Learning How to Tell the Auxiliary Story – The AUX-12 “C-School” Experience

The primary purpose of Public Affairs (PA) is to "tell the story” of the U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary. Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) conduct PA efforts at the flotilla, division, and district levels. They also augment Coast Guard units as needed. At the national level, the Public Affairs A-Directorate supports PA activities by developing programs and resources to assist Auxiliarists. One of the programs developed in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard is AUX-12, the Auxiliary Public Affairs "C-School."

AUX-12 is a three-day course that is taught by qualified Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialists. AUX-12 provides technical and practical knowledge to future PAOs through lectures and practical exercises designed to simulate real-life situations that a PAO may face and replaces several classes offered by the A-Directorate's Training Division through the online classroom. Students learn news writing, editing, marketing, branding, and digital photography, along with how to handle media interviews as part of a Joint Information Center. In addition to classroom time, AUX-12 students are also required to complete several homework assignments to receive credit for the course. “It is a gratifying, yet humbling experience for me to share the knowledge I have gained over the years with aspiring PA Specialist candidates. Our instructor team is Always Ready to assist you in your PA endeavors” states AUX-12 Lead Instructor Bill Key. Once the course is complete, if the student has met all the prerequisites and completed the required Performance Qualification Standard (PQS), the student is eligible to complete the oral board for the AUXPA3 qualification, one of three available to Auxiliarists.

Becoming a qualified Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist is not an easy task and spaces in the AUX-12 classes do fill up quickly as they are also open for active duty and reserve members of the Coast Guard. Candidates must be highly motivated and are vetted by the A-Directorate Training Division staff to ensure they meet the required qualifications. "I cannot overstate what a difference attending AUX-12 has made for me both professionally and personally" stated Auxiliarist Maxim Jenkins, one of 11 students who attended the recent AUX-12 class held at the 2022 National Convention (NACON) in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Jenkins went on to say, "The perspectives I was exposed to through both this course and my fellow students which I now consider friends, were invaluable." To learn more about the AUX-12 C-School and other Public Affairs educational opportunities, visit www.auxpa.org and look for an expanded edition of this article in Navigator and Navigator Express.

By Matthew Thompson, Branch Assistant – Publications Support

ORLANDO, FL – AUX-12 students and instructors take a break from the classroom to pose for a group photo at the 2022 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary National Convention (NACON). NACON is the annual meeting of senior Auxiliary and Coast Guard leaders to discuss policy and set future goals and objectives for the Auxiliary as well as a location for various training seminars for members. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo By: Auxiliarist Robin Priestley.

ORLANDO, FL - National Director of Public Affairs-Lourdes R. Oliveras at AUX-12 “C-School” offered in the 2022 NACON. Photo by Auxiliarists Barry Denton and Bill Key.

 

NACON 2018 Website Now Live

The NACON 2018 website (https://www.cgauxa.org/auxa/nacon-2018/) is now available.

Use the link provided to register, make hotel reservations, view the schedule of activities, local attractions and more.

Updates will be added to the site as received.

SOURCE: Martin Phillips, Executive Director

UPDATED N-TRAIN 2018 SCHEDULE

The latest Schedule of Event for N-TRAIN 2018 being held in St. Louis MO from January 22 to January 28 at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet hotel is now posted.

Go directly to the site using this link: https://www.cgauxa.org/auxa/n-train-2018/

SOURCE: [Martin Phillips, Executive Director]

NACON 2017 - ORLANDO

The National Auxiliary Convention - 2017 (NACON 2017) website is now available for viewing at https://www.cgauxa.org/auxa/nacon-2017/.

View the Schedule of Events, make your hotel reservations, register to attend, explore Orlando area attractions.

Updates will be provided as they occur. A schedule of the training/workshops taking place at NACON 2017 will be added soon. Make your plans now and check back for updates.

Bring the family for an enjoyable time in Orlando. See you there!

Election Results Nacon 2016

National Commodore Mark Simoni is pleased to announce the results of the election for Vice National Commodore and the Deputy National Commodores. NACO Richard Washburn (e) announces the appointment of Deputy National Commodore Information Technology and Planning. Their term of office will begin on November 01, 2016.

The following are:

Vice National Commodore - Larry King

  • Deputy National Commodore Atlantic East and Operations - COMO Alexander Malewski
  • Deputy National Commodore Atlantic West and Recreational Boating Safety - COMO Edward Monaco
  • Deputy National Commodore Pacific Area and Mission Support - COMO Bert Blanchette
  • Deputy National Commodore Information Technology and Planning - COMO Linda Merryman

Congratulations

Source Terry Barth (N-EA)

National Auxiliary Convention (NACON)

The National Auxiliary Convention (NACON) is rapidly approaching. Register and make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. Don't delay as the registration deadline is July 31, 2016. Commencing on August 1st a late registration fee will be charged.

