R 261352Z JUN 09 

SUBJ: COAST GUARD ATTENDANCE AT THE 31ST ANNUAL BLACKS IN
GOVERNMENT (BIG) NATIONAL TRAINING CONFERENCE IN BALTIMORE,
MARYLAND.
A. PERSONNEL MANUAL, COMDTINST M1000.6 (SERIES)
1. THE 31ST ANNUAL BIG NATIONAL TRAINING CONFERENCE IS FROM 24-28
AUGUST 2009, AT THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER, ONE WEST PRATT
STREET, BALTIMORE, MD 21201. THE 2009 CONFERENCE THEME IS MEETING
TODAYS OBJECTIVES - NEW CHALLENGES, NEW GOVERNMENT, A NEW BIG. THE
NATIONAL TRAINING CONFERENCE PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSES
FOR UPWARD MOBILITY AND CAREER ENHANCEMENT, I.E. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
TRAINING, TECHNOLOGY, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, HUMAN RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT, PRESENTATION SKILLS, LEADERSHIP COURSES, SUPERVISORY
SKILLS, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, ETC.
2. BIG ACTIVELY SUPPORTS THE COAST GUARD IN THE RECRUITMENT,
RETENTION, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF MILITARY AND CIVILIAN
EMPLOYEES. THE U.S. COAST GUARD WILL HOST OUR FIFTH NATIONAL
TRAINING FORUM ON TUESDAY, 25 AUGUST 2009, FROM 0800 TO 1200 IN THE
BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER.
3. THE USCG NATIONAL TRAINING FORUM AT BIG IS FREE AND OPEN TO ALL
COAST GUARD PERSONNEL. MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION BY CIVILIANS AND
MILITARY MEMBERS IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. THE FORUM WILL PROVIDE
AGENCY-SPECIFIC TRAINING. THE LIST OF SPEAKERS/TRAINERS, KEYNOTE
SPEAKER: CONGRESSMAN ELIJAH CUMMINGS, SERVING THE SEVENTH DISTRICT
OF MARYLAND, COMMANDANT OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD, ADMIRAL
THAD W. ALLEN, STATE SENATOR CATHERINE PUGH, SERVING THE 40TH
DISTRICT OF MARYLAND, MS. TERRI DICKERSON, DIRECTOR OF CIVIL
RIGHTS, MR. CURTIS ODOM, DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT,AND
COLONEL ONDRA BERRY, SPECIAL ADVISOR T0 THE DIRECTOR AIR NATIONAL
GUARD ON DIVERSITY AND HUMAN RELATIONS ISSUES.
4. COMMANDS ARE AUTHORIZED AND ENCOURAGED TO GRANT TAD ORDERS TO
INCLUDE REGISTRATION FEES, TRANSPORTATION COSTS, AND PER DIEM FOR
ATTENDANCE AT THIS CONFERENCE. IF LOCAL FUNDING IS NOT AVAILABLE,
COMMANDS MAY ISSUE PERMISSIVE ORDERS IAW REF A ARTICLES 4-G-2E AND
7-A-10.
5. REGISTRATION FEES ARE REQUIRED IF YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING EVENTS
OTHER THAN THE USCG TRAINING FORUM. EARLY REGISTRATION IS STRONGLY
ENCOURAGED TO DECREASE COST. EARLY REGISTRATION FEES MUST BE
POSTMARKED BEFORE 25 JULY 2009. ON-LINE REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE,
EARLY REGISTRATION COST FOR MEMBERS IS 500 DOLLARS AND FOR NON-
MEMBERS IS 675 DOLLARS. REGISTRATION FEES AFTER 25 JULY 2009 WILL
BE PAID ON-SITE. THE COST FOR MEMBERS IS 550 DOLLARS AND FOR NON-
MEMBERS IS 725 DOLLARS. SINGLE-DAY REGISTRATION IS 150 DOLLARS PER
DAY FOR EVERYONE AND THE CLOSING SESSION IS 60 DOLLARS PER PERSON
FOR THE BIG EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE AWARDS BANQUET. FOR
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR FORMS CONTACT BIG NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
AT (202) 667-3280 OR 1-800-443-3280. REGISTRATION AND HOTEL INFO
CAN BE ACCESSED AT THE BIG WEB SITE WWW.BIGNET.ORG.
6. THE COAST GUARD CHAPTER OF BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT IS LOCATED AT
COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, DC, AND MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN
TO ALL CIVILIANS AND MILITARY MEMBERS. FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING
THE COAST GUARD BIG CHAPTER, PLEASE CONTACT MS. GAIL JACKSON, USCG
CHAPTER PRESIDENT AT (202) 372-1329. FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING
THE COAST GUARD NATIONAL TRAINING FORUM CONTACT MS. DONNA WALKER-
ROSS AT (202) 475-5253.
7. MR. CURTIS B. ODOM, DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.