Partners help Sea Scouts: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Case Study

1. Partners help Sea Scouts: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Case Study Bruce Johnson Boy Scouts of America There is no Sea Scout program that couldn�t be improved by getting more help. Our local units get stronger by recruiting new and better leaders. But what can we do as regional and national Sea Scout leaders to improve Sea Scouting in our respective countries on a national level? One of the most obvious answers is look for groups who share our interest in promoting safe boating and good citizenship. The following presentation is intended to show you how the development of a partnership between the Boy Scouts of America and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary has strengthened Sea Scouting in the United States. There is no Sea Scout program that couldn�t be improved by getting more help. Our local units get stronger by recruiting new and better leaders. But what can we do as regional and national Sea Scout leaders to improve Sea Scouting in our respective countries on a national level? One of the most obvious answers is look for groups who share our interest in promoting safe boating and good citizenship. The following presentation is intended to show you how the development of a partnership between the Boy Scouts of America and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary has strengthened Sea Scouting in the United States.

2. Provide an orientation to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Explain the Coast Guard Auxiliary�s relationship with the Boy Scouts of America Outline how the Coast Guard Auxiliary can help the Sea Scouts Workshop Objectives

3. Coast Guard is a military service Coast Guard Auxiliary is a civilian component of the Coast Guard The Auxiliary fulfills all Coast Guard functions EXCEPT military and law enforcement roles The role of the Coast Guard Auxiliary The Coast Guard is a military service and is a component of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a component of Coast Guard Forces like the active duty, Reserve, and civilian components. Thus, the Auxiliary may be referred to and considered a part of the general organizational umbrella of the Coast Guard. Auxiliarists, however, are not contractually bound, enlisted, or commissioned officers, but are volunteers pledged to serve in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. In addition to its military missions, the Coast Guard is also charged with many civil function responsibilities. � In contrast to Coast Guard active duty personnel and Reserve military components, the Auxiliary is specifically declared by statute to be non-military. This definition puts the Auxiliary�s role entirely within the Coast Guard�s civil function responsibilities. The Auxiliary�s role does not extend to any Coast Guard military or direct law enforcement missions assigned to active or Reserve forces. The Coast Guard is a military service and is a component of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a component of Coast Guard Forces like the active duty, Reserve, and civilian components. Thus, the Auxiliary may be referred to and considered a part of the general organizational umbrella of the Coast Guard. Auxiliarists, however, are not contractually bound, enlisted, or commissioned officers, but are volunteers pledged to serve in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. In addition to its military missions, the Coast Guard is also charged with many civil function responsibilities. � In contrast to Coast Guard active duty personnel and Reserve military components, the Auxiliary is specifically declared by statute to be non-military. This definition puts the Auxiliary�s role entirely within the Coast Guard�s civil function responsibilities. The Auxiliary�s role does not extend to any Coast Guard military or direct law enforcement missions assigned to active or Reserve forces.

4. U.S. citizens, at least 17 years old, with an interest in boating and water safety Desire to help with one of the Auxiliary�s many boating safety programs Who are Coast Guard Auxiliarists? Following passage of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996. The Auxiliary assists the Coast Guard, as authorized by the Commandant, in performance of any Coast Guard function, duty, role, mission or operation authorized by law. We conduct safety patrols on local waterways, assist the Coast Guard with homeland security duties, teach boating safety classes, and conduct free vessel safety checks for the public. We support many other missions including Marine Safety, Interpreter Support, ATON, radio communications, etc. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 17 years old, and pass a basic check. There are no upper age limits or height/weight standards, although for operational activities, you must be physically able to perform certain tasks. You do not have to own a boat or participate in water-based operations to join the Auxiliary. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 17 years old, and pass a basic check. There are no upper age limits or height/weight standards, although for operational activities, you must be physically able to perform certain tasks. You do not have to own a boat or participate in water-based operations to join the Auxiliary. Following passage of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996. The Auxiliary assists the Coast Guard, as authorized by the Commandant, in performance of any Coast Guard function, duty, role, mission or operation authorized by law. We conduct safety patrols on local waterways, assist the Coast Guard with homeland security duties, teach boating safety classes, and conduct free vessel safety checks for the public. We support many other missions including Marine Safety, Interpreter Support, ATON, radio communications, etc. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 17 years old, and pass a basic check. There are no upper age limits or height/weight standards, although for operational activities, you must be physically able to perform certain tasks. You do not have to own a boat or participate in water-based operations to join the Auxiliary. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 17 years old, and pass a basic check. There are no upper age limits or height/weight standards, although for operational activities, you must be physically able to perform certain tasks. You do not have to own a boat or participate in water-based operations to join the Auxiliary.

5. Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Public education Vessel examinations Promoting boating safety to the public On Water Operations\Training Working with other organizations What are the Coast Guard Auxiliary�s missions? The Coast Guard Auxiliary�s primary missions are public education, vessel safety checks, and operations. Where we, the Boy Scouts and the Auxiliary, come together are with public education and vessel safety checks. � Recreational Boating Safety (RBS): This mission includes Auxiliary traditional activities conducted on behalf of Federal, State, and local governments to improve the knowledge, safety skills, and operating environment of recreational boaters. These include, but are not limited to: � Public Education programs; Vessel Examinations. Distribution of RBS literature and information to the boating public, and Liaison for the purposes of enhancing RBS and the images of the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary in the RBS environs with other organizations.The Coast Guard Auxiliary�s primary missions are public education, vessel safety checks, and operations. Where we, the Boy Scouts and the Auxiliary, come together are with public education and vessel safety checks. � Recreational Boating Safety (RBS): This mission includes Auxiliary traditional activities conducted on behalf of Federal, State, and local governments to improve the knowledge, safety skills, and operating environment of recreational boaters. These include, but are not limited to: � Public Education programs; Vessel Examinations. Distribution of RBS literature and information to the boating public, and Liaison for the purposes of enhancing RBS and the images of the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary in the RBS environs with other organizations.

6. Boy Scouts of America is the nation�s foremost youth development organization Coast Guard Auxiliary is nation�s foremost volunteer boating safety organization Both organizations have a strong interest in promoting safety on the water How do the Scouts fit in? Serving more than 4 million youth between the ages of 6 and 20, the BSA is the nation�s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. These youth represent the foundation of responsible citizenry for the next generation and future boaters. The BSA has a distinct interest in the safety of the individual scout and units. The Boy Scouts want to instill �safety-mindedness� with all scouts and their leaders in whatever activity they are involved in. Likewise, the Auxiliary has the same mission to instill �safety-mindedness� to the public for boating/sailing activity. The Auxiliary�s goal is to advance its boating education to the public to reduce increasing recreational boating fatalities. � As a result of common mission, on April 2, 2009, the Boy Scouts of America and the Coast Guard Auxiliary signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to work together.Serving more than 4 million youth between the ages of 6 and 20, the BSA is the nation�s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. These youth represent the foundation of responsible citizenry for the next generation and future boaters. The BSA has a distinct interest in the safety of the individual scout and units. The Boy Scouts want to instill �safety-mindedness� with all scouts and their leaders in whatever activity they are involved in. Likewise, the Auxiliary has the same mission to instill �safety-mindedness� to the public for boating/sailing activity. The Auxiliary�s goal is to advance its boating education to the public to reduce increasing recreational boating fatalities. � As a result of common mission, on April 2, 2009, the Boy Scouts of America and the Coast Guard Auxiliary signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to work together.

7. Promote public education programs Collaborate on recreational boating safety activities Encourage mutual volunteer support Facilitate cooperative efforts What is the impact of the MOA? The Boy Scouts of America and the Coast Guard Auxiliary collaborate on projects that support recreational boating safety and promote citizenship training and character development. The agreement calls on these organizations to: � Promote efforts to teach safe boating; Work together to support the recreational boating safety activities of the Scouts, the Auxiliary, and the general boating public; Encourage members of each organization to help out the other organization; Develop projects that meet the needs of both groups.The Boy Scouts of America and the Coast Guard Auxiliary collaborate on projects that support recreational boating safety and promote citizenship training and character development. The agreement calls on these organizations to: � Promote efforts to teach safe boating; Work together to support the recreational boating safety activities of the Scouts, the Auxiliary, and the general boating public; Encourage members of each organization to help out the other organization; Develop projects that meet the needs of both groups.

