CAP Vector Quarterly National Staff Update July ... - CAP Members

CAP Vector Quarterly National Staff Update July - September 2014 Maj Gen Chuck Carr, National Commander and CEO Mr. Don Rowland, Chief Operating Officer Col Russ Chazell, National Chief of Staff

Upcoming Key Dates 2014 National Conference and Command Council Meeting: 14-16 August, Las Vegas NV http://www.capmembers.com/events/national_conference/

AEROSPACE EDUCATION - [email protected] Deputy Director for AE: Dr. Jeff Montgomery – [email protected] National AE Officer: Lt Col Mike McArdle – [email protected] Home School Development Officer: Lt Col Mike Fultz – [email protected] CAP STEM Kit Program: CAP continues the initiative to promote an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects and careers to our CAP cadets and educator members’ students across the nation. Through CAP’s free STEM Kit program, CAP Unit AEOs, Educator Members and AFJROTC instructors can select from five kits to use and keep: astronomy, flight simulators, model & remote control airplanes, robotics, and rocketry. Collaboration with other youth groups is encouraged, especially amongst the CAP units. This is a great way to introduce students to CAP’s cadet and aerospace programs. Almost 1,000 kit requests have been filled, impacting over 65,000 cadets & K-12 students. AEOs are encouraged to select a kit and order on eServices at CAP STEM Kits link. For more information, application instructions, and recipient lists, go to www.capmembers.com/stem-ed. Contact: [email protected]. Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) Program: Over 16,000 students in grades K-6 completed the 2013-2014 academic year ACE program under the tutelage of over 700 educators in 28 states across the nation. Viewed by CAP as a great early introduction to the CAP Cadet program, the ACE program needs YOUR help! As the August ACE registration period approaches, CAP squadrons can help introduce the program to educators and schools and offer to assist in teaching lessons and/or presenting end-ofprogram completion plaques and student certificates. Cadets can be exceptional role models for these young people and CAP adults are excellent school mentors. For more information, go to www.capmembers.com/ace. Contact: [email protected]. AFA’s Aerospace/STEM Education Grants for CAP: The AFA continues to provide $250 grants in alternating quarterly cycles to CAP units and educator members to help fund aerospace and STEM project subjects and careers. For information, go to AEO and AEM grant links at www.capmembers.com/ae. Contact: [email protected]. Aerospace Education Officer (AEO) Schools: The 2014 national and four regional (GLR, MER, NER, & PCR) AEO schools are underway. These schools provide education, training, resources, and AE Action Plan guidance to the attendees to help them better accomplish their AE responsibilities as an integral part of the overall CAP program. More information about the schools can be found at www.capmembers.com/ae. Contact: [email protected].

