Paying the first fee for a new member?

[Holding Pattern]

I've been crunching ideas on recruiting initiatives, and I wanted to check here about the idea of paying for the first year of a new member or members as part of a targeted marketing initiative.

Good idea? Bad idea? Not allowed by regs idea?

[Гугл переводчик]

Back when I was a wee little cadet, my first squadron attempted this. Unfortunately for us, the couple of folks the squadron paid for just split after a month or so.

[Holding Pattern]

Back when I was a wee little cadet, my first squadron attempted this. Unfortunately for us, the couple of folks the squadron paid for just split after a month or so.

Yeah that is one of the big concerns. I thought about countering that with some form of 3 month voucher, but I'm guessing that would get more annoying than it is worth.

[JC004]

The cost of membership is minor compared to uniforms, activities (encampment, for example), and equipment. 

It is not a bad idea to have a mechanism by which cadets in financial need could get help with membership and start-up costs - a need-based scholarship of sorts.  But paying for everyone's membership is unlikely to make a real impact, and is likely to eat your budget fast.  Very fast.

[MSG Mac]

It's not a bad idea, but as stated by Saul Rosinsky, you may get people who join and then leave after a few months or weeks. If you're going to go with this I would suggest that the membership fee  be used as a voucher/credit towards their first encampment.   

[GroundHawg]

WIWAC, my squadron had an agreement with three local counties that any members (cadet or SM) that joined from those counties, the county would provide a "grant" to cover the cost of their initial membership dues and initial BDU uniform issue. If and when the member ever quit, the uniforms went back to the squadron, and any membership dues after the first year were their responsibility. We did have some low income cadets that we petitioned their county and/or cities for, and often received their membership dues for the duration of their active participation in the program. Its a shame what has happened to that squadron, but I guess all good things must come to an end sooner or later.

[Гугл переводчик]

Although, I do believe it would be a good idea for those who show a very strong interest and have a strong drive for the program, but may not have the financial needs.

(Side note, my new name is Saul!  )

[NIN]

While I think this is a super idea to get the conversation going, there are some limitations.

Big thing: almost never is the concern "CAP costs too much to join."  (In 30+ years, I don't think I've ever heard "the annual dues are too much" as the reason for someone not joining. CAP's dues are *much* cheaper than other membership organisations)   As its been stated, it is the *other* costs (all the doo-dads for the uniforms, the multiple uniforms, things like boots and shoes, etc) that are the killer.

My thing with paying for membership: In my years as a Sq Commander, I had just a few parents who were in serious enough financial situations where they were going to have to really stretch to get Johnny into CAP, get him uniforms, and get him to summer encampment.  (I mean "serious" as in "How much are the dues?" and then mom is digging in her purse for some more dollar bills or I hear her trying to figure out whether the grocery bill will be cheaper this week so she can write the dues check)  In those instances, it was clear that CAP, or really any other activity, would be a serious financial burden to the family. 

In most cases, after a conversation with the parents about costs and whether or not it will work, and then after a conversation with my CP staff and the finance folks, the unit came to the rescue with either additional uniform items (I've conveniently "found" some extra cadet-sized uniforms in my closet... Yeah, thats it: I "found" them) or we've waived their initial insignia kit costs, or sometimes found a way to help them defray encampment costs.  We very, very seldom ever offered to pay for a cadet's dues, mostly because that was the cheapest part, and it represented a "buy in" on the part of the parent. "OK, you pay the $35 initial national dues, we'll cover the $55 initial insignia kit and I'll scrounge and see if we have some extra uniform parts that we can issue.."

In the majority of those cases (and by "majority," my rusty memory says "all but one or two"), a cadet who we either paid for his initial dues or waived his/her initial insignia kit costs did not last much beyond 60-90 days. Tops.

Here's the thing:  You make CAP too "Easy Come" then it is way, way too "Easy Go" on the back side. 

If a kid or a parent got *everything* for free (membership, uniforms, etc) then walking away isn't *anything* to them.  It is actually less than anything. They have ZERO investment in their participation at that point.  Mom & dad didn't have to do anything but show up or drive Johnny there, so if they don't drive Johnny there, they're not out a single thing as far as they are concerned.

