Has NHQ quit sending out renewal notices in the mail? Several of my members have not got anything and were confused when I told them they were not on the database and stated they hadnt got a renewal letter from NHQ like previous years.
If NHQ has stopped the mailings it would be nice if they were courtious enough to at least do it for those "older" members that dont have computers and plastic money.
When you renew you have the option of receiving paper, electronic or both.
Wasn't aware that they stopped sending them until you ask for them but what can you do.
I got a paper renewal notice at the beginning of this month so they are still sending them out. Which reminds me, I need to get around to paying that ;)
Commanders receive 90-day renewal reports via email, so it should not be news to anyone renewal time is near.
I got mine through e-mail, opted to retire instead.
I received both last month - snail mail and email.
More people should apprise themselves of opting out of mailed renewals, where possible. It saves NHQ money in printing and postage that can then be used for other membership services.
I'd love for them to roll in a checkbox for purchasing the Photo ID when I renew my membership - just add the $4 to my renewal fee. It would combine two credit card transactions into one (potential savings on CC fees) and save NHQ from mailing me both the regular membership card and the photo ID card (savings on mailing and membership card costs).
^SECOND!!!
I wish!
Quote from: Pylon on January 19, 2009, 12:57:00 AM
More people should apprise themselves of opting out of mailed renewals, where possible. It saves NHQ money in printing and postage that can then be used for other membership services.
I'd love for them to roll in a checkbox for purchasing the Photo ID when I renew my membership - just add the $4 to my renewal fee. It would combine two credit card transactions into one (potential savings on CC fees) and save NHQ from mailing me both the regular membership card and the photo ID card (savings on mailing and membership card costs).
NHQ is looking to purchase new "organizational software" in the next few months. The new software will let us do all this and more such as allow us the option to automatically renew every year with a credit card, like in other organizations.
Quote from: FW on January 19, 2009, 01:57:01 AM
NHQ is looking to purchase new "organizational software" in the next few months. The new software will let us do all this and more such as allow us the option to automatically renew every year with a credit card, like in other organizations.
Great to hear! Progress! :)
Got this email today
Quote21 Jan 2009
As an unexpected consequence of our recent re-location, NHQ is experiencing a temporary delay in creating membership cards and renewal notices. If you are already a member and simply need a temporary proof of membership, please log on to your eServices account and select Review/Edit My Info. This page displays your membership expiration date and can serve as temporary proof of active membership until you receive your membership card. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
^ Hopefully that gets fixed quickly. Our squadron meets on an ANG base and they tend to get a little upset if you don't have a current ID. I made the mistake of handing them an expired ID one time and they almost had a conniption fit.
I was told by someone in Membership Services yesterday that the reason for the delay in mailing out membership cards is that they have run out of the actual card blanks. They're working on a restock, but in the meantime it may be two to three weeks delay before membership cards get sent out.
I ordered a new photo ID after I was promoted. I received it prior to my "official" one arriving and when I called and asked about it I ws told the machine that prints the non photo ID's has been broken for a couple of months...
Are they just making up an answer when someone asks?
There was an email from Don Rowland floating around saying that the machine was broken.
They are apparently printing the photo ID's I got one too, but no blue card yet
Interestingly, I renewed in January and my membership card came promptly but the info on it was printed upside down on the card template and the (upside down) barcode and expiration date were obscured because it overprinted on the color "Civil Air Patrol" header. Basically unusable. Luckily, I ordered a photo ID which came not too long after with no printing errors.
Turns out the move to the "Temporary Headquarters Building" was much more traumatic than expected. Some offices have no heat; some no electricity; others get flooded from time to time (sounds like some wing hqs.).
Anyway, it sounds like the renewals are being held up and the equipment is not properly set up yet. I would strongly advise the word get out to every member go online and renew or, at least, go online and check if you can renew now.
So far it looks like about 2500 members are behind in renewing.
