to our Officers attended our March meeting! We also had a goodly number of guests, some of whom are interested in becoming members of our Auxiliary. Please keep coming and bring Auxiliary friends and guests with you. The stronger the

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That oath did not include:

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and to be objectionable to Auxiliarys protocols, customs, traditions, dress code; and to reserve the right to be disrespectful and interruptive of leadership, while maintaining absolute autonomy to forge my own rules as I see fit Many of the suggestions that I make for the improvement of our Flotilla may need clarification or reworking. I look to you, individually and collectively, to constructively help the FC, VFC, Hap James and the Flotilla Staff Officers improve our Flotilla. I have no personal agenda regarding the issues, which I put before you, and I try my very best, as a still green FC to lead and manage our Flotilla. I live by the Pledge, which I took and the rules in the Auxiliary Manual handed down from Mother Auxiliary. When I misinterpret, error, or deviate, please help me rather than catch me. Being an ol Army spook, at heart, I still harbor a fondness for snipers, as long as we share a common target! THE UNIFORM: Daniel Webster states, in part, that. uniform means always the same, not varying or changing; having the same form, appearance, manner, etc; not varying among themselves; conforming to a given standard. (Bold and underlines mine.) When defining the verb conform, Danl says: to have the same form; to bring into harmony or agreement; adapt; to act in accordance with rules, customs, etc. Personally, I like having the same appearance as all other members at the Auxiliary functions requiring the proud wearing of our uniform; to conform, to be in harmony and agreement, to act in accordance with rules (not the obscure exceptions), customs, etc. Also, I enjoy being filled with the spirit of Team Coast Guard and to be joyfully and gratefully doing my part as a volunteer member of a this great team! Do you like conforming and being on the team? To what degree are you participating? How are you feeling about your volunteerism? How much satisfaction and fulfillment are you deriving from your membership in our Auxiliary?

All FSO's are asked to again call the members assigned last month and encourage them to attend April's meeting on 13 Apr. Call early in the month and again on Monday before the meeting on Wednesday.

Robert H. Mathewes FSO-MT

Member Training

Vice Flotilla Commander

Allan James VFC
SELL THE AUXILIARY AND TALK TO INACTIVE MEMBERS! This will be the year of "Let's get going. We all volunteered for the Auxiliary. This requires us to participate in the Auxiliary's functions (otherwise, why did we join?). All members should pick one of our many activities and go to work. Several hours a month is not too much to do. Let us think about what it is we signed up for. Unless we participate, there is no effect of our membership! Revive inactive members and participate yourself. Make your Auxiliary an organization of all the

For the benefit of anyone who missed the two IT Workshops given in the Charleston area, there is one last chance. Flotilla 12-3 is holding a workshop marathon at Flotilla Island on Lake Murray the 30th of April. For our Vessel Examiners and Marine Dealer Visitors, your only chance left in the low country is our workshop in May. There are two shots at the OPS Workshop. Ours will be in late April and 12-6 will have theirs on 18 May. Remember folks; these workshops are all MANDATORY this year. Do not loose you qualifications. Frank Leister passed the AUXNAV A exam and will take AUXNAV B this month. Frank took the first half of the course with us last year and then went off to the mountains of NC to self-study the rest in better climatic conditions. Frank has really enhanced our numbers for the first quarter by successfully completing the AUXWEA, AUXPAT and AUXNAV A. The AUXACN class is continuing although our numbers are shrinking. The plan still is to offer the AUXSEA and AUXSAR courses later in the year. This last paragraph has noting to do with Member Training as such. It is merely a personal commentary on participation. Our new FSO-PA, Barney Holt, has jumped into his new duties with a great deal of energy and effort. In spite of initially meeting with difficulties, he secured us a place at the In-The-Water Boat Show. The problem arose in trying to find members who were not to busy to man the booth for the show. Especially since our operational activities have been curtailed by the high fuel costs, we need to exert extra effort in our outreach to the recreational boating public. Boat show booths have always been a primary means of getting our message out. I know that this is a volunteer organization but if you volunteer to be a member, you should also be willing to volunteer when there is work to be done. When Barney needed our support, it was woefully lacking. The burden fell on the same handful of people who are Semper Paratus when the call goes out for help. Next time the help wanted call goes out think of whether you wish to be just a name on the roster or a participant in our activities.

members not just a few.

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Allen James FSO-OP

Operations

Aids to Navigation
Richard Daniels FSO-AN

We met three of the five patrols in March.

