Motivation to attend Professional Development

[Snake Doctor]

What can be said to motivate officers to attend professional Development courses?

[Al Sayre]

Free Donuts...

Seriously, I think there has to be some self motivation on their part.  You can lead a horse to water...

[0]

Well those that need to be motivated are quite often the ones who shouldn't be in the program any way.  The only time there should be motivation is if the training in the larger states and the training is on the other side of the state.  In which case maybe holding the training more often around the respective wings is the right idea.

[davedove]

CAP should do everything it can to make the courses convenient for the members.  That being said, there is only so much that CAP can do.  The rest is up to the individual members.  The best that can be done is to show them how it will benefit them.  If they can't be persuaded, then there's nothing else you can do.  They just won't progress very far in the program.

[Snake Doctor]

I agree with all!.  It is difficult to get those who just want to be pilots or communicators or ES specialists to do much of anything else. Making the course more convenient to get to may or may not help if the home unit host an SLS/CLC and the locals won't go.

[Stonewall]

Instead of making PD stuff required for rank, they should make it required for positions and participation.  For instance, if you want to be a deputy commander for cadets, TLC and SLS should be required.  If you want to be the ES officer in a composite squadron, again, TLC and SLS.  In a senior squadron, SLS for the ES officer.  Leadership officer; TLC, etc.

Another way to motivate members, depending on the size of your squadron, is to hold a PD activity at your squadron.  As an example, I had several newer seniors at one time so I personally planned an SLS to be held at my squadron.  It motivated the SMs to show up because first, they knew the other folks that would attend, secondly, it was close by.  I had 7 seniors from my squadron and another 7 from around the area, to include another wing.  Not bad, huh?

Plus, if you do this, you can get other seniors in your squadron or the local area who need to teach at a PD course for credit for promotion and....even though there is a specific curriculum for these courses, you can focus on local needs.  Meaning, during discussions and scenario based evolutions, you can discuss circumstances in your squadron thus possibly resolving problems or finding a better way to do something.  YMMV.

[IceNine]

Free Food!

In all seriousness, the unfortunate reality of motivation as a principle is that for most there must be some level of personal appeal.  Couple that with the fact that these courses you speak of have gained a sort of joke like connotation, it is becoming a tooth pulling operation to get a good turnout.

The big problem is that members with a great working knowledge of CAP (ie former cadets, long time 2Lt's) go to these courses and are bored out of their minds because it is "remedial" training.  So I don't think it is a matter of motivation rather a matter of improving the image of these courses and renewing their usefulness.

[Galahad]

In addition to the valid points made so far:

Maintaining an attitude of mutual respect and courtesy by course instructors and wing staffers would be a good start.  All too often I've seen members attend these wing-hosted courses at significant personal sacrifice, only to return completely disenchanted with CAP because they ran into a wall of arrogance and super egos.  Often these members do not renew.  For those that stay in, it's a tough sell to get them to go back for additional abuse.

[Snake Doctor]

Still more agreement.  I'd love to see the courses have more meat.  Make them more applicable to the present day.  The UCC is an example.  Give the commander what he or she needs to know to operate as a commander.  Like what's in the "Commanders Corner", Logistics forms and how they work, etc. How to motivate volunteers and keep them engaged. I've seen an instructor tangent from how the three missions fit together to where all the aircraft are in the wing.

How do you get the ones who aren't all that PD self motivated to attend the courses without alienating them?

[RogueLeader]

Free Donuts...

Seriously, I think there has to be some self motivation on their part.  You can lead a horse to water...

Give 'em a bunch of salt, then they'll drink for quite a while. . . . . . .

Honestly, there is not alot that you can do to get members active in PD unless they want to.  All you can do is say: "I'm sorry, you don't qualify for <enter Grade> because you need to complete <enter PD requirement> in order to fulfill the requirements for <enter Grade>.  When you do these things, I'll be happy to recommend you for <enter Grade>."

[Sgt. Savage]

Fundraising!

