NEC Meeting Video Stream notes

Started by Eclipse, November 03, 2007, 03:05:44 AM

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Eclipse

I haven't seen anyone else start a summary post, so here are my notes up until it cut out around lunch.

Form 19 is no longer allowed.

Potential requirement of all members to take OPSEC tabled until winter 2008
   Consensus appeared to be that all members, including sponsors should take OPSEC
   because they may come across information of a confidential nature by accident
        discussion also included comments about the relatively low number of members who
        have ever actually logged into eServices, as well as barring access to most online systems
        to anyone but active members.


000 Squadrons members being blocked from most information access sent to same OPSEC committee
   Col. Hodgkins brought up issue of real strength vs. inactive members
   and that CAP should consider ways to more accurately account for "ready assets" vs. inactive
members.


Region Chaplain Grade as Col.  for Chaplains who have achieved level 5 - defeated
   Main issue appeared to be RealMilitary® Chaplans and commanders are reluctant to deal with anyone    who is not at least the same grade.  Col. Hodgkins commented that this was the first he had heard of the issue with Chaplans, and that it is generally a misunderstanding of the situation by the respective
   officer.  He indicated that anyone having this problem should contact him for assistance.


CAP Property management - referred to committee for review

Flight Release Reporting CAPF99 - amend 4-6C, allows copies of 99 sent to wing, originals retained at unit - passed.

#10 Credits for cadets PD as senior members - passed

#11 Change Moral Leadership to Character Development, docs to be revised on normal cycle - passed
        Concern raised about confusion in abbreviations and the need to change the badge and specialty track.

#12 Appointment of cadet as non-voting Nat baord member - referred to bylaws comittee for Winter 2008
   Audio had issues, but what I could hear sounded as if in general they liked the idea, if only
   to allow cadets to bring agenda items directly to the meetings.


This is where the web stream cut out for me, and then I had to move onto other things.

"That Others May Zoom"

Short Field

SAR/DR MP, ARCHOP, AOBD, GTM1, GBD, LSC, FASC, LO, PIO, MSO(T), & IC2
Wilson #2640

Nomex Maximus

But what about my proposal for orange flightsuits? Surely there must have been overwhelming support?
Nomex Tiberius Maximus
2dLT, MS, MO, TMP and MP-T
an inspiration to all cadets
My Theme Song

pixelwonk

Quote from: Nomex Maximus on November 03, 2007, 03:13:49 AM
But what about my proposal for orange flightsuits? Surely there must have been overwhelming support?
about as much as for your overwhelming signature block.
It's a little early in the thread for drift.  keep to the topic please.

Short Field

SAR/DR MP, ARCHOP, AOBD, GTM1, GBD, LSC, FASC, LO, PIO, MSO(T), & IC2
Wilson #2640

O-Rex

"Discontinue reading if a headache . . . . ."

I think I'm getting one now.

Back to our regularly scheduled program, already in progress, please....

_

A couple things I caught:

Satellite trouble with SIDS will extend until 2010 when they launch another satellite.  Until then the service will be free.  Air Force is buying cell phone cards for wings along the Atlantic coast and someplace else that I can't remember, to allow for transmission of photos when on ground.  They want to look at a UHF system for transmitting the photos, as a back up.

Our funding through the Air Force is in limbo while congress finalizes the bill.  They expect with the budget to have around $300 per land vehicle for fixing them.  They said they are going to have to try to limit repairs to safety items.  Concern about the age of the fleet was expressed.  It looks like if the bill passes with less money the money will be subtracted out of the budget for the air side and the money for ground vehicles will stay the same but they expect the bill to pass with the more money.

O-Rex

Quote from: Bayhawk21 on November 03, 2007, 03:28:59 AM
They want to look at a UHF system for transmitting the photos, as a back up.

Wonderful: we go back to a slow scan-type system. Can we get a side order of vacuum tubes with that?

Cell phone cards?  How about a slot in the control panel to feed quarters in?

I'm waiting for the proposal to 'can' Globalstar. . . . .

_

Quote from: O-Rex on November 03, 2007, 03:37:38 AM
Quote from: Bayhawk21 on November 03, 2007, 03:28:59 AM
They want to look at a UHF system for transmitting the photos, as a back up.

Wonderful: we go back to a slow scan-type system. Can we get a side order of vacuum tubes with that?

Cell phone cards?  How about a slot in the control panel to feed quarters in?