Visit the website at www.cgauxa.org/auxa/nacon-2016 for the latest information and to register for the event as well as make your hotel reservations.

View the updated workshop schedule recently posted on the site. This year's theme is Patriotic. Come enjoy the fun, learning opportunities and friendships! We look forward to you joining us in Phoenix.

[Source: Martin L. Phillips]

NATIONAL AUXILIARY CONVENTION

The 2016 National Auxiliary Convention (NACON-2016) website is now available. Go to http://www.cgauxa.org/auxa/nacon-2016/ for all information regarding NACON 2016. Register to attend, use the direct link to reserve your hotel room at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa or call the hotel's toll free number, review the schedule of events, investigate local attractions in the Phoenix area and watch for information to come on planned workshops available to attendees. You can also get to the website through www.cgauxa.org then click on NACON 2016 at the top of that page.

[Source: Martin L. Phillips]

NACON 2015 UPDATE

Information on the National Auxiliary Convention (NACON) in San Antonio is available at http://www.cgauxa.org/nacon-2015.php. The workshop information was recently updated to include additional training sessions. Additionally, links for making your hotel reservations (deadline August 1, 2015) and for you to register for the event are provided on that website. Please review the available information at http://www.cgauxa.org/nacon-2015.php. Take advantage of the training sessions, participate in the scheduled activities and explore San Antonio, its wonderful attractions and the Riverwalk!

[Source: Martin L. Phillips]

2015 NACON

Please visit the 2015 NACON website (http://www.cgauxa.org/nacon-2015.php) today. It provides you an online registration link. You can make your hotel reservations also. View the Schedule of Events. Check out the workshops page which contains the schedule as well as a description of each planned workshop. Transportation services between the airport and hotel are provided also. View the local attractions available to you during your visit to San Antonio. Come early, stay late. Be part of the fun "Deep in the Heart of Texas"!

[Source: Martin L. Phillips]

Administrative Discipline Workshop - NACON 2014 Presentation

The Human Resources Directorate gave 3 presentations on Administrative Discipline and Assignment to Duty at NACON 2014. The presentations can be found below and are also posted here.

NACON Photography Online

ORLANDO, August 22 - Follow the action at NACON. Photographs from the Coast Guard Auxiliary's national convention, currently being held here, are being regularly uploaded by the Auxiliary Public Affairs team. Visit this link to view the latest. tinyurl.com/NACONpix

The annual event, which commenced earlier this week, will be coming to a close with the National Commodore's Banquet Saturday night. Photographs will continue to be uploaded over the coming days.

Source [Daren Lewis, DIR-C]

Simoni Elected Next National Commodore; Washburn is Vice

ORLANDO Coast Guard Auxiliary senior leaders today elected Commodore Mark Simoni of Saginaw, Michigan as our organization's national commodore for a two-year term beginning November 1, 2014. The election was held at the Coast Guard Auxiliary National Conference (NACON) underway at the Rosen Centre hotel.

Simoni will succeed current National Commodore Thomas C. Mallison who is completing his two-year term of office. Simoni has served as vice national commodore under Mallison since November 2012.

Commodore Richard Washburn of Kingsport, Tennessee, was elected vice national commodore, for a two year term. Washburn currently serves as deputy national commodore for mission support (DNACO-MS).

Also elected were:

Kenneth E Brown Sr as Deputy National Commodore - Atlantic East

Larry L King as Deputy National Commodore - Atlantic West

Rodney E Collins as Deputy National Commodore - Pacific

Source [Daren Lewis, Dir-C]

NACO Guidance #8 - Strategic Plan Initiative

Please review NACO Guidance #8 - Strategic Plan Initiative - A Plan for Effective US Coast Guard Auxiliary and US Coast Guard Interaction for Operations and Support is now available under NACO Guidance Documents by clicking here.

Source [Anne Lockwood, N-EA]

NACON 2014 DEADLINES

Critical deadlines for those attending or planning to attend the Auxiliary National Convention (NACON) 2014 in Orlando, Florida to enjoy the Auxiliary's 75th Anniversary celebration and the elections for the Auxiliary National Officers.

