Good afternoon (or morning) historians and those interested in the advancement of historical knowledge.

The reason I am posting today is to get a idea about how unit historians feel about a toolkit. Our squadron is currently putting together a resource instrument to aid in the presentation and preservation of squadron history. In designing this media, it occured to us that maybe others might want something similar for their historical activities.

Our squadron has already developed several templates and collected publications from professional organizations for inclusion.  We are not the center of the world and many of you have ideas with a proven track record of success. It is for this reason I would like to solicit your support in building a resource that all CAP historians can benefit from.  Using your input, we expect to create CDs to distribute to the CAP historian community.

Ideas and resources provided to this project will be public domain. 

I thank you for your support and understanding with this request.

Louis Toms, 2Lt, CAP
Alternate Squadron Historian
MER-NC-019

Louis,

Great idea! As a former Wing Historian and still an avid collector of CAP history, I'm definitely interested to see what you're putting together. I agree that there are a lot of useful sources available outside of CAP.

FWIW, last weekend I distributed my latest version of "Commander's Toolbox" at the Unit Commanders Course.

I think I recall finding references to some sort of CAP historians toolkit that NHQ was supposedly working on like 10 years ago. 

Quote from: AdAstra on March 19, 2010, 09:36:32 PM

FWIW, last weekend I distributed my latest version of "Commander's Toolbox" at the Unit Commanders Course.

Hello Charles,

       Would it be possible to get a copy of your Commander's Toolbox and may I use it? We are having a Face to Face Commanders meeting March 27 and this sounds like it would be something that I could share.

Thank you

John

Quote from: AdAstra on March 19, 2010, 09:36:32 PM
FWIW, last weekend I distributed my latest version of "Commander's Toolbox" at the Unit Commanders Course.

What does the "Commanders Toolbox" consist of?

First thing that comes to mind is aspirin, stress reliever, a bottle of Jack, Alka-Seltzer, handcuffs (for when our hands are tied), tiny violin and a small box to cry (or shout) in! 

Seriously though....what does yours contain?

Quote from: Spike on March 20, 2010, 01:39:00 AM

Quote from: AdAstra on March 19, 2010, 09:36:32 PM
FWIW, last weekend I distributed my latest version of "Commander's Toolbox" at the Unit Commanders Course.

What does the "Commanders Toolbox" consist of?

First thing that comes to mind is aspirin, stress reliever, a bottle of Jack, Alka-Seltzer, handcuffs (for when our hands are tied), tiny violin and a small box to cry (or shout) in! 

Seriously though....what does yours contain?

Not to mention the mandatory large red circle to place on a hard surface. With the directions "bang head here until frustration goes away"

Yes, I would be interested in this toolbox also.  Can you post it?

River,
      Though I don't like to knock anybody's hard work the paper that you spoke of is little more than a staff study paper. Not much use to anybody looking for somthing useful. I have a copy of it until it got recycled.

Quote from: lvtoms on March 19, 2010, 05:16:42 PM
Good afternoon (or morning) historians and those interested in the advancement of historical knowledge.

The reason I am posting today is to get a idea about how unit historians feel about a toolkit. Our squadron is currently putting together a resource instrument to aid in the presentation and preservation of squadron history. In designing this media, it occured to us that maybe others might want something similar for their historical activities.

Our squadron has already developed several templates and collected publications from professional organizations for inclusion.  We are not the center of the world and many of you have ideas with a proven track record of success. It is for this reason I would like to solicit your support in building a resource that all CAP historians can benefit from.  Using your input, we expect to create CDs to distribute to the CAP historian community.

Ideas and resources provided to this project will be public domain. 

I thank you for your support and understanding with this request.

Louis Toms, 2Lt, CAP
Alternate Squadron Historian
MER-NC-019

Lt. Toms,

I would be more than happy to offer any input as a doctoral student in History. If you would like feedback from someone involved in the profession, please feel free to either email me, or PM me with materials. I will do my best to help in any way I am able to.

Quote from: lvtoms on March 19, 2010, 05:16:42 PM
Good afternoon (or morning) historians and those interested in the advancement of historical knowledge.

The reason I am posting today is to get a idea about how unit historians feel about a toolkit. Our squadron is currently putting together a resource instrument to aid in the presentation and preservation of squadron history. In designing this media, it occured to us that maybe others might want something similar for their historical activities.

Our squadron has already developed several templates and collected publications from professional organizations for inclusion.  We are not the center of the world and many of you have ideas with a proven track record of success. It is for this reason I would like to solicit your support in building a resource that all CAP historians can benefit from.  Using your input, we expect to create CDs to distribute to the CAP historian community.

Ideas and resources provided to this project will be public domain. 

I thank you for your support and understanding with this request.

Louis Toms, 2Lt, CAP
Alternate Squadron Historian
MER-NC-019

On a related note, does anyone know where to go regarding CAP's record retention policy for squadrons, groups, wings, regions, and national?  Thanks.

Quote from: tdepp on March 28, 2010, 03:11:02 PMOn a related note, does anyone know where to go regarding CAP's record retention policy for squadrons, groups, wings, regions, and national?  Thanks.

Sure, lots of people know. 

Oh, you wanted to know where?

Try CAPR 10-2. It covers units at al levels.

Quote from: SarDragon on March 28, 2010, 06:29:34 PM

Quote from: tdepp on March 28, 2010, 03:11:02 PMOn a related note, does anyone know where to go regarding CAP's record retention policy for squadrons, groups, wings, regions, and national?  Thanks.

Sure, lots of people know. 

Oh, you wanted to know where?

Try CAPR 10-2. It covers units at al levels.

SarDragon:

Thanks for the direction. 

Not being an administrative officer (and hopefully, never having to take on such a thankless task), seems that the regulation is hopelessly stuck in the 1940s and the assumption that everything will be on paper and only scant mention to computer files.  Not that I have a better suggestion at this time, but seems to me that storage of documents becomes less burdensome in terms of real estate consumed and ease of use if everything is put online or on hard drive (with appropriate backup).

The other thing that struck me in my quick overview is that there is discretion to toss out stuff that an officer, such as public affairs, might think is obsolete or no longer necessary, but the unit's historian wouldn't know.  Or maybe that's in there and I didn't catch it?  One person's junk is another person's treasure, at least to flea market goers and historians. 

Why if someone drops from the program, toss the files out after five years? That has never made sense to me. The file doesn't take up that much space and the information is invaluable to the Unit Historian. Also the member that returns after being out for five or more years can't show what training they have completed. Look at some of the CAP Talk signatures such as "Earhart (unnumbered). How does this personb prove that while a cadet he/she earned the Mitchell or Aerhart? National has no record of the awards that were prior to the numbering system.
Now with most records in electronic format, transferring inactive records to a CD once a year maintains records. This applies to personnel records as well as news releases the PAO might make or mission information. You probably could save a full years records on one CD.
Do you know who was your Squadrons Commander thirty years ago? Would last Junes MML be of value in 2030? When did your Squadron hold it's first meeting? These are items of historical interest in CAP that are lost when records are tossed in the trash can.

This sounds like a fabulous idea. I just received my first duty assignment (Historian!), and I'm starting from scratch. I plan to learn all I can from everyone in the program - from newbies (like me) to the seasoned historians in the program. I'll be checking these forums regularly. I would love to see a copy of a "toolkit", even if it is not in its final form.

Thanks for a great topic!

Tony Moe
MER-MD-140