Conferences

[Snake Doctor]

I've looked and can't find anything.  Can anyone provide a regulation reference concerning the interval requirement of Wing conferences?
How often must a wing hold a conference?
No opinions just a reference please.
Thank you.

[Eclipse]

There is none, that's why some wings don't have them.

It isn't even a specific CI item.

[Snake Doctor]

A fellow CAP member thought that they had seen something of the like. I didn't think of looking in the CI. I'll keep that in mind for the future.
I'm not advocating one way or the other. Just wanted the information.  Thanks!

[Spartan]

Look at CAPR 50-17, Section 5-1, Para d which states:

"Attend two wing, region, or national conferences. These conferences afford CAP members a broad view of the CAP corporation’s organization and expose them to the issues confronting CAP. Attendance at a region/wing aerospace education conference can also be credited for one conference attendance. Conferences attended prior to entry into Level III count toward fulfillment of this requirement."

"Prior to entry into Level III" in my opinion as a PD minion means that you could have attended a conference as a C/Amn in 1999, never attended another one until the day before you are elligible for promotion to Major and you're good.  Participation memos are a beautiful thing when you need to prove something like a conference from 13 years ago.

[Pylon]

Look at CAPR 50-17, Section 5-1, Para d which states:

"Attend two wing, region, or national conferences. These conferences afford CAP members a broad view of the CAP corporation's organization and expose them to the issues confronting CAP. Attendance at a region/wing aerospace education conference can also be credited for one conference attendance. Conferences attended prior to entry into Level III count toward fulfillment of this requirement."

"Prior to entry into Level III" in my opinion as a PD minion means that you could have attended a conference as a C/Amn in 1999, never attended another one until the day before you are elligible for promotion to Major and you're good.  Participation memos are a beautiful thing when you need to prove something like a conference from 13 years ago.

Except I think the OP was seeking if a regulatory citation exists which required Wings and Regions to hold a conference.  AFIAK, one doesn't seem to exist.

[lordmonar]

Nor is there a regulation that tells us what a conference is supposed to be!
Nor is there a regulation that defines "attend".

We have a rough idea what they are supposed to be....and we kind of have an idea what "attend" is.....but let's say your wing has a 3 day conference.

Friday arival and maybe a mixer.
Saturday they have a general meeting/commander's calll, a few courses/seminar, CAC meeting, then a an awards banquate.
Sunday maybe anothoer commanders call.

So Member X.  signs up goes to the banquate.....is that attedning the conference?

My wing holds four major staff meetings.....they have a commander's call, several courses/seminar, some leadership training, the CAC meets.
Just about everything that a "conference" has.   Does that constitute a "conference"?

I mean if it looks like a conference, smells like a conference......but is called something else....does it count?

I also have a problem with the requirement to go to the congerence in the first place.   If we also required a Regional for Level IV and National for Level V, I would be more inclined to say it really is a good requirement.

But it seems to me....it it just a way to improve attendance at conferences.   Not that the conference actually has any value to the member except to fulfill a requirement for Level III.

[/RANT]

[Snake Doctor]

I'm with lordmonar! It's too ambiguous. I know a former member who went to ONE breakout session and claimed credit.  NHQ can'r address every scenario but they can tighten this up a bit.

[Eclipse]

Since it counts for PD, a "conference" should have some structured definition, as should attendance / participation.

[lordmonar]

Since it counts for PD, a "conference" should have some structured definition, as should attendance / participation.

+1 And if "These conferences afford CAP members a broad view of the CAP corporation's organization and expose them to the issues confronting CAP" why don't we require our Level IV and Level V trainees to continue to get that exposure by attending more wing level conference and regional and national ones?

Like I said....pesonally....I wish the just dropped the requirment all together.

If they are really valuable....then the requirment for Level III should read something like "as a Level II" you need to attend two wing or higher conferences.
Level IV should read...as a Level III you need to attend two conferences (for a total of four) one being a regional or higher.
Level V should read....as a Level IV you need to attend two conferences (for a total of six) one being a National Conference.

Then....we need to clearly define what a "conference" is.  We need to clearly define what "attend" is (hanging out in the hotel lobby all week end does not count!) and NHQ needs to require the conference director to submit the names of those who did in fact "attend" (as defined in the reg) and that data entered into E-services.