I'm waiting for the proposal to 'can' Globalstar. . . . .


I think they said they have a system that can provide high speed comparable to the satellite.  As for other satellite systems.  Isn't the system we use the one that the DOD brought back from the brink of going out of business?  If so we may be getting a pretty good deal when it works.  Plus now we're getting it for free.  They said to switch to another system would require new antennas and equipment.

Nomex Maximus

Quote from: O-Rex on November 03, 2007, 03:37:38 AM
Quote from: Bayhawk21 on November 03, 2007, 03:28:59 AM
They want to look at a UHF system for transmitting the photos, as a back up.

Wonderful: we go back to a slow scan-type system. Can we get a side order of vacuum tubes with that?

Cell phone cards?  How about a slot in the control panel to feed quarters in?

I'm waiting for the proposal to 'can' Globalstar. . . . .



as an aside...

believe it or not, NM here has worked on Milstar satellite software in the past... And, NM is seriously thinking about how to develop a CAP Flight Manager program that would run on a tablet PC in the airplanes and automate realtime aircrew tasking, reportating and , yes(NM is drinking again, that;s why he is nispelling), possibly even image transfer in realtime over the datalink capablilities of the coming P25 capable radios (!)

...it could happen... just need to get the distraction of  building hours for MP out of the way and I can get started...
Nomex Tiberius Maximus
2dLT, MS, MO, TMP and MP-T
an inspiration to all cadets
My Theme Song

Eclipse

Quote from: O-Rex on November 03, 2007, 03:37:38 AM
Cell phone cards?  How about a slot in the control panel to feed quarters in?

Unlimited data plans are available with most major carriers - mine costs $20 a month, and the
majority of the CAP ES people I work with already have devices of one sort or another which will allow tethering or similar access to send photos.

My MDA usually hits about 74-100K, not exactly broadband, but more than enough to send a few photos.

A good solution, if only as a backup.

"That Others May Zoom"

O-Rex

Quote from: Bayhawk21 on November 03, 2007, 03:44:34 AM
Quote from: O-Rex on November 03, 2007, 03:37:38 AM
Quote from: Bayhawk21 on November 03, 2007, 03:28:59 AM
They want to look at a UHF system for transmitting the photos, as a back up.

Wonderful: we go back to a slow scan-type system. Can we get a side order of vacuum tubes with that?

Cell phone cards?  How about a slot in the control panel to feed quarters in?

I'm waiting for the proposal to 'can' Globalstar. . . . .


I think they said they have a system that can provide high speed comparable to the satellite.  As for other satellite systems.  Isn't the system we use the one that the DOD brought back from the brink of going out of business?  If so we may be getting a pretty good deal when it works.  Plus now we're getting it for free.  They said to switch to another system would require new antennas and equipment.

You can actually maximize Globalstar's capability if you find out when the satellite is passing through your 'zone.'

not another system, just another Satcom provider.

SDIS can be easily adapted to Iridium.

Dragoon

Quote from: Eclipse on November 03, 2007, 03:05:44 AM000 Squadrons members being blocked from most information access sent to same OPSEC committee
   Col. Hodgkins brought up issue of real strength vs. inactive members
   and that CAP should consider ways to more accurately account for "ready assets" vs. inactive
members.



(does a silent happy dance)   :D

I do hope someone is listening to our esteemed CAP-USAF commander.  As discussed elsewhere, if we're gonna step up to the plate and be professional, we have to focus on the real, working CAP members.  It's a smaller population, but it's the REAL one.


wingnut

#13
The Cards that use cell phone towers only work where you have cell phone coverage, we had that problem in the fosset search. RF is limited to line of site, or using a repeater that has that capability, where is our ham guys they have been doing that for years.


I think someone should have thought of Global Star's capability before they purchased the system, the information of the company's problems is common knowledge, If they lied about its capability than it is a fraud issue for the US Govt. Global Star is only placing the new satellites in orbit where they can get business ( Africa, ASIA, Australia) people in the US use cell phones, and the Military uses their own system.

For the record I have had almost a 80% success rate with Global star, but it has taken sometimes 30 to 40 minutes to send one thumbnail image( can you say hit connect 200 times). Pigeons are faster (with a Polaroid of course)


But we are off track, I want to know what was said about Archer????

isuhawkeye

QuoteCol. Hodgkins brought up issue of real strength vs. inactive members
   and that CAP should consider ways to more accurately account for "ready assets" vs. inactive
members.


