Twenty-four of the National Association Board members were present. The meeting started at approximately 1300.

CGA Parent’s Association President, Bob Mohr, opened the meeting with introductory remarks and noted that RADM Teeson was unable to attend today’s meeting as he was representing the Coast Guard on board the USS John F. Kennedy at OPSAIL in New York City. He then introduced the council members to Captain Phil Hyle, the new Commandant of Cadets.

Meeting with USCGA Senior Staff

Captain Hyle reported aboard the Academy just one week ago. He stated that his mission at the Academy was to make our sons and daughters into leaders. He gave a brief overview of his career in Coast Guard Operations Ashore that included several tours in foreign countries as a liaison officer and helping emerging nations develop their own Coast Guard. He has been at the Academy before as an instructor. He noted that though many things have changed that many major issues have not. He was looking forward to his first Reporting-In-Day as the Commandant of Cadets.

He threw the floor open and responded to questions on:

• Attrition: Attrition is not our mission at CGA; we are trying to develop your sons and daughters into leaders. Some changes were made in the admissions process this year aimed at reducing attrition. He is optimistic that attrition will be under 10% for "Swab Summer."
• Fuel Money for Summer Cutter Cruises: Our information is that the congress will soon vote additional funds for Coast Guard operations and cutter cruises will resume as scheduled. However, budget problems are a continuing problem for the Coast Guard and cadets should be exposed to those issues as well.
• AIM Program: Over 250 young people will go through AIM this year. A high percentage accepts appointments as cadets. The Coast Guard Auxiliary runs the program and is primarily responsible for choosing the AIMsters and deciding how many people will be in a class.
• Alcohol Abuse: He plans to take up where Captain Brooks left off in his continuing battle against under age drinking and alcohol abuse. It was noted that CGA is ranked in the top five in "Stone Cold Sober Schools" by the Princeton Review, so the battle is currently being won by the forces of sobriety.

Captain Hyle was followed by Dean of Academics, Dr. Haas.

Dr. Haas spoke about the recently completed accreditation process. The accreditation visit took place in April of 2000. The draft report from the accreditation committee is very favorable and stated "The future looks bright at the Coast Guard Academy." Some of the strong points of CGA cited by the committee were:

1. Emphasis on Life Long Learning
2. The Commandant’s emphasis on shared outcomes
3. Faculty participation and dedication
4. Great Students

Some areas that can be improved upon:

1. Cadet time management (Cadets are too busy!)
2. Faculty Diversity
3. Library
4. Budget

Dr. Hass stated that it looks very good for a full ten-year accreditation.

The new language program will start in the fall for history/government majors. A new Computer Engineering program will also start in the fall. An aquatics instructor and women’s soccer coach will also be added in the fall.

Questions for Dr. Hass included the following:

• State of the Library: The Coast Guard foundation has authorized a long term multi-million dollar program to upgrade the Academy Library and make it the Coast Guard Library.
• Engineering Curriculum: Currently majors are offered in Civil, Mechanical, Marine and Electrical. The computer-engineering curriculum will start in the fall and already many cadets have signed up for the new program.
• Cadet Computers: Leases were discussed instead of buying new computers for every cadet. The decision was made to continue with buying computers for the time being.
• Instructor to cadet ratio: Already one of the best of any college in the country. Three additional instructors are being sought for the fall to handle the larger entering class.

The next speaker was Captain Wayne Gronlund, (USCG Ret.) President of the Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association.

Captain Gronlund stated that the strong economy had contributed to a high resignation rate in the CGA classes of 94 & 95. Consequently, a major function of the Alumni Association has been in supporting graduates in the transition to civilian life. He is currently in the process of hiring a new Director of Development to replace Bob Tuneski who recently retired.

Lobbying politicians is a function that the Alumni Association is prohibited from because of their status as a 501-C-3 organization. That also applies to the Parent’s Association because we use the Alumni Association’s 501-C-3 number. We are free to lobby politicians as private citizens but not as members of the Parent’s Association. A discussion followed about what activities are OK and what are not. Captain Gronlund promised to get a reading from the Association Legal Staff and give a more complete briefing on the subject at the next meeting.

That concluded the presentations from the CGA Senior Management Team.

Parent’s Association Business

Bob Slivinski moved to accept the minutes of the last meeting without reading them aloud. Chris Garcia seconded the motion and the motion was passed by a voice vote.

