Flight Breakfast??

[CadetProgramGuy]

Morning all,

As it is apparent, I belong to two service groups, here in CAP and the Masons.  I have been thinking lately about trying to find a way to bring both together for some fundraising for encampment scholarships or whatever.

I thought about putting together a flight breakfast for next Spring.

Anyone ever put one together?  Whats needed?

I have the ground side covered with CAP members, I have the cooking covered by the Masons.  What else do I need?

Thanks all!!

CPG

[DBlair]

Explain a bit about what you mean by a flight breakfast. Do you mean like a fly-in breakfast or a breakfast to raise funds for flight/encampment scholarships, or something of that nature?

[davidsinn]

What else do I need?

To make sure this is approved by your wing commander. All fund-raising is supposed to be approved. Also having a combined activity of this nature may not work because we are forbidden to use our name to fund raise for another organization. Make sure you have higher command sign off on this.

[manfredvonrichthofen]

That was my exact thought. I also am not sure what it says in the regulations, it may not say anything at all, but I know in the military you are not allowed to intermingle your service with and secret societies. I know some say that there is nothing secret about the masons other than they know how to tell when someone else is a mason. The free masons are still considered widely to be a secret society. That being said, there might not be anything in regulation about it, but it might also be implied.

I am not trying to offend you in anyway, I have thought alot about finding out how to join a masonic lodge. I just don't know how well that would go over with some cadet parents. I would definitely run it by the higher chain. You do have to get approval for all fund raising activities. Also, we generally aren't allowed to do fundraising with any other organization or company, because it gives the impression that we endorse them.

[sparks]

CAPR 173-4 has the specifics on what you can and cannot due concerning fund raising. A fly-in breakfast would be a good source of funding. I'd recommend a sponsor, as you suggested, to take the burden of the setup costs away from the CAP squadron. Finding a local EAA chapter or VFW with the pancake equipmentand other hardware for a fly-in breakfast would be advisable too. It takes a lot of work to make one of these successful. Weather can kills a FIB so try to get a supplier who will take back unopened supplies.

Good Luck

[DBlair]

That was my exact thought. I also am not sure what it says in the regulations, it may not say anything at all, but I know in the military you are not allowed to intermingle your service with and secret societies. I know some say that there is nothing secret about the masons other than they know how to tell when someone else is a mason. The free masons are still considered widely to be a secret society. That being said, there might not be anything in regulation about it, but it might also be implied.

I am not trying to offend you in anyway, I have thought alot about finding out how to join a masonic lodge. I just don't know how well that would go over with some cadet parents. I would definitely run it by the higher chain. You do have to get approval for all fund raising activities. Also, we generally aren't allowed to do fundraising with any other organization or company, because it gives the impression that we endorse them.

Regarding Masonic involvement...

Freemasons, Masonic Lodges, and the various Masonic organizations do an extreme amount of fundraising for various causes- usually children's causes. Everything from lodges offering college scholarships to students in the community to the Shriners funding quite a few children's hospitals, to so much more. Masonic charity is not limited to Masonic organizations, and so regardless of what the cause or organization is, I'm sure Masons are involved at least to some level in donating or organizing. The fact of the matter is that we should be thanking the Masons for wanting to get involved as they are eager and great fundraisers, not trying to push away their offer of help.

For the most part, I doubt Cadet Parents would object to a Masonic lodge trying to raise funds that would perhaps benefit their child. In my experience, there are more parents involved with masonry than people assume, it just isn't always advertised. In masonry, there are those who are very open about it and advertise their membership, but then there are many others who consider it a personal thing and feel no need to advertise. Realistically, having a child in the Cadet Program or promoting the Cadet Program falls right in line with masonry and so I'm sure the lodge would be willing to help with this and I doubt many parents would object to Masons fundraising to help their child.

As for joining Freemasonry, the procedure is to "ask one to be one..." as Masons are largely not allowed to recruit, but this varies a bit from state to state.


As for the CAP fundraising issues...