Mabye I'm the odd man out here, overzealous, need-a-life or whatever, but I'm always surprised that folks (particularly active members) need to be reminded to renew.
I am particularly miffed when pilot's memberships lapse b/c all of their Ops quals info in e-services goes away, and restoring it all is a PITA!!
One thing I am absolute DEATH on is unit commanders allowing their memberships to expire >:(
Quote from: O-Rex on January 23, 2009, 03:39:39 PM
One thing I am absolute DEATH on is unit commanders allowing their memberships to expire >:(
When I was MAWG/DP I would review the lists of all Group and Squadron Commanders for renewal on a monthly basis. The Group CC would receive a phone call from the Wing CC asking who the commander of xyz squadron was now that the squadron commander had not renewed?
It always surprises me when people forget to renew. Of course, I do the three-year renewal now, so we'll see if I can remember to renew in 2010. It will have been so long, I may forget.
NHQ is just falling down on this one.
First it is a disservice to all of us to offer two different membership cards.
DOD regulations require a Picture ID, raise my dues to the amount and let it be, I pay twice for two IDs.
Run out of card blanks?? give me a break
send cards that are unreadable, unacceptable?
and when my AOPA or NRA is due oh my gosh I am hounded, so NHQ cut the excuses if this is a Corporation, fire the people responsible and get it done.
Quote from: Cecil DP on January 23, 2009, 06:02:27 PM
Quote from: O-Rex on January 23, 2009, 03:39:39 PM
One thing I am absolute DEATH on is unit commanders allowing their memberships to expire >:(
When I was MAWG/DP I would review the lists of all Group and Squadron Commanders for renewal on a monthly basis. The Group CC would receive a phone call from the Wing CC asking who the commander of xyz squadron was now that the squadron commander had not renewed?
I had a squadron that was 'on the bubble' regarding their numbers during the annual MML review with our Wing CC, in which you either marked them for deactivation or had to justify keeping them as a squadron as well as recruiting/retention plan, etc.
I had one that I was lobbying to keep, and the darn CC expired the day before, despite reminders.
The unit lost its charter: no excuses, no appeals.
One speech a sqdn CC does not want to hear from me:
"If I have to furl a flag on your watch, you are not getting another one!"
Received my renewal non-photo ID in the mail yesterday.
Quote from: EMT-83 on January 23, 2009, 11:47:08 PM
Received my renewal non-photo ID in the mail yesterday.
Which makes it a membership card, not an ID card. :)
Quote from: SarDragon on January 24, 2009, 06:41:22 AM
Quote from: EMT-83 on January 23, 2009, 11:47:08 PM
Received my renewal non-photo ID in the mail yesterday.
Which makes it a membership card, not an ID card. :)
Yeah, but ultimately it doesn't matter anyway, at least at DoD facilities.
Every DoD installation is going to the DBIDS biometric cards, theoretically, in 2009. Every CAP member will, once their facility is ready, need to go in and be photographed and fingerprinted for a card.
Your CAPID card won't be used for base access. Not sure where else you need an "official" CAP photo ID...I don't think I ever have.
Quote from: Rotorhead on January 24, 2009, 06:51:36 AM
Your CAPID card won't be used for base access. Not sure where else you need an "official" CAP photo ID...I don't think I ever have.
CAP photo membership cards are just an option you may want to chose. There is no "legal" benefit to having one. Your non photo card is just as good for CAP activities. Access to military bases is something the base commander has authority over. No CAP card (photo or non photo) will guaranty admittance.
BTW, the $4.00 fee for the photo card covers fabrication expense and postage. We don't make any profit on the card. For me, it's a personal preference.
I make it a point every month to remind upcoming renewing members. Even then, my cadet commander ( now former commander) still let his membership lapse. He kept coming up with excuses. Funny thing is as soon as I sent him a letter telling him to turn in his key and return CAP property, his renewal was done within 24 hours.