Direct channel to CAP brass

[JC004]

eServices has a corporate phone directory that I believe also lists email addresses. I'm almost positive in fact.

Correct.  The NHQ directory was available in e-services last month.  It's gone now.  Very strange. It's almost as if the left hand at NHQ doesn't know what the right is doing.

...oooooor they know exactly what they're doing.  "Please contact us - feel free to use the contact information we've provided [none]."   

[RogueLeader]

eServices has a corporate phone directory that I believe also lists email addresses. I'm almost positive in fact.

Correct.  The NHQ directory was available in e-services last month.  It's gone now.  Very strange. It's almost as if the left hand at NHQ doesn't know what the right is doing.

...oooooor they know exactly what they're doing.  "Please contact us - feel free to use the contact information we've provided [none]."   

Hres the current link:
http://www.cap.gov/visitors/about/national_headquarters/hq_contacts.cfm

[JC004]

eServices has a corporate phone directory that I believe also lists email addresses. I'm almost positive in fact.

Correct.  The NHQ directory was available in e-services last month.  It's gone now.  Very strange. It's almost as if the left hand at NHQ doesn't know what the right is doing.

...oooooor they know exactly what they're doing.  "Please contact us - feel free to use the contact information we've provided [none]."   

Hres the current link:
http://www.cap.gov/visitors/about/national_headquarters/hq_contacts.cfm

The pdf directory from e-services has the name, address, phone number, etc. of all the region and wing kings, liaison folk, etc. 

[RogueLeader]

eServices has a corporate phone directory that I believe also lists email addresses. I'm almost positive in fact.

Correct.  The NHQ directory was available in e-services last month.  It's gone now.  Very strange. It's almost as if the left hand at NHQ doesn't know what the right is doing.

...oooooor they know exactly what they're doing.  "Please contact us - feel free to use the contact information we've provided [none]."   

Hres the current link:
http://www.cap.gov/visitors/about/national_headquarters/hq_contacts.cfm

The pdf directory from e-services has the name, address, phone number, etc. of all the region and wing kings, liaison folk, etc. 

Where? I can't find it.

[JC004]

eServices has a corporate phone directory that I believe also lists email addresses. I'm almost positive in fact.

Correct.  The NHQ directory was available in e-services last month.  It's gone now.  Very strange. It's almost as if the left hand at NHQ doesn't know what the right is doing.

...oooooor they know exactly what they're doing.  "Please contact us - feel free to use the contact information we've provided [none]."   

Hres the current link:
http://www.cap.gov/visitors/about/national_headquarters/hq_contacts.cfm

The pdf directory from e-services has the name, address, phone number, etc. of all the region and wing kings, liaison folk, etc. 

Where? I can't find it.

^  that's what they're talking about.  All gone - poof.  Maybe the webmaster accidentally removed it when they were changing those links.

[RogueLeader]

eServices has a corporate phone directory that I believe also lists email addresses. I'm almost positive in fact.

Correct.  The NHQ directory was available in e-services last month.  It's gone now.  Very strange. It's almost as if the left hand at NHQ doesn't know what the right is doing.

...oooooor they know exactly what they're doing.  "Please contact us - feel free to use the contact information we've provided [none]."   

Hres the current link:
http://www.cap.gov/visitors/about/national_headquarters/hq_contacts.cfm

The pdf directory from e-services has the name, address, phone number, etc. of all the region and wing kings, liaison folk, etc. 

Where? I can't find it.

^  that's what they're talking about.  All gone - poof.  Maybe the webmaster accidentally removed it when they were changing those links.

ah.  I gotcha

[LtCol White]

Will be interesting to see if anything comes of it being used.

[sschwab]

Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but I wouldn't be comfortable E-mailing those people with unsolicited comments about the organization.

I appreciate the open door policy, but I can't help but think it will just become a gripe hotline.

Hopefully members will follow the advise of an old boss of mine.  "If you want to complain, make sure you have a suggestion to address the problem."

While I don't agree with this all the time, as sometimes a complaint may spark an idea in someone else, but if it is one on one with a boss, it has worked for me.

-----------------------
2LT Schwab
Gateway Squadron
Missouri Wing

[RogueLeader]

Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but I wouldn't be comfortable E-mailing those people with unsolicited comments about the organization.

I appreciate the open door policy, but I can't help but think it will just become a gripe hotline.

Hopefully members will follow the advise of an old boss of mine.  "If you want to complain, make sure you have a suggestion to address the problem."

While I don't agree with this all the time, as sometimes a complaint may spark an idea in someone else, but if it is one on one with a boss, it has worked for me.

-----------------------
2LT Schwab
Gateway Squadron
Missouri Wing

Right you are, and good sugestion too.

