The next Navigator will be in your mailboxes around the same time as N-Train, chock full of stories about our members’ efforts nationwide in connection with our many missions. Similarly, SITREP provides a weekly snapshot of these activities, and will provide beginning to end coverage of N-Train. Our goal is to make it possible for all of our members to experience N-Train and its great benefits, even if they cannot attend personally. Our biweekly electronic newsletter, Auxe-News, and Department website, www.auxpa.org (which you are currently looking at) round out the electronic communications media which facilitate member information and training.

From this it should be evident that Auxiliary Public Affairs is EVERY member’s responsibility. We will be arming you with information and opportunities to make our activities evident to all. Ultimately, this enhanced awareness is the greatest contribution we can make to Recreational Boating Safety as well as Maritime Domain Awareness.

To make your job easier, our External Communications Division is providing you with scores of articles, press releases, and stories of Auxiliary success in this website.

Take a look around, and you will undoubtedly find the inspiration you need to boost your programs anywhere in the Auxiliary. We need your help in identifying stories of Auxiliarists in Action.

Send these stories to us and we will take it from there.

N-Train is all about Training. Although our Public Affairs Officers are not at N-Train this year, we have three opportunities to attend Auxiliary Public Affairs C School, AUX-12, in February, April and May of this year. Additionally, we will have our own electronic N-Train right after the live N-Train and NEXCOM’s approval of our new Public Affairs Officer Advancement and Recognition program.

Make sure your email address is current in AUXDATA and that you are on our mailing lists; AuxPA (for DSOs-PA), AuxPAO(for all public affairs officers – FSOs, SOs, and DSOs – or any member interested in public affairs), and Aux12 (for those interested in and alumni of AUX-12, to share planning information, experiences and challenges in the public affairs area).

For those who need public affairs assistance, we have several resources available.

• Our Imagery Division produces graphics and artwork for Auxiliary programs.

• The Photographic Corps make photographers available nationwide to help cover your next public affairs event.

• The Video Task Force does the same for filming and video production.

• Our Press Corps is developing story ideas and assist in bringing your ideas to publication quality.

• The Outreach Branch is coming up with resources to make your presence known in the community among traditionally underserved segments of our population, including children.

• Our Audio Branch produces audio PSAs for use by your local radio stations to promote your programs.

• Coastie will add sizzle to your next boat show safety booth.

• Fleet Home Town News will ingratiate you to your local Coast Guard unit.

Be sure to take advantage of these resources, which you can find out more about by exploring this website.

We are here to help you do your job, because – remember - Auxliary Public Affairs is EVERY member’s responsibility.