Worth it?

[emttobe]

Sorry for the long post, bit of background before I get to my real question.

I'm a college aged teacher-in-training who (as you can tell by my name) will soon complete
my EMT-B training. While I started the training partly because it seemed like something good
to know and partly as a resume boost (if all the other teacher applicants have a First Aid
qualification at most, having and EMT-B would put me ahead), I'm now thinking I'd like to
use it to volunteer to help folks, making a long term commitment to an organization or
group.

I'd narrowed down my choices to the local Volunteer Fire Department when a friend, who knew
the kind of thing I was searching for, told me about CAP.

Me: "What's that?"
Him: "Not sure, some kind of Search and Rescue group. Read an article about them last week."
Me: "Cool, thanks for the tip."

The article, of course, was one of the many detailing how the head of your group has been
suspended for sending someone else to take a test. Not an auspicious introduction, but hey,
just because the head's a crook doesn't mean they don't do good work.

So, I do a Google search and get the main page.

Me: "Wow, a .gov address? These folks are serious. Air Force Axillary? Didn't know it had
one. Military uniforms and an AFJROTC-like cadet program? Neat. Lots of other missions
besides SAR? This looks AWESOME!"

It seemed perfect. Besides the above, the biggest point in its favor over the VFD is that
CAP is national, if I ever move I can join another unit with my rank and qualifications
intact, instead of spending another year as a pleb at a new Department.

Anyway, after reading the PR I want to see what people thought about it. Wikipedia? Got a
featured article. UrbanDictionary? Got some haters on there, but I take Taekwondo and can
deal with elitists from another system bashing mine. YouTube? Many videos, including slick
recruiting pitches, sideshows of trips and members goofing off and having a good time.

Now, time to see what the members themselves think about their organization. I Google cap
blog, cap forum, and other similar searches. I get the eponymous CapBlog, this forum, and a
good deal of other sources. I begin reading.

And I start becoming gravely concerned.

It's the negativity. I understand the folks in the trenches won't be giving the same rosy
view of their job as the recruiting videos, but this is endemic. The CapBlog has nothing
like "Hey, good job with that save down in Florida, guys!" but continual, numbing repetition
of our uniforms are stupid/our bosses are stupid/our bosses' decisions are stupid/our
bosses' decisions about our uniforms are stupid/our new slogan is stupid/etc and on and on
and on. Even here, you've got more threads about your UNIFORMS (pardon the pun) than your
Emergency Services operations! And so many are the whiny "He's wearing it WRONG!!!" that I'd
expect from middle schoolers.

Part of the reason I'm so concerned is that this is not a break even for me. For most
volunteering, the organization will provide the tools and supervision to get the job done.
You just have to get there. For more and more VFDs, they're offering stipends to their
volunteers as an enticement. From what I'm understanding, however, I'd have to pay CAP
annually for the ability to work for them, not including (hopefully...) one-time expenses
for uniforms. When comparing the ability to PAY TO VOLUNTEER or BE PAID TO VOLUNTEER, or even NO MONEY EXCHANGING HANDS FOR VOLUNTEERING the first option had better be clearly superior, or it will simply lose out. That's plain economics.

And this is what I'm seeing. One of the most recent links on the CapBlog was to the Public
Affairs office of the North Central region. The second link on the page is to a PDF of "The
National Marketing Plan and Branding of the U.S. Civil Air Patrol."
(http://www.ncrpao.org/specials/2007_paoa/paoa_02_cunningham_prop_cap_markeing_plan.pdf)
Curious, I took a look. And right there, on the 6th page, is the most shocking thing I've
seen so far: a drop from 62,974 members in 2002 to just 55,580 last year. That's a drop of
more than 7,000, or 9% of the 2002 total. I can understand stagnation, that just means
you're having a hard time drawing new members. But a decline of that much that fast (more
than a thousand folks a year for a near-half decade) shows that something is very, deeply
wrong. People don't want to be associated with you.

So now I'm torn. Whatever volunteering path I take is what I'm planning to do for most of my
professional life and on into retirement. Step one and step two suggested great things from
CAP, but step three of my due diligence is instead suggesting that CAP is a sinking ship of
disaffected members. With that as my solid impression after a good two days of investigation, is it worth it to join?


Options:

1. JOIN! You're just experiencing the observer effect. We say lots of good things about CAP,
you're just muting them out to look at the bad stuff.
2. JOIN! Yes, there's lots of BS at the regional/national level, but with the local unit
you'll experience none of that and have a good time doing good (just like my Habitat for
Humanity stint, but the BS eventually reached our level...)
3. JOIN! We're the vocal minority that likes to complain about everything. A less critical
person (i.e.: me) will be able to get along just fine.
4. At least come to a meeting to see how you like it, then go on from there.
5. DON'T JOIN! At least, not until we get our act together.
6. DON'T JOIN! CAP is indeed irredeemably broken. Spare yourself the frustration of dealing
with it for decades.
7. Other (please specify).

[Major Carrales]

When I joined, it was 1998 and I was a teacher-in-training in the last stages of that process.  CAP was the best thing I could have done.  I strongly suggest it.