If you can make it so your members don't have to foot out of pocket for the gas, food and lodging that some of these courses require, they won't be as opposed to going. This is the exact reason I haven't done SLS or CLC. It would cost me around $250.00 to attend due to the distance I would have to travel to be at these courses. Put that on top of the cash shelled out to be a member, uniforms, equipment.... Gets expensive.

[floridacyclist]

Unlimited beer tap?

Seriously, the biggest complaint I hear is distance to travel. Offering smaller PDs in more remote areas might help some there, but you lose some of the group synergy and networking that makes me willing to travel to bigger cities for training.

[RogueLeader]

Unlimited beer tap?

Naturally 

[JC004]

Unlimited beer tap?

This came up at our CLC and that was one of my suggestions.  Another item that I mentioned was trying to get the members to understand that SLS, CLC, etc. aren't just there for your promotion...they are there for them to learn... Too many folks behave like it's just for your promotions/levels.

[floridacyclist]

Unlimited beer tap?

Naturally 

You drink Naturally Light? Or are you referring to the fact that Who has the ball?

[Al Sayre]

Who's on first...

[RogueLeader]

Who's on first...

What.

^^Actually, I like Lager, or mixed drinks.

[0]

It's an old routine that Abbot and Costello did.  The joke was that neither of them was really listening to the other thus they couldn't understand what the other was saying/meant. 

[Al Sayre]

Who's on first...

What.

^^Actually, I like Lager, or mixed drinks.

No, what's on second...

[0]

Thanks, I couldn't remember all of the other postions and the names of the players.

[Al Sayre]

Here's a link for those who missed this classic.

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/humor4.shtml

[RogueLeader]

Who's on first...

What.

^^Actually, I like Lager, or mixed drinks.

No, what's on second...

Who? Why? and Where?

[Sgt. Savage]

Where doesn't even play for that team!

[RogueLeader]

Where doesn't even play for that team!

How

[JC004]

[AlphaSigOU]

Who's on first...

What.

^^Actually, I like Lager, or mixed drinks.

No, what's on second...

I don't know is on third...

[JohnKachenmeister]

I don't know... Third Base!

Seriously, here are my suggestions:

1.  Emulate Florida in the "PDW" or "Professional Development Weekend."  This means more than 1 school.  Have a UCC, SLS, CLC, TLC, ABC, XYZ, all at one place and time.  That way it becomes a social event, plus more people can share rides.

2.  Speaking of social events, have an evening mixer.  Serve alcohol, and place a sign at the door warning cadets that if they approach they will be shot.

3.  If you can, have it on a military installation with an MCSS.

Use the school for:

1.  Learning.

2.  Networking.

3.  Morale Building.

"That which is learned without fun is forgotten without regret."

[IceNine]

MCCS?

[RogueLeader]

Military Clothing <not sure> and Sales.  In Army, known as "Clothing and Sales"

[Smitty]

CAP could make some of these courses available more often and at a more local level.  For instance a member should not have to travel across 3 states to attend a course such as TLC.  Something such as SLS should be offered more than twice a year.  Part of the reason I left CAP other than my unit disentegrating and not having enough time to commit outside of school is that I could not really advance in my specialty because TLC was held too infrequently and too far away and SLS was only offered once a year. 
So if you want people to attend to these things you need to make them as available as possible.  Sometimes it seems like some people here seem to forget that CAP is not the primary thing in everybodies lives.  People have their education, careers, and families.  If somebody has to choose between a CAP course or one of those other things CAP will lose out.
And I hope I do not hear "you quit, you have no right to say anything" from anybody. 

[Major Carrales]

1.  Emulate Florida in the "PDW" or "Professional Development Weekend."  This means more than 1 school.  Have a UCC, SLS, CLC, TLC, ABC, XYZ, all at one place and time.  That way it becomes a social event, plus more people can share rides.

I agree, this was a good idea.  I am a firm believer in "capitalizing" on CAP activities. 

[SAR-EMT1]

Speaking for myself... Im pursuing PD on the Air Force side of the House.
My "Reward" will be a Masters Degree upon completion of ACSC.
That, plus it is very boosting to my ego to hear the girls squeal when they see my Air Force Diplomas in the oak frames on the wall of my study.