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CADET PROGRAMS - [email protected] Deputy Director for Cadet Programs: Curt LaFond – [email protected] National Cadet Programs Officer: Col Craig Treadwell – [email protected] National Cadet Advisory Council (NCAC) Liaison Officer: Lt Col John Erickson – [email protected] Drug Demand Reduction Officer: Lt Col Jett Mayhew – [email protected] National Cadet Special Activities (NCSA) Officer: Lt Col Joe Winter – [email protected] Home School Development Officer: Lt Col Mike Fultz – [email protected] Cadet Protection Policy (CPP): The long awaited update to CAPR 52-10 Cadet Protection Policy was released in April. Due to the important nature of protecting cadets, the regulation went into effect immediately. Virginia Wing put together a good overview of the changes on their website at http://www.govirginiawingcap.com/overview-of-the-new-cadet-protection-policy/. To aid with informing the membership about the changes, webinars were held with the Cadet Programs team. Educational posters are being sent to squadrons this summer. Contact: [email protected]. Cadet Protection Training: The three new training courses required in the regulation - Cadet Protection Basic Course, Cadet Protection Advance Course, and the Cadet Wingman Course - will post to the Proving Grounds soon and will be fully available by September. Members who completed an earlier edition of CPPT before this regulation took effect will have until 31 March 2015 to complete the new Cadet Protection Basic Course. Contact: [email protected]. CAPF 32: The new Cadet Protection Policy introduced the CAPF 32 Cadet Activity Permission slip. The intent behind the new form is to both inform parents about upcoming activities and to obtain their permission for their cadet to participate. Learn more about it at the Cadet Activity Permission Slip FAQ. Contact: [email protected]. Overnight Cadet Activities: Beginning 1 October 2014 overnight activities with male and female cadets will require co-ed adult leader supervision. See CAPR 52-10 for details. Contact: [email protected]. Encampment: It’s high season for summer encampments. Hope all will have fun, train well and be safe! Find key documents, guidance, and lesson plans at www.capmembers.com/encampment. Complete your Encampment Final Reports in eServices under the Event Admin Module. Contact: [email protected]. National Character Day: National Character Day is a wing-sponsored, half-day activity consisting of an academic element with exciting guest speakers and a hands-on Character Challenge. National Character Day is an opportunity for CAP to showcase its pro-character and anti-drug messages to cadets. September is the suggested time for the event, but it can be held in any month. A curriculum guide and other resources are available at www.capmembers.com/characterday. Contact: [email protected]. Air Force Association (AFA) CyberPatriot Competition FREE for CAP Cadets: For the seventh year, the AFA’s CyberPatriot program is OPEN for registration for CAP teams. This year, squadrons can have both a high school team and a middle school team---all at NO COST to the cadets or the squadrons! Squadron adults are encouraged to help form a team for interested cadets - even if the adult is not proficient at cyber science. All training and competition materials are provided by the AFA at www.uscyberpatriot.org. If a local cyber mentor cannot be located to assist the team, the AFA will help locate a mentor, as well. This is a FREE national cadet activity of which any and all interested cadets can be a part. For those teams advancing to the national competition - all expenses are paid by CAP. It is time to register NOW so that training can begin before formal competition starts in October. For more information, go to the CAP AE CyberPatriot page at http://capmembers.com/aerospace_education/general/afa-cyberpatriot. Contact: [email protected]. Cadet Promotions on Facebook: Now included in all cadet promotion emails is a link to share the good news on Facebook. Sharing promotions is completely optional. If a cadet chooses to share the information, a picture of their new grade insignia will post on their Wall. Friends and family who follow the link will be taken to a page that outlines the requirements the cadet completed to earn the achievement or milestone.

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Sharing on Facebook is a great way for cadets to celebrate their accomplishments and to increase the visibility of Civil Air Patrol. Contact: [email protected]. Online Cadet Membership Applications: Cadet membership applications are now being accepted online. The system debuted in April. Since its introduction about 1/3 of cadet applications have been coming in through the new system. Contact: [email protected]. National Cadet Advisory Council (NCAC): The council is working on naming phase III and IV achievements after aerospace pioneers with an eye toward diversity and post Apollo achievement. The NCAC will continue studying issues related to promotion boards, the fitness program, and national-level communications. The council coordinates its proposals and presents them to the CAP National Commander. Contact: [email protected]. Cadet Flying: There is a lot of O’flight funding available! Wing CPs and DOs are asked to develop a plan now to get cadets aloft and expend the full amount of funding available. Check out how your unit is doing versus the O-Flight goals via the Commander’s Dashboard in eServices. Contact: [email protected]. DEVELOPMENT Director of Development: Dr. Skip Dotherow – [email protected] Don’t Let Your Assets Be Consumed by Taxes: For many of us, 401(k)s, IRAs and retirement plans constitute the bulk of our net worth, aside from our homes. Will these hard-earned dollars provide more comfort for the future of our loved ones? Maybe not. (http://www.gftpln.org/Home.do?orgId=6507. ) 10 Important Questions to Ask Your Parents: Are you wondering if your parents have their estate and inheritance plans in order? Well, stop wondering and just ask. Here's help posing the right questions in a sensitive way. (http://www.gftpln.org/Home.do?orgId=6507.) GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Director of Government Relations: John Swain – [email protected] National Legislative Officer: Lt Colonel Lindsay Shipps – [email protected] National State Legislative Officer (East): Lt Colonel Gerald Marketos – [email protected] National State Legislative Officer (West): Lt Colonel James Nova – [email protected] CAP Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) Is Now Law: After four years of dedicated effort, the CAP CGM bill was signed into law by the President on May 30, 2014. This is the highest award that Congress can give an individual or group of individuals. It honors CAP’s WWII members for their unusual selfless service during the war. Special thanks goes to Senator Tom Harkin, Representative Michael McCaul, their staff and all the CAP members and friends who helped make this a reality. CAP CGM Award Presentation: Planning is underway for the presentation of the CGM to CAP and replica medals to CAP veterans. The formal CGM award ceremony is expected to be in the Rotunda of the Capitol along with special presentation ceremonies later that day for veterans and families receiving replica medals. Other special events are also being planned for Washington. • • •

