ALAUX 023/26 Subj:  CHIEF DIRECTOR’S FINAL ACTION ON NATIONAL BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE NATIONAL TRAINING MEETING (NTRAIN) 2026

1. At the 2026 Auxiliary National Training Meeting (NTRAIN) held in St. Louis, Missouri in March, two recommendations were placed before the National Board. They are copied below along with the Chief Director’s final actions.

a. Subject: Amendments to Unit Standing Rules

(1) Recommendation: Assistant National Commodore (Chief Counsel) Bruce Kelton recommended that amendments be made to the Standing Rules at the District, Division and Flotilla unit levels. The summary of changes is attached.

(2) Discussion: The Standing Rules of the Auxiliary require updating to ensure consistency with all relevant Coast Guard and Auxiliary policies and procedures, including those issued by the Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety (CG-BSX). For example, codifying virtual participation through electronic means as a default option. Further, prior legal review of any amendments to the Standing Rules shall be included to ensure ongoing consistency with the policies and procedures referenced above. Other changes, such as reference to manual provisions regarding the disbanding of a flotilla will be included in the Flotilla Standing Rules. Finally, the Auxiliary Financial and Materials Controls Standard Operating Procedures are now explicitly referenced to strengthen financial controls and accountability.

(3) Amendments: Coast Guard District Great Lakes (Central Region) District Commodore Mark Villeneuve proposed an amendment to the recommendation that included additional revisions to the standardized Standing Rules for the purpose of aligning relevant provisions (e.g., role of nominating committee members at flotilla elections; flotilla dues payment deadline; timing of election procedures; determining incapacity; etc.). The amendment was adopted.

(4) National Board Action: Approved.

(5) Chief Director Final Action: Concur, approved and effective upon posting of the revised standardized District, Division, and Flotilla Standing Rules.

b. Subject: Quorum-Based “Member in Good Standing” Designation for Inactive Membership

(1) Recommendation: Coast Guard District Southeast District Commodore Martin Goodwin recommended adopting a quorum-based member designation framework that preserves full membership for all Auxiliarists while aligning unit governance (quorum counts, voting, elected-office eligibility) with objective currency and minimum participation standards, implemented as follows: Define Member in Good Standing (Quorum Member) as a member who: is current on annual dues; is current in Auxiliary Core Training (AUXCT); is compliant with annual uniform inspection policy; meets a minimum annual participation threshold (e.g., 10 reported hours); and is not under suspension/disciplinary restriction. Quorum Members would be counted for quorum and eligible to vote and hold elected office. Members not meeting the criteria would be designated Non-Quorum Members who remain full members but not counted for quorum and are ineligible to vote or hold elected office until restored. Establish clear, non-punitive transition rules (including notice and restoration steps) and implement via national policy and AUXDATA II guidance.

(2) Discussion: Problem: Large inactive rosters increasingly impair flotilla governance (quorum and elections), distort “active strength” reporting, and consume leadership bandwidth needed for mission readiness and member support.

Intent: This is not disenrollment for inactivity and does not create a “second class” of membership. It is a governance/reporting alignment that preserves affiliation while providing a clear pathway back to quorum status.

Benefits: It would improve meeting effectiveness and unit decision-making; produce more accurate readiness/strength reporting; encourage currency and time reporting; reduce administrative friction and focus leadership effort on engaged members; preserve retention by keeping less-active members connected and re-engageable.

Implementation Considerations / Risk Controls: Communicate “non-punitive, temporary/fluid” designation and restoration path. Standardize AUXDATA II procedures and automate threshold flags where feasible. Consider a brief grace period/phased rollout prior to election milestones. Pair designation notices with retention outreach and clear re-engagement options.

(3) Proposal to Table: Deputy National Commodore (Pacific) Michael Bozarth proposed tabling this recommendation so that a committee could further study and refine the recommendation.

(4) National Board Action: Approved proposal to table and a committee was assigned to further study and refine the recommendation for revisitation at the upcoming National Training Event in August 2026.

(5) Chief Director Final Action: No action necessary.

2.  Internet release is authorized.