STAFF OFFICER POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Flotilla Staff Officer of Public Affairs will exercise staff responsibility and supervision over all Auxiliary public affairs and oublic information matters within the Flotilla and keep members informed of all developments in this area. This officer will work in cooperation with the Division Staff Officer of Public Affairs (SO-PA) and will establish effective working relationships with members of the print media and broadcast media to facilitate coverage of Flotilla activities and missions. This officer will coordinate and cooperate with the FSO-PE, FSO-VE, FSO-CC, and FSO-PB in promoting, advertising, and communicating to the media the activities of these areas and in promoting the best possible public image of the Auxiliary in the Flotilla and Division. The FSO-PA will also originate articles for Flotilla, Division, District and National newsletters and publications, will develop and direct an organized program of activities to obtain Auxiliary publicity, and will assist other officers with the preparation and distribution of advertising and promotional material on Public Education courses, Vessel Safety Checks, and (AIM) and (RAP) activities of the Career Counselor officer. Additionally, the FSO-PA will cooperate with the FSO-PB in obtaining action photos of Flotilla activity for publication and for entering Auxiliary photo contests. This individual will maintain close liaison with the SO-PA to ensure an effective and coordinated program within the Division and will assist or take part in planning and conducting seminars, workshops, forums, and panel discussions.

CONTACT:
Joan Beck
watersafety@comcast.net

ALL PAWS ON DECK

As part of the Coast Guard's 2009 initiative to encourage pet owners to have dogs wear life jackets while on the water, the civilian public relations firm for the US Coast Guard requested photos of CJ (star of our local Kids Water safety Team) wearing a life jacket.

In the July issue of Dog Fancy magazine, you will find the article "All Paws On Deck" featuring CJ wearing her inflatable lifejacket. Dog Fancy has a monthly circulation of 300,000 and can be purchased in local pet and book stores.

CJ is a highly trained English Springer Spaniel and a key member of the Division 11 Kids Water Safety Team in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.  She has appeared on local TV five times and has been seen in person by over 60,000 people in her eight years with the team.

For her efforts on behalf of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, CJ is only the second dog in US history to receive a Team Meritorious Conduct ribbon and citation from the US Coast Guard (2004) and to be recognized in the Awards of Canine Excellence program by the American Kennel Club (also 2004).

We are very proud that the US Coast Guard requested her image for the article and canine life jacket ad campaign.