The Bass Pro Shops Fit to Float life jacket trade-in promotion is scheduled for 16/17 May in each Bass Pro Shops store in the country (except Branson, MO).  The Auxiliary is invited to have a knowledgeable person staff a table to answer questions about life jackets and demonstrate use of various lifejackets.  DO NOT fit lifejackets on children, provide perceived endorsements of any lifejacket manufacturer, or participate in a trade-in.  DO market boating safety classes, vessel safety checks and recruit new members.  Please pass this information to each division/flotilla encouraging communications with each Bass Pro Shop store operations manager to foster Auxiliary participation.  Auxiliary POC is Stu Soffer (cgauxstu@yahoo.com).

PA Contests Reminder

1. Publication (P Contest entrants will be made electronically. Entrants are to Email the URL or a .pdf of their publication to the PB contest coordinator who, in turn, will advise other judges of the URL/.pdf. Entries consist of a full year?s worth of publications. Contestants must be winners of their respective District contests. Submissions will be sent via the appropriate DSO-PB who will certify that entries are winners of their respective District contests. District or Division units must submit a minimum of three (3) publications. Flotillas must submit a minimum of four (4) publications. Each entrant must be identified with the name of the editor and the District/division/flotilla. Entries should be submitted to robwestcott@earthlink.net not later than 1 June 2009. Entries will be judged using standards contained I the current USCG Auxiliary Publications Manual.

4. Public Affairs Contest (PA) entrants will E-mail a synopsis of their project, activity, etc. to the PA Contest coordinator. No hard copy submissions will be accepted. These will be presented for the best district, division and flotilla projects. There are four judging criteria:

Use of imagination and creativity.

Promotion of CGAUX programs and (public) image.

Clarity of writing and ease of replication.

Attracting the attention of the media and the boating public. Entries should be E-mailed to Manny.Romero@nau.edu not later than 1 June 2009.

5. Photo Contest entries must be in digital .jpg format. Only red eye removal, lighting enhancements, and cropping are permitted. Photos may be color or black and white. Seven categories are judged: Public Affairs, Fellowship, Marine Safety, Member Services, Operations, Public Education, and Vessel Safety Checks. The following outlines each area:

1. Public Affairs: Auxiliarists spreading the Auxiliary message to external and

internal audiences.

2. Fellowship: Auxiliarists having fun in a social setting.

3. Marine Safety: Auxiliarists engaged in proctoring marine license exams, assisting in inspecting containers, vessels, etc. Auxiliarists engaged in beach cleanup and other environmental activities.

4. Member Services: Auxiliarists recruiting and/or providing information or services for members (fingerprinting, ID photo taking, etc.)

5. Operations: Auxiliarists operating boats, aircraft, radios, etc.

6. Public Education: Auxiliarists providing instruction to the public.

7. Vessel Safety Checks: People performing VE?s.

Digital Photos must be a minimum of 5 megapixels. All entries must have complete Metadata, be numbered with a correct VIRIN number, and note the category to which the entry is being submitted. Entries should be E-mailed to the Photo Contest Coordinator, jpcirone@warwick.net not later than 1 June 2009.

6. Video Contest

Videography: Entrants must submit via Google Video (conforming to Google Video's technical requirements). Create a Google Video account and uploading the video (set as private). Email the Video URL to: Ray.J.Pages@USCG-AUX.US Provide the best scene (selection of a few related shots from one event or story). Maximum length per submission is 5 minutes. Maximum number of shots is ten (at about 30 seconds each). Any CGAUX cornerstone activity may be covered. Entries must be submitted by 1 June 2009. Judging reports are due to DC-A/Ad not later than 15 June 2009. DC-A/Ad must submit award winners to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association not later than 30 June 2009. First place winners of each contest will be announced at NACON 2009.