President Bob Mohr read the Treasurer’s Report. The Parent’s Gift Fund balance is approximately $27,000 and the Parent’s Association Endowment Fund is approximately $61,000. The Parent’s Association contribution to the Endowment Fund this year will be decided at the next meeting.

The VADM Nelson Chapter will take over the distribution of Name Tags.

The Northwest Chapter has gone inactive.

OLD BUSINESS

Vice-President, Bob Pray reported on the activities of the nominating committee. Several volunteers have been found for the four vacancies opening up on the Executive Council. Regrettably, some volunteers will have to be turned down. Still looking for volunteers to be Vice President and Recording Secretary for next year.

Vice-President, Bob Pray then discussed the activities of the fund raising committee. He thanked Dawn Switzer for her work on the new fund raising pamphlet. The fund raising efforts conducted by E-mail and snail mail have increased contributions over 100% from last year. More of the brochures will be printed up for Parent’s Weekend.

President, Bob Mohr passed out the new job descriptions for council members. Chris Malzone will take comments from the members and revise the job descriptions accordingly. A decision was made to vote on the new job descriptions at the next meeting.

A Special Interest Sub-Committee was established with Tamara Slivinski as the Chairperson. Four members have volunteered to be on the sub-committee. More volunteers are sought from the South East and the Texas area.

NEW BUSINESS

Marianne Baker reported on her efforts in shopping for a new 15-passenger van to be presented to the Academy by the Parent’s Association on Parent’s Weekend. Cliff Meeks made a motion to authorize Marianne to proceed with the purchase of the van at the best price she could get. The Academy will allow us to use an old van as a trade-in. Denise LaRue seconded the motion and it was passed by a voice vote.

Bob Mohr then read out a list of the new Chapter Presidents. The next meeting will be on Parent’s Weekend at 0800 on 15 September. The meeting will end promptly at 1200 so we can have lunch with our cadets.

Chapter Reports

Delaware Valley was represented by Anne Walker. Their last meeting in May was for new cadets and families. They will host a reception tonight at the Radisson for new families and new cadets. They have re-done their new cadet handbook and titled it "In the Beginning." It has a dedication to the late Cadet 2/c Jon Briese. The new handbook was made possible thanks to a contribution from Jon’s parents in his memory.

C&P was represented by Terry Millen. They hosted 11 new cadets at their May meeting. They also hosted a hospitality tent for cadets and families at the DAD VAIL crew races this spring.

Greater Los Angeles was represented by Dawn Switzer. Their spring meeting for new cadets and families was held at Coast Guard Station Terminal Island. Three current cadets and one new Ensign were on hand to give the new cadets the straight scoop.

Great Lakes was represented by Dave Allen. Their spring meeting had 80 people in attendance including 17 new cadets and their families.

VADM Nelson was represented by Anna DiGaudio. Two new cadets and their families attended their spring meeting.

The Florida Chapter was represented by Dawn Seddon. They have just become active in the last six months. They are currently meeting by Internet. Twenty-five families are involved so far.

Bob Pray represented the New England Chapter. The spring meeting was held at the Coast Guard Integrated Support Command Boston with a tour of the CGC Escanaba. Ten new cadets and their families were present. The New England Chapter is hosting the annual Reporting-In-Day picnic tomorrow.

Marianne Baker represented the Connecticut Chapter. Their spring meeting was held at the cadet lodge in May. Ten new cadets and their families attended. Thirty-six host families will open their homes to new cadets this weekend.

Anne Roller represented the Upstate New York Chapter. They mailed out welcome packages to 36 new cadets this spring.

List of Attendees:

• Bob Mohr - National President
• Lisa Mohr
• Bob Pray - National Vice-President
• Chris Malzone - National Corresponding Secretary
• Denise & Ed LaRue - C&P
• Marianne Baker - Paul Foye
• Kevin Keffer - VADM Nelson
• Janet & Chris Malzone - Delaware Valley
• Anne & Jack Walker - C&P
• Anna DiGaudio - VADM Nelson
• Bob & Tamara Slivinski - Delaware Valley
• Jon & Terry Millen - Delaware Valley
• Frank & Christine Garcia - Delaware Valley
• Dawn & Ed Seddon - Florida
• Cliff & Janet Meeks - Delaware Valley
• Lynn Lachut - VADM Nelson
• David & Jeannie Allen - Great Lakes
• Dawn Switzer - Greater Los Angeles
• Henk LaBrie - New England
• Capt. Hyle - Commandant of Cadets
• Dr. Tom Haas - Dean of Academics
• Capt. Wayne Gronlund - President USCGA Alumni Association