Attending two wing conferences as a cadet 30 years ago.....should not count as fulfilling the stated aims of the PD program as listed in the regulation.

[Pylon]

I think a lot here may very well be in agreement over need for more clear guidelines and stricter requirements.  I'm betting a handful of us could put together some basic tenets of what would define "participation,"  what defines a "conference," how recent participation ought to be, and how activity directors should log and report attendance/participation in a Google Doc and submit a quick n' clean white paper to the professional development powers-that-be?

[lordmonar]

I think a lot here may very well be in agreement over need for more clear guidelines and stricter requirements.  I'm betting a handful of us could put together some basic tenets of what would define "participation,"  what defines a "conference," how recent participation ought to be, and how activity directors should log and report attendance/participation in a Google Doc and submit a quick n' clean white paper to the professional development powers-that-be?

That sounds great......do you want to head it up?
Anyone know how to arrange an webnar or phone conference on this?  I think it would be a great CT kudo....we don't just complain about things...we actually try to fix them!

[Extremepredjudice]

I think a lot here may very well be in agreement over need for more clear guidelines and stricter requirements.  I'm betting a handful of us could put together some basic tenets of what would define "participation,"  what defines a "conference," how recent participation ought to be, and how activity directors should log and report attendance/participation in a Google Doc and submit a quick n' clean white paper to the professional development powers-that-be?

That sounds great......do you want to head it up?
Anyone know how to arrange an webnar or phone conference on this?  I think it would be a great CT kudo....we don't just complain about things...we actually try to fix them!

We could create a google doc with our "proposal." Google docs allows for multiple people working on it at once.

You could set up a skype conference or a chat room.

Btw sir, it is webinar.

Just decide who is in charge, and then they can make a google doc (and REQUIRE ACCOUNTS FOR EDITING!).

[lordmonar]

Okay......I've decided!  I will head this up if no one objects....if you want in PM me with a real e-mail address and I'll start setting this up.

We are definatly too late for the Aug NB.....so lets shoot for something on paper by the end of Aug...and a final by Sept.

[UWONGO2]

A google hangout might work as well. I believe they allow for the integration with google docs.

Plus it will make Eclipse happy that we're living in a Google world 

[Eclipse]

Yep.

[RADIOMAN015]

I think a lot here may very well be in agreement over need for more clear guidelines and stricter requirements.  I'm betting a handful of us could put together some basic tenets of what would define "participation,"  what defines a "conference," how recent participation ought to be, and how activity directors should log and report attendance/participation in a Google Doc and submit a quick n' clean white paper to the professional development powers-that-be?

With the exception of the General Assembly, every wing conference that I've attended requires attendance at functional meetings/seminars e.g. radio communications, public affairs, aerospace education) has asked the member to sign in on a sheet of paper including contact email address.

RM     

[Snake Doctor]

With the exception of the General Assembly, every wing conference that I've attended requires attendance at functional meetings/seminars e.g. radio communications, public affairs, aerospace education) has asked the member to sign in on a sheet of paper including contact email address.

RM     
[/quote]

That's great. Then the question is, where are these sign in sheets? At least the last two wing and one region conferences I've been involved in I know there are attendance lists because I have copies and they are also at Wing HQ. Who knows before that where the lists are. 

[MSG Mac]

If you've noticed,there seems to be a centralized address that is registering and collecting fees for most if not all Wing,Region, and National conferences and activities. It seems to me that if National is doing this,than they can provide certification that member X attended conferences,A, B,and C.

[Eclipse]

My wing has never used any national reg system, and the one removed Region cnf was done by us as well. All local.

[lordmonar]

If you've noticed,there seems to be a centralized address that is registering and collecting fees for most if not all Wing,Region, and National conferences and activities. It seems to me that if National is doing this,than they can provide certification that member X attended conferences,A, B,and C.

Yes.....that is the easy part......how signed up and paid.....but again.....you can spend the entire weekend in the hotel lobby/bar/casino and never actually attend anything.

We used to have a Cadet Programs type how would drive the cadets to the conference sign in, check into the hotel and then spend the entire week end at the ski resort...and then show up for the banquet.

Now....transporting cadets is important....and this individual already had Level III....but what is the standard for fulfilling the two conferences for Level III?

If it is just pay your fee and sign in......then we need to delete the requirment from Level III.
If we want to keep the requirment....then we need to define what a conference is....and define "attend".