Hum....  Any mention of the fact that he just got back from Iowa?

Sounds a lot like the Iowa unit manning document, and the Iowa reserve squadron


QuoteThey want to look at a UHF system for transmitting the photos, as a back up.

Wonderful: we go back to a slow scan-type system. Can we get a side order of vacuum tubes with that?

Another hum...

With a lack of satalite coverage Iowa has affectively used the Slow scan model to stream images directly to a server for instant access, and real time access across the state. 



MIKE

If they are going to do Reserve units/status.... there should be an incentive to do it.  People might be more inclined to do the Patron or Reserve thing if they actually got a break on dues.  I've been told that unless you transfer the  NHQ-996 unit... Patron members don't get a break.

Should change CAPRs to CAPIs so we can add CAPR to our sig elements.
Mike Johnston

NEBoom

Quote from: MIKE on November 05, 2007, 11:02:54 PM
If they are going to do Reserve units/status.... there should be an incentive to do it.  People might be more inclined to do the Patron or Reserve thing if they actually got a break on dues.  I've been told that unless you transfer the  NHQ-996 unit... Patron members don't get a break.

Should change CAPRs to CAPIs so we can add CAPR to our sig elements.

You know, after thinking about this for a while, and considering how Iowa is using their -000 unit, this strikes me as another "solution in search of a problem" kind of deal.  All being in the -000 unit means is that you are an inactive member (hopefully temporarily so) and you are not assigned to a unit at present.  But if you have a free weekend and want to participate in something you should (assuming you have all needed qualifications as applicable) be able to.  It's only smart to allow this as it will keep these members' interest in CAP and hopefully they will return to active status when they can.

Start messing with their membership (ie making them patron members or whatever) just because they're inactive for a while, you run the risk of driving them off for good.

Just MHO, YMMV as always.
Lt Col Dan Kirwan, CAP
Nebraska Wing

isuhawkeye

there is nothing in the regs prohibiting 000 members form participating in anything.


NEBoom

Quote from: isuhawkeye on November 06, 2007, 01:08:08 AM
there is nothing in the regs prohibiting 000 members form participating in anything.



Yeah, I know right now there isn't.  Maybe I misunderstood the agenda item, but it seemed to me that they were looking at putting restrictions on the -000 members.  Disregard if I'm wrong on that.
Lt Col Dan Kirwan, CAP
Nebraska Wing

JC004

Quote from: NEBoom on November 06, 2007, 02:43:44 AM
Quote from: isuhawkeye on November 06, 2007, 01:08:08 AM
there is nothing in the regs prohibiting 000 members form participating in anything.



Yeah, I know right now there isn't.  Maybe I misunderstood the agenda item, but it seemed to me that they were looking at putting restrictions on the -000 members.  Disregard if I'm wrong on that.

Shouldn't this only be done if the -000 squadron system is applied uniformly throughout the organization?  PAWG's PA-000 has only one member.  (there are a number of reasons for that, at least one of which would cause bloodshed if they tried implementing the 000 squadron for real)

isuhawkeye

QuoteShouldn't this only be done if the -000 squadron system is applied uniformly throughout the organization?  PAWG's PA-000 has only one member.  (there are a number of reasons for that, at least one of which would cause bloodshed if they tried implementing the 000 squadron for real)

Not to be confrontational, but if your wing doesn't use the 000 squadron where do your inactive members go?

how do you determine a squadrons strength?

Thanks

Eclipse

#21
Quote from: isuhawkeye on November 06, 2007, 01:08:08 AM
there is nothing in the regs prohibiting 000 members form participating in anything.

Except that since it is not an operational unit, no one is in place to approve ES training and other required administrivia - you cannot be a pilot in a 000, for starters, nor should you be.  If you're at least active enough to maintain your Form 5 / 91 status, you're active enough to be kept out of 000.


000's are relived from all but the most basic record keeping requirements, do not get inspected, and are not considered operational on any level - they are parking lots designed to retain the dues of members who, for whatever reason continue to write a check to NHQ but don't want to play anymore.

Assuming the conversations continue in the same direction, by the next board meeting 000's will be barred from access to eServices and other sensitive systems.

000 is not the place to put members who are don't "work and play well with others", as many Wings have
used in the year's past.  Once in 000, while its easy enough to get back out, they can't do much of anything, and frankly that's the way it should be - members should not be parked there until its been ascertained that they are legitimately empty shirts.

