This webpage Contains general descriptions of the FSO responsibilities from the people currently holding these positions.  

Communications (FSO-CM) 

Communication Services (FSO-CS)

The role of the Communications Services officer (FSO-CS) is to modernize and streamline the communications of the flotilla in order to achieve the vision, mission and responsibilities of the flotilla. Effective and quality communications are critical to the uniformity, and productivity of all flotilla members. These communications are both internal and external.   

External - involve both outgoing and incoming communications with the public, our leadership chain, the media, and partners (police, parks and wildlife, vendors, etc.). This includes providing the public ready access to all the information that furthers the mission of the flotilla including promoting safe boating and safeguarding our area of responsibility (AOR). 

Internal – Involves communications among flotilla membership and between our leadership and the members. This includes the vast array of “How To” information that helps members successful complete the mission and grow as members. 

A modern website is the most effective tool for maintaining and facilitating communications both internally and externally. If used correctly, it presents a positive image of the quality and professionalism of our organization. In support of the website are a number of tools such as Drop-Box, Calendars, Email, and Social Media. Other tools such as Audio/visual, conference calling, may also be considered in-scope of this officer’s responsibilities.  This includes both tactical and strategic aspects.

Tactical aspects – Involve identifying deficiencies, where activities are hindered because of difficult to find or confusing or inaccurate information. Incremental enhancements aimed at productivity and quality of the information flow should be proposed and implemented.   This includes the creation, archival, and retrieval of information.  

Strategic aspects – involve staying current with the advances of technology and proposing ways of continuing to improve the overall management of information.

Diversity (FSO-DV) 

Finance (FSO-FN) 

Human Resources (FSO-HR) 

Information Services (FSO-IS)

Materials (FSO-MA) 

Member Training (FSO-MT)

Public Affairs (FSO-PA)  

The primary role of the Public Affairs officer (FSO-PA) involves maintaining the public face and image of our flotilla and our services to the community.  This requires a close relationship with the other Flotilla Staff Officers (FSOs), learning how they do their jobs and figuring out how to promote their services.  And important to promoting services is identifying new and unique public platforms to display those public services.

One of the most rewarding and effective ways of staying in touch with the community included a close working relationship was in education, especially grades 3-12.  While constantly interfacing with Public School district and being involved with kids and their parents, I was able to promote the Flotilla’s public education classes by recruiting parents and teens interested in becoming boaters.

By identifying public events where our flotilla could set up a display, I found it easy to develop working relationships with TV and news media and was interviewed on TV representing USCG and Auxiliary recreational boating safety. It is my responsibility to ensure our flotilla is adhering with Coast Guard Auxiliary guidelines and regulations.

Working with active duty professionals, I was also able to dramatically improve my photography skills which I found to be an extremely important asset to my position. The FSO-PA needs a strong partnership with the Flotilla Publications Staff officer (FSO-PB) and these two individuals need to work together to secure new, creative and interesting presentation materials that draw attention to each Flotilla dept.

Public Education (FSO-PE) 

Program Visitation (FSO-PV)

WHY BECOME A PROGRAM VISITOR? - Program Visitors are largely responsible for first contact between recreational boaters, boating service providers and the Coast Guard Auxiliaries Recreational Boating Safety programs. We visit businesses who provide necessary services to the boating public; boat sales, boat repairs, boat accessory sales, fishing information, and docking services and provide them with materials to distribute to their customers. Being a PV gives you, not only the opportunity to be of service to connect the boating public to the Coast Guard Auxiliary, but gives you the experience of visiting many interesting businesses and meeting many interesting people.

When we first visit these businesses, we work to educate them, if they don’t already know, about the role the Auxiliary plays in recreational boating safety. We ask them if they would like to partner with us in that role by providing information to boaters who frequent their business. We provide a small (or large!) literature rack and fill it with various Cost Guard publications. We also include information about our flotilla’s specific activities including boating safety classes and vessel examinations. We ensure that the business has our contact information in case they run out of material before we return, or if they or a customer have questions about any aspect of RBS. 

Once a business becomes a partner, we visit them frequently to ensure they have an adequate supply of brochures and information as well as to update them on upcoming classes and VE activities. Our strongest partners also expand their role in RBS by hosting vessel exams or educational programs. 

HOW TO BECOME A PV. - Becoming a PV is fairly easy. You will be given a PV manual, which is also available on line at this link:Program Visitor ManualAfter studying the manual there is a thirty question, open book, online, self-administered examination with a three-hour time limit and required passing score of 90%. Once you pass the examination you will make two program visits with a certified PV who will then submit your visit information up the chain of command and you will receive a letter, certificate and ribbon indicating you have qualified to be a PV.

Secretary/Records (FSO-SR) 

Vessel Exams (FSO-VE) 

The FSO-VE and VEs are some of the most publicly visible members of the USCG Auxiliary.  As such, the job of the FSO-VE goes beyond ensuring that Vessel Examiners are adequately checking recreational vessels for state and federal safety equipment. Each check of a vessel or paddle craft is an opportunity for the well-trained Vessel Examiner to share boat safety information, local boating knowledge and information about the Auxiliary with the boat captain or owner of the paddle craft.  So in addition to ensuring the maintenance of uniformly high standards during vessel safety checks, the FSO VE mentors Vessel Examiners to discuss pertinent boating topics like local waterways, the importance of optional equipment (e.g. VHF radio), filing a float plan, and what to expect if they are stopped on the water by a member of law enforcement.   And of course each Vessel Safety Check is an opportunity for the FSO-VE and/or VE to pitch to the boater on the rewarding job of being an USCG Auxiliarist.   

The success of the FSO-VE depends on maintaining a close contact with Vessel Examiners, other FSO’s and the boating public.  The FSO-VE encourages Vessel Examiners to increase vessel safety check activity.  This is accomplished by assisting Vessel Examiners in identifying sites where there are opportunities to conduct VSCs, maintaining a VSC calendar, coordinating VSC “blitzes” and ensuring rapid response to “I want a VSC” website.  Coordination of efforts with other flotilla officers including public education, member training and program visits ensures all flotilla members understand and can cross promote each others activities.  The successful FSO-VE will

• enjoy meeting the boating public
• have a manner that is more consultative than authoritative and
• be more concerned with education than enforcement.