COMO Gene Seibert

NACON Thursday has arrived and with it comes a plethora of meetings.

Most of today’s meetings are closed to the general membership. Not that there is something to hide, rather it provides an atmosphere where the Commodores, Vice Commodores, Directors of Auxiliary, their assistants and aides can speak and share ideas in a closed forum. This allows frank and unabridged discussion.

Area Meetings
The day started off with the area meetings, Atlantic East, Atlantic West and Pacific. The Area Commodores (ARCO) presided over these meetings. The District Commodores (DCO) and Vice Commodores (VCO) offered their suggestions for the future of their respective areas. Each had an opportunity to air problems and seek direction and hopefully some solutions.

Chief Director of Auxiliary Meeting
During this same time interval the Chief Director, Captain Barry Smith, presided over a meeting of the Directors of Auxiliary and the Assistants and aides. The purpose of this meeting was very similar in scope to the Auxiliary area meetings.

National Board Executive Session
NACO Bill Edgerton then presided over the National Board Executive session. The National EXCOM (NEXCOM) including the ARCOs, DCOs and VCOs attended this meeting. The accomplishments of the National Staff were enumerated and thanks were offered to the many individuals involved. The DCOs had an opportunity to share sensitive and problematic issues.

AUX+PLUS
The Coast Guard Auxiliary Association has completed it new database program named "AUX+PLUS" it will be used to support the Associate Member program and fundraising activities. Eventually it will also provide support to the Flotilla's in tracking public education students and vessel safety checks.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Association Board and Committee of the Whole
The afternoon meetings started with the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association Board meeting and followed by the meeting of the Committee of the Whole. The latter meeting afforded each of the ARCOs and National Directorate Commodores an opportunity to speak the about the successes and accomplishments of their units during the past year.