A majority of the National Association Board members were present.

CGA Parent’s Association President, Bob Mohr, called the meeting to order at 0900 with opening remarks and a round of introductions.

Meeting with USCGA Senior Staff

RADM Teeson welcomed the Parents Association and thanked them for their continued efforts. RADM Teeson talked briefly about the following:

• NEASE 2000- The total look process of accreditation every 10 years
• ADM Loy’s challenges and the future of the Coast Guard including new technology for stopping drugs and a higher CG profile
• CG gets an "A" in overall Mgt. of the organization- good tax dollar use
• CG is connected with the Academy graduates and the Academy learning Centers-design of ships, policy, interns etc.
• CG readiness and capitalization-in shore just about done next is blue water
• Outside vender for new buoy tender- 3 years in development

The next speaker was Dean Haas. He further explained the total look process of accreditation every 10 years. The areas of emphasis include:

• Evaluated as a college but looked at by the way the academy defines itself
• Evaluated against our self defined mission by people who can relate to the mission
• Demonstrate return on investment, accountability to the CG and the taxpayer
• Experienced team to visit in April Report of findings will then follow proper channels for approval

Dean Haas discussed the importance of diversity of instructors. (Experience, demographics, cultural) The need to continually measure effectiveness through learning outcomes and critical thinking. Must continually work hard to get resource share of operating money and the challenge of the annual operating budget. Use the resources wisely and address retention concerns, academic (6% loss), conduct (5% loss) and the motivation needed to keep the other 15-20% losses. All the engineering majors are under review. (ABET 2000). Cadet grade point is up slightly, 4 disenrollments and local parents helped with the "stars" program providing recognition.

Dean Haas made the very important point that "a small amount of effort makes a huge difference" and this applies in all areas.

RADM Teeson talked next about the facilities project status:

• Chase Hall head renovation is 80% complete
• Michel Hall (clinic) – heat, vent, and air conditioning system will progress over the next year
• Billard Hall (old gym)- upgrade of two locker rooms is 90% complete
• Satterlee Hall will be off line until the fall of 01. This is a big project including lighting, heat and air, technology, faculty offices redone.
• Galley-need to go back and fix the air conditioning

RADM Teeson talked about OpSail 2000 and the Eagle’s involvement in the largest tall ship maritime event in history. New London would be visited from July 12-15, 2000.

He commented briefly on the sports study that reviewed the mix of college, intramural, and club level sports. The new women’s varsity swimming program was very successful. Women’s varsity soccer program is in the works and may start by fall. The CGA is working on better green space use. Funding is a key issue and there is a need for other than appropriated funds for a total sports program.

RADM Teeson introduced Dr. Ray Ceiplik, Director of Athletics. Dr. Cieplik talked further on the sports study. Overall the program showed good balance with the requirement to get the total person developed. To provide for all sports is an on going challenge to get the space needed. Planned growth for the added sports takes time and all the resources have to be put together to make that happen. Challenges of replacing many of the coaches that have retired recently. Dr. Ceiplik commented on the club programs:

• Not under the big umbrella
• They flow with interest of the cadets
• Dependant on faculty and equipment and limited budget
• The funding has to come from other areas
• Do not want to take on contact sports without trainers

Dr. Ceiplik mentioned the on going Green Space use study project. There has been some mutual cooperation with Conn College and field development. Riverside Park (south) is another possible site. Assist the city and have them work with the academy. Lt. Matt Meilstrup was recognized as the head Tennis coach and the academy had a 4^th class cadet female National champion in swimming.

RADM Teeson introduced Capt Gene Brooks and credited him with restoring the positive values in the Corp. Captain Brooks will be leaving in June and will take command of the San Juan operation. Capt Brooks commented on the following:

• There were two serious accidents this year. No trend is shown. Appreciation expressed to the parents who helped out with the spin injury.
• President Clinton is to speak at graduation on the lower field.
• The #1 cadet graduate will speak at commencement for the first time
• The ethics forum is very successful program.

Capt Brooks commented on some general items about the class of 2000. These included:

• Combined community service event that was very positive.
• Alternative events for the cadets have helped to curtail alcohol.
• Missing man Memorial service and Exchange of Command was very well done.

Capt Brooks said the corps of cadets was at 801 and they needed to bring the corps up to size adding 70 to 80 cadets more than last year. A brief discussion on computer problems - cost and technology changes. More research is needed to come up with a good solution.

The following Items are needed:

• Washers and Dryers
• Vans and vehicles
• Primarily need a new 15-passenger van

A general questions and answer session followed.

RADM Teeson thanked the entire parents association for their time to speak and Bob Mohr expressed the Associations appreciation for RADM Teeson’s attention. The meeting was adjourned briefly for lunch.

 Parents Association Business

Association President Bob Mohr started the second half of the meeting by addressing some of the goals and status of parents association items.

Membership 1998- 178, 1999- 321, 2000- 391 to date continue to work on getting the membership up.