One was aborted due to bad weather (Small Craft Warning) the other due to mechanical problem with the boat. All patrols supported helo ops and were conducted in daylight or at night for swimmer stand by or hoist operations. Harbor water temperature rose to 60 deg F and we put away our

On Swimmers Standby Duty Mustang suits for the summer and put on " Float Coats" when needed. Starting next month some boat crews will be going to the new ODU uniform including boots. Check your Auxiliary manual for details and ask the coxswain for uniform requirements when under orders. All coxswains are directed to Auxdata Update #17. On form 7030, in the space for Local Notes and the space for Remarks, we will enter with the specified type information. This will start 01 Apr 2005. All OPFAC owners get your boats ready for operations. By the end of the month, we will be in our summer boating season and will probably have many special requests for patrols.

We conducted a Cooper River PATON Patrol on 19 March. Dean Creed was Coxswain on his boat with a crew made of Dan Cowley, Brett Grooms, Bob Weiland and myself. The day was perfect. We checked the day aspects of some 21 Aids. Some were private, the US Navy maintained some and the Army maintained even more. Charleston ANT wanted us to check them all as they lump them under the Private Aids banner. We will conduct a night patrol for the Cooper River on 16 April, weather permitting. The patrol will depart from the Stono Marina at 1500 with an end time estimated to be 2300. Once this patrol is complete, we will turn in the paperwork from our patrols to date. Our focus remains to be fun on the water with friendship and camaraderie while we provide a valuable service to the Coast Guard and general boating public. If you would like to get involved with an on the water activity just let any of us know. Lots of room, fun and task to go around.

Vessel Examination
Joe Fleming FSO-VE

Information Services
Diane Schmidt FSO-IS

Just a reminder to all members: when you have a change of address, phone number, or e-mail addresses you must use the current Form 7028, which was effective 02/05. No other form will be accepted. In the near future, there will be a change to the ASC 7029. The new form will be 7029EZ. This new form offers an effective, web-based reporting method that eliminates downloading, emailing, copying or stamping an envelope. I will let you know when this becomes available.

True to form, March came in like a lion and the much-anticipated Hornick Cruise participation suffered the effects of the weather. With the best turn out of VEs, that I have seen the Power Squadron only presented us with 8 vessels to inspect, approximately a third of our normal inspection at this event. I certainly appreciate our examiners solid participation; my hat's off to all of you, thank you very much. After we were finished, the Power Squadron treated us to a hearty meal of home cooked burgers. April dealt us a rough start with the In Water Boat Show event. The wind was merciless for the first couple of days, but by Sunday, the sun was shining and the crowds arrived. We had 18 requests for VSE. Thanks to the 12-8 for your support. We scheduled May 4, 2005 at the Coast Guard Base, 1900-2100 hours for the VE-RBS workshop. This workshop is to help us set our goals for the year and help each other with our job of promoting boating safety. It is a mandatory workshop for those wanting to maintain their qualifications. Be sure and mark April 16, 2005 on your calendars; 9:30-1300 at Duncan Boat Ramp. We have indications of a large turn out of boaters, so we should have many

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inspections. VEs, please let me know if you can attend this event. Thank you again for your help at Buzzard's Roost, I look forward to a busy and active summer boating season.

W. Barney Holt FSO-PA

Public Affairs

The annual in-water boat show at Brittlebank Park March 31 through April 3 proved to be, like the previous one in North Charleston, both challenging and rewarding. Once again, the weather was, to say the least, interesting on Friday and Saturday, but by Sunday, it had improved significantly. We were able to reach many attendees.

Hap gave an excellent presentation of the Four Cornerstones of the Auxiliary and a comprehensive overview of our functions by defining the roles of our Flotilla Staff Officers, department by department. Next week we expect to be joined by three or four additional individuals who were unable to attend this weeks session. The final two sessions, comprising this New Member Course, will be held on Mondays 11 and 18 at the same time and place Hap and I ask that we each spend a little time with these six or seven nice people at our Flotilla Meeting on April 13. Do you remember how overwhelmed and confused with organization, staffing, functions and especially acronyms during your membership-learning period? Lets mingle and mentor!

Communication Services
John L. Sikes FSO-CS

It has been a busy month for your CS officer, so not much has happened on the flotilla's web site. A quick check of the site's stats show that we've had a total of 9,500 visitors since we went online with the new site at the beginning of last year. As always, we need input from staff officers and other members who have activities to be put on the site. The calendar is also in need of activities that need to be posted. Do not forget, it is your site. Try to keep us up to date on what you would like put on it.

Henry Wolf FSO-MA

Materials

Marguerite and Jerome Bishop Staff the Booth at Brittlebank Boat Show

The new ODU work uniform is available at the Base Exchange at the CG Station or from: Uniform Distribution Center United States Coast Guard Training Center Woodbine, NJ 08270 Phone 1-800-874-6841 Nametags can be ordered from the same place or from: Wings @ Things 3815 Navy Blvd. Pensacola, FL 32507 Phone: 850-455-3081 Boots can be purchased at the: Air Force Base Clothing Store or from Kentucky Uniforms Inc. Phone: 1-800-432-0793 Web page: www.kentuckyuniforms.com

Box scores are: BS&S, 37, VSE, 15, and interested in joining, 4. We also helped some girl scouts earn their boating safety merit badges. We are going to look into the possibility of supporting the Scouting program in the area of boating safety a bit more this year. I will keep you posted.

