USCGAUX: Flotilla 23-6, District 5SR

Drum Point Lite Newsletter

The FSO-CS (Communication Services not Computer Services) serves as the flotilla Web Watcher, monitoring all Auxiliary E-mail NETs and the Auxiliary national website (CGAUXWEB) for important information. Ensures that such information reaches the appropriate elected and staff officers and the general membership in a timely fashion.

The Drum Point Lite newsletter contains information gleaned from pertinent Internet sources important to flotilla members.  The newsletter is maintained on a daily basis with highlights of important information approved for Internet release. All but one member of the flotilla has a computer at home so most everyone has the ability to check the website for current information or receives email from various official sources related to their function in the Auxiliary. Please check Drum Point Lite for updates on a regular basis just in case you might have otherwise missed something important.

Please do not expect the FSO-CS to print everything you see listed here. Members without computers can visit the Prince Frederick Library to access the website.

August 2, 2011

• From the Forms Blog regarding the on-line form 7029:
  Production Release:Version 0.4 has been promoted to Version 1.0, first production release of the 7029 Webform System. Beta 0.3 has been retired after 4 months with no bugs reported in Version 0.4.New News Flashes & Notes “Blog”: You are looking at our new blog to provide you with up-to-the-minute news and notes about the use of the 7029 Webform System. You should check for news flashes each month as you use the system.
• Have any members used the national Help Desk? I have asked three questions going back months and have never received an answer. Just curious.
• Coral is shown on the 7029 now. Thanks goes out to Coral for taking the position and to Maxine for her time in the role as IS officer.
• The next flare demo is August 6th at West Marine in Solomons. Is anyone able to help Dan McConnell with this?
• Soon Wally, now featured on the front page will be featured in a kayak and on a paddle board. Thanks to a suggestion from this website! Our thanks to Rachael Johnson at safeboatingcouncil.org and the great artist responsible for the Wally posters.
• August 4 is History of Coast Guard Day.  Check your in boxes for the Navigator Express.
• Need to get in touch with Doug? Call him on the telephone. Try the cell too.  I work out of a four wheel drive vehicle and not at a computer.
• There is now an ATON Verifier’s PQS. Get the details.
• Coral sent an email to all Flotilla members regarding the DIRAUX 60 day Rule for filing 7029 and 7030′s.  READ Coral’s email.
• Check your in box for a message from the FC regarding free ODU (tucked) uniforms donated by the Coast Guard.

August 6, 2011

July 1, 2011

• July issue of Navigator Express is in your in box. Look for it. A repeat of What’s New mostly. There are instructions on how to obtain America’s Waterway Watch DVDs.

July 5, 2011

• Do you need ICS 300? Please read What’s New for the latest on a new ICS-300 course.
• There is a new awareness program the Coast Guard is calling “compass.” Compass is there to increase awareness of the role of the Coast Guard and all of its components, including us.  What’s New refers you to the new edition of SITREP. Link on What’s New or on the front page of our blog.
• Division 23 newsletter is out with an article on DNR’s version of the same paddle class the Auxiliary is already authorized to teach.  If DNR proceeds with a mandatory course for paddlecraft users only a DNR authorized instructor (currently less than twenty in Maryland) will be authorized to grant certification to students – for the same course. It’s a wait and see situation now to determine if this course will even be taught to the public by non-DNR certified instructors. The Division 23 newsletter suggests using the new DNR certified paddlecraft instructors but refrains from suggesting that only those instructors be used.  There does not appear to be a requirement that DNR certified paddlecraft instructors already have their certification to teach the DNR boating safety class. The boating safety  certification does not qualify one to teach paddlecraft safety.

July 13

• Now this is handy: http://pdept.cgaux.org/Acronyms.htm
• FSO-CS has a new day job. Daily updates to this tool may not always be possible. Internet savvy members should check their email and read What’s New.
• There is a new FSO-IS. Coral took that post from Maxine effective 13 July.

July 14, 2011

• Letter from the District Commodore is out. Bob Birrane Sent the email to elected and appointed officers. If you would like to have a copy forwarded to you please let me know fso-cs at drumpoint.org.

July 16

• Dan McConnell and R.T. West did another flare demo at at the West Marine store on Saturday the 16th from 10-1400.

July 17

• Coast Guard District  South no longer has their own Flickr site for photos. That account was canceled. It appears that they are now using the regular Coast Guard site under the category “Mid-Atlantic.” As a result of this change, some website links to the old Flickr account on our site were deleted or changed.

July 19

• Apparently there is an AIMS update form for everyone to complete and turn in.  Check you in basket. This is the form used to update your emergency call out information.
• Dues are due by July 31. Mail to FSO-FN.
• PA event planned for August. A pirate was mentioned. See the July Minutes.
• National Night Out events planned. See the July Minutes
• Training Updates from FSO-MT see the July Minutes
• See the July Minutes (In your in-box from Connie.)