Fund raising projects to obtain a new 15-passenger van to present at parent’s weekend.

Lobbying Committee- Tamara Slivinski to research the possible lobby effort.

Alumni Association relationship- past president fired and taken over by staff officer. Captain Wayne Grolund acting president. Need to establish a new relationship with the Alumni Association.

Continued problems with gathering the two (Parents & Alumni) Associations’ information for the database and the importance of the relationship between them

Bob Mohr presented some suggestions for the roles of members-at-large of the parents association. He expanded this discussion to cover the needed structure changes and importance of these positions. Bob reviewed the major areas that need attention:

Restructuring, membership, fund raising, services (alumni association/newsletter), Communications, lobbying effort, organizational structure –by laws/constitution or Operating programs, nametags, and West coast/East coast.

Bob received a motion from the floor to proceed with the structure organizing for Members at Large. It was seconded and passed by a voice vote. Bob proposed that Greg Zike be replaced by Lloyd Laycook as Member at Large. It was seconded and passed by a voice vote. Requested that all Members at Large attend all three meetings.

Marianne Baker will work with the Alumni office. Tamara Slivinski will work on lobbying. Chris Malzone will do name tags.

Bob discussed the Parents gift fund, the Endowment fund and the individual class fund.

Minutes were accepted from the 24 September 1999 meeting.

Bob Pray was involved in the Academy Sports study. The basic process was to compare CGA and other sports programs within the category. The outcome at this time was that no conclusions or recommendations were made.

Bob Mohr discussed the progress of several Chapters. The Rocky Mountain Chapter is still in progress of developing and should take another month or two. The Northwest Chapter has become inactive and the Upstate New York Chapter is being worked on.

Fund Raising Committee- Bob Pray Commented on the fund raising flyer that Dawn Switzer developed. It was nicely done and sent out to an expanded base of people through the mail. This flyer addresses the Parents gift fund, The one time membership fee of $50.00 and the matching funds programs.

Lobby Committee – Tamara Slivinski talked about lobbying efforts through e-mail groups, sample letters and press examples for contacting the local papers. Lobby request can come from any people. She mentioned that the commercial fishing people are concerned about the ability to rescue them and they are planning to lobby. NASCAR is going to race a CG car at Charlette, N.C. Bob Mohr defined the total budget lobby role of all the parents to write their Congressman, Senators, and the president to help get the money that is needed.

Bob Mohr discussed gifts and donations- A donation was made to the LaCrosse team for the Cadet Briese incident. A discussion of a leadership award to be given at parent’s weekend came up and that was tabled for the next meeting. A CG officer that had graduated from the academy had a fatal accident on the Delaware bridge. Tremendous support was provided by the local chapter and many family friends. A Certificate of Appreciation will be present to Captain Gene Brooks.

Nominating Committee- Bob Pray asked everyone present to send suggestions to him for the election of officers.

Reporting-In-Day is July 5^th. The Parents Association Meeting is on July 4^th at 1:00pm.

Henk LaBrie discussed OpSail 2000. Largest sailing event ever. San Juan to Portland, Maine. National Association to help the chapters that are involved with OpSail.

Fifteen passenger Van- The object is to donate a van on parent’s weekend. Marianne Baker will get some price information and report back.

A discussion was held about the need for local chapters to support Cadet groups when they travel in the local chapter area. The local chapters need to know when the Cadet groups travel and where they will be. Parents then can volunteer to help out. To help this process the calendar for the Academy needs to be updated. Janet Meeks will coordinate with Lt. Meilstrup to work on that information.

The Glee club will record and produce a CD for donations to defray the cost of the CD. They will record on April 11^th.

Chapter Reports

Greater New York - Justine Ferrara- The spring dance will be held on April 29^th.

New England - Bob Pray- The Holly Ball was a success. Meeting on the 26^th of March. Picnic on sign in day. Key rings with crest on it.

C&P - Anne Walker- End of May picnic for the new appointees. End of April there will be a Norfolk meeting. July 4^th at the Raddison in New London for Incoming Cadets.

Paul Foye - Marianne Baker- Ice Cream Sunday before finals in May. Stars deserts and picnic for new incoming cadets on June 11th & 18^th.

Delaware Valley - Carole Yezefski- The exchange cadets given a mug to take back. All Academy Ball was a success. Glee Club visit and spring meeting April 30^th. May 12^th-13^th there is a crew event the Schuylkill regatta. The reception for all new cadets at the Raddison from 7-10 pm.

VADM Nelson - Anne & Steve DiGaudio- All Military Ball was a success and a picnic will be held, time and place to be announced. Liaison work with local CG auxiliary to get things going.

Greater LA - Steve & Mary Ann Crecy- Military Ball was a success. Efforts continuing with recruiting at College fairs. The CG auxiliary to host the whale days festival. June 10^th is the Hail and Farewell send off.