I've been having this debate with my unit CC's for a few months now, and other than these members being used as a buffer against losing your charter, or being downgraded to flight status, etc., inactive members who don't pay unit dues (as some do), serve no value to the unit whatsoever and may well be skewing our readiness assumptions (as Col. Hodgkins pointed out) by as much as 30% nationally.

"That Others May Zoom"

capchiro

All, I believe that part of our funding is based upon our numbers and not upon our active participating numbers.  In other words, if you discharge all of those that you want to, our funding may go down and how will that help mission effectiveness?  I may have Capt. Smitty on my roles and she is a dues paying member pilot and she may decide to not be active for a year or so because she has just had a baby.  She will return someday and she is willing to continue to pay her dues to maintain her CAP records and rank.  How is she a detriment to the program?  I may have a new cadet that joins and comes to one meeting and doesn't return, despite phone calls, etc.  He continues to pay dues and then shows up two years later all hot to trot and participate.  Should I have gotten rid of him?  If we are getting money based upon total membership numbers why throw people out?  How about the congressional squadron that is not functional at all?  Why do we maintain that squadron?  It's all about the money..
Lt. Col. Harry E. Siegrist III, CAP
Commander
Sweetwater Comp. Sqdn.
GA154

JC004

Quote from: isuhawkeye on November 06, 2007, 02:16:01 PM
QuoteShouldn't this only be done if the -000 squadron system is applied uniformly throughout the organization?  PAWG's PA-000 has only one member.  (there are a number of reasons for that, at least one of which would cause bloodshed if they tried implementing the 000 squadron for real)

Not to be confrontational, but if your wing doesn't use the 000 squadron where do your inactive members go?

how do you determine a squadrons strength?

Thanks

They go nowhere.  They remain assigned to the unit.  We can't and we don't determine a unit's strength, and I have been opposed to this system for a long time.  The amount of money given to the units from the state appropriation is based on MML numbers, so the likelihood of commanders wanting to utilize the PA-000 is pretty low.

isuhawkeye

so,

our state and federal funding is based upon how many people pay dues,a nd not upon how affectively we accomplish a mission. 

Eclipse

Quote from: JC004 on November 06, 2007, 02:38:53 PM
Quote from: isuhawkeye on November 06, 2007, 02:16:01 PM
QuoteShouldn't this only be done if the -000 squadron system is applied uniformly throughout the organization?  PAWG's PA-000 has only one member.  (there are a number of reasons for that, at least one of which would cause bloodshed if they tried implementing the 000 squadron for real)

Not to be confrontational, but if your wing doesn't use the 000 squadron where do your inactive members go?

how do you determine a squadrons strength?

Thanks

They go nowhere.  They remain assigned to the unit.  We can't and we don't determine a unit's strength, and I have been opposed to this system for a long time.  The amount of money given to the units from the state appropriation is based on MML numbers, so the likelihood of commanders wanting to utilize the PA-000 is pretty low.

Which is why this should be a top-down initiative with objective "active" criteria so that unit cc's will have little say in who is bumped up or out.

Pretending we have 30% more people than we actually do is self-defeating.

"That Others May Zoom"

capchiro

It all depends on what we define mission as.  A hardcore ES squadron is a lot different than a primary cadet oriented squadron.  I have worked both and understand the mission of both.  To touch the lives of cadets may make a difference in them that is incomprehensible to us at the time.  Whether they work the program hard or not it still may make an impression on them and their decision to join the Air Force ro go to a military academy later.  Therefore the effectiveness of a cadet oriented squadron cannot be measured the same as a senior ES squadron that is working with outside customers and has a different set of accountable issues.  For a cadet squadron to have a few or several seniors on the roles that only show up to teach moral leadership or go on occasional field trips does not detract but adds to the program.  For them to be on  the roles and thus allow our Wing to draw federal and state money to be used by the ES squadrons based on our membership numbers is not a bad thing, it is beneficial to all.  Very little if any money comes down to our squadron, except for O flights, so I think having the roles padded is not a bad thing for all.  Again, I think that what works for Iowa doesn't necessarily work for everyone else.  I would imagine that our organization is like almost all other volunteer organization with only 10% doing most of the work, whether it is ES or running a cadet squadron.  I would hate to see us lose the other 90% that are with us in spirit and also lose the funding that goes with them.  JMHO..
Lt. Col. Harry E. Siegrist III, CAP
Commander
Sweetwater Comp. Sqdn.
GA154

Eclipse

I think it again needs to be said that the arbiter of "active", at least today, is the unit CC, and though I'd be in favor of a national guideline, I would imagine that seniors who >do< occasionally show up at all would not fall into the inactive class.