The U.S. Mint, with CAP’s assistance, is now working on several CGM designs. Once these are complete there will be a formal approval process to select the best design. After that, the CGM medal and replicas will be struck. Once the medals are ready the House, Senate and White House along with CAP will agree on an award ceremony date. The expectation at present is that the CGM and replica medal presentation ceremonies will take place in early 2015 in Washington. Veterans and families of veterans (who have already passed) not able to travel to Washington can receive their replica medals back in their home state at a later date. All state CGM presentation ceremonies must be coordinated in advance with the Director of Government Relations and the Deputy Director of Public Affairs.

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In order to receive replica medals veterans (or the families of those who have passed) must be listed and validated as having been in CAP during WWII. To list new names go to http://capmembers.com/cap_national_hq/goldmedal/ and the link “Add Gold Medal Candidate”. All entries must contain current contact information for either the veteran/member or their family.

FY15 Defense Appropriations: The House passed the FY15 Defense Appropriations bill giving CAP a total of $39.5M including $27.4M for Operations and Maintenance, $10.4M for aircraft and $ 1.7M for vehicles. The Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee is expected to markup its FY15 defense appropriations bill soon. Summer Convention Learning Labs: Two Government Relations Learning Labs will be held at the August National Conference in Las Vegas. The first lab, Government Relations and Legislative Affairs, will present the latest on CAP’s legislative program. The second, a new lab called Government Relations 101, will help participants learn key legislative skills useful at the squadron, group and wing levels. Everyone is invited to attend especially commanders at all levels, government relations advisors and public affairs officers. HISTORY Chief Historian: Col Frank Blazich, Jr. - [email protected] National Historian Emeritus: Col Len Blascovich - [email protected] Assistant Chief Historian: Lt Col Phil Saleet - [email protected] National Curator: Maj Jacob Gerstein - [email protected] National Archivist: 1st Lt Colleen McCormick - [email protected] Director, Museum Displays and Design: Vacant Director, Office of Preservation: Lt Col Todd Engelman - [email protected] Director, Office of Outreach: Lt Col Sean Neal - [email protected] National Historical Editor: Lt Col Richard Mulanax - [email protected] Director, Office of CAP Heraldry: Maj Phil Kost - [email protected] Director, Oral History Program: Chaplain (Maj) Marvin Owen - [email protected] Chief Historian: Published the World War II diaries of Major Kendall King Hoyt, intelligence officer at NHQ during World War II. Assisted with the concept design of the CAP Congressional Gold Medal that was submitted to the U.S. Mint. Provided contact information for living CAP World War II veterans for national CGM media effort and drafted biographies for selected veterans. Working the display of two CAP aircraft in an aviation museum in conjunction with the 75th anniversary celebrations. Assistant Chief Historian: Currently working on building a museum exhibit at the North Carolina Maritime Museum for a display on Coastal Patrol Base No. 21, Beaufort, NC. National Curator and National Archivist: Flight Officer Hannah Storch, assigned as a Maryland Wing Assistant Historian, has begun her summer “internship,” working to digitize, organize, and preserve artifacts and archival materials for the MDWG and NHQ. Power has been installed in the national storage facility, enabling use of scanners and computer equipment for the digitization of records. Development of a new national history program website continues. Office of Preservation: Currently overhauling and completing thorough commander listings for all wings and regions, including approximately 1,400 entries. Revising upcoming preservation manual with updated imagery. Office of Outreach: Managed and coordinated the appearance of CAP re-enactors and aircraft at the MidAtlantic Air Museum’s World War II weekend, 6 – 8 June 2014. National Historical Editor: The third issue of the CAP National Historical Journal is due out soon. A revised version of CAPP 223, Historian Specialty Track Study Guide, will also be published soon. Authors have been identified for all chapters of the 75th anniversary book project, Eyes on the Home Skies, and initial drafts are being received and research support provided to the authors. Completed first drafts for all chapters should be finished by the end of the fiscal year.

