Potluck and cookout dinners

niferous · February 19, 2011, 07:16:59 PM

We are trying to have figure out what the rules on these are for CAP. Currently we have a senior member who swears that it's against regulations to have either since the food is not professionally prepared by a licensed restaurant. We have a member that does a lot of BBQ events and has two twelve foot pits who said he could cook for our annual Christmas party as well as any other events where we want to feed numerous members at once.

So what say you? We are in Texas Wing if that helps and we are hoping it's just a myth that we can't do this since it will save us a bunch of money over getting events catered.

EMT-83 · February 19, 2011, 07:22:08 PM

If he swears it's against regulations, ask to see the specific regulation. Tactfully, of course.

PA Guy · February 19, 2011, 07:34:53 PM

Geeez, where do people get this stuff. It is a myth.

Eclipse · February 19, 2011, 07:48:24 PM

Unless the wing has published a supplement on this, it is a myth.

Probably 3/4'ers of the encampments and similar activities in CAP use in-house mess staff to feed their people. Different story if you
are intending to sell the food to non-members, or cook for some other organization. Otherwise, nonsense.

FW · February 19, 2011, 07:49:27 PM

The only regulations to be concerned about is the one for fund raising; CAPR 173-4. Read it, get the Wing Commander's approval (if the event is to raise money for your unit) and have at it.
There is nothing better, IMO, than a nice cookout or sponsored pancake breakfast at the local airport to raise money and awareness for the squadron and CAP. It's probably one of the best ways to make friends in the community.

SARDOC · February 19, 2011, 07:59:19 PM

If the reason for this event is just for your members and or guests then you can do as you please. If you are Charging money for a fund raiser than as any business you would be required to meet the same health code standards as any business..but as a non profit agency you wouldn't have to pay taxes IAW revenue code, State Law and even CAP policy.

Eclipse · February 19, 2011, 08:13:41 PM

Most states and municipalities have different rules for non-profit fund raisers than for "businesses" - that would be something for the wing legal officer to
worry about.

But the question was about an internal regulation, not local law.

♠SARKID♠ · February 19, 2011, 08:19:16 PM

Quote from: PA Guy on February 19, 2011, 07:34:53 PM
Geeez, where do people get this stuff. It is a myth.

+1

It seems we have another patient infected with spontaneous regulation illness.

Major Lord · February 19, 2011, 08:36:25 PM

Someone wants to deprive a Texan of BBQ and you ask if its legal? I am surprised you have not just gone out to get a rope! You should call Homeland Security on this guy; if they take away BBQ, the terrorists win!

Major Lord
Just wait until Chuck Norris hears about this!

niferous · February 20, 2011, 01:10:46 AM

It's not for making money. Just for feeding our own members and it's guests.

ProdigalJim · February 20, 2011, 01:36:42 AM

Quote from: niferous on February 20, 2011, 01:10:46 AM
It's not for making money. Just for feeding our own members and it's guests.

In that instance, neither law nor regulations apply. Do you need a Temporary Food Service permit for your Super Bowl party at your house?

Ed Bos · February 20, 2011, 02:34:15 AM

Any chance this member is just coming up with "it's against the regulations" excuses because they're worried about some sort of liability?

If they're not in an authority position I'd recommend asking them if they have any concerns that they'd like to have addressed, rather than trying to put the kibosh on a terrific sounding event. If they are in an authority position, I'd reassure them it's not against any regulation and make sure they know it's good for the members to build esprit de corps and camaraderie.

On another note, are out-of-area guests welcome to the event you're planning? ... I'd travel out of Alaska for a chance to take a crack at two twelve-foot pits worth of BBQ.

a2capt · February 20, 2011, 04:52:41 AM

Quote from: Ed Bos on February 20, 2011, 02:34:15 AMAny chance this member is just coming up with "it's against the regulations" excuses because they're worried about some sort of liability?

...or perhaps wanting to steering the 'business' to a friend/certain establishment?

I just can't believe the stuff people come up with sometimes.

SARDOC · February 20, 2011, 06:18:43 PM

as a matter of fact...meetings where we cookout before the meeting are some of the more popular meetings we get most of the membership and family to show up...Food is a great incentive.

ElectricPenguin · April 07, 2011, 01:48:08 AM

Quote from: niferous on February 19, 2011, 07:16:59 PM
We are trying to have figure out what the rules on these are for CAP. Currently we have a senior member who swears that it's against regulations to have either since the food is not professionally prepared by a licensed restaurant. We have a member that does a lot of BBQ events and has two twelve foot pits who said he could cook for our annual Christmas party as well as any other events where we want to feed numerous members at once.

So what say you? We are in Texas Wing if that helps and we are hoping it's just a myth that we can't do this since it will save us a bunch of money over getting events catered.

Sir, You may need to look this regulation up yourself. I have been told a few times that certain things where in the regulations when they turned out to be false. Either that or they where recently changed. Besides, us Texans love BBQ.

:clap:

coudano · April 07, 2011, 03:18:13 AM

I've seen organizations (like churches) get bound up on this stuff based on local laws.
I think it's probably ridiculous and over-reactionary, but i'm not a lawyer.

DBlair · April 07, 2011, 06:57:48 PM

One possibility is that the location where the event is to be held requires food to be professionally prepared and have a certain amount of insurance. I've seen this a few times at a number of venues, but I don't believe this can be found anywhere in CAP materials.

RADIOMAN015 · April 07, 2011, 09:25:45 PM

Quote from: Eclipse on February 19, 2011, 07:48:24 PM
Unless the wing has published a supplement on this, it is a myth.

Probably 3/4'ers of the encampments and similar activities in CAP use in-house mess staff to feed their people. Different story if you
are intending to sell the food to non-members, or cook for some other organization. Otherwise, nonsense.

HOWEVER, it's a good idea to at least have some competent adult members, experienced in professional food service, especially for large encampments supervising the activities (perhaps even see if you can get a professional out side of CAP to volunteer his/her time just to supervise). Proper sanitation and food preparation is imperative, especially with large groups of 50+ more people. That pot luck, might just be poor luck IF all the prepared dishes aren't prepared & kept heated/cold as required. I would think with CAP fetish for safety that this would be an item of interest to at least ensure there's some adequate training.
RM

Eclipse · April 07, 2011, 09:29:21 PM

Of course it is a good idea.

Please provide us with some names, and also an account where we can charge the training for existing members.

There are a lot of things that are a good idea, which are not options for CAP because of cost and manpower limitations.

Ned · April 07, 2011, 10:59:32 PM

I've always thought that a National Culinary Academy would make a good National Summer Activity.

I'll bet the Army Culinary School at Fort Lee would love to host us for a two week school designed to train dedicated CAP seniors and cadets in menu planning, nutrition, food safety, dining facility management, and food preparation in both field and dining hall environments.

CAP needs members with feeding skills to support encampments, SAREXs, and disaster relief situations nationwide.

If we had a shortage of applications, we could simply authorize a new uniform for graduates - cooks whites - and the distinctive "crossed spatulas" badge for corporate and USAF-style uniforms.