NOTE: Air Force Diplomas are for such courses as CAPSOC and ASPC.
Oak frames were purchased at Walmart for 3 dollars and might actually contain wood. The Study consists of a few items in frames above a bookcase in the hallway leading to the bathroom... which is of course where I do all my REALLY good thinking.

[shorning]

MCCS?

MCSS = Military Clothing Sales Store

[ZigZag911]

PDW sounds like very efficient use of instructor personnel....rather than dragging a subject matter expert half way across the wing to give a 1 hour presentation, he or she can offer classes for several different courses.

[Stonewall]

I taught at a PDW a few months ago here in FL and thought it had a great outcome.  Like was said above, instructors can teach several different topics in different courses.  I didn't travel too far so I didn't mind teaching a one hour block on customs and courtesies and one hour on drill and ceremonies at the TLC class.  I taught it as it relates to cadets and why it's important for us seniors to maintain a sense of military discipline and demeanor in the presence of cadets.

As I walked around the building, I saw CLC with like 20 people, SLS with about the same and I think a UCC.  So in one place we had 4 courses.  I'd say there were close to 60 or 70 students and a big handful of instructors.  This was in North Florida and we had people from Miami, which I think is 6+ hours away.  And yes, there was an evening social event.

+1 for PDW

[JohnKachenmeister]

Military Clothing <not sure> and Sales.  In Army, known as "Clothing and Sales"

Military Clothing Sales Store.

[JohnKachenmeister]

Speaking for myself... Im pursuing PD on the Air Force side of the House.
My "Reward" will be a Masters Degree upon completion of ACSC.
That, plus it is very boosting to my ego to hear the girls squeal when they see my Air Force Diplomas in the oak frames on the wall of my study.

NOTE: Air Force Diplomas are for such courses as CAPSOC and ASPC.
Oak frames were purchased at Walmart for 3 dollars and might actually contain wood. The Study consists of a few items in frames above a bookcase in the hallway leading to the bathroom... which is of course where I do all my REALLY good thinking.

I understand, SAR.

That's also what flight suits are for.

Girl:  "Are you a pilot?"

CAP Guy:  "Never ask an Air Force Auxiliary officer if he's a pilot.  If he is, he'll tell you soon enough.  If he isn't, there's no sense in embarrassing him."

[Hawk200]

Seriously, here are my suggestions:

1.  Emulate Florida in the "PDW" or "Professional Development Weekend."  This means more than 1 school.  Have a UCC, SLS, CLC, TLC, ABC, XYZ, all at one place and time.  That way it becomes a social event, plus more people can share rides.

2.  Speaking of social events, have an evening mixer.  Serve alcohol, and place a sign at the door warning cadets that if they approach they will be shot.

3.  If you can, have it on a military installation with an MCSS.

Use the school for:

1.  Learning.

2.  Networking.

3.  Morale Building.

"That which is learned without fun is forgotten without regret."

Things that make you go "Hmmm....". I like the idea, may talk to my wings' PD officer to look into that. I can think of a couple places that might be able to support a concept like this. I would enjoy such a thing.

[SarDragon]

I don't know... Third Base!

Seriously, here are my suggestions:

1.  Emulate Florida in the "PDW" or "Professional Development Weekend."  This means more than 1 school.  Have a UCC, SLS, CLC, TLC, ABC, XYZ, all at one place and time.  That way it becomes a social event, plus more people can share rides.

2.  Speaking of social events, have an evening mixer.  Serve alcohol, and place a sign at the door warning cadets that if they approach they will be shot.

3.  If you can, have it on a military installation with an MCSS.

Use the school for:

1.  Learning.

2.  Networking.

3.  Morale Building.

"That which is learned without fun is forgotten without regret."

We just had one of these at CAWG in the last month or two. Worked really well, and met all of Kach's objectives. It was sponsored by one of the SoCal groups.

[Stonewall]

Just ironing my uniform and thinking about what motivated me to attend PD stuff.

