Political messages in meetings

[Matthew Congrove]

Hey everyone, it's been a while. I've got a question for y'all...

With the rise of virtual meetings, I've noticed that people are becoming much more comfortable and relaxed during squadron meetings. Understandable to an extent. However, as part of that, folks are finding it acceptable to show up to these meetings in everyday civilian clothing rather than uniforms, and because of the COVID-related "unique circumstances" it's being allowed by leadership at many levels – I've personally experienced it all the way up to Region.

Getting to the point... what is to be done if a member shows up to the Zoom meeting wearing a "Trump 2020" shirt? Or a "Black Lives Matter" shirt? Or a hammer and sickle design?

As far as I know, the only reg about being apolitical is 39-1, no politics while in uniform. If they're not in uniform, and that's temporarily acceptable (putting aside the regs on that discretion), is there any recourse?

Curious on everyone's thoughts and insights.

[Eclipse]

1 - Drop them from the call immediately.

2 - The CC should have a direct discussion immediately.

3 - Sounds like an excellent time to start requiring teleconferences be attended in uniform.

Regardless of what "folks are finding acceptable" this is still an official CAP meeting,
subject to all the same rules of decorum and behavior.

[etodd]

I know the meeting host can mute anyone's microphone. But can the host also leave them in the meeting but turn off their video?

[etodd]

What if they're in uniform, but in the back corner of their family room, you see a Biden 2020 poster. Might want to tell people to clean up their backgrounds. LOL

On another, but sorta similar note. What about the ones using the greenscreen background feature and putting beach video behind them making it look like they're on vacation? Thats distracting as well.

[Eclipse]

On another, but sorta similar note. What about the ones using the greenscreen background feature and putting beach video behind them making it look like they're on vacation? Thats distracting as well.

Not in any way related to the issue being discussed, which is a serious one not only
in Zoom calls, but it's also becoming an issue in the hot mess that is "Social" Media.

With that said, a sunny beach is better then the disasters some people's homes are.

[SarDragon]

I have a variety of backgrounds that I use for my meetings, most being aircraft pictures. Tomorrow night will be special - a view of the treaty signing on USS Missouri 75 years ago.

[Matthew Congrove]

What if they're in uniform, but in the back corner of their family room, you see a Biden 2020 poster.

Yeah, exactly. This whole situation has led to interesting questions that we haven't really had to deal with before.

3 - Sounds like an excellent time to start requiring teleconferences be attended in uniform.

If I were still Squadron CC, this is absolutely what I would do to ensure the problem is totally avoided. Alas, I am no longer.

Regardless of what "folks are finding acceptable" this is still an official CAP meeting,
subject to all the same rules of decorum and behavior.

This is where I'm struggling. I'd like to advise the CC that he needs to act on this, but would love to have some regulatory backup. If he's the CC, and CAPR 39-1 1.2.6.1 says (effectively) that he has discretion to allow Zoom meetings in civilian clothing, then I'm not sure I can convince him. If he's allowed it this long (and it's a routine occurrence), then I presume he's ideologically aligned and doesn't see the issue.

That is presumptive of me, and I will approach him regardless and without any preconceptions, but I like to plan for the difficult and hope for the easy.

[Eclipse]

This isn't a 39-1 issue, it's a "good order and discipline" issue, and the divisiveness
this could engender has no place in CAP.

If anything, CAP should be a respite from it.

[Matthew Congrove]

This isn't a 39-1 issue, it's a "good order and discipline" issue, and the divisiveness
this could engender has no place in CAP.

Fully agree. I've gone ahead and just broached the subject with the CC, without any regulation citations. Thanks Eclipse, useful insight as always.

[Spam]

On a recent Squadron level cadet meeting a few months ago I noted the impressive bar lineup visible behind the presenter one evening. I sent him a quick text, and in fifteen seconds his hand shot out to move the cam pickup, and from then on it was a nonissue (flag backgrounds, etc.).

The Optics, as they say, send a message. While technically legal, some topics are inappropriate for a business meeting, which ours are.

Concur strongly with the advice given.

R/s
Spam

[Holding Pattern]

Quite simply, take the issue up privately with the member in question. 99% will have no problem with upholding basic decorum and maintaining a professional environment. Those that don't will get the continuum of counseling up to and including termination, though I doubt any would get to that point.