We're talking about legitimate, never show, never contact, I keep my membership for historic value only members.

Other than dues, these members serve no purpose to the units, no matter which of the three missions you are  discussing.

members who continue their relationship with CAP as benefactors could be placed in a nation "patron" unit or status, which wouldn't change their participation one iota, but would take them off the books when reporting our numbers..

And yes, obviously a unit CC has a fair idea how many people he has, but as soon as you go higher than that things get much more gray - and at the Wing level and higher, CC's have no way to know who is active and who isn't.

If you don't even know how many people you really have, its difficult to decide what you really can do.

"That Others May Zoom"

Dragoon

Thoughts.

1.  It seems that "Patron" was originally designed to serve as "inactive", but it's not really described that way in the regs.  Commanders can involuntarily turn anyone in their unit into a Patron.  Some units use this to segregate active from inactive.  With some minor reg rewording, this could become a CAP standard practice.

But..

2.  Patrons can't do ANYTHING.  That's too harsh, IMHO.  "Inactive" members should be allowed to wear uniforms for occasional visits to their squadron, or to any social event (like the Wing Conference) that they are invited to.  That way someone can occasionally help out without being counted as Active.

3.  Inactive members would not be required to do any mandatory training (OPSEC, Safety Stand down days, etc, etc.) Basically, commanders would only need to focus on keeping Active members qualified.  Anyone coming back to active status would need to make up what they missed.

4.  We don't want it to be a stigma to be "inactive." We want it to be a temporary thing - you go into it when you don't have time to do CAP, and you come out of it when you do again.

5. Inactive members should be restricted from anything other than the events listed above.  No ES, no flying, no chaperoning cadets.  Basically, since we label them as inactive, we don't need to insure them, which might lower CAP's corporate rates (fewer folks to insure)

6.  Inactive time probably should not count towards promotions.  If you're not doing anything, you shouldn't get credit for the time.

7.  It would be nice if dues for inactive members were lower, but I doubt that would work as many folks will go in and out of inactive status throughout the year.  Perhaps folks choosing to go inactive at renewal time could get a break, but would need to pay extra to become active again.

8. Commanders should make the call on who , and have the ability to waive minimum requirements as needed.  A good standard for Inactive might be "unable to attend 50% of the required unit meetings, or to successfully handle assigned duties without the unit commander's permission."  With something like this in place, a commander could except the CFI who does all the checkrides in the unit, but works Wednesday nights, or the college student with night classes who is heavily involved in weekend CAP training events.

9.  There would need to be strict wording and an appeals process to ensure that being labled as inactive isn't done a disciplinary measure. 

10.  An inactive member should be able to transfer to another unit with the intent of becoming active there (or remaining inactive, if he or she wishes)

11.  If we had such a program, we might be able to come up with additional benefits for the active members.  For example, perhaps we could convince USAF to grant better base access to active members.  The argument would be "these are our core people, and under our direct control.  We can hold these folks to a higher standard."

12.  Most importantly - the goal of such an effort would be to establish and enforce minimum standards of participation/performance, eliminate the need for the unit commander to worry about "training" inactive personnel,  and provide better visibility on the true operational strength of CAP.  If it doesn't do those things, it's probably not worth doing.

Smokey

My unit has some members I have never seen in the 10 years ( In fact TODAY is my 10th Anniversay in CAP) I have been on. I asked recently about this and was told,  "Hey, they pay dues so why not let them stay on the memberhip rolls."  Although the money is nice going to National, many of them have not paid squadron dues. It seems all they do is inflate our numbers and really serve no other purpose than to list CAP as a tax deduction.
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
To err is human, to blame someone else shows good management skills.

MIKE

Quote from: Dragoon on November 06, 2007, 07:31:30 PM7.  It would be nice if dues for inactive members were lower, but I doubt that would work as many folks will go in and out of inactive status throughout the year.  Perhaps folks choosing to go inactive at renewal time could get a break, but would need to pay extra to become active again.