[BVM]

"45% of staff"

Wow, now thats dedication! I have yet to see any "direct lines" to the top brass... I wonder if it will be published anywhere?

[RogueLeader]

"45% of staff"

Wow, now thats dedication! I have yet to see any "direct lines" to the top brass... I wonder if it will be published anywhere?

They hid it under the kickbacks profits from Vanguard.

[RiverAux]

I would suspect that those using this avenue to complain about local/Wing problems or people will not get much satisifaction through this route. 

However, if it is used to make suggestions about new national level issues or suggestions to changes in national level policies, procedures, and regulations something might come of it.

Interestingly, the Public Affairs regulation is up for review on e-services and the disclaimer there says to direct comments through the chain of command. 

[Eagle400]

This reminds me of when I was at COS, where the instructors said we could address them by first name, but no one did because we were all uncomfortable with the thought of doing it. 

Personally, I think people will be afraid to use this new avenue of communication for fear they may be chastized by their commander for "not using the chain of command." 

That reminds me: is there a policy letter from the Nat'l CC stating when this opening in the chain of command takes effect?  He's made an announcement about it, but I have yet to see a policy letter or anything in writing about it.
  
Is this opening of the chain of command National's way of saying that the Knowledgebase isin't very effective?  Is there someone who is a "chief obstructor" of ideas that are brought up through the chain of command?  I'm dying to find out why this new opening of the chain of command exists.  I'm not saying it's bad (I actually support it), but I wish there was a reason given for it.     

[RiverAux]

I think it is a recognition that there is not an effective way for ideas and suggestions to flow from the bottom up in CAP.  A regular CAP member would have to have a suggestion go through Squadron, Group, Wing, and Region before getting to National and there are just too many places in this chain where someone could just drop the ball. 

[RogueLeader]

I think it is a recognition that there is not an effective way for ideas and suggestions to flow from the bottom up in CAP.  A regular CAP member would have to have a suggestion go through Squadron, Group, Wing, and Region before getting to National and there are just too many places in this chain where someone could just drop the ball. 

Or squash the idea because it reflects badly on a level.

[lordmonar]

I wonder what caused this direct channel to CAP brass to come about?  Does anyone know? 

Just speculating....but I think a lot of ideals from the field never get up to the NB for staffing because they get lost in the chain of command.

Not because anyone is incompetent or is trying to stamp out ideas...but you everyone is just so busy.

Capt Public has a good ideal that may effect every squadron in the nation.  He tell's his commander....who forward it up the chain at the next commander's call.  The Group CC add's it to his list of issue to take up at the Wing Staff Meeting...but there are 5 groups with lists of issues and the wing meeting breaks up before this issue comes up....it's not important enough to do right away (because you just picked up two more taskers at the staff meeting) and it gets back burner-ed.  Region knows nothing, national knows nothing....and poor Capt Public gets discouraged because it seems no one cares about his idea.

So the Nat CC wants us to up channel these ideas and suggestions.

PLEASE NOTE

He is looking for ideas and suggestions....not complaints and accusations.  Now you can suggest that it would be nice to get a vision statement from the top....and you probably can do it with out getting you head chopped off.....just be polite and professional.  They can't fire you for being polite and professional.

A simple "I just don't know where you see CAP going...and I really need to so I can help you take us there" would be much more helpful than a "What the farg are trying to do to my CAP!"

ALSO PLEASE NOTE

This is not a license to jump the chain of command about administrative, discipline or true command related issues.  Don't be calling the CV because wing lost your 2a for promotion to Capt!  Or that the Homer J. Simpson Composite Squadron got more radios than your squadron.  Or to report that Lt Col Dipsy Doodle is flying his family around in the CAP aircraft.

Just as with any open door policy....you should still try to use the chain of command as much as possible.

[arajca]

eServices has a corporate phone directory that I believe also lists email addresses. I'm almost positive in fact.

Correct.  The NHQ directory was available in e-services last month.  It's gone now.  Very strange. It's almost as if the left hand at NHQ doesn't know what the right is doing.

...oooooor they know exactly what they're doing.  "Please contact us - feel free to use the contact information we've provided [none]."   

Hres the current link:
http://www.cap.gov/visitors/about/national_headquarters/hq_contacts.cfm

The pdf directory from e-services has the name, address, phone number, etc. of all the region and wing kings, liaison folk, etc. 

Where? I can't find it.

^  that's what they're talking about.  All gone - poof.  Maybe the webmaster accidentally removed it when they were changing those links.

ah.  I gotcha

Actually, the information is at the end of the directory.

I decided to give it a try and sent a couple of ideas that I had up for discussion here and other forums, but had vanished after being submitted through the chain. I also cc'd my commander so he is aware of my action. Not required, but I think it is a good idea.