1. Division 12’s Flotilla of the Year to be recognized for outstanding achievement and advancement of Auxiliary programs and personnel for 2013 is Flotilla 12-07 which was under the direction and leadership Albin J. Cofone, FC and Ronald J. Kaplan, VFC.
2. Throughout the calendar year of 2012, 12-07 accomplished the following: they grew their membership by seven accounting for half of the total growth of the Division, supplied four members to operate and manage the District’s Aviation Program, participated in the Coast Guard Academy’s AIM program, doubled the amount of vessel examiners and quadrupled the amount of Program Visitors thus tripling their VE and PV activity over that done in 2011. They trained and retrained three members in various programs thus removing them from REYR status and appointed four new first time staff officers all of which have taken and passed the Administrative Procedures Course thus preparing them and the Flotilla with available candidates for the continuity of future elected leadership. The Flotilla also adopted and implemented a Web Blog to keep the membership and general public informed of goings on within the Auxiliary. The web blog has been viewed by persons across the United States and around the world by more than 2500 people since its inception last summer. This has proven to be a public relations boost as it has help them recruit outside of the National Leads program and save the Flotilla an estimated $1500.00 annually in postage and supplies to do a mailing of a news letter. Additionally, 12-07 has had six members become active in four operational programs and the membership became directly involved in community outreach at home and abroad thus spreading the existence and benevolence of the United States Coast Guard and her Auxiliary through their sponsorship and support of a medical relief mission to Arusha, Tanzania, Africa in March of 2012 where four nurses from LIJ/North Shore delivered Medical Supplies and Humanitarian Aid as well as worked in a local hospital and orphanage. Also, members of 12-07 also ran a fund raiser amongst its membership in support of a local children’s group of cancer survivors on Long Island. Lastly, 12-7 has supported the District Aviation program by adopting, promoting and sponsoring training for its members and the more than 220 members participating in the District Aviation program thereby ensuring an educated and well prepared Air Crews to be at the ready. All these accomplishments along with the 225 hours of patrol time which was an increase over that done in 2011, 79 hours in the classroom and 16 hours at PA events for career days etc., and 5200 hours of cumulative hours of service makes Flotilla 12-07 Division 12’s Flotilla of the YEAR.
David G. Porter
DCAPT Sector NY-S, 1SR
US Coast Guard Auxiliary