Non-Member Award for Outstanding Contributions

[ZigZag911]

Probably because GIll Robb Wilson was actually a member of CAP...most of our other awards were named for aviation pioneers of one sort or another...I specifically suggested LaGuardia for this because it is also descriptive of his role:  a non-member who made a highly important contribution to CAP.

Glad to see its gaining some traction here on CT!

[ProdigalJim]

Concur. LaGuardia Trophy is a great idea, head-and-shoulders above the rest. Like the Collier or similar, there could be one large trophy at NHQ, with names/orgs added each year, and a small replica presented to the recipient, with a nice parchment certificate. Maybe a matching lapel pin, since you can't carry the trophy around with you.

And Mr. Mayor's story is exactly relevant to the purpose of the award. Love it!

[Eclipse]

Just re-read his bio, you'll have a hard time finding some who fits the bill better.

[NIN]

Just re-read his bio, you'll have a hard time finding some who fits the bill better.

Be careful, or we might find out it was actually LaGuardia's assistant, Madge, who signed the order from the Office of Civilian Defense that created CAP...

[Eclipse]

Just re-read his bio, you'll have a hard time finding some who fits the bill better.

Be careful, or we might find out it was actually LaGuardia's assistant, Madge, who signed the order from the Office of Civilian Defense that created CAP...

A rabbit hole best left to darkness...

[Storm Chaser]

Just re-read his bio, you'll have a hard time finding some who fits the bill better.

Be careful, or we might find out it was actually LaGuardia's assistant, Madge, who signed the order from the Office of Civilian Defense that created CAP...

Even if true, that doesn't diminish LaGuardia's contributions.

[NIN]

Be careful, or we might find out it was actually LaGuardia's assistant, Madge, who signed the order from the Office of Civilian Defense that created CAP...

Even if true, that doesn't diminish LaGuardia's contributions.

Wooosh...

"I said to Hollywood 'where'd he go?' and Hollywood said 'Where'd who go!?'."

[a2capt]

A rabbit hole best left to darkness...

Like the sub sinkings?

[Private Investigator]

Just re-read his bio, you'll have a hard time finding some who fits the bill better.

Be careful, or we might find out it was actually LaGuardia's assistant, Madge, who signed the order from the Office of Civilian Defense that created CAP...

How you know Madge did not pass it to her clerk, Shirley and told her to take it to Publications and once their they said, "it is not signed!" and Shirley just scribbed on it and it was a done deal.  Just hysterical history for us all.   

[SarDragon]

Hey, guys, does Ned's idea really deserve this?

[NIN]

Hey, guys, does Ned's idea really deserve this?

OK, back on track. Dave's got a point. I apologize for derailing.

[Private Investigator]

What about the Zack Mosley Trophy? He brought CAP to the masses weekly in his cartoon strip. 

[Ned]

Hey historians - was Zack ever a member?  His Wikipedia bio says he flew on multiple CAP anti sub patrols, but I suppose he could have been some sort of VIP non-member based on all of the exposure he gave us in his Smilin Jack comic strip.

Anyone know for sure one way or another?

[LSThiker]

Hey historians - was Zack ever a member?  His Wikipedia bio says he flew on multiple CAP anti sub patrols, but I suppose he could have been some sort of VIP non-member based on all of the exposure he gave us in his Smilin Jack comic strip.

Anyone know for sure one way or another?

Yes, he was a past FLWG/CC:

http://2013.flwg.us/information/archives/biographies/zack-mosley.aspx

[lordmonar]

I was thinking about the award....one of the aspect that came up is scope.

A non-member who is instrumental at the unit level vs someone at the national level.

If we did it like the legion of merit is done on AD.   Make it like a Order of Chivalry with different "ranks" with different ribbons and devices.


Legionnaire 2d Class for squadron.
Legionnaire 1st Class for Group
Officer for Wing
Commander for Region
Chief Commander for National

So....some one does something good for a squadron....the Squadron CC submits the 120 to the approving authroity.....and they are inducted into the Order of Leguardia (or the order of Mosley) as a Legionnaire 2d Class.

Someone donates a billion dollars and he is inducted as Chief Commander of the Order of XXXXX with all the pomp and circumstance we can come up with.

Make it a big deal....it becomes a big deal.

[Shuman 14]

I have to say MSgt, I really like your Idea. The Order of Leguardia really has a nice ring to it... it sings.  :clap:

I Also like the idea of a National Trophy, awarded every year, with the awardee's name inscribed on it and displayed at National HQ.

So if we could is we could combine the National Trophy/Chief Commander into one I'd think that would be the best of both worlds. Give at least one a year and more if there is a second (or more) awardee truly due one and inscribe all the names as they are awarded.

My other suggestion is to make Patron members eligible for it. If a Patron donates a billion dollars, I don't think its fair that because he/she also gave $25.00 in dues it should exclude him/her from the award.

[Nuke52]

My other suggestion is to make Patron members eligible for it. If a Patron donates a billion dollars, I don't think its fair that because he/she also gave $25.00 in dues it should exclude him/her from the award.

Outstanding idea--I know just the patron we all have in mind!  Congratulations, shuman!  (BTW, when can we expect your (additional) check to clear?)

So are you like the self-appointed patron saint of patron members or something?   

[a2capt]

If a Patron member gave a billion dollars ..  I think there would be a lot more press than a plate on a trophy.

[FW]

1.  Is this worthwhile?  Will it add value to CAP?

Yes, very worthwhile; it will add value to CAP in many ways, not least of which acknowledging sustained contributions made on a wide scope by those who have even less incentive to serve than members themselves. It will also, selfishly, offer PR value; recipients are often quite pleased and proud to have won an award, and companies will often highlight that award in multiple ways. Which gives us a shine and also potentially attracts more help from more corners.

2.  If this is a good idea, what should we call it?

Not a fan of the Legion of Merit or Medal of Freedom, esp Medal of Freedom. I like the CAMBER idea earlier in the thread, but it feels a bit marketing-y, but a great direction. I'd work along those lines.

3.  Should it have multiple levels, corresponding to wing, region, and national-level support?

Yes, but no deeper than Wing. I disagree with the notion of making this a squadron-level award. If the service is important enough to warrant more than a Certificate of Appreciation and a squadron mug or plaque, then it's probably by definition at least Wing in scope.

4.  Would it mean the end of the Certificates of Appreciation?

No, not at all. They can be used for lesser achievements, and for squadron-level awards. Conversely, there's nothing in the regs today stopping a squadron from doing something nicer than a Certificate of Appreciation.

5.  As an alternative, should we simply change the reg and allow the Meritorious, Exceptional, and Distinguished Service Awards to be presented to non-members?

Absolutely not. These are the only true "decs" our members are eligible to earn, and giving them outside the organization diminishes them.

I agree.  This idea does deserve an honest hearing, however I wonder why our "Development Office" isn't dealing with this.  CAP "Friendraising" efforts have not borne much fruit, IMHO.  Growth is still stagnant, outside sources of funds; not significant to talk about, and our credibility outside a very small circle hasn't changed one bit. 

If awarding a Non-Member for Outstanding Contributions to CAP will bring anything positive to the table, I'm all in.  But,  I rather spend our limited resources on building a solid "Outstanding Non-Member Contribution" base which will enable CAP to soar.  Maybe they should go hand in hand?

[Eclipse]

If a Patron member gave a billion dollars ..  I think there would be a lot more press than a plate on a trophy.

Any Patron or other contributor giving CAP a billion dollars gets advanced to active member, promotion to Admiral,
and a free Cessna at his disposal for life.