The way it works now is fine.  Status changes during the membership year are at no additional charge, with the renewal charge applied at the appropriate rate.  It really should not be used as a short term thing though.... The point of it should be for years, not months.  Short term active versus inactive could be handled much like it is in SIMS.  Taking 6 months off... set them to Inactive.  Haven't seen them in a year... Patron.

And with that let's not let this thread drift beyond it's scope.
Mike Johnston

BillB

Why this big rush to get rid of inactive members and move them to Patron? So they inflate the Squadron membership numbers, but has anyone thought that those membership numbers often are the deciding factor of what corporate equipment to issue to a Squadron? And has anyone called these inactive members when there is a mission? Probably they will show up if asked. I've seen cases where members went inactive due to poor leadership in a Squadron. When needed they showed up. I know one unit where the Commander drove off the working active members and then cried that there were no members and wanted the unit deactivated. The cadets moved their meeting night so they wouldn't be around the seniors where there were problems, and the Commander forgot the meeting nights were moved for two meetings. Placing someone in Patron category does do the member any good or the Squadron.
Gil Robb Wilson # 19
Gil Robb Wilson # 104

Grumpy

In my squadron I have 32 seniors, ten of which are active, and 42 cadets, 20 are active. 
I have made attempts to contact the inactive people, forward emails that tell about activities going on at wing and the squadron level.  They never respond to anything.  Yet, they keep paying the national dues every year.  Some have been inactive for up wards of 4 years.

Our Group Hq charges us for services rendered based on the head count on the MML.  That's 40+ people that we are paying "extortion" payments for really aren't there. 

If I could move the inactive members to the 000 squadron it would cut our cost.

Short Field

Quote from: Grumpy on November 06, 2007, 10:46:30 PM
Our Group Hq charges us for services rendered based on the head count on the MML.  That's 40+ people that we are paying "extortion" payments for really aren't there. 

We are lucky.  First we have no Group Hq dues.  Second, most of our inactive members actually pay our squadron dues each year.  That is a nice chunk of change that costs us nothing but an annual dues notice.    ;D

Now, if they stop paying squadron dues .....   >:D
SAR/DR MP, ARCHOP, AOBD, GTM1, GBD, LSC, FASC, LO, PIO, MSO(T), & IC2
Wilson #2640

Eclipse

Quote from: BillB on November 06, 2007, 10:12:20 PM
Why this big rush to get rid of inactive members and move them to Patron? So they inflate the Squadron membership numbers, but has anyone thought that those membership numbers often are the deciding factor of what corporate equipment to issue to a Squadron?

Then that equipment issue would be inappropriate as it is based on a need which does not really exist. In many goverment arenas, that would be considered fraud.

Quote from: BillB on November 06, 2007, 10:12:20 PM
And has anyone called these inactive members when there is a mission? Probably they will show up if asked.

Any member inactive enough to be considered for 000 status is likely not current in ES, either - the last thing we need are more "twice a year" members stumbling around mission bases.  Again, this should not be a punishment for people who don't hit every meeting, 000 should be for legitimately inactive members who have no intention of participating, or will not for an extended (i.e. years) period of time.

Quote from: BillB on November 06, 2007, 10:12:20 PM
I've seen cases where members went inactive due to poor leadership in a Squadron. When needed they showed up. I know one unit where the Commander drove off the working active members and then cried that there were no members and wanted the unit deactivated. The cadets moved their meeting night so they wouldn't be around the seniors where there were problems, and the Commander forgot the meeting nights were moved for two meetings. Placing someone in Patron category does do the member any good or the Squadron.

It doesn't matter >why< members are inactive, protest, age, college, the choice of other activities, unless they are attending meetings, participating in activities, or >somehow bringing value to the unit and organization, what is the point of maintaining their membership? CAP is not a rec center or a social club, accepting that, and the attrition that will folow when we finally do, is a big part of our transition to a more professional, lean force.

"That Others May Zoom"

Larry Mangum

Quote from: Grumpy on November 06, 2007, 10:46:30 PM
In my squadron I have 32 seniors, ten of which are active, and 42 cadets, 20 are active. 
I have made attempts to contact the inactive people, forward emails that tell about activities going on at wing and the squadron level.  They never respond to anything.  Yet, they keep paying the national dues every year.  Some have been inactive for up wards of 4 years.

Our Group Hq charges us for services rendered based on the head count on the MML.  That's 40+ people that we are paying "extortion" payments for really aren't there. 

If I could move the inactive members to the 000 squadron it would cut our cost.