Personnel Services
Thomas Schmidt FSO-PS Yesterday evening, Monday April 4th, at 1900 hours we held our first New Member Class of 2005 at 1900 hours in the classroom on the second deck of the CG Operations Building. With the capable assistance of our Vice Flotilla Commander, Hap James, three potential New Members, David Deden, Al Nusom, and Bob Hurd were introduced to the first five chapters in the New Member Study Guide.

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The boot listed as men's lightweight 8" Side Zip Waterproof Commando Deuce Safety Toe" No. 8046191 is a good boot.

Secretary/Records
Shirley Wolf FSO-SR

Career Counsler
Brent Hepburn FSO-CC The deadline for this year's AIM program has just been extended to April 22. This means that we still have a chance to place some applicants from our area of operations. I will be glad to review the procedures and type of candidate the Academy is looking for; just call me at 884 6625.

Flotilla 12-8 Membership Meeting Minutes 09 March 2005

The meeting was called to order at 1920 by FC Tom Schmidt and commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance led by VFC Allen James. Members present: Robert Baker, Tom Beauchemin, David Beudrot, Joseph Bokern, Jerome Bishop, Marguerite Bishop, Dan Cowley, Richard Daniel, Jim Davis, Leon Devillier, Hugo Endris, Joseph Fleming, Brent Hepburn, Barney Holt, Allen James, Frank Leister, Robert Mathewes, Jane Orenstein, Robert Orenstein, Glenn Remsen, Diane Schmidt, Tom Schmidt, Robert Wieland, Henry Wolf, Shirley Wolf, Agnes Wright, Barbara Yeatman Guests: David Deden, Eric Kilpatrick Tom Schmidt - FC welcomed the guests. Minutes as in the Scuttlebutt were approved by Marguerite Bishop seconded by Jane Orenstein. Joseph Bokern FSO-FN stated that District and Division dues have been paid. Jane Orenstein made the motion to that the financial report be filed for audit. Motion approved. Tom Schmidt FC presented Service Awards to Barbara Yeatman FSO-PV (10 years), Richard Daniels (5 years), and Robert Baker (5 years). Agnes Wright and

Jane Orenstein Fellowship

Fellowship .

As the third leg of the triangle which defines USCGA, Fellowship is an important part of our activities. We have scheduled one event per quarter. Our survey, taken at the March meeting, indicated a preference on the part of the membership to have our June raft-up on Sunday, June 19. That turns out to be Fathers Day, so we will take the liberty of moving the date up one week to Sunday, June 26. One location suggested was Morris Island. Stay tuned for the details, coming soon.

Frank Leister FSO-PB

Again, your staff officers contributed prolifically to Aprils Scuttlebutt. By keeping the Flotilla informed on their activities and needs, they provide us with multiple opportunities to support the US Coast Guard and our nation. FSO-CS John Sikes contributes to the Scuttlebutt in many ways. First he is the final proofreader with an absolutely eagle eye. (I must emphasize though, any errors in this newsletter are solely mine.) This month he provided the ditty published under the Up Periscope section and the new picture of the Ravenel Bridge and the Cooper River. Thanks John. Anyone, not just FSOs, can contribute to the Scuttlebutt. Simply send what you think is interesting or important to my email, [email protected], -- it will get in. Do not worry about typos and other editing details. Fixing those is my job.

Publications

Receiving Annual Service Award

Allen James VFC received Auxiliary Annual Service Performance Awards; Frank Leister FSO-FSO-PB received certificates for Patrol Specialist, Search, and Rescue Specialist.