June 21, 2011

• ALAUX from CHIDIRAUX ListAuxiliary Uniform Guidance -015/11
• Links to the old Virtualclassroom.org site are still floating around as valid. This site was discontinued  by the Coast Guard. The replacement site for mandatory training is not yet live.
• Operation Dry Water starts June 24 and runs through June 26
• NOAA Lightning Awareness Week starts 6/19. See graphic on main page.
• A DNR class is in progress with a Thursday and Monday class remaining.
• The FSO-VE sent an email requesting VE’s for July 9. Contact him for details.
• Members interested in the Station St. Inigoes Change of Watch should refer to the FC’s email on the subject.
• The official What’s New page on CGAUX.org has changed to a blog format. The link is in our site’s blog roll.
• The Member’s Deck at CGAUX.org is now called Member Resources.
• FSO-MT released a recent email regarding member training opportunities.
• Members should make sure their email and other contact information at the Auxiliary is correct. The FC requests everyone verify their information
• District released a recent email to Auxiliarists regarding the recent emergency call out drill at the start of hurricane season.  Refer to your in box.
• Please catch up on the news in the various Auxiliary Newsletters using the links on the main page.
• AUXDirect email list: Message from Christopher Todd regarding the development of news releases. Links:

1) Associated Press Stylebook: http://www.apstylebook.com/

2) PR Web: http://service.prweb.com/

3) Ragan’s PR Daily: http://goo.gl/gBgrH

4) U.S. Coast Guard RSS feeds: http://www.uscg.mil/top/rss.asp

“Coast Guard Auxiliary personnel seeking additional guidance on news
releases are encouraged to contact Penny Bailey, Division Chief – Media
Relations in the National Public Affairs Department.  Contact information
is available via AUXOFFICER at https://auxofficer.cgaux.org/auxoff/

June 22, 2011

• Check your in box for a copy of the Flotilla 23-2 newsletter sent to you by the FC.

June 23, 2011

• ALCOAST regarding the 72 anniversary of the Auxiliary.
• Reminder: Flare demo this Saturday 6/25 at West Marine, Solomons, MD
• Website briefly unavailable due to problems at hosting company.

June 24, 2011

• Operation Dry Water began today and runs through Sunday, 6/26.
• Final test in current DNR course is this Monday, 6/27
• Articles added to website: Coast Guard feature for Sector Baltimore

June 27, 2011

• The Coast Guard Outreach Innovation Center is closed until September 10, 2011. This is where we had been ordering PA event supplies and paddle craft stickers. pamphlets, etc.  Members might want to check with Peggy to see if there is an alternate source for these supplies. I asked via the CG Help Desk if there was an alternate source.
• Final class in current DNR course is today. 1900-2100. Details for instructors and aids sent by email from RT West on Friday 6/24.
• Email from District Commodore Bob Birrane Sr sent to elected and appointed staff for distribution to everyone, regarding  the Fall District Conference in September. Check your in box or if you would like a copy ask. Nothing in the Email to indicate it was approved for general Internet release.

June 28, 2011

• Checked into a forms issue for an FSO. Please note that not all Auxiliary completable PDF forms have an email version. Some that have previously had an email version may now have only a basic PDF version. The Auxiliary has done some work over the last year on email forms. The current list is located at the main CGAUX forms site. There is a link to the form site and to the most frequently used forms for FSO’s in our vertical menu to the left of the main page.  In particular you should check out the 7029 and 7030 if you have not already. The 7029 on-line form is terrific. It is much easier to record and save your time.
• The new eBeacon Newsletter is out. Click on the Beacon Newsletter link on the main page of the blog. (Via the What’s New blog.)

June 29, 2011

• Be sure to check What’s New inside Member Resources every week. On 6/29 an announcement of the finalization of leadership structure with org chart. The What’s New Blog has an RSS feed so you can add that feed to your favorite reader on PC or mobile device.

June 30, 2011

• ALAUX brings to our attention a new notice from Admiral Pa;pp regarding his guidance to officer selection boards and panels and describing his expectations of leadership.  ALAUX list believes it is important to the Auxiliary because there are similar expectations of Auxiliary leaders:The guidance is available at the following link:Internet: HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/PSC/OPM/OPM1/OPM-1BOARDS.ASP
• The latest issue of the Chatter was distributed by email to the members. It may also be available on the Division 23 website.

Tip

How can you stay on top of the news from the Coast Guard? Today’s iPhones.iPads/iPods and Internet based devices have Internet RSS applications. (Really simple syndication.) News from the Coast Guard and this site is as close as your Internet device.