“Diversity” has become a concept often misapplied exclusively to ethnic, social, and gender variability when diversity exists, and may be duly recognized, when the above factors are not necessarily the primary determining characteristics of the group in question.

The US Coast Guard and its volunteer branch, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, are composed of members from all social, racial, and economic backgrounds who all work together as a team to complete varied missions in support of Coast Guard operations and the members’ communities.

The presentation of the Coast Guard Auxiliary NACO Award for Diversity and Inclusion is determined by the flotilla members achieving four primary goals and six objectives under each goal category. The primary goals are: Create and maintain a positive work environment; value all members; promote and recognize individual success; expand outreach into the community,

Under the “Goals” framework are the more detailed “objectives” which include: Has your unit created a recruiting plan that includes steps to conduct outreach in local neighborhoods and addresses various cultures in your community?  Do you assign a formal mentor to each new member for his/her first year of membership? Do you provide adequate access to meetings for members and potential members with disabilities? Has your unit created a recruiting plan that includes steps to conduct outreach in local neighborhoods and addresses various cultures in your community?

An assessment was made of the degree to which the flotilla members addressed the objectives in each goal area and those positive assessments resulted in the awarding of the NACO Award for Diversity and Inclusion to Flotilla 2-5 in Boothbay Harbor.

The letter accompanying the award citation reads in part: “This award recognizes leadership in creating a positive work environment for all members by both valuing their contributions and promoting their individual success.” Signed: Director of Auxiliary First Northern Region, CDR Christina D. Sullivan, U.S.C.G.

If finding out more about the CG Auxiliary in your area or Flotilla 2-5 in Boothbay Harbor, is of interest, please visit the link below. If looking for other than for the Boothbay Harbor area, click the “Join Us Now/Find a Flotilla” tab at the top of the page.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit: https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=013-02-05.