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District 17
From the Office of the Chief of Staff
DCOS Mike Morris
Southeast Road Trip
Sitka, January 17, I have just returned from the beginning of our “road trip” with visits to three of the southeast flotillas.
Juneau was a great start and a busy one. Jean Butler picked me up at 0700 at the airport and we chatted while having breakfast. Social hour ended upon my arrival at our Auxiliary office. We spent a couple of hours discussing a variety of issues and talking about the Leadership Handbook, Winter Summit and smaller housekeeping chores.
I then spent time with Jean again as she launched me into the Auxiliary Incident Management System (Everbridge). This is used to contact Auxiliarists in times of dire need. The plan is to get leadership from the flotilla level up to the senior leadership trained in this system. This was my first lesson.
More time was spent with the DIRAUX staff, Captain Adam Shaw, Chief of Prevention (Stephanie Brennell’s boss), Mike Folkerts and Scott Girad (from the Command Center). We made some preliminary plans for a southeast outreach to the Kake Search and Rescue team.
We visited with others, had supper with Bruce Jones and left for the Juneau Flotilla meeting. Three hours later we had finished with some open discussions of the flotilla’s goals and plans for the coming year.
The Aux Chef program was high on the flotilla’s interest list. They have spent time recruiting food service personnel and laying other ground work to bring this program to the District.
As with most flotillas, membership is always a concern and we did discuss recruitment and retention. In particular, looking for new members with skills or interests that would fit into the Juneau flotilla.
All in all, Bruce and I feel that the Juneau flotilla was moving in the right direction and there was no reason to think otherwise.
My first visit to Petersburg showed me a relatively small tight knit community. Bruce gave me a thorough tour of the area and we managed to spend some time together discussing the flotillas, Petersburg in particular.
That evening we dined at one of the local pizza eateries with several of the flotilla members and then left for the meeting.
Our discussions with the flotilla centered on the loss of the SAFE boat and the consequences for that. Despite all of what goes on when you lose the asset that the flotilla was organized for, the group as a whole is moving forward. They will re-write one of their goals as a result, but they continue to plan and are looking forward to a productive year.
The new officers were sworn in. Following that, ideas were put forth for increasing activity in the various recreational boating safety programs. We both left the meeting feeling that the flotilla was in good hands.
Getting into Petersburg was the easy part, getting out not so easy. There was lots of snow causing over headed flights (and in Petersburg, it doesn’t take many overheads to create issues). Eventually we managed to rendezvous in Ketchikan. We started the day off with lunch and a 2 ½ hour meeting with flotilla leadership. Copious notes were taken and a barrage of questions asked and some pointed discussion took place here. Indeed, all three flotillas had questions and wanted some answers.
The very efficient flotilla meeting went well. The most pleasent surprise for us was the cooperation that they are receiving from the Ketchikan Station. The Station’s OIC will be placing his BM3s in the training classes scheduled by the Auxiliary to not only learn, but to assist in any way that they can. Plans for operational training opportunities are being worked on and it appears that the two units are off to a great start for this upcoming year. What we heard would indicate mutual benefit for both units.
All three flotillas had interest in the Aux Chef program. This seems to have captured the imagination and spirit of the Auxiliary. When Auxiliarists are given opportunities to train and to serve, the results can be remarkable. People join our organization to help others. This shows up in many aspects of our programs. If you feel you are needed and the value that you are receiving exceeds your personal cost, then most Auxiliarists are there. This was quite evident with these flotillas as well as with my home unit in Sitka. Division 1 is moving forward. Bruce and I felt that the leadership presently in office along with the membership will produce solid results for the District this coming year.
We are looking forward to re-visiting with some of these Auxiliarists at our Winter Summit. As a result of this road trip, I am anxious to get out and talk with our northern flotillas in Divisions 2 and 3.
Until then, be safe, do good and as Red would say—“Keep your stick on the ice.”
Bruce Jones Division 1 Commander
Michael Morris D17 Auxiliary Chief of Staff
The District 17 "Strategic Plan for 2011-2015"
The Strategic Plan Power Point
Strategic Plan Survey