CAP motivated me.  Cadets motivated me.  Awesome senior members motivated me.  I didn't even attend SLS, CLC or RSC in my wing.  I drove to other states (wings) for that stuff.  Heck, I drove to another region for RSC.  Drove from Virginia to Indiana because timing never coincided with my work schedule.

Rank didn't motivate me because it wasn't relevant to my goals in CAP.  Rank just came with time and going to PD.  I was motivated by wanting to learn as much as I could; to be the best senior member for the best cadets.  I was very young as a senior member and the best way to show the older folks that I wasn't just a wanna-be was to show them how serious I was.

The senior members that motivated me were all younger high ranking types.  Meaning, former cadets turned senior that were Lt Cols in their younger 30s, like me.  Frank McConnell was one of them, former NATCAP Wing Commander.  Back in the day he was a young 30-something wing ES officer and he rocked.  He motivated me to be like him.  He set the standard and that made me want to meet the standard.  He actually treated me like a junior officer and I respected that.

That's what motivated me.  So ask what motivated you and see if that helps find what motivates others.

[Cecil DP]

The Florida Wing PDW's are great, but I feel that rather than having the Wing host them, the Groups should. It always seems that there is a loooong way to travel if you need one. God forbid if you're in P'cola and the SLS is in Miami. That's close to 1500 miles roundtrip. If 2 or 3 groups joined together they could arrange to have these courses quarterly on a fairly close commute.   

[RogueLeader]

Note that NHQ will only pay for 1 SLS per wing, per year.  Now if you could organize 1 SLS with various sites, like at group. Just have a master CAPF 11 with all the names, etc. . . .

It might be streaching the regs a bit though.

[ZigZag911]

Note that NHQ will only pay for 1 SLS per wing, per year.  Now if you could organize 1 SLS with various sites, like at group. Just have a master CAPF 11 with all the names, etc. . . .

It might be streaching the regs a bit though.

Yeah, but there is relatively little cost running one....so the pittance NHQ doles out really shouldn't make a difference.

[RogueLeader]

Note that NHQ will only pay for 1 SLS per wing, per year.  Now if you could organize 1 SLS with various sites, like at group. Just have a master CAPF 11 with all the names, etc. . . .

It might be stretching the regs a bit though.

Yeah, but there is relatively little cost running one....so the pittance NHQ doles out really shouldn't make a difference.

A penny saved is a penny earned.  And if I can keep my penny, I will.

[JC004]

Note that NHQ will only pay for 1 SLS per wing, per year.  Now if you could organize 1 SLS with various sites, like at group. Just have a master CAPF 11 with all the names, etc. . . .

It might be stretching the regs a bit though.

Yeah, but there is relatively little cost running one....so the pittance NHQ doles out really shouldn't make a difference.

A penny saved is a penny earned.  And if I can keep my penny, I will.

How about you give me your penny?

[shorning]

Note that NHQ will only pay for 1 SLS per wing, per year. 

Not any more.  We found that out when we were planning the one we're holding in two weeks.

[RogueLeader]

Note that NHQ will only pay for 1 SLS per wing, per year.  Now if you could organize 1 SLS with various sites, like at group. Just have a master CAPF 11 with all the names, etc. . . .

It might be stretching the regs a bit though.

Yeah, but there is relatively little cost running one....so the pittance NHQ doles out really shouldn't make a difference.

A penny saved is a penny earned.  And if I can keep my penny, I will.

How about you give me your penny?

Only if you give me a dollar first.

[RogueLeader]

Note that NHQ will only pay for 1 SLS per wing, per year. 

Not any more.  We found that out when we were planning the one we're holding in two weeks.

Hmmm, the regs need to be updated again. . . . . .

[JC004]

Note that NHQ will only pay for 1 SLS per wing, per year.  Now if you could organize 1 SLS with various sites, like at group. Just have a master CAPF 11 with all the names, etc. . . .

It might be stretching the regs a bit though.

Yeah, but there is relatively little cost running one....so the pittance NHQ doles out really shouldn't make a difference.

A penny saved is a penny earned.  And if I can keep my penny, I will.

How about you give me your penny?

Only if you give me a dollar first.