While of course approval should be pursued, I'm not sure how it would be much of an issue. It is essentially a Masonic Lodge who is offering to hold their own fundraiser to benefit CAP Cadets. I see this as no different than a local Mercedes-Benz dealership having their detail crew hold a car wash to benefit a local Cadet unit. They are not using the CAP name to fundraise for another organization, they are using the CAP name as the beneficiary of their fundraising.

[DBlair]

That was my exact thought. I also am not sure what it says in the regulations, it may not say anything at all, but I know in the military you are not allowed to intermingle your service with and secret societies.

What do you mean by this? Are you trying to claim that members of the military are not allowed to participate in Freemasonry? ...you'd be amazed how many in the military are Freemasons, it has always been very popular among the military. There are even lodge meetings on Base, etc.

[davidsinn]

As for the CAP fundraising issues...

While of course approval should be pursued, I'm not sure how it would be much of an issue. It is essentially a Masonic Lodge who is offering to hold their own fundraiser to benefit CAP Cadets. I see this as no different than a local Mercedes-Benz dealership having their detail crew hold a car wash to benefit a local Cadet unit. They are not using the CAP name to fundraise for another organization, they are using the CAP name as the beneficiary of their fundraising.

If that's the case I don't think you'd have a problem getting that approved. The way you worded it earlier was a bit ambiguous.

[manfredvonrichthofen]

I know, I had many NCOs and Officers who were freemasons, it's just that you cannot perform functions in the military as a freemason. As to say, you cannot introduce yourself as CPT Bithorne local freemason guild member. Also you cannot hold a formal ball and incorporate anything freemason.

if the freemason lodge wants to hold your function though as to show they support you, I doubt you would have any problems at all. It could possibly have been a problem were you inviting the freemasons to come with you. CAP usually appreciates other organizations showing their support. I am not even really sure why CAP doesn't endorse any other organizations such as the red cross.

Just be sure you still request authorization for your fund raising activity.

[lordmonar]

What else do I need?

To make sure this is approved by your wing commander. All fund-raising is supposed to be approved. Also having a combined activity of this nature may not work because we are forbidden to use our name to fund raise for another organization. Make sure you have higher command sign off on this.

That's not quite true....it gets a little confusing....but a straight up joint fund raiser should be okay.....again all fundraising activities must be approved by wing.

[FW]

Once you have the approval of your wing commander, have fun.  I think it is wonderful when two great organizations get together for mutual benefit.  The local Masons in our area have donated thousands of dollars to CAP units here in the past.  And, there is no reason it can't be done. 
BTW; masons in the service have performed countess charitable duties here and abroad to military members through the "Sojourners".

[AlphaSigOU]

That was my exact thought. I also am not sure what it says in the regulations, it may not say anything at all, but I know in the military you are not allowed to intermingle your service with and secret societies.

What do you mean by this? Are you trying to claim that members of the military are not allowed to participate in Freemasonry? ...you'd be amazed how many in the military are Freemasons, it has always been very popular among the military. There are even lodge meetings on Base, etc.

With few exceptions, lodges rarely operate within military reservations today. Kwajalein, for example, used to have a Masonic lodge and a Shrine club on island but the transient nature of contractors (most are on 1-2 year contracts) makes it extremely difficult to establish and sustain a lodge. (Kwaj also has one of the few, if not the only American Legion and VFW posts on a miliitary installation. (The VFW post is currently inactive.)

And to clarify: the Masons are not a 'secret society', rather a 'society with secrets'. Lodge names and addresses can be found in phone books, the internet and even driving down the street. Our charitable organizations are no secret either. And if someone asks me if I am a Mason, I proudly admit to being one. Yes, we have certain modes of recognition that are considered secret, and our internal business is no one's business but our own. If we were a secret society, I wouldn't even be telling you this.

[CadetProgramGuy]

First of all, thanks to everyone's involvement with statements, questions, and guidance.

Second, I want to limit the amount of the "Secret Society" or the "Society that has secrets".  If we really wanted to go down that path, CAP is a "Society that has secrets" too.  OPSEC...remember?  Once you join you get to know insider knowledge.  Enough said.