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Office of Heraldry: CAPR 210-2, Civil Air Patrol Heraldry, and CAPP 7, Civil Air Patrol Heraldry, will be published soon. Oral History Program: Work has just been completed on the revision of CAPP 6, combining elements from CAPP 5 that relate to oral histories. Oral history interviews are continuing, with a priority on preserving the histories of former National Commanders. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Deputy Director of Information Technology: Joseph Hall, Jr. – [email protected] Information Technology Officer: Lt Col Bill Hughes – [email protected] Member e-mail addresses Please take a moment to ensure your e-mail address is current in eServices. To verify/update your email, go to the "My Account” -> Contacts Link at the top of the eServices homepage. FY14 Field Computer Buy Update: The contract has been awarded and the vendor has provided an estimated delivery date of August. Please stay tuned to eServices news for further updates. eServices applications slated for summer release: (Stay tuned to eServices news for more information.) • • • •

Soft launch of eServices V.2 - eServices V.2 has been released. The home page has a new look and has been reorganized. Other pages will adopt a similar appearance over time. All members will be able to toggle back and forth using the new main page or staying with the current version. Recommendation For Decoration – CAPF 120 - Allows members to submit a CAPF 120 electronically for Commander approval. Committee Management Module - Enables members to capture their committee activity. Each member can track a select number of committees to include terms of the activity. The system will maintain a list of current and past members. Encampment Reporting Tool - The encampment reporting tool will allow encampment commanders to input their curriculum and attendance into the Event Administration application. This will help in reporting how successful your encampment was based on the NHQ criteria and recommended curriculum.

WMIRS 2.0 Update - WMIRS 2.0 beta testing has been expanded to include operations and command representatives from all wings. Go-Live release date is scheduled for 1 Oct 2014. CAP Websites – In support of CAP branding initiatives, a plan is in place to develop website templates for units to incorporate into their website. The objective of the templates is to ensure CAP websites have a more standardized and uniform look across the World Wide Web. Stay tuned to eServices news for more information on the availability of the website templates. For more information, contact Joseph Hall at [email protected]. CAP.GOV Nessus Scans – An IT Security Administrator has been implemented to assist with interpretation and remediation of Nessus Security scans. For more information contact [email protected]. LOGISTICS Director of Logistics: Gary Schneider – [email protected] CAP Fleet Manager: Larry Kauffman – [email protected] National Controller: Col Ed Phelka – [email protected] National Logistics Officer: Maj Christopher Klein – [email protected] Aircraft Fleet Modernization: Five of the new Turbo Stationair (Model T206H) aircraft were accepted by members of the LG staff at Cessna’s Independence Kansas factory on June 24th and the remaining 6 will be available in September. Aircrews have been identified for factory training and at completion of this training, they will be returning home with their new 206 aircraft. POC: Gary Schneider – [email protected].

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OPERATIONS, COMM, STAN EVAL and EMERGENCY SERVICES Director: John Desmarais – [email protected] Deputy National Chief of Staff/Operations: Col Michael Murrell – [email protected] Chief, Aircraft Operations: Joe Piccotti – [email protected] National Stan/Eval Officer: Col Carlton Sumner – [email protected] Chief Communications: Malcolm Kyser – [email protected] National Communications Officer: Lt Col Chuck Bishop – [email protected] National ES Officer: Lt Col Pete Norris – [email protected] FEMA Liaison: Col Jim Rushing – [email protected] Operational Missions Officer: Col Greg Cortum – [email protected] Glider Program Officer: Col Jack Buschmann – [email protected] Advanced Technology Program Officer: Lt Col Tom Vreeland – [email protected] Operations Pre-Conference at the Summer National Conference: The agenda for the operations preth conference session on the 13 of August is being developed right now, and we expect it will be a great event again this year. We anticipate having presentations either in person or remotely by leaders at all levels in CAP as well as external partners from the Corporation for National and Community Service, Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Joint Task Force-North, National Association for Search and Rescue, National GeospatialIntelligence Agency, and the National Weather Service. Expect the morning sessions to be for all operations and command staff attending, and then breakout sessions for focused discussions in the afternoon and evening. This year we are opening this up to all wing, region and national operations and command staff (CCs, CVs, CSes, CDOs, DCs, DOs, DOSes, DOVs, HLSes, and Glider Program Staff) and their assistants. We hope to see you in Las Vegas! Communications: Comm is heating up! - The USAF has granted the CAP National Traffic Net (NTN) the collective callsign of “TRIBLADE”. Henceforth, the NTN will also be known as the “Triblade Net”. Procedures for using this new callsign are being published to all communications managers and HF operators. - The National Comm Office is continuing to publish weekly broadcast radio messages of interest to all communicators. These messages are called the “Intercom” and are usually released each Friday on the National Traffic Net (HF). These messages are intended as a training tool and should be relayed to every CAP radio net across the country. - National HF operators needed: NHQ is accepting applications for HF operators who want to be involved in rebuilding CAP’s lost art of radio message handling. We’re rebuilding the traffic system starting at the national level. If you have operators who would like to participate, have them contact [email protected]. - Communications Equipment Assessment Project: We have seen great improvement across most wings, but there are several wings that are still working this initiative. Advice and assistance is available from the project officer, Lt Col Steve Haney, [email protected]. Emergency Services: Each wing now has personnel involved in testing WMIRS 2.0. There are several modules in this version that we expect will be used on ES missions every day, but we want to be sure the rd test group provides feedback so that we get the best tools possible. Testing will run through the 3 of August, learning labs will highlight completed modules at the national conference, an online webinar for all th wing and region operations and command staff on the 28 of August, and WMIRS 2.0 will be released nationwide on 1 October 2014. FEMA Update: Train-The-Trainer programs are starting to be conducted in several areas of the country to prepare CAP personnel to teach Shelter Field Guide and Point Of Distribution training to CAP and external agencies. Expect this will soon become a qualification tracked in Ops Quals and it will have a corresponding SQTR.