This is why I am (personally) completely against fully covering the cost of activities and such for members.  I don't have a problem with using the buying power of CAP to subsidizing an event, or using donations to defray the costs. But there still MUST be a cost to the member to get the buy-in, even if it is nominal.  Say you're going to the local air museum and the group rate for 20 people is $10 each.  Sq picks up the gas for 2 vans, maybe pizza at the museum, and covers 25% of the total entrance cost, so for each cadet the whole shebang is $7.50 instead of it being over $20.  Squadron covers $30 in pizza and $120 in gas, and $50 in the entrance cost. $200 for a 20-member unit trip to the air museum?  Thats money well spent there.

Bottom line: I'd shy away from paying for membership dues up front. That is not the reason people don't join. I'd find other ways to lessen the costs of participation (buying power for uniform items, hit the "give us our uniforms back" aspect hard when a cadet quits so you can give those uniform items to someone new, fundraise to help offset encampment costs, subsidize activities if not with actual dollar defrayments, maybe cover food & gas logistics, etc) as a first step, as this will effect more of your members and make CAP more attractive.  If even one parent in your unit is talking up how active their son or daughter is because CAP is such a good value for their activity dollar, others will pick that up!

[TheSkyHornet]

The cost of membership is minor compared to uniforms, activities (encampment, for example), and equipment. 

It is not a bad idea to have a mechanism by which cadets in financial need could get help with membership and start-up costs - a need-based scholarship of sorts.  But paying for everyone's membership is unlikely to make a real impact, and is likely to eat your budget fast.  Very fast.

One of the major factors in getting people more involved early on. There are a lot of costs for both cadets and senior members in addition to the membership fees (as well as squadron dues, if applicable). It's not look we're taking this out of their paycheck.

Common joke in our area:
"I love being (grade). The pay is okay. The benefits are good. But the problem is they keep writing me up for expenses."

[FW]

I totally agree with Darin.  CAP membership must be valued.  "Subsidizing an event" with unit funds is a better way to go; everyone benefits.  I never had a problem recruiting and retaining members when our program was interesting, inviting, and inclusive.  Active fundraising, and a healthy bank account helps, however it is more important to be welcoming to a new member.  Getting them integrated into the program is more important. 

[Holding Pattern]

While I think this is a super idea to get the conversation going, there are some limitations.

Big thing: almost never is the concern "CAP costs too much to join."  (In 30+ years, I don't think I've ever heard "the annual dues are too much" as the reason for someone not joining. CAP's dues are *much* cheaper than other membership organisations)   As its been stated, it is the *other* costs (all the doo-dads for the uniforms, the multiple uniforms, things like boots and shoes, etc) that are the killer.

My thing with paying for membership: In my years as a Sq Commander, I had just a few parents who were in serious enough financial situations where they were going to have to really stretch to get Johnny into CAP, get him uniforms, and get him to summer encampment.  (I mean "serious" as in "How much are the dues?" and then mom is digging in her purse for some more dollar bills or I hear her trying to figure out whether the grocery bill will be cheaper this week so she can write the dues check)  In those instances, it was clear that CAP, or really any other activity, would be a serious financial burden to the family. 

In most cases, after a conversation with the parents about costs and whether or not it will work, and then after a conversation with my CP staff and the finance folks, the unit came to the rescue with either additional uniform items (I've conveniently "found" some extra cadet-sized uniforms in my closet... Yeah, thats it: I "found" them) or we've waived their initial insignia kit costs, or sometimes found a way to help them defray encampment costs.  We very, very seldom ever offered to pay for a cadet's dues, mostly because that was the cheapest part, and it represented a "buy in" on the part of the parent. "OK, you pay the $35 initial national dues, we'll cover the $55 initial insignia kit and I'll scrounge and see if we have some extra uniform parts that we can issue.."

In the majority of those cases (and by "majority," my rusty memory says "all but one or two"), a cadet who we either paid for his initial dues or waived his/her initial insignia kit costs did not last much beyond 60-90 days. Tops.

Here's the thing:  You make CAP too "Easy Come" then it is way, way too "Easy Go" on the back side. 

If a kid or a parent got *everything* for free (membership, uniforms, etc) then walking away isn't *anything* to them.  It is actually less than anything. They have ZERO investment in their participation at that point.  Mom & dad didn't have to do anything but show up or drive Johnny there, so if they don't drive Johnny there, they're not out a single thing as far as they are concerned.

