ALCOAST 259/23 - JUL 2023 2023 BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT (BIG) NATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE (NTI)

R 131313Z JUL 23 MID600053156484U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 259/23
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: 2023 BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT (BIG) NATIONAL TRAINING
INSTITUTE (NTI)
A. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST M1000.8A
B. COMDT (CG-81) U.S. Coast Guard Conference Guidance, dtd 27
January 2021
C. DHS Financial Management Policy Manual, Section 7
1. The BIG NTI will be held 28-31 August 2023. The 2023 NTI will be
held in-person at the Gaylord, National Harbor, 201 Waterfront St,
National Harbor, MD 20745. This year's theme is "Accept the
Challenge, Exceed the Standard Through Professional Development."
The purpose of the BIG NTI is to provide education, career
development and training opportunities. Workshops offered will
include leadership development, career advancement, networking and
mental/health resilience. The full agenda and all updates
regarding the NTI are available on the BIG website at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

www.bignet.org

2. The CG's Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 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. All employees (Active Duty,
Reserves, Civilians, and Auxiliary) are encouraged to attend. The
Coast Guard Chapter of BIG actively supports the services in the
development of a diverse workforce through recruitment, retention
and career development.
3. COMDT (CG-1D1) will coordinate with the BIG Affiliate Point of
Contact to manage the conference attendance process and account
for attendance and overall cost. COMDT (CG-1D1) must provide a
final count of all USCG participants.
4. Civilian employees - Whether on official orders
or self-funded, civilian employees' attendance, including travel
time, is considered work time. Civilian employees must have
supervisory approval to attend during work time (including a
reasonable amount of travel time). Supervisory approval 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 BIG NTI during
the employee's scheduled tour of duty on 29-31 August
2023. 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. Participant's attendance costs
(excluding registration costs) can be unit funded via official
travel or via permissive orders. COMDT (CG-1D1) will fund
registration costs until funds are expended.
5. Interested employees must request attendance through their
chain of command for unit-level approval. Employees approved to
attend by their command should notify: LaShanda.K.Jones@uscg.mil
and copy HQS-SMB-CG127-Conference@uscg.mil by 19 July 2023, with
the following information:
    a. Subject: 2023 BIG NTI
    b. Full Name
    c. Rank/Civilian Pay Grade
    d. Job Title
    e. Unit/Office/Division
    f. Current PDS Location
    g. Previous Attendee (Y/N)
6. DHS requires a post-conference report to be submitted 30 days
after the event. To comply, all travelers on official orders must
submit a copy of their travel settlement no later than 30
September 2023 to LaShanda.K.Jones@uscg.mil and copy
HQS-SMB-CG127-Conference@uscg.mil.
7. CO/OICs are encouraged to promote and support the professional
development of all government employees. COMDT (CG-1D1) will
assist by funding registration fees with highest priority given to
junior members and first-time attendees. Registration fees per
person are $900 for BIG members and $1,250 for non-BIG members and
will be at unit expense after COMDT (CG-1D1) funds are expended.
8. Uniform for symposium attendance is Tropical Blue and business
casual for civilians.
9. Post conference actions. Provide a brief to unit command
"i.e.CO/XO, wardroom, Chief's mess, LDAC, etc." on what you
learned and how attending the Symposium impacted your professional
development.
10. Dr. Terri Dickerson, Director, Civil Rights Directorate is the
Executive Champion for Blacks in Government.
11. POCs:
a. BIG Affiliate: Ms. LaShanda Jones, LaShanda.K.Jones@uscg.mil.
b. COMDT (CG-1D1): Ms. Carrie Davis, Carrie.Davis@uscg.mil.
12. Dr. Donna Navarro, Acting Assistant Commandant for Human
Resources and Senior Advisor for Diversity and Inclusion
(CG-1), sends.
13. Internet release is authorized.