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Pacific Region recently participated in the annual Ardent Sentry National Level Exercise. After Action Reviews are currently being conducted and we expect results will be out-briefed at the summer national conference during the Operations Pre-Conference. National Emergency Services Academy: There are still a few slots left in NESA for personnel that may be interested in signing up to attend. More information is available on line at www.nesa.cap.gov and you can contact the NESA Administrative staff at [email protected] if interested; online registration has th closed but applications can still be handled offline until July 10 . Operational Missions: Work continues on the Radar Analysis Team’s Icarus software with the intention of demonstrating new capabilities at the national conference both in the Operations Pre-Conference and a Learning Lab. CAP’s Radar and Cell Forensics activities are making a huge impact, and saving lives all the time. So far this FY, the teams have been involved in 55 different missing person or aircraft missions, and their efforts have assisted in 50 saves so far this year of the 57 that CAP is credited with. Great Work! Standardization/Evaluation and Flight Operations: There have been many updates posted on the CAP Pilots web page at: www.capmembers.com/emergency_services/aircraft_ops__staneval/: - CAPR 60-1 has been updated providing greater authority to wing commanders pertaining to wind limitations and modifies cadet ground handling training requirements to support efficiency of cadet participation in flight orientation rides. - “Propeller Damage Prevention” and “Tail Damage Prevention” PowerPoint briefings have been posted on the CAP Pilots web page in the "Flight Safety" section and are ready for viewing and use. These briefings have been produced to provide pilots with information designed to reduce the occurrences of propeller & tail damage during operation of CAP aircraft. - A Flight Release Officer (FRO) Refresher Training Course has been posted on the CAP Pilots web page in the "Training" section. This FRO refresher training course is an optional method for FRO’s to periodically refresh their knowledge of CAP’s flight release procedures. - CAPP 212, Stan/Eval Officer Specialty Track Study has been updated to reflect current regulatory requirements and prepare members to be Stan/Eval officers at the squadron, group, wing, and region level. Advanced Technology Group: The next batch of geo-tagging cameras has shipped to the field, and we anticipate distributing another round of cameras by late August if not sooner, depending on when components arrive. By the end of this FY, CAP should have geo-tagging cameras available nationwide for all aircraft in the CAP fleet, and will be working to maintain a regular refresh cycle over a five year period. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - [email protected]; [email protected] Chief of PD: Bobbie Tourville – [email protected] CAP National PD Officer: Col Bryan Cooper – [email protected] CAP National Chaplain: Col James Hughes- [email protected] eLearning Program Manager: Ron Olienyk – [email protected] Do You Want to be a Wing Commander?: If you want to be a Wing commander or are just curious as to what is involved, sign up for the “Do You Want to be a Wing Commander?” pre-conference workshop that will take place at the National Conference. The workshop will take place on Wednesday, Aug 13, from 8:00 am – 5:30 pm. Lunch will be provided. If you would like to find out more before signing up, visit the national conference web site at http://www.capmembers.com/events/national_conference/ and view the PreConference Workshops - http://www.capmembers.com/events/national_conference/pre-conferenceworkshops/. Contact: [email protected]. SOS/ACSC/AWC Registration for Online Courses: Air University’s online enrollment system is still not working. All enrollments are being processed manually. Please use the enrollment forms in eServices for

