Membership Committee best practices

[MacGruff]

There is a new version of CAPR 39-2 out. In section A.1.5 the changes strengthen the requirement of having a "Unit Membership Board". In fact, it makes it mandatory but provides very little guidance on who should be on it and what they should look for.

So, I thought I would ask here if others have implemented this Unit Membership Board before, and what are some best practices that you have that we should consider as we move to implement one in our squadron.

Looking for any and all input. Thanks.

[CAPs1]

Hi!
This is solely to 'assist the commander in reviewing the eligibility of applicants new applicants.'

Those rules are already in place in CAPR 39-2, no?

Trying to take a load off of CCs?

[catrulz]

Our personnel officer has always chaired this committee.  We normally like to have a CP officer and the DCOS on the committee.  I believe the new requirement works in conjunction with the pamphlet on screening potential members.   CAP Pamphlet 52-26, The CAP First Talk Guide.  I think this is an attempt to screen members for appropriate attitudes and midset, as well as try to screen for problem behaviors early in the process.   Leading to longer term and happier, better adjusted members.

[CAPs1]

this helps, thanks.

[NIN]

Here are some really, really old things I found in my archive.

The prototype policy I don't think ever actually got published.

The from, as well, never went anywhere.

The guide from 2003, geez, I supposedly authored that, but it was never fully fleshed out...

But you can draw some pretty good guidance from both this and the First Talk Guide.

My unit has put prospective cadets in front of a membership board for 10+ years. Its more of a very stern "You understand what you're getting into?" kind of pre-retention "expectations setting" interview than a "accept or reject" board. But I don't think any time I've been the commander we ever turned down a prospective cadet. By the time they made it that far, we were pretty sure they were interested and qualified, so it was more of a "OK, you better be here!"

For seniors, it was a lot more detailed.  I think only once or twice since 1999 did my membership board say "Uh, this guy's membership might not be a good thing.."

[jeders]

As far as what you should look for in prospective members, check out the First Talk Guide which is designed specifically for this.

[AirAux]

The Legal Officer Reg's specifically note that it is the duty/responsibility of the Legal Officer to be on the Unit Membership Committee.

[JeffDG]

The Legal Officer Reg's specifically note that it is the duty/responsibility of the Legal Officer to be on the Unit Membership Committee.

Only "as directed by the commander"

(6) Serving on a unit membership board as directed by the commander to whom he or
she reports.

[RogueLeader]

The Legal Officer Reg's specifically note that it is the duty/responsibility of the Legal Officer to be on the Unit Membership Committee.

Since when can a Squadron have a Legal Officer?  I don't recall seeing it in 20-1.

[JeffDG]

The Legal Officer Reg's specifically note that it is the duty/responsibility of the Legal Officer to be on the Unit Membership Committee.

Since when can a Squadron have a Legal Officer?  I don't recall seeing it in 20-1.

They're in the org charts in CAPR 20-1

That said, JAs can only be appointed by a Wing or higher commander.  Once designated as legal officers, they CAN be assigned at lower levels, however.

[EMT-83]

It's a fairly recent change, and we actually had a squadron legal officer for a while. As you can imagine, there is absolutely nothing for a legal officer to do at the squadron level.