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Allen James VFC followed up on his request that FSOs contact members who have not been attending meetings. Members were contacted and reminded of the time/date of the meeting. However, these members for various reasons were unable to attend. VFC reminded members to try again next month. Operations Workshop for crew and coxswain scheduled for 27 April 1900-2130 at the Brass Buckle. As a backup Flotilla 12-6 is having, their Operations Workshop 19 May. Deadline for completion of this workshop is 30 May. ATON Patrol scheduled for 19 March. If you need a mustang suit, please call VFC. Coxswain/Crew Training to begin in May. More information to follow. Brent Hepburn FSO-CC is looking for candidates from the Charleston area to recommend for the AIM Program. He stated that the deadline for accepting candidates for the AIM Program is 15 April. Diane Schmidt FSO-IS reminded members that if there is any change in your personal information, e.g. address, phone, cell phone, e-mail, etc., please submit Form 7028 to her. Barney Holt FSO-PA stated this years boating safety emphasis is on wearing PFDs. Also, when you help at the boat shows please use your own time sheets Form 7030. He needs people to man the boat show to be held at Brittlebank Park on 1, 2, and 3 April. Joe Fleming FSO-VE Hornick Cruise 19 March at buzzards Roost. 4 May VE Workshop. 12-6 VE Workshop scheduled for 17 March. If you need your OPS Facility inspected, please contact him. You need the new form to request your vessel be approved as an OPS facility. Jane Orenstein is planning a raft-up for next quarters fellowship event. A sheet was passed around to indicate which date 18 June (Saturday) or 19 June (Sunday) would be preferable. Discussion: In response to the question, Can you wear a ball cap with tropical dress blues? Marguerite Bishop stated that the USCGAUX ball cap can be worn with tropical dress blues as long as the member is in the car or on the base. FC Tom Schmidt will follow up on this information. He expressed his thanks to the majority of members who were in uniform at the meeting and he will have an article in next months Scuttlebutt about the proper wearing of the uniform. New Business: Division Meeting is scheduled for 23 April at 1000 in the Mount Pleasant Waterworks building. All members are invited to participate. USCG needs help with the Yellow Fin. Please contact FC if you are interested. In addition, Barbara Yeatman, FSO-PV, needs help making marine dealer visits. If youre interested please contact Barbara. FC Schmidt is planning to meet with on-the-water personnel and people who want to be on the water to evaluate the

process for conducting patrols. Prior to this meeting, hes asking for any comments, ideas or questions that you may have be e-mailed to VFC Allen James with cc to him so they can put an agenda together. Meeting adjourned at 2040. Next meeting scheduled for 13 April 2005 at the USCG Base at 1900.

Time to look around and see what is happening around you maintain situational awareness so to speak.

UP PERISCOPE!

"ANCHORED" "Our anchor's too big for our ship, So we're sittin' here tryin' to think. If we leave it behind we'll be lost. If we haul it on board, we will sink. If we sit and keep talkin' about it, It will soon be too late for our trip. It sure can be rough on a sailor When the anchor's too big for the ship. --Shel Silverstein
Contributed by FSO-CS John Sikes

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--KEY SOURCES FOR INFORMATION-Following is a list of web sites of value to us all. Please keep abreast of news and directives by checking these sources on a regular basis. >USCG Aux Info Tracking Progress http://www.cgaux.info/g_ocx/auxdata/auxinfohelp.htm USCG Aux What's New Page http://www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/memtable.shtml > USCG Aux On-line Testing Page http://cgexams.info/testing/ > USCG Aux AuxInfo http://www.auxinfo.uscg.gov/ > USCG Aux e-Train http://www.auxetrain.org/ > USCG Aux Forms & Manuals Page http://www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/tbforms.shtml > 7th District DirAux West http://www.dirauxwest.org/ > ChDirAux Items of Interest Page http://www.cgaux.info/g_ocx/ > DIRAUX District 7 Homepage http://www.d7oax3.net/ > DIRAUX District 7 Directives http://www.d7oax3.net/pol_dir.htm > USCG Aux D7 Member Page http://www.cgaux7.org/index_members.asp > Division 12 Website http://www.uscgaux.org/~07012/ > Flotilla Website http://www.uscgauxcharleston.org/

Flotilla 12-8 Officers

Click on Name to send an e-mail message

Flotilla 12-8 Elected Officers: Position

FC - Flotilla Commander VFC - Flotilla Vice Commander

Name
Thomas A. Schmidt Allen N. James

Web Page
Welcome

Flotilla 12-8 Staff Officers: Position

FSO-AN - Aids to Navigation FSO-AV - Aviation Coordinator FSO-CC - Career Counselor FSO-CM - Communications FSO-CS - Communications Services FSO-FN - Finance FSO-IS - Information Services

Name
Richard B. Daniel Terry Heinz W. Brent Hepburn Richard R. Clarke John L. Sikes Joseph H. Bokern, IV Diane Schmidt

Web Page
Air Operations Academy Introduction Mission (AIM)

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FSO-MA - Materials FSO-MS - Marine Safety FSO-MT - Member Training FSO-OP - Operations FSO-PA - Public Affairs FSO-PB - Publications FSO-PE - Public Education FSO-PS - Personnel Services FSO-PV - Partner Visitation FSO-SR - Secretary/Records FSO-VE - Vessel Examination IPFC - Immediate Past Flotilla Commander

Henry Wolf Louis C. Mintz Robert H. Mathewes Allen James W. Barney Holt Frank C. Leister Robert J. Lovinger Thomas A. Schmidt Barbara Yeatman Shirley A. Wolf Joseph L. Fleming Robert L. Kreiling

Materials

Surface Operations Newsletters Public Courses Join The Auxiliary

Safety Checks