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ACSC and AWC. If you would like to enroll in SOS, send an email to Ron Olienyk at [email protected] for enrollment information and instructions. As a reminder, you must meet the grade requirements for the appropriate school and be able to provide a transcript showing you’ve obtained at least a Bachelor’s degree. If you have any questions contact Ron Olienyk, CAP’s eLearning Program Manager, at the email address above. CAP Knowledgebase: The CAP Knowledgebase is an excellent source of information. Before you make a call to the National Headquarters, or, are just looking for information, do a search of CAP’s Knowledgebase first. Knowledgebase now contains over 2,600 answers to the most frequently asked questions by CAP members. Knowledgebase is a standalone application that can be accessed 24/7 from the www.capmembers.com web page or at http://capnhq.custhelp.com/app/answers/list. For questions, or to give informational updates for Knowledgebase, contact Ron Olienyk at [email protected]. PUBLIC AFFAIRS Senior Director: John Salvador – [email protected] Deputy Director for Public Affairs: Julie DeBardelaben – [email protected] Deputy National Chief of Staff/Support: Col Joseph “Skip” Guimond – [email protected] National Public Affairs Officer: Lt Col Steven Solomon – [email protected] National Marketing Officer: Lt Col Doug Jessmer – [email protected] CAPGoldMedal.com: Civil Air Patrol’s newest website, www.capgoldmedal.com, tells the story of the organization’s volunteer service during the early days of World War II. It features articles, videos, photos and weekly blog posts presenting fresh takes on CAP’s legacy of service and heroism. The website has proven invaluable as a resource for members, nonmembers and especially media, with daily averages of 1,844 visits and 3,716 page views. Social Media: The Congressional Gold Medal vote and bill signing have generated record numbers for CAP social media, with the vote generating a record 616 “Likes” when posted on Facebook, translating into a total reach of 29,584, according to the metrics reported by the site. Eleven days later, with President Obama’s signature of the bill, a new high of 686 “Likes” resulted, with a total reach measured at 28,096. Meanwhile, CAP’s Twitter followers continue to rise steadily in number. That total now stands at 3,902, a 17 percent increase over the previous six months. PAO Academy V: Mark your calendar for PAO Academy V to be held Aug. 12-13 before the National Conference. The event will feature hands-on training on how to create a video, including YouTube, designing a web page, setting up and using Facebook and how to use Twitter to complement your PA program. Key national programs and initiatives to be covered include several important “how tos”: how to be an effective PIO, how to use CAP’s national branding campaign to complement wing and unit PA plans, th how to localize the 75 anniversary guide and how to create award-winning projects. In addition, participants will get the chance to meet the 2014 Balsem Award winners. FEMA G289: If you aspire to be a member of the National Public Information Officer Team, then this course is for you! Focusing on the unique position of the PIO, the Public Information Officer Awareness Course orients participants to the public information function and the role of the PIO in the public safety/emergency management environment. The cost is only $20. Reserve your spot today for this pre-conference class that will be offered on Aug 11 before the National Conference. PAO Specialty Track: Last revised 14 years ago, a new CAPP 201 focused on 21st Century public affairs practices and the need for CAP's PAOs/PIOs to operate within the Incident Command System, is now under review and expected to be released this summer. Resource Guide: Work is well under way to develop a comprehensive brand identity system for use at all levels and across all platforms, using a unified visual voice and brand message. The project, based on work done by a branding agency in 2013, will include an entire slate of interactive templates for field use, as well as a guide to voicing and usage. Ultimately, there will be an online repository for marketing materials, as a way to further burnish the new branding at all echelons.