As for the negativity...the greater part of the CAP experience is at the Group and Squadron level.  That is where the rubber meets the road. 

I would say, join your local unit...make it your own.  Volunteer with the fresh new attitude that the truly passionate bring to CAP.  Ignore the stupidities of agendistic petty politics and all the rumor and talk of which I am sorry you had to read.  Simply join up and "keep the momentum going" because all of the best of CAP is LOCAL.

I apologize on behalf of those that can't keep from being negative.  When all this was breaking I just short of pleaded with them to believe in the system and keep "theatrical" rants off the internet.  Their failure to heed those words have created the conundrum we see now in your decision.

Please give CAP a try...we are stronger with you than without!

[arajca]

Go to a couple of meetings. Visit at least one unit.

[Skyray]

I have probably got the most negative reputation here, and my advice is JOIN

CAP is a very rewarding experience.  Most of what you see here as negativity is that we would like it to be perfect, and it isn't quite perfect yet.  There are some leadership issues, but unless you somehow bring your self to the attention of the Cossacks, they should have absolutely no effect on you at the operational level.

[Stonewall]

My question to you is, it seems like you've got a pretty negative picture painted for yourself of how CAP is.  That's cool, you've done your research.  Honestly, if I were in your shoes and saw what you see through your eyes, I'd stick with the VFD.

CAP is just 1/3 emergency services.  Sounds like you, an "EMT TO BE", is more interested in EMS type SAR.  That's cool, go for it.  CAP has a military aspect to it, something that a lot of folks don't care too much for.  As for the whining and complaining, I can say with confidence you'll find it at any volunteer organizations.  Maybe not all, but most.  I've been a volunteer firefighter before and I've experienced the same thing.  People hating each other, fights, lack of funding, not enough training.

CAP is a good organization and has been for years, more than 60 years actually.  You've seen a drop in membership from 2002 because right after 9/11 we had a lot of patriotic Americans who couldn't go abroad want to do something to help their community, state and nation.  That was 5+ years ago, people are getting bored with being patriotic and realize that volunteering is almost like a second job these days.  As a squadron commander I worked 50 to 60 hours a week at my real job and 10 to 20 hours a week on CAP, not to mention my weekend committments to the National Guard.

As for being an EMT, that's cool.  I'm an EMT without a home.  Meaning, I don't have a medical director or some standard to follow other than that of what I'm trained with.  Been an EMT, nationally and state certified, since the early 90s.  It's a great skill to have and if you're one of those guys like me who happens to witness people doing stupid things all the time, youre skills and whatever medical kit you carry will benefit a lot of people.

Politics is politics, and if you stay below that level, you'll be fine.  Just like you said in one of your "options".  Stay at the unit level and for the most part, things are different.  Here on CAP Talk and the other sites, you've got nosey people, a lot of which are on here just to get the nitty gritty on crap going around.  You'll never see me in the threads where they talk about the national commander getting fired or funding for US Civil Air Patrol.  I'm a rubber meets the road guy, and it's been good for me, for more than 20 years.  

[MIKE]

3. and 4.  This is not to say that local units don't have issues also... If you have the option, shop around before making a commitment.

What I suggest though is not to focus on the SAR and EMT bit too much at first... You'll likely be disappointed/discouraged.  As has been said, CAP has three missions... Emergency Services is but one of them.

[Major Carrales]

What I suggest though is not to focus on the SAR and EMT bit too much at first... You'll likely be disappointed/discouraged.  As has been said, CAP has three missions... Emergency Services is but one of them.

More than meets the skies...eh?

[Nomex Maximus]

But your local VFD doesn't have an AIRPLANE...oooooooooo....JOIN.

[Walkman]

I asked about the same questions a week or so ago:

http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=2560.0

After some reassurance here, and another visit to my squadron, I'm very gung-ho. We're a small unit, and I've been very welcomed and appreciated. Watching my son learn to stand at attention and address another cadet leader is inspiring, knowing that someday, he'll be in the leadership position. Plus, it's kind of fun for him to salute me and call me "sir" at meetings. 

I really was worried as you are. My reasons for joining CAP are different from yours (wanting to be able to serve in the military, but not being able to), but I did also did a bunch of web searching.

Here's the conclusions I've come to:
1. People are people. There will be some that drive you nuts and some that enrich your life. Some people don't handle power well, in any group. Some are great leaders.
2. The cadets we train are inspiring. I wish I knew about this when I was a teen.
3. What everyone else says about politics at the squadron/group level is true. The "locals" (some outside my wing) that I've met so far has impressed me, nose down, doing their work the right way.

Another thing to think about-how do you feel about working with youth? Read this thread: http://captalk.net/index.php?topic=2691.0
Can you see yourself inspiring some teenager to be better that what the world around him or her tells them they can be? Our nations youth need positive and inspiring mentors more than anytime in our history IMO.