8. Conduct �Safety-At-Sea� events for Sea Scouts and other scout groups Offer boating safety and marine safety Public Education classes to Sea Scout units and other scout groups How Auxiliarists can help Sea Scouts Safety at Sea training events have been held jointly by the Sea Scouts, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for over a decade in California, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and other locations. The purpose of these events is to provide Sea Scouts and their leaders with an opportunity to receive instruction and hands-on experience in a variety of boating safety skills and equipment that is generally unavailable to them. Activities generally include flares, helo ops, P6 pumps, damage control, survival suits, hypothermia, fire fighting. This can be tailored to the resources locally available. http://auxbdeptwiki.cgaux.org/index.php/Safety_at_Sea_Weekend Safety at Sea training events have been held jointly by the Sea Scouts, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for over a decade in California, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and other locations. The purpose of these events is to provide Sea Scouts and their leaders with an opportunity to receive instruction and hands-on experience in a variety of boating safety skills and equipment that is generally unavailable to them. Activities generally include flares, helo ops, P6 pumps, damage control, survival suits, hypothermia, fire fighting. This can be tailored to the resources locally available. http://auxbdeptwiki.cgaux.org/index.php/Safety_at_Sea_Weekend

9. Offer Vessel Safety Checks to the Scouts, particularly local Scout council camps and Sea Scout units Provide Auxiliary public affairs exhibits at appropriate scouting venues, such as council and regional events Provide Sea Scout exhibits at Auxiliary District Conferences How Auxiliarists can help Scouts

10. Designed to help boat owners check for all required safety equipment Helps you prepare for emergencies on the water More information online at: http://safetyseal.net/ Vessel Safety Checks (VSCs) The VSC program is a safety check service provided free to owners or operators of recreational boats and certain Federal, State, and local government-owned boats. Uninspected vessels carrying six or fewer passengers for hire may have a VSC. The same is true for boats owned by scouting/youth organizations, most of which do not come under Coast Guard inspection and certification provisions.The VSC program is a safety check service provided free to owners or operators of recreational boats and certain Federal, State, and local government-owned boats. Uninspected vessels carrying six or fewer passengers for hire may have a VSC. The same is true for boats owned by scouting/youth organizations, most of which do not come under Coast Guard inspection and certification provisions.

11. Offer Public Education (PE) classes to scout units Provide on-the-water PE training Provide boating safety, marine safety, and Auxiliary public relations functions at scout events Auxiliarists �

12. Offer Vessel Safety Checks to scout units, scout camps and councils Participate in National Scout Jamborees as members of the U.S. Coast Guard contingent Auxiliarists can� An example is �Safety-At-Sea� events for Sea Scouts that have been conducted either by the Auxiliary or jointly by the Auxiliary and active duty Coast Guard. An example is �Safety-At-Sea� events for Sea Scouts that have been conducted either by the Auxiliary or jointly by the Auxiliary and active duty Coast Guard.

13. Sponsor Scout units without prior approval from the Coast Guard Commandant. Auxiliarists cannot � What are Auxiliarists precluded from doing with Scouts? � Charter/sponsor any BSA units without prior approval by the Commandant.What are Auxiliarists precluded from doing with Scouts? � Charter/sponsor any BSA units without prior approval by the Commandant.

14. Implementation AuxBWiki � Online resource for sharing best practices auxbdeptwiki.cgaux.org/index.php/Boy_Scouts_of_America Learn Safe Boating Practices from the Coast Guard Auxiliary www.auxbdept.org/pdf/BSA-PE_brochure-2010-08-07.pdf Promote BSA Safety Afloat with a Free Vessel Safety Check www.auxbdept.org/pdf/BSA-VSC_brochure-2010-08-07.pdf Safety at Sea Weekend auxbdeptwiki.cgaux.org/index.php/Safety_at_Sea_Weekend

15. AuxBWiki: auxbdeptwiki.cgaux.org/index.php/Boy_Scouts_of_America Email Bruce Johnson commodore@seascout.org Questions?