Don't be silly.  I know money.  Heck, I just got two $180 compact refrigerators from Sears for $95 each.   

I will just tell the IRS that you have their penny.   :angel:

[RogueLeader]

Note that NHQ will only pay for 1 SLS per wing, per year.  Now if you could organize 1 SLS with various sites, like at group. Just have a master CAPF 11 with all the names, etc. . . .

It might be stretching the regs a bit though.

Yeah, but there is relatively little cost running one....so the pittance NHQ doles out really shouldn't make a difference.

A penny saved is a penny earned.  And if I can keep my penny, I will.

How about you give me your penny?

Only if you give me a dollar first.

Don't be silly.  I know money.  Heck, I just got two $180 compact refrigerators from Sears for $95 each.   

I will just tell the IRS that you have their penny.   :angel:

Don't think that I've forgotten about your backtaxes from 5 years ago, that you still haven't paid. . . .  :angel: :angel: :angel:

[JC004]

Note that NHQ will only pay for 1 SLS per wing, per year.  Now if you could organize 1 SLS with various sites, like at group. Just have a master CAPF 11 with all the names, etc. . . .

It might be stretching the regs a bit though.

Yeah, but there is relatively little cost running one....so the pittance NHQ doles out really shouldn't make a difference.

A penny saved is a penny earned.  And if I can keep my penny, I will.

How about you give me your penny?

Only if you give me a dollar first.

Don't be silly.  I know money.  Heck, I just got two $180 compact refrigerators from Sears for $95 each.   

I will just tell the IRS that you have their penny.   :angel:

Don't think that I've forgotten about your backtaxes from 5 years ago, that you still haven't paid. . . .  :angel: :angel: :angel:

I got them back.  This is what we call a no-interest loan to the government.

[Snake Doctor]

All,

I really appreciate the responces.  I've considered the PDW format.  I will see if that's feasible.  Some concern is good instructors. 

Thanks again.

[SarDragon]

All,

I really appreciate the responces.  I've considered the PDW format.  I will see if that's feasible.  Some concern is good instructors. 

Thanks again.

Pay my way, and I'll do some instruction for you.   

[shorning]

All,

I really appreciate the responces.  I've considered the PDW format.  I will see if that's feasible.  Some concern is good instructors. 

Thanks again.

Pay my way, and I'll do some instruction for you.   

Two's in...

[JC004]

All,

I really appreciate the responces.  I've considered the PDW format.  I will see if that's feasible.  Some concern is good instructors. 

Thanks again.

Pay my way, and I'll do some instruction for you.   

Two's in...

I'll instruct on Donut Consumption.

[floridacyclist]

Actually my reply in the other thread gave me an idea....

Maybe we could have it catered by Hooters and The Chippendale's....

[jimmydeanno]

Actually my reply in the other thread gave me an idea....

Maybe we could have it catered by Hooters and The Chippendale's....

I'd favor the prior, but definitely not the later...

[floridacyclist]

If you have the latter, you will have more female officers in attendance..not a bad deal, especially if you are single....

[DogCollar]

Maybe we could have it catered by Hooters and The Chippendale's....

I hate it when I'm the spoiler of people having a good time, but...just remember there are likely cadets reading these posts. 

[JohnKachenmeister]

Right!

Their mothers might work at Hooters.  Show some respect!

[BillB]

Cadets probably go to Hooters more than staid old senior members.

[MIKE]

This drift stops or the thread dies.

[arajca]

One method I've used with some success is to pander to theri sm's vanity. Compliment them on their work and slip in a comment about how completing XYZ course will help them be a better member, give them a better understanding of how CAP runs, etc. Also, pull out a checklist for theri specialty track and point out how much they're already going to be completing and how doing this little class will help make them and the unit look better. If they're focusing on CP, throw in the "We expect cadets to progress, so, since you set the example, you progressing helps them to see that we sm's are walking the walk."

[Snake Doctor]

Yes! Vanity!  I should have thought about that...........................
I'll try it, along with the PDW.  Space is a consideration however.

Thanks all for the suggestions and "interesting" comments.