The Fly in breakfast I am thinking about should get approval from Wing, this has been done in the past with other units, just a little differently. 

I want to use CAP as a recruiting tool to bolster membership, Marshal aircraft, external Aerospace Education.

I want to use the Masons as the cooks, cleanup of tables, passing out information.

If this is done right, we can have a kick a$$ fly-in, that is aweful lacking in the Des Moines Area.

What would be better is my question....Pancakes or omlettes?

[AlphaSigOU]

Pancake breakfasts are much easier to handle, since you can make a large batch of batter ahead of time; eggs or omelets cooked to order will work as well, but take much more prep work (omelet fillings such as ham, cheese, veggies, etc.) ahead of time. Don't forget sausage and/or bacon!

[sparks]

I love omlettes but they take too much time to cook. Scrammbled eggs, panackes, suasage links or patties, juice, milk and coffee seem to be the combination that works. All of it can be made is reasonably large batches.

[CadetProgramGuy]

It would also probably be a good idea to get the Local FBO involved as well.....

[Short Field]

I know, I had many NCOs and Officers who were freemasons, it's just that you cannot perform functions in the military as a freemason. As to say, you cannot introduce yourself as CPT Bithorne local freemason guild member. Also you cannot hold a formal ball and incorporate anything freemason.

You really need to restrict yourself to something you know at least a little bit about. 

Why would military members introduce themselves as CPT Bithorne, local Lions Club member, or local little league member, or local Rotary member, or local Masonic Lodge member?  Granted, some people on CAPTALK have to spend a lot of effort to show their membership and achievements in NON-CAP organizations so the same people might feel the need to introduce themselves as CPT Bithorne, local Lions Club member.

Just FYI, one of the largest US military balls in Germany (if not the largest) was the George Washington Birthday Ball held in Stuttgart.  It was hosted by the local Masonic lodges whose memberships were dominated by US military members and attended by mainly non-Masonic distinguished US military members and local civilian dignitaries.  You also might want to take a look at some of the paintings of President Washington in his Masonic Apron, research the history of the Masonic Lodge at Valley Forge, and look up the history of the National Sojourners, Inc., to better understand the relationship of the Masonic Lodges to the US Military.

If a CAP squadron is lucky enough to get a Masonic Lodge to support them, more power to them.
   

[RADIOMAN015]

That was my exact thought. I also am not sure what it says in the regulations, it may not say anything at all, but I know in the military you are not allowed to intermingle your service with and secret societies.

What do you mean by this? Are you trying to claim that members of the military are not allowed to participate in Freemasonry? ...you'd be amazed how many in the military are Freemasons, it has always been very popular among the military. There are even lodge meetings on Base, etc.

Hmm, must be something recent about being very popular with the Military, because in 20 years of active service I never heard ANYONE speak at all about this organization, NOR did I every see that organization help the military at any base I was located at.

Hey if they want to help CAP, that's great.   I'm not sure if it is better for them to retain the money donated & then give to CAP as needed (for a specific purpose) or if the CAP unit just gets a check from them and puts it into the Wing Banker's program.  The issue would be IF the money is raised for a specific purposes (e.g. CAP cadet programs) than technically it would be a restricted contribution that only could be used for that purpose as opposed to supporting Squadron X's Activities.

I also think that it is better to make expand that breakfast to more than just a "fly in" and perhaps invite the communities that the squadron recruits from, just in case there's bad weather that day and also it's a much better chance for success!
RM   

[Short Field]

Hmm, must be something recent about being very popular with the Military, because in 20 years of active service I never heard ANYONE speak at all about this organization, NOR did I every see that organization help the military at any base I was located at.

Which is the way most Lodges and their members like it.  I was very surprised to find out that the Eyeglasses for Students program the local Lions Club ran was actually funded by the local Lodge. 

[CadetProgramGuy]

Fellas.......

At great risk of the Celebration of Locking ceremony that this topic is headed down, please back on topic.

What logistical issues do you see wanting to bring this event together?

I am not educated in this manner.

CPG