[JohhnyD]

Quite simply, take the issue up privately with the member in question. 99% will have no problem with upholding basic decorum and maintaining a professional environment. Those that don't will get the continuum of counseling up to and including termination, though I doubt any would get to that point.

Indeed. Do remember the Kansas CC and the social media issue, we are not the military.

[GaryVC]

Many male cadets have not been able to get hair cuts during the pandemic. As they don't have any uniforms that don't require meeting the AF grooming standards they are not showing themselves.

[Mitchell 1969]

What if they're in uniform, but in the back corner of their family room, you see a Biden 2020 poster. Might want to tell people to clean up their backgrounds. LOL

On another, but sorta similar note. What about the ones using the greenscreen background feature and putting beach video behind them making it look like they're on vacation? Thats distracting as well.

You can certainly tell people to "...clean up their backgrounds." But the backgrounds are often not theirs.

"Dad, they said I have to take your poster down."

"Over my dead body! My house, my computer, my poster, my rules!"


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TheSkyHornet]

What if they're in uniform, but in the back corner of their family room, you see a Biden 2020 poster. Might want to tell people to clean up their backgrounds. LOL

On another, but sorta similar note. What about the ones using the greenscreen background feature and putting beach video behind them making it look like they're on vacation? Thats distracting as well.

You can certainly tell people to "...clean up their backgrounds." But the backgrounds are often not theirs.

"Dad, they said I have to take your poster down."

"Over my dead body! My house, my computer, my poster, my rules!"

Then they're best not turning their camera on.

If they have inappropriate content in the background, such as political posters, they should try to find a new location to sit. If they're on a desktop, and this is where the PC stays, then they need to not use their camera.

[baronet68]

Many male cadets have not been able to get hair cuts during the pandemic. As they don't have any uniforms that don't require meeting the AF grooming standards they are not showing themselves.

A waiver letter was published in April which allows cadets to wear their uniforms while not meeting current Air Force grooming requirements:

https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/391_Grooming_Waiver_Corrected_V_4_EF5AE1B03E531.pdf

[abdsp51]

CAP meetings whether in person or via telecom is no place for any type of political attire.  Now if a cadet is using a parent/s computer for it then maybe a reposition of the camera is in order.  We cannot control what mom or dad have up in their homes and really is none of our business.  A sanitized area is ideal but beyond our control.  Maybe in this instance some type of localized alternate uniform would be ideal possibly along the same lines of and intro uniform that squadrons have done for years. 

Politics and religion are taboo topics in most work centers and they should be taboo at CAP meetings as well.  No place for it.

[JohhnyD]

"Politics and religion are taboo topics in most work centers and they should be taboo at CAP meetings as well.  No place for it."

See https://www.gctelegram.com/news/20170917/cap-officer-reinstated-after-controversial-statement

LTC Holder is back in CAP and active.

[abdsp51]

"Politics and religion are taboo topics in most work centers and they should be taboo at CAP meetings as well.  No place for it."

See https://www.gctelegram.com/news/20170917/cap-officer-reinstated-after-controversial-statement

LTC Holder is back in CAP and active.

Did he say this at a CAP event?  If not then CAP had no business suspending and removing him.  CAP events is not the place for any form of political rhetoric. 

[TheSkyHornet]

There's also that rule of "hold your thumb over the camera before you pop up on screen." A lot of cadets seem to call in on their phones, and while the PC lets you disable your camera before connecting, the phones don't always grant you that ability.

The number of times that people don't realize their cameras are even on...shirtless, bed hair, people in the background, friends over, eating...gaaah!

We make our instructors turn their cameras on (and they must be in uniform) so we can teach them how to set up your training environment (virtual or non-virtual) to have the best background (in the environment that you have) and to critique body language.

Every week, after our training call, we do a debrief with the instructors from that week. Last night, our First Sergeant told one of our instructors, "So when you're on camera, can you please not roll your eyes? It makes it look like you're annoyed at the people on the line who don't know the answer." She said, "Oh, my God! I had no idea I did that. My mom and my sister were off the camera dancing, and I was like 'Guys, I'm working here!'" Proud cadre moment.