This is why I am (personally) completely against fully covering the cost of activities and such for members.  I don't have a problem with using the buying power of CAP to subsidizing an event, or using donations to defray the costs. But there still MUST be a cost to the member to get the buy-in, even if it is nominal.  Say you're going to the local air museum and the group rate for 20 people is $10 each.  Sq picks up the gas for 2 vans, maybe pizza at the museum, and covers 25% of the total entrance cost, so for each cadet the whole shebang is $7.50 instead of it being over $20.  Squadron covers $30 in pizza and $120 in gas, and $50 in the entrance cost. $200 for a 20-member unit trip to the air museum?  Thats money well spent there.

Bottom line: I'd shy away from paying for membership dues up front. That is not the reason people don't join. I'd find other ways to lessen the costs of participation (buying power for uniform items, hit the "give us our uniforms back" aspect hard when a cadet quits so you can give those uniform items to someone new, fundraise to help offset encampment costs, subsidize activities if not with actual dollar defrayments, maybe cover food & gas logistics, etc) as a first step, as this will effect more of your members and make CAP more attractive.  If even one parent in your unit is talking up how active their son or daughter is because CAP is such a good value for their activity dollar, others will pick that up!

I think this quite eloquently explains why it is a bad idea. Thanks.

[JC004]

It is clear the dues are not the major area units should focus on:

[xray328]

Speaking of costs, we were discussing the Curry Voucher the other night.  Why doesn't it cover the cost of a complete blues uniform anymore? Now it just covers the shirt and pants.  No belt, flight cap, etc.

[TheSkyHornet]

It is clear the dues are not the major area units should focus on:

That's factoring in the membership cost of a particular area. It leaves out higher costs in squadrons that may have a higher overall membership fee or additional squadron dues. Sure, it may only be $10-20 in some cases, but all that adds up. Try modifying that list for senior member uniform item costs. It goes from "Well, that's about $350" to "It's almost $400!"

Our membership fees as a senior member at our squadron are $60 or $65, I really can't remember. And we don't get anything handed to us, even as a voucher. Maybe there are some uniform items to dig through in our hangar, but usually nothing that the seniors will fit into.

In many jobs, including military officer, your uniform comes out of your paycheck. In CAP, we don't get that luxury as volunteers. Unfortunately, we have to volunteer a significant part of our paychecks now and then. Unless someone was formerly a cadet and stocked up, it can be hard for younger folks to get involved with the clothing/equipment costs.

[JC004]

The cadet fees hover around the same (all except like 7 wings are within $10) - less than 10% of start-up costs in this case, no more than $45 at the extreme high end (which are in areas with high cost of living).  The bulk of the cost remains in the "everything else" category.

We are focused on supply - a comprehensive approach to reduce all the possible costs that we can reasonably address.  We have a couple donated irons that cadets who don't have one can take, if they need one.  We have gear supplies like rulers, protractors, first aid supplies, etc.  We have a full range of insignia and help them to find the least expensive sources (as well as discounts). 

We do, by the way, help senior members where possible with their start-up costs.  I can't speak for other units. 

I do have senior new member spreadsheets with basic required uniform and field uniform - AF and corporate variations.  They need to be updated with Vanguard price increases.  The cadet uniform item prices went up about $20 in 9 months.

[CAPDCCMOM]

As stated above, the greatest burden of cost is not dues, but the uniform, insignia, etc. For the Encampment that my Cadets went to, 2 sets of BDU's were required. Oh, I for got, BDU is optional...NOT WHEN IT IS IN ON A PACKING LIST! Vanguard prices went up the minute the Curry Voucher came up. I really feel we need to look at more than one supplier.

I agree we should not subsidize CAP for risk of lack of buy in. However, we also sacrifice our diversity if we do not get uniform costs under control quickly.

[JC004]

I wanted to do the average minimum costs to get to Mitchell, but haven't got there yet.

I can say that the cost of insignia and ribbons for cadets, beyond the startup list - C/A1C through C/CMSgt - is $70.30. 

[CAPDCCMOM]

We  are also running under the assumption that a cadet will not outgrow things. I have had to lower the hem on my son's trousers twice and had to buy a new pair when he got to tall for those. That was in 3 months.

Let's also factor the cost of sewing items to uniforms, not every parent can sew. At our nearest Air Force base, the tailor shop is $5 per patch

[NIN]

We  are also running under the assumption that a cadet will not outgrow things. I have had to lower the hem on my son's trousers twice and had to buy a new pair when he got to tall for those. That was in 3 months.

You know, if you stop feeding them, they don't grow like that....

[JeffDG]

A better approach would be to pay the second year fee.

Member joins, shows their commitment to the program, pay their first renewal.