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VolunteerNow: CAP’s national news website, http://www.capvolunteernow.com/, continues to show steady growth in readership. Numbers for the last half-year yield monthly averages of 148,357 visits and 295,900 page views – nearly 3,900 visits and 14,600 page views higher than the previous totals. RECRUITING AND RETENTION National Recruiting & Retention Officer: Maj Barbara Buckner – [email protected] Asst Chief, Personnel & Member Actions: Marie Vogt – [email protected] Recruiting and Retention Blog: We have added a blog to the NHQ website under "Recruiting and Retention" where we will share the ideas and suggestions to improve our efforts. http://www.capmembers.com/cap_national_hq/recruiting_and_retention/

Recruiting and Retention Facebook page: We have also added a new CAP Recruiting & Retention Facebook page where we will also post ideas and suggestions but also hope to interact with members on their ideas and observations: https://www.facebook.com/CAPRR?ref_type=bookmark We are also asking that units submit a "recruiting success story" with photos before the 28th of each month. While we will be sharing all stories and photos, one story each month will be featured as our "cover story" and that unit's photo will become our page's cover photo for the month. Submissions should be sent to [email protected]. RRO Staff Officer Position: When Commanders are asked why they don’t have a Recruiting & Retention Officer on staff – be it at the Region, Wing or Unit level – the response seems to be the same: “I have other positions that I need to focus on staffing first.” What is the benefit of having a dedicated RRO on your staff? Here is what the RRO should be doing at each level of the organization: See the story on why your staff needs one at: http://capmembers.com/cap_national_hq/recruiting_and_retention/ National Conference Learning Lab: The End of the Air Force’s “Best Kept Secret” Recruiting is more than posters, websites and open houses. It’s a method to attract new members and let the community know who we are. Each Unit struggles with recruiting new members and keeping them engaged in the program past the first year. If you are looking for ways and ideas to grow and strengthen your Unit, then putting together a local Recruiting and Retention program is the first step. This lab will share different ideas and strategies to promote Civil Air Patrol in your community, build a membership base and structure your Unit to continue to expand. SAFETY National Chief of Safety: Col Alex Kay – [email protected] National Safety Team Liaison: Axel Kreimeier – [email protected] Safety Officer College: The 2014 CAP Safety Officer College was a success. Next year’s College is scheduled for 1-5 June 2015 at the Air Force Safety Center in Kirtland AFB, NM. CAP National Conference: There will be two safety learning labs at the Annual Conference, one on Safety Culture and one on Behavior Based Safety. Safety Beacon and Safety Education: The Safety Team is soliciting articles for the Safety Beacon in order to make the beacon more relevant to CAP. Authors of articles, which get published in the beacon, get credited with safety currency for that month. Likewise we are looking for Safety Education Modules for the SMS. If your presentation is uploaded into the SMS, you will also be credited with safety currency for that month. If you have suggestions for articles or education modules let us know. We want to hear from you. All submissions should be sent to [email protected]. Facebook: Please check out our facebook page at www.facebook.com/CivilAirPatrolSafety.

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SPAATZ ASSOCIATION Vice President, The Spaatz Association: Lt Col “JD” Ellis – [email protected] TSA Aerospace Leadership Scholarships: The application window for the 2015 TSA Aerospace Leadership Scholarships will run from 1 August - 31 October 2014. $2,500 flight scholarships are available to cadets who: are at least 15 years old; have earned the Mitchell award; have earned Solo wings in a powered aircraft; and have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA in high school. Four or more scholarships will be awarded at the 2015 TSA Mid-Winter Dinner in February 2015. Apply online at http://www.spaatz.org/. TSA Leadership Grants: Applications are now being accepted for 2014-2015 TSA Leadership Grants. Over $20,000 is available each year for individuals or units and may be used for any form of leadership development. Grants are awarded quarterly. In 2014 so far, TSA has awarded more than $10,000 in grants to individuals and units supporting activities such as Cadet Officer School, encampments and other training activities, color guard programs, and new unit startups. Apply online at http://www.spaatz.org/. TSA Mid Winter Dinner: The next TSA Mid Winter Dinner is set for Saturday, 28 February 2015. Early registration will begin on 1 August at http://www.spaatz.org/. About The Spaatz Association: The Spaatz Association is the fraternal association of current and former Spaatz Award recipients. Our focus is on supporting the CAP Cadet Program and the development of positive personal characteristics, to include leadership, professionalism, integrity, and perseverance in America’s youth. If you earned your Spaatz Award, you are already a member of the Association! For more information, visit us at http://www.spaatz.org/.

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