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Your State Liaison Officer is for You!
Your State Liaison Officer (SLO) is the Auxiliary's liaison between your state's Boating Law Administrator (BLA) and the Coast Guard Auxiliary district(s). As such, they are a force multiplier for the Auxiliary's Recreational Boating Safety efforts. You will find information here about what State Liaison Officers do and what makes them effective.
SLO job description summarized
State Liaison Officers maintain a close relationship with the state's Boating Law Administrator and his/her staff. The liaison officer should meet with the Boating Law Administrator at least semiannually, possibly in company with the Coast Guard District Recreational Boating Specialist and District Commodore. More frequent contact may be necessary with the administrator's staff members. The liaison officer should confer with the District Staff Officer - State Liaison Officer, District Chief of Staff/District Commodore, and RBS Specialist prior to each meeting with the Boating Law Administrator.
Submit a letter report after each meeting to the District Chief of Staff/District, Director of Auxiliary, RBS Specialist and the National RBS Outreach designee. This report should summarize the meeting and outline important issues or points of concern. If significant matters are brought up during the visit with the Boating Law Administrator, immediately notify the District Staff Officer - State Liaison Officer, Chief of Staff/District Commodore by telephone and follow-up with a written report.
Combined SLO-LLO officers
Many State Liaison Officers also serve as Legislative Liaison Officers and are confused about their state liaison duties. Legislative liaison responsibilities focus on state legislative matters. SLOs are responsible for recreational boating safety. While some State Liaison Officers also serve as Legislative Liaison Officers, the two positions are not the same and their foci are significantly different. To find out more about SLO duties, please read the State Liaison Guide.
Operation Safety First (OSF)
Operation Safety First (OSF) is part of a motivational thrust to remind SLOs of what can be accomplished with a fresh read of the SLO Manual, particularly the sections on SLO Duties and BLA Relationships. These references go into detail about the process to follow in developing a regular productive relationship between the local Auxiliary and the State. In conjunction with the SLO Manual, some ideas are being presented to motivate the SLO to nurture into a mature relationship with his/her local District and State. It is being suggested to the SLOs that topics to discuss with the BLA might include the following:
- VSC Definition and Goals
- Boating Safety Course goals and issues
- RBS Program Visitor goals
- Sources for RBS brochures
- Natl Safe Boating Campaign products and recommended activities
- BUI Thrust by State Natural Resources Police/Rangers
- Link to Auxiliary Recreational Boating Safety Outreach Department website <http://bdept.cgaux.org/> for one-stop shopping.
State Liaison Officer resources
