ALCOAST 261/24 - JUL 2024 ANNUAL BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT (BIG) NATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE (NTI)

R 011822Z JUL 24 MID120001256527U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 261/24
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: ANNUAL BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT (BIG) NATIONAL TRAINING
INSTITUTE (NTI)
A. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST
1000.8A
B. COMDT (CG-81) U.S. Coast Guard Conference Guidance, DTD
14 December 2022
C. DHS Financial Management Policy Manual, Chapter 7, Section
7.10
1. This ALCOAST announces the 2024 BIG NTI. The NTI will be
held, in person, 12-15 August 2024, at the Tampa Convention Center
in Tampa, Florida. This year's theme is "The BIG Experience 2024:
Providing Tools and Strategies for an Innovative Workplace".
Among other things, this year's NTI seeks to prepare attendees
to successfully manage their careers. The NTI also affords
participants an opportunity to strategically focus on enhancing
their required core competencies and thereby, promote career
development and advancement. Additional information regarding
the BIG NTI is available at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://bignti.org/

2. Affinity groups, and their associated NTIs, support the CG
by being force multipliers for recruiting, retention and
professional development of the workforce, and support the
2021-2024 DHS Inclusive Diversity Strategic Plan.
3. Interested employees must request attendance, through their
chain of command, for unit-level approval. For employees
tentatively approved to attend by their command, sign up forms
can be found under "Outreach Event Signup Form" on the following
share point location:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg1d1/Outreach/SitePages/
Conference-Attendance-Request.aspx

4. All employees (Active Duty, Reserves, Civilians, and Auxiliary)
are encouraged to attend. CO/OICs are encouraged to promote and
support the professional development of all government employees
whether in an affinity group or not. Registration costs vary
depending on membership level.
5. TDY costs, including registration fees, will be funded by
member's unit, subject to availability. Civilian Employees:
Whether on official orders or self-funded, civilian employees'
attendance, including travel time, is considered work time. For
civilian employees, supervisory approval to attend during work
time (including a reasonable amount of travel time) must be
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 event during the employee's scheduled tour
of duty between 12-15 August 2024. 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.
6. Uniform for the event is Tropical Blue for military and business
casual for civilians.
7. Post event actions: DHS requires a post-event report to be
submitted within 30 days after an event. To comply, all travelers
on official orders must submit a copy of their full travel voucher,
no later than, 23 August 2024 to HQS-SMB-CG127-Conference@uscg.mil.
Attendees should also provide a brief to their unit command
"i.e. CO/XO, wardroom, Chief's mess, LDACC, etc." on what was
learned and how attending the event impacted their professional
development and/or personal growth.
8. Please direct all questions and concerns to
HQS-SMB-CG127-Conference@uscg.mil and the DPR-4 POC:
Ms. Carrie L. Davis, Carrie.Davis@uscg.mil.
9. Mr. Gary C. Rasicot, Deputy for Personnel Readiness
(CG-DCMS-DPR), sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.