So what does your Group use the money for?  Assuming it is like most groups it has 4 or 5 squadrons in it so some where between 40 and 150 seniors in average at 15 bucks a pop that is a pretty hefty toll on its members.  Groups are suppose to be administrative units and not operational so I don't see the need for taxing its squadrons.
Larry Mangum, Lt Col CAP
DCS, Operations
SWR-SWR-001

RiverAux

That is almost as much as our Wing gets back from national for members dues.  Seems totally out of line for Group and I would enquire as to whether there is anything in writing that has been properly approved for the procedure they're using to implement it. 

Grumpy

Quote from: wawgcap on November 06, 2007, 11:33:01 PM
Quote from: Grumpy on November 06, 2007, 10:46:30 PM
In my squadron I have 32 seniors, ten of which are active, and 42 cadets, 20 are active. 
I have made attempts to contact the inactive people, forward emails that tell about activities going on at wing and the squadron level.  They never respond to anything.  Yet, they keep paying the national dues every year.  Some have been inactive for up wards of 4 years.

Our Group Hq charges us for services rendered based on the head count on the MML.  That's 40+ people that we are paying "extortion" payments for really aren't there. 

If I could move the inactive members to the 000 squadron it would cut our cost.

So what does your Group use the money for?  Assuming it is like most groups it has 4 or 5 squadrons in it so some where between 40 and 150 seniors in average at 15 bucks a pop that is a pretty hefty toll on its members.  Groups are suppose to be administrative units and not operational so I don't see the need for taxing its squadrons.

They say it's for operating costs.  We have seven squadrons in the group.  I believe our squadron paid either 270 or 370 dollars this year.


a2capt

There are, in some wings, folks in 000 because they were unable to function, read- play with anyone else, and after several failed assignments end up in the 000 file. So that they are not a drag on anyones MML. Why then, are they allowed to continue to serve at the helm of a few when they demonstrate the inability to work with a unit as a whole? Their folder needs to live somewhere. They need to be active. If you're pushed off in a 000 unit then where do you go to your meetings, where do you stay abreast of things? The 000 squadron needs to have limits. From another viewpoint, it's kind of an slap in the face to those who do participate, show up to the meetings, contribute back, etc.

O-Rex

Most 000 members were usually "ghosts" at their original units anyway.

It would stand to reason that if a member is so sub-standard in performance or behavior as to warrant exile to the "CAP gulag," then the local leadership may want to examine their continued membership.  On the other hand, if we are sitting in the corner office at NHQ-Maxwell, the view from the top is membership equals dues equals revenue.

I've heard that some wings change membership categories to "Patron" along with the transfer to 000.

Grumpy

CAWG won't let you transfer the "dead wood" to the 000 squadron.  Then the unit gets fanged on inspections because these people aren't progressing in the program and the unit is still responsible for them.

I say if all attempts have failed to contact them and they insist on paying their dues then transfer them to the holding squadron.  The MML wil then reflect a true image of the size of the unit.

It's all about percentages/stats.

Eclipse

Except that there won't be any "holding" squadrons anymore - that's part of this, because the holding squadrons were being held to an SUI standard that wasn't reasonable for what was essentially another 000 unit.

If you're not in a "real" unit, you're in 000 - many wings have already dissolved their holding squadrons, and anyone who wanted to be active on any level had to find a home, everyone else goes to 000.

"That Others May Zoom"

Capt Rivera

how long does it normally take for the official minutes to come out? Once something is approved for example, "#10" Cadets getting credit for PD compleated while a cadet but needed for senior member progression. Is that now a ACTIVE thing? Is it retroactive? Or do we have to wait for some reg update, letter etc to come out 6 months from now?

//Signed//

Joshua Rivera, Capt, CAP
Squadron Commander
Grand Forks Composite Squadron
North Dakota Wing, Civil Air Patrol
http://www.grandforkscap.org

RiverAux

Well, considering they haven't even posted the agenda for a meeting that has already happened, I wouldn't hold my breath.  Think months for the minutes to come out and then more months for applicable regulations to be changed. 

BillB

Tha agenda was posted. There was a link in one of the other threads about the NEC meeting.  Not that it did much good since many items were moved to Saturday when there was no streaming video.
Gil Robb Wilson # 19
Gil Robb Wilson # 104

RiverAux

No, the agenda has not been posted as it should have been on CAP e-services.  It was posted on a blog.  I don't know where they got their copy.