ALCOAST 072/19 - MAR 2019 15TH ANNUAL OFFICER WOMEN LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM (OWLS) 2019

R 060903 MAR 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-12//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N05420//
ALCOAST 072/19
COMDTNOTE 5420
SUBJ: 15TH ANNUAL OFFICER WOMEN LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM (OWLS) 2019
A. VCG Guidance on Travel and Community Outreach 24 NOV 2015
B. CG Conference Guide 1 MAY 2017
C. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST M1000.8 (series)
1. The Annual Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS), organized by the non-profit
organization Academy Women, will be held 23-25 APR 2019 at the Women in Military
Service for America (WIMSA) Memorial in Arlington, VA. OWLS provides female military
officers and female senior enlisted the opportunity to network with colleagues and
to grow professionally and personally through keynote messages, workshops, and panel
discussions. The distinguished speakers are leaders from the military, public, and
private sectors who offer their support and personal advice. Participants will have
tremendous opportunities for mentorship, while connecting with veteran and current
military women at every level of leadership and from every military branch of service.
2. While the focus of the affinity conference is identified in the title, all
conferences are open for ALL employees to attend, regardless of gender, race, or
ethnicity. In alignment with the Vice Commandant's "Carry Our Message" campaign,
the Coast Guard supports and encourages participation in affinity group symposiums
in an effort to increase the retention of a diverse and talented workforce. These
events are valuable professional development opportunities that provide a forum for
mentoring, networking, and optimizing career success for the total workforce.
3. IAW REFs (A) and (B), The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (CG-127) is the
Coast Guard’s coordinator for the event and has responsibility to account for all
attendance and overall costs to DHS. All travel will be conducted using unit funds.
To request attendance, members shall submit a TDY Travel Request Worksheet through
their chain of command for unit-level approval. Once command approval has been
obtained, members must email their approved TDY request to: HQS-SMB-OWLS@uscg.mil
no later than 25 March 2019.
4. Commanding Officers/OICs are strongly encouraged to support the professional
development of civilian and military personnel. However, attendance will be at the
unit expense. If funding is not available:
    a. For military members permissive orders are authorized IAW CH 2.a.10. of REF (B).
Attendance via permissive orders is unlimited for military members, but members must
notify COMDT (CG-127) via email to: HQS-SMB-OWLS@uscg.mil for accountability.
    b. For civilian employees, attendance including travel time is considered work time.
For civilian employees self-funding attendance and travel, supervisory approval to
attend during work time (including a reasonable amount of travel time) must be
indicated by email, and reflected in the remarks section of the employee's timecard.
The remarks must state the employee is approved work and travel time to attend the
OWLS Conference during his/her scheduled tour of duty from 23 April 2019 to 25
April 2019. The employee's attendance at events outside of the employee's scheduled
tour of duty is not required and is at the employee's discretion; therefore overtime
and compensatory time for work cannot be approved. Civilians attending must
notify COMDT (CG-127) via email to: HQS-SMB-OWLS@uscg.mil for accountability.
5. DHS requires a post-conference report to be submitted 30 days after the event.
To comply, all travelers on orders must submit a copy of their travel settlement to
COMDT (CG-127) via email to: HQS-SMB-OWLS@uscg.mil no later than 06 MAY 2019.
6. Symposium attendance information:
    a. Registration link is available at: http://academywomen.org/events/home.php/.
Early registration for the symposium is $275.00 for officers, enlisted members and
civilians, and $175.00 for cadets.
    b. Members are highly encouraged to register online to receive early
pricing before 25 MAR 2019.
    c. Uniform for military is Tropical Blue and business casual for civilians.
    d. Attendees are responsible for making their own registration and lodging
accommodations.
    e. The WIMSA Memorial is easily accessible by METRO (Blue line, Arlington
Cemetery stop) and paid parking is available at the Arlington National Cemetery
visitor center. Rental cars will not be authorized due to the accessibility
of public transportation and car shuttling services.
7. POC: GMC Sara Pritchett at: 202-475-5251 or Sara.M.Pritchett@uscg.mil.
8. Ms. Michelle R. Godfrey, Director of Civilian Human Resources, Diversity, and
Leadership, sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.