[RogueLeader]

emttobe:
A few years ago, I was in the same boat that you are in now.  I too was a teacher candidate in college.  I was told about CAP from my professor, who happened to be the West Virginia Vice Commander.  He told me what I could expect from CAP- that it was aka Come and Pay, and that there was alot of work in it. 

I understand the economic weights involved, I'm in a tight crunch right now.  I'll tell you what, CAP has been one of the best organizations that I have been involved with.  Are there problems in CAP? Yes.  That does NOT affect what we do at the local level.

A note about CapBlog, yes there is alot of negativity right now, and part of it is just personality of the owner, just need to take it with a grain of salt, or just not read it.  There are also some good posts in it- just not recently.

Even here, we can get a little rough.  We try to keep it nice, and we do for a majority of the time.  If we don't, the Mods gently remind us to play nice.  We try to have fun, and we do.

I have found CAP to be the most rewarding service that I have been able to give.

[pixelwonk]

Point of Order...

M6 ...AKA, CAPBlogger, is one of the most positive CAP people vocal on the interwebs today.  If anyone recognizes the individual efforts of aircrews and ground teams, it's him.

...Not that he needs my defense.

[O-Rex]

Good news travels fast, but bad news travels at light-speed.  For some reason, we are drawn to the negative: Murder and mayhem sells more newspapers and airtime than tales of kindness and fairplay.

Blogs are often a way for members to vent offline without fear of retaliation from the powers-that-be, and sometimes a vehicle for former members to air their agenda, good, bad or indifferent.

In the course of your "test drive" with CAP, decide if the activities, culture and mission is consistent with your own goals and expectations.  The biggest source of dissatisfaction is with members who join with preconceived notions of entitlement.  Remember that you are joining an organization: with rules, procedures and norms.  Be patient: CAP membership is not a destination, but a journey.  Going from newbie to Galactic Field Marshall will not occur instantaneously-enjoy the ride, and the company of your fellow travelers.    CAP is a cross-section of the society it serves, you're invariably going to find good folks, and a sphincter or two, just to keep things lively .

If it doesn't work out for you, consider that a year's membership costs less than dinner & a movie for two.....

[Major Carrales]

Point of Order...

M6 ...AKA, CAPBlogger, is one of the most positive CAP people vocal on the interwebs today.  If anyone recognizes the individual efforts of aircrews and ground teams, it's him.

...Not that he needs my defense.

He does not need our defense, but kind words are good motivation.  I have to agree...Midway Six does show the good that occurs, even covering activities of which he is a part.

The thing is that we, as CAP Threadsters and Bloggers, sometimes forget that we are not behind a firewall.  The exchanges are very public and often can be found by a Google bot by the end of the second day.  I have always preached temperance...as in being not getting "drunk" on the emotionalism that happens as a side effect of our passion for CAP.  It is the best way.

[MIKE]

...Not that he needs my defense.

Read FM or you suck. 

[Major Carrales]

...Not that he needs my defense.

Read FM or you suck. 

I'm looking forward to the week in review feature.  Being able to glance at the week's activities "system wide" is refreshing!

[RogueLeader]

...Not that he needs my defense.

Read FM or you suck. 

I'm look forward to the week in review feature.

I believe the term here is "Jacked"

and I'm not talking about a coke.. . . . . Jack and coke.  . . . .hmmmmm

[JC004]

IMHO (for whatever that's worth), CAPTalk, CAPBlog, CadetStuff, etc. are reacting to an off-track direction set by folks at echelons above reality.  Maybe it's because it is easier to change a patch than to build a new program or something like that.  I spent a couple hours one day last week reviewing the National Board and NEC meeting minutes for the past couple of years...huge focus on uniforms, term extensions, all that jazz. 

But here's the thing...although many of us see this as a wrong focus of our leaders' time, the missions are still largely being performed locally.  We don't discuss our weekly meetings, weekend activities, etc. as much because they are the norm.  What is "news" and out of the ordinary hits the forums...uniform changes, national scandals, all that fun stuff. 

We aren't performing less SAR, flying less cadets, etc. to focus on uniforms and crap.  It's just the news.  This is much like the news media, where we see a lot of murders, house fires, etc. and not as many stories about the organization that provides thousands of meals a day to the needy or what a local church did in collecting some kind of donations. 

With any luck, this mess will go away and National will come to us anew, saying "Here's where we want to go and we need your support.  Here is how we are going to support you and here is what we want you to do for us..."

[Stonewall]

Before the internet, blogs, forums, and real-time news and gossip, I couldn't have told you one scandal, rumor, firing, execution, or mishap outside of my squadron.  Heck, I couldn't have told you where to find the uniform manual because my squadron probably had one copy of it in that big blue binder that we only had to update once in a blue moon and was burried under a pile of dust.

With the way we communicate today, we're going to get a lot of bad with some of the good.  you just have to decypher what is good and what isn't, and realize people like to speak of the bad stuff before the good stuff.

[Major Carrales]

Well said JC004 and Stonewall.

The WEB is a double edged sword.

[JC004]

Well said JC004 and Stonewall.

The WEB is a double edged sword.

thank you, but I do believe that the interweb is a series of tubes...