Overall Senior Member Costs?

[RADIOMAN015]

Interestingly, one of our new pilot disappeared from attending the meetings and I asked my commander about it.  Apparently the new member thought that his national dues covered everything we had to do for him in the unit.  Our unit dues are less than $20.00 per quarter.  Our commander explained to him that it costs us money for supporting everyone in the unit e.g. paper/printers, internet access, etc and the dues were required to be paid by each senior member.

My guess is also as a pilot he thought he would be getting a bunch of "free' flying .

HOWEVER, on the other hand I was thinking about this, as to what is the costs for a senior member his/her first year in CAP   Surely, IF one were to go to the national site and get the financial statements, there's nothing in there that really addresses the financial realities of a squadron's operations, not even a footnote.  So maybe some people are joining with more expectations of "free" everything.   I know from personal experience in talking with prospective members in the past (especially young pilots), most did not return when I mentioned that they would have to be paying themselves for proficiency training and perhaps even the evaluation flights.  Even for those members interested in a ground ES role, there's going to be additional costs.

Has anyone ever come up with a range of costs for the typical senior member at the 1 yr, 2yr, & 3 yr mark

RM     

[Eclipse]

So maybe some people are joining with more expectations of "free" everything. 

No, you're trying to make up problems that don't exist. 

[PHall]

Too many variables here to come up with a "good" number.

Stuff like what unit are you in? Are you a pilot? What uniforms have you brought? What activities have you attended? Etc...

[a2capt]

Costs are directly related to your level of participation. Even at the unit level.

[RiverAux]

$20 a quarter!  Wow.  That seems excessively high for squadron dues. 

[Stonewall]

$100 a year in my squadron.  In fact, it's about time to write a check.

[DBlair]

I'm curious what these $100/year or $20/quarter examples include.

Is this the same for both Cadets and Seniors?


Other than unit dues, costs vary accordingly with the level of participation.

[Stonewall]

I'm curious what these $100/year or $20/quarter examples include.

Is this the same for both Cadets and Seniors?

I was quite surprised by this too, since I just attended my first meeting last week for the first time in a long time.  When I inquired, I was told that we are now charged for the use of our building, plus internet, electricity, water, etc., whereas it used to be free/donated.

I believe the cadets are $50 or less, but I'm not sure.

[RiverAux]

My units have been lucky about meeting place costs, but I think I'd be looking for alternatives if you aren't getting a break on anything. 

[Stonewall]

My units have been lucky about meeting place costs, but I think I'd be looking for alternatives if you aren't getting a break on anything.

Best meeting place I've ever seen in CAP.

Stand alone building.
Kitchen
Bathroom
Separate classroom
Separate comms room
Large room that can hold 50 people
Parking
On an airport where our plane is
A small wooded area for training
Our own mailbox
24/7 access

Personally, I don't mind paying $100 once I found out the deal.  It sucks, but we used to meet at a high school with zero storage and no permanent facilities.

[Thrashed]

I tell new members the C.A.P. stands for Come And Pay.  You can spend a lot of money on the C.A.P. I remind them that most of it is tax deductible.

My squadron charges $20 a year for dues. We meet in a condemned building with no heat (in the NE). I know other squadrons have expenses that need covered. I wish we were near an airport, but there's no room at the local airport to meet.

[SarDragon]

I tell new members the C.A.P. stands for Come And Pay.  You can spend a lot of money on the C.A.P. I remind them that most of it is tax deductible if they itemize deductions.

My squadron charges $20 a year for dues. We meet in a condemned building with no heat (in the NE). I know other squadrons have expenses that need covered. I wish we were near an airport, but there's no room at the local airport to meet.

Fixed that for you.

[Woodsy]

Stonewall is right in that our squadron HQ is one of the premier buildings around.  When a big mission happens, we're mission base due to our facilities.

Also, just to clear it up, we don't pay rent, which would be several thousand dollars a month for an on airport building such as this.  We pay all utilities.  Our power alone is several hundred a month.  The $100 a year is needed and appreciated by most of our members.  Also, we have a hardship waiver process for those that can't afford it.

As for the cadet side. don't quote me on this, but I believe they are $50 or less. 

By the way Stonewall, that pic is missing our shiny new CAP Expedition with all the cool flashing lights and sirens

[Stonewall]

Yeah, I took that picture a few years ago & happen to remember I had it.

We do have the best squadron "home" I've seen in 25 years in CAP.  Thanks for clearing up the costs. I wasn't sure exactly what we were paying for but once I learned that it paid to keep a roof over our heads, I was happy to write a check.

[A3M0N]

I don't understand why this thread is considered trolling by some.  I haven't joined yet, I'm going to my first meeting tomorrow, but I was taken aback and would lie to you if I said I didn't think twice about even considering joining after I learned you have to pay.  I figured volunteering is good, but I have to pay to give of my time?  I was confused at first, and I to would like to know what the average costs per year are. 

edit: Let me add that the reason I have to think twice is I am an Active Duty E-4 with 3 dependents.  That means I have to make every dollar I make count. 

[RiverAux]

Our power alone is several hundred a month.

Also seems a little high unless you've got folks there everyday. 

[Woodsy]

Our power alone is several hundred a month.

Also seems a little high unless you've got folks there everyday.

As great as the building is, it is NOT energy efficient...  there are 2 HVAC systems, both of which could probably be considered antiques.  Also, insulation is almost nil, thin windows, etc.  It's Florida, so that poor old AC has to work hard.  Additionally, as part of our agreement with the airport, their maintenance people use part of our garage as a workshop, so they are in there quite often (if not every day.)  We've recently taken steps to lower the power bill by installing those "new" power saving light bulbs, unhooking the hot water heater since we don't use the showers, but have always had the mindset of having them ready in case of a long mission.  If it's that bad, cold water will do for a couple days.  Plus, there's the fact that our power company has some of the highest rates in the state...  And I'm sure the fridge, which is pretty old and not an "energy saver" is a big portion of it. 


And while maybe not every day, probably most days someone is there at some point. 

[davidsinn]

Additionally, as part of our agreement with the airport, their maintenance people use part of our garage as a workshop, so they are in there quite often (if not every day.)

Why is CAP subsidizing the airport's maintenance facilities?

[Woodsy]

A3MON:

To answer your question directly, I've been a member a little less than a year, and have probably spent 400-500 in direct expenses, not including things like gas to weekly meetings.

Most of this is uniforms. I had a set of BDU's, but had to purchase the accounterments.  I was given a flight suit, but again had to purchase the hardware.  I bought the blue polo and grey slacks.  I've also bought the service dress blues, which were almost 200 (used.) I'm a PAO, and have a lot of face time with the news crews so I felt it was necessary.  I can't think of any other position where you would need blues in your first few years (if ever.)  Even at the PAO position, I could have easily survived without them, but made a personal choice to buy them. 


If you want to do the bare minimum, I think you could survive on $150 your first year, maybe even less, including the national dues, blue polo uniform shirt, grey slacks and black dress shoes.  Extra activities are just that:  extra.

[Woodsy]

Additionally, as part of our agreement with the airport, their maintenance people use part of our garage as a workshop, so they are in there quite often (if not every day.)

Why is CAP subsidizing the airport's maintenance facilities?

Because the airport gives us a very valuable facility rent free.