R 121215Z JUL 12

ALCOAST 330/12
COMDTNOTE 5050
SUBJ: COAST GUARD ATTENDANCE AT THE 34TH ANNUAL BLACKS IN GOVERNMENT
(BIG) NATIONAL TRAINING CONFERENCE IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
1. The 34th annual BIG National Training Conference will be held
13-16 August 2012, at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center in
Detroit, MI.  The 2012 conference theme is "Educate to Escalate,
Realizing Your Potential Through BIG."  This national training
conference provides professional training courses for career
enhancement.
2.  As part of this event, the Coast Guard will host our eighth USCG
National Training Forum on Tuesday, 14 August 2012, from 0830 to
1200, which is open to all Coast Guard personnel at no cost.  Maximum
participation by civilians and military members is highly encouraged.
3. Registration fees are required if you plan on attending events
other than the USCG National Training Forum.  Early registration is
strongly encouraged with reduced registration fees available prior to
13 July 2012.
4. For additional conference 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.  For other questions concerning the Coast Guard
National Training Forum at BIG contact the Project Officer Ms. Donna
Walker-Ross at (202) 475-5253.
5. The Coast Guard Chapter of BIG 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 Mr. Michael Burt, USCG BIG Chapter
President at (202) 372-2145.
6. CFO Conference Approval: The Coast Guard Chief Financial Officer
(CG-8), has reviewed and approved USCG personnel attendance and
participation at this training conference.  This approval authorizes
service obligation of appropriated funds for the purpose of attending
and supporting participation at the BIG National Training Conference.
Commands are authorized and encouraged to grant TDY orders, to
include registration fees, transportation costs, and per diem for
attendance at this conference.  CFO approvals can be found in the
Conference Attendance Request Forms - Approved folder located in the
link below.
https://collab.uscg.mil/lotus/myquickr/interim-conference-request-inf
ormation/library.
7. Mr. Curtis B. Odom, Director of Civilian Personnel Management,
Diversity and Leadership sends.
8. Internet release authorized.