CAP News vs. Volunteer

[Major Carrales]

I do miss the more encompassing Coast-to-Coast sections at the end of CAP NEWS.   

[pixelwonk]

That stuff appears every day via CAP's RSS feed.  Stick it in your myYahoo, iGoogle, squadron website... wherever.

Since designating the majority of the coast to coast stuff for the interwebs, CAP has been more likely to post news releases sent to them, along with pictures.

[Major Carrales]

That stuff appears every day via CAP's RSS feed.  Stick it in your myYahoo, iGoogle, squadron website... wherever.

Since designating the majority of the coast to coast stuff for the interwebs, CAP has been more likely to post news releases sent to them, along with pictures.

You would be surprised how many CAP Officers don't own a computer and depend on the LAP top to record all their e-files.

[pixelwonk]

Actually I'm not surprised.  I'm a webservant after all and I get to hear from those people often enough.
Without being overtly ignorant and suggesting they go buy one, there are other methods of getting online such as schools, libraries, senior centers, squadrons, internet cafes, etc...

[Major Carrales]

Actually I'm not surprised.  I'm a webservant after all and I get to hear from those people often enough.
Without being overtly ignorant and suggesting they go buy one, there are other methods of getting online such as schools, libraries, senior centers, squadrons, internet cafes, etc...

Yes, but most people don't seem to know that CAPTALK is there....nor do they "log on" regular enough.  They are NEWSPAPER and MAG types to the bone!

[addo1]

Okay, I've never started a poll before and this has been on my mind for a while.  I was disappointed when they got rid of CAP News sent out monthly.  I loved that thing and couldn't wait to get mine, especially as a cadet.

As a senior, after I read it a few times, I'd tear off my address label and leave it somewhere, usually in a reception office.  I kid you not, one day we got a recruit out of it.  A guy brought his son to a meeting and said he found this CAP Newspaper in the lobby at Jiffy Lube.

Anyway, what are your thoughts, or is Tedda and gang going to throw their Volunteer magazine at me for starting another poll  

It would be awesome to have a steady monthly newspaper!!!

Tags - MIKE

[pixelwonk]

You're mistaking me for someone who defends the Volunteer staff for omitting what they do. Rather I'm merely pointing out alternatives for people who miss the things they don't stick in there anymore.

[afgeo4]

What if there was an option to opt out of receiving the paper version of Volunteer for those of us who view it online anyway? Could that save them costs of creating so many copies and able them to increase the number of pages on both, the printed and online version allowing for greater coverage? It's sort of similar to opting out of receiving phone/electrical paper bill in lieu of online billing.

[Lancer]

What if there was an option to opt out of receiving the paper version of Volunteer for those of us who view it online anyway? Could that save them costs of creating so many copies and able them to increase the number of pages on both, the printed and online version allowing for greater coverage? It's sort of similar to opting out of receiving phone/electrical paper bill in lieu of online billing.

The idea is that you'll take the copy of Volunteer you received and take it somewhere in your community where it will draw interest (school office, doctor/dentist office).

You would even want to go so far as to 'relabel' it with your squadron information (front and back). Great recruiting tool.

[jimmydeanno]

^ Exactly - you can even request extra copies from NHQ for PR events like airshows, etc to hand out - they work great.

[A.Member]

On the issue of cost, I would be interested in seeing a quantitative ROI on Volunteer. 

While I prefer it's format over the old CAP News, one has to question the CBA.  Is it being really being read?  Some here have admitted to not reading either format.  I occasionally skim it...on the way to the garbage can. 

Are we getting a return on this publication?  As was pointed out, it must be very costly to produce.  BTW, I'm not opposed to spending money - provided it's effective.  If nothing else, Volunteer looks very good - very professional (and I'll never criticize that, especially in our organization).  Although, the discussions around the name do seem to have some merit.  I'd say frequency and content are potential issues but, as I mentioned, I don't read it enough either way.

[addo1]

  A steady monthly CAP Newspaper would be best... Would not have to be long and strenous, but could keep us informed!

[BillB]

The arguement of CAP News vs The Volunteer, is the same arguement I heard when CAP Times became CAP News. CAP Times was published by the same company that produced and published Air Force Times. And basically it followed the same format. It was twice as interesting at CAP News, which seems to have more news than The Volunteer.
The magazine format is excellent for leaving at City/County libraries or even school libraries, it's aimed at an external audience, where CAP News was for CAP members. One problem with getting $5 subscriptions for libraries to The Volunteer that used to be done in many parts of the country is the increase in price to $25.

[RiverAux]

was twice as interesting at CAP News, which seems to have more news than The Volunteer.

Only if you want to count stories about the SLS held by the Homer J. Simpson squadron that was attended by 10 people.  Those stories at the back were notoriously not worth national attention. 
Some examples from the last CAP News:
1.  story about 4 cadets from 1 squadron that went to a wing encampment
2.  story about promotion of 2 members from a squadron in NV
3.  story about 3 cadets in OH getting their Mitchell awards
4.  story about an c-130 orientation ride in AL
5.  story about a blackhawk orientation ride in GA
6.  story about a squadron cadet chance of command ceremony.

And that is just after a very quick read of a few of the stories in ONE issue.  All worth publication in the Wing newsletter, but not worth national attention at all.   The Volunteer mostly avoids that.