Read more »

eBEACON AVAILABILITY

You may view the latest edition of the eBEACON at http://www.cgauxa.org/beacon/beacon.pdf. It contains new information on NACON 2014 in Orlando FL (http://www.cgauxa.org/nacon/), hotel discount rates for your summer travels,learn about AmazonSmile program as a way to support Auxiliary programs through their charitable donations, what Electric Shock Drowning is all about as well as articles about what fellow Auxiliarists and their flotillas are doing.

Source [Martin L. Phillips - Executive Director CGAuxA]

NACON 2014 ORLANDO

Online registration is now available for NACON 2014 that is being held at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando this August. Complete information may be viewed on the website at www.cgauxa.org/nacon/. It includes the general schedule of events, hotel information and its online reservations link, registration information with both a printable/mail-in form and an online registration link. You can also view transportation resources as well as training/workshop information. Plan now to attend. Don't wait, register now and make your hotel reservations to join us in Orlando for NACON 2014!

Source [Martin L. Phillips - Executive Director CGAuxA]

NACON 2013 Update!

Additional information is available on the NACON 2013 website at http://www.cgauxa.org/nacon/. Check out the workshops offered. Eleventh Southern Auxiliary has also provided information links for local attractions when you visit San Diego as well as they offer NACON attendees an opportunity to participate in several local workshops in the San Diego area they are holding. Check it out!

As a reminder, some of the links on the NACON website are PDF files so you need to have at least Acrobat Reader on your system to display those pages.

View NACON registration and hotel reservations information on the website and use the direct links to register and to obtain your hotel reservations online. Register and make your reservations now so you can be a part of this outstanding event and its member training opportunities.

Source [Martin L. Phillips - Executive Director CGAuxA]

NACON 2013 Information Update

Preliminary information is now posted on the NACON 2013 website at http://www.cgauxa.org/nacon/. View information on planned workshops which will be presented. There is valuable information in these workshops for all who attend NACON 2013 in San Diego. See you there!

Source [Martin L. Phillips - Executive Director CGAuxA]

Initial 2013 NACON Schedule Released

The initial schedule of events for the 2013 USCGAUX National Convention (NACON) has been released and is now viewable from this URL. As more information becomes available, it can be seen here.

Source[N-EA, Anne Lockwood]

NACON Photographs Appear Online

San Antonio, August 25 - Photographs from the Coast Guard Auxiliary's national convention, currently being held here, are beginning to be available on the Internet at the following URL: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uscga/collections/72157631238515402.

The annual event, which commenced earlier this week, will be coming to a close with the National Commodore's Banquet tonight.  Photographs will continue to be uploaded over the coming days.

Mallison Elected Next National Commodore; Simoni is Vice

SAN ANTONIO ­ Coast Guard Auxiliary senior leaders today elected Commodore Thomas C. Mallison of Bear Lake, Mich. as our organization's national commodore for a two-year term beginning November 1, 2012.  The election was held at the Coast Guard Auxiliary National Conference (NACON) underway at the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk hotel.

Mallison will succeed current National Commodore James E. Vass, Jr. who is completing his two-year term of office.  Mallison has served as vice national commodore under Vass since November 2010.

In a subsequent election, Commodore Mark Simoni of Saginaw, Michigan, was elected vice national commodore, for a two year term.  Simoni currently serves as deputy national commodore for operations (DNACO-O).

NACON 2012 Update

Come and enjoy the FIESTA! at NACON 2012 in San Antonio. The latest update to the workshops is now posted as well as an update to the general schedule of events. Go to www.cgauxa.org/nacon to see the latest information available. You may also view information in the current issue of the eBEACON at http://www.cgauxa.org/beacon/beacon.pdf.

NACON Workshop Schedule Announced

Join the NACON 2012 Fiesta in San Antonio, TX, which features a variety of Workshops. Workshops are available on Friday and Saturday (August 24 and 25). For a list of the workshops available, click here.

Source [Anne R Lockwood. N-EA]

2012 NACON Info & Registration Available

The 2012 Auxiliary National Convention (NACON) is scheduled for August 22-26 in San Antonio, TX at the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk Hotel. Conference registration is now open at www.cgauxa.org/nacon/ where you may find conference information, as well as links to both online registration form and mail-in registration forms. Hotel reservation information is also available, along with the most up-to-date version of the Schedule of Events. Updates will be posted periodically.

This year's covention includes the National Auxiliary elections, preparatory to the biennial Change of Watch on November 1. The conference theme is "FIESTA!" Plan now to join your friends and colleagues in San Antonio and be part of the excitement!

Source [Martin L. Phillips - Executive Director CGAuxA]