RBS Affairs Department News
Statements of policy or procedure provided by members of the Chief Director's office, national elected officers, or department directors posted on this webpage should be regarded as official statements.
This page will contain postings for the last 90 days. For previous RBS Affairs News topics, please check the RBS Affairs News Archives.
New RBS Affairs Department Deputy Director. It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. Atul Uchil as the Deputy Director for RBS Affairs. Please join me and congratulate him on the appointment. Posted by Bruce Johnson, DIR-B.
2010 National Scout Jamboree
- Rear Admiral Brian Salerno (CG-5, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship) is the Coast Guard Flag Sponsor for the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. Captain Len Ritter (TISCOM, Telecommunications and Information System Command) has been selected as the Task Force Commander and will lead the Coast Guard contingent at the Jamboree. Coast Guard active duty, reserve, Auxiliary, civilian, and retired personnel are authorized to participate in the Coast Guard support element for this event, as detailed below:
- Who: Team Coast Guard members (active duty, Reserve, Auxiliary, civilian, retiree)
- What: 2010 National Scout Jamboree
- Where: Fort A. P. Hill, VA
- When: From 26 July to 4 August 2010
- How: By standing up the Coast Guard 2010 National Scout Jamboree Task Force
- Auxiliarists who are interested in being part of the Coast Guard 2010 National Scout Jamboree Task Force must fill out and electronically submit the questionnaire to the Auxiliary coordinator, Mr. William "Bill" Reisa at cgnsjtf@msn.com (phone (317) 887-3236) with copies to the Flotilla Commander and designated point-of-contact in the office of the Director of Auxiliary.
- Key Logistics Element Managers positions that need to be filled immediately:
- Administration
- Merit Badges
- Sea Scouts
- Joint Sea Services Areas
- External Coast Guard Forces
- Task Leaders are also needed for the following tasks:
- NORTHCOM Liaison
- Transportation Manager
- Communications Officer
- Berthing/Meals Coordinator
- Head Merit Badge Counselors
- Sea Scout Liaison
- Display Coordinator
- Honor Guard Coordinator
- Recruiting Exhibit Coordinator
- CG Band Coordinator
- Joint Services Liaison
- Permissive/non-reimbursable orders are authorized, and an ALCOAST with further details will follow. Please contact Mr. Reisa if you have questions about the program.
Posted by Robin Ouellette, BC-BLY
RBS Device Award Criteria Revised. Changes have been made to the public affairs activity codes that count toward earning the Auxiliary Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) insignia. The RBS insignia recognizes extraordinary effort of Auxiliarists who consistently provide strong support to RBS programs. Its eligibility criteria require significant RBS program activity over a minimum period of two years. The newly revised award criteria are available online here. Posted by Bruce Johnson, DIR-PRR.
New State Liaison Guide Available. A completely revised State Liaison Guide is now available for State Liaison Officers (SLOs) and others who promote recreational boating safety at the state level. The new State Liaison Guide provides easier reference to Auxiliary RBS mission, leadership roles, and suggestions for making the most of the relationship with Boating Law Administrators and other boating safety groups. The Handbook also assists SLOs in working with other District Staff Officers to promote the RBS message. The Guide is online here. Posted by Pauline Longnecker, DVC-BS.
BoatU.S. Foundation shifts from toll-free number to online site for boating class information. The BoatU.S. Courseline phone number (800-336-BOAT) for inquiries about the date and location of nationwide boating classes will be phased out by the end of March 2010. The BoatU.S. Foundation has been collecting and providing this information as a free service to boaters since 1984, and will continue to do so online at http://www.boatus.com/courseline/. By entering either zip code or state and city information at Courseline Online, you can easily locate the nearest locations of safe boating courses. You can also obtain course descriptions and information about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and other groups that offer these courses. Posted by Bruce White, BC-BLB.
BoatUS Foundation makes it easier to apply for Boating Safety and Clean Water Grassroots Grants. In the last 20 years the BoatU.S. Foundation has awarded more than $1 million from two separate grant programs targeting local grassroots organizations. Now the national nonprofit is making it easier for organizations to apply by combining its former Boating Safety and Clean Water Grants into a new, single Grassroots Grants Program. Local groups, community organizations and nonprofits are eligible for grants for up to $4,000 each. A total of up to $50,000 is available this grant cycle, however, local community groups need to have their applications in by February 28.
Grantees will be announced by June 15. Groups interested in applying for one or more Grassroots Grants may go to BoatUS.com/Foundation/Grants to look at previous grant projects and photos, review current guidelines and frequently asked questions, and to apply online. You may also sign up for a free Foundation e-newsletter that will let you be the first to know about any upcoming grant programs and deadlines. Posted by Bruce White, BC-BLB
New Issue of WAVES Online. The Winter 2010 issue of our Watercraft and Vessel Safety (WAVES) newsletter is now online. Download the PDF version here.
New Coast Guard Video. The Coast Guard has recently posted a terrific video on YouTube that shows Coasties and Auxiliarists putting on a Safety-at-Sea event for Sea Scouts in the San Francisco Bay area. Safety-at-Sea events are put on every year with the Sea Scouts all over the country. Some are run entirely by Coast Guard Auxiliary divisions or districts. The video is available on the Coast Guard Video network on YouTube. Additional information about putting on Safety-at-Sea events is available on the RBS Affairs Wiki. Posted by Robin Ouellette, BC-BLY.
Top 11 Coast Guard Rescue Videos. The U.S. Coast Guard released its top 11 video compilation for 2009, highlighting the year's most compelling cases from the work done every day by America's Guardians. The Coast Guard selected 11 videos to remind people of the service's 11 statutory missions. Posted by RBS Affairs Department Bruce Johnson, DIR-PRRd.
USCG Foundation Re-Activates Relief Fund. The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced last week that it has re-activated its emergency Family Disaster Relief Fund. Foundation principals responded to the recent crash of a C-130 off the California coast. The relief fund was established in 2008, in the wake of a helicopter crash in Hawaii that resulted in the loss of four Coast Guard members.
The Foundation is appealing for financial support to assist the families of the lost crew of CG-1705. Those wishing to contribute may visit USCG Foundation Relief Fund, or call the Foundation at 1-860-535-0786, or fax a note to 1-860-535-0944 with donation information and a reference to the CG-1705 Disaster Relief. Posted by Bruce Johnson, DIR-Bd
Scholarships for 2010 International Boating and Water Safety Summit Available. The International Boating and Water Safety Summit (IBWSS) is an annual meeting of individuals and organizations actively involved in boating and water safety activities from all over the world. Next year’s event will be held 28-31 March, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. There are a limited number of registration scholarships available for individuals who are very actively involved in promoting RBS. Applications are due by December 31, 2009. The scholarship covers only the registration fee, which is a big value with several meals. Hotel and transportation are not covered. Posted by William Griswold, BC-BLN