When is calling your Member of Congress in appropriate?

Started by JohhnyD, September 14, 2019, 12:08:20 AM

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

JohhnyD

CAP regs allow members to initiate Congressional inquiries. When is appropriate to do so? If you have done so, what have the results been?

Ditto with National IG inquiries and complaints?

CAPR 20-2

48. Protected Communication. Any lawful communication to a Member of Congress (or their staff), a
Department of Defense Inspector General, a CAP Inspector General (national, region or wing) or CAP
General Counsel. Those communications that are willfully false or made publicly with the ostensible
purpose of harassment, intent to cause harm, annoy, embarrass, or disrupt the missions of Civil Air Patrol
do not meet the definition of a Protected Communication.

etodd

Is there a need to do it as a CAP member? My Congress members hear from me "personally" and often on many issues. If you're thinking using your CAP signature will get you an extra push up the ladder with the interns that answer the phone and open emails, it will not. 🤣
"Don't try to explain it, just bow your head
Breathe in, breathe out, move on ..."

JohhnyD

Quote from: etodd on September 14, 2019, 12:23:53 AM
Is there a need to do it as a CAP member? My Congress members hear from me "personally" and often on many issues. If you're thinking using your CAP signature will get you an extra push up the ladder with the interns that answer the phone and open emails, it will not. 🤣
When issues of core values and command are in question.

Ozzy

Quote from: JohhnyD on September 14, 2019, 12:31:24 AM
Quote from: etodd on September 14, 2019, 12:23:53 AM
Is there a need to do it as a CAP member? My Congress members hear from me "personally" and often on many issues. If you're thinking using your CAP signature will get you an extra push up the ladder with the interns that answer the phone and open emails, it will not. 🤣
When issues of core values and command are in question.


I would start with HHQ or start with the Wing IG.
Ozyilmaz, MSgt, CAP
C/Lt. Colonel (Ret.)
NYWG Encampment 07, 08, 09, 10, 17
CTWG Encampment 09, 11, 16
NER Cadet Leadership School 10
GAWG Encampment 18, 19
FLWG Winter Encampment 19

etodd

Do you really think your Congressperson would startup some kind of investigation?  First thing would be to forward your letter to National Hdqs, saying "Got this".

So yes, keep it inside CAP, where it would go anyway.
"Don't try to explain it, just bow your head
Breathe in, breathe out, move on ..."

Fubar

We have so many internal processes to manage concerns and complaints and you want to bring it to an outside person who has no influence on operational matters?

Fill out a CAPF 20 and submit it. You'll have a far better chance at influencing change if there is willful disregard for CAP regulations occuring.

Be forewarned though - if the basis of your complaint is essentially you don't like what a commander is doing and that commander is within regulations, your complaint will be dismissed.

Eclipse


"That Others May Zoom"

MSgt Van

This seems to be a fairly important caveat as well: "Those communications that are willfully false or made publicly with the ostensible
purpose of harassment, intent to cause harm, annoy, embarrass, or disrupt the missions of Civil Air Patrol
do not meet the definition of a Protected Communication." That covers a lot of ground.