Intra Squadron Communications

[JAFO78]

I have been thinking about this issue, Say after your weekly meeting you need to pass along important information, how do you do it?

We used to do a call down. Do you do that or use emails?

The reason I am asking is my youngest daughter is in cheer leading, and the coach would rather send out e-mails then call anyone. We have had emails sent out 1 hr before she goes to practice changing locations. Half the time people don't get them because they may not have a computer or on way home from work.

Just wanted to know what you would do?

[Eclipse]

Emails and text messaging.

A couple of units in my state have a hotline number updated w/ last minute information.

[notaNCO forever]

 Phone calls and e mails.

[Fifinella]

We use email and yahoo group a lot, but if it's time critical, we use the Senior and Cadet chains-of-command to get the word out.  No use in one person doing all the calling all the time.

[MIKE]

I find it's better to work out a system where everyone knows whats going down, such that you don't have to call or email everyone every week... and they still show up.  

Have a plan in place for cancellations for things like inclement weather where you might not need to always call everybody if you set policy like when X school district(s) are closed or early release the meeting is auto-canceled that evening.

I do like the hotline or voice mail message idea for this though.

[notaNCO forever]

 My squadron doesn't ever have one person call all the people. The squadron commander calls seniors, DCC calls C/CC, C/CC calls flight commander, flight commander calls element leaders and they call the other cadets. We don't currently have a flight sergeant that's why ones not include in the list. On top of the phone calls we also send an e mail.

/edit/ Weather cancellations are also posted on the local news station, so it shows up on the website and the cancellation thread on TV. /edit/

[RiverAux]

If you need to notify the unit of something that is time criticial (such as within the next day or so), then the phone tree is the best way to go, but if it is for something more than 2-3 days out, then email should suffice, though always remember that you need to call those folks who don't have an email --- there are still some out there.

[JAFO78]

Thanks guys. Everything seams good to me.

[captrncap]

Weather cancellations are also posted on the local news station, so it shows up on the website and the cancellation thread on TV.

How do youget the TV stations to post CAP info?

[notaNCO forever]

Weather cancellations are also posted on the local news station, so it shows up on the website and the cancellation thread on TV.

How do youget the TV stations to post CAP info?

I don't know personally; when I joined my squadron they already had it set up with the local station. I would think you could contact a station and ask them about it.

[JAFO78]

Our squadron had it set up with members, that if school was canceled then so was our meetings. this was in Minnesnowta. If we did it was Jan. or Feb, besides snow it was bitter cold of the wind chills.

[Pumbaa]

Phone tree and emails for critical timely information.

Our squadron has a website that is database driven.  Not only do we have full forums, but also a live chat module.  We have Friday night chats, and then generally Mondays, cadet staff has a short online chat (our sqn meets on Tuesdays)

Additionally, I have broadcast emailing capabilities and PM's on the website too.

For snow days, we go by the public school.  if it cancels or lets out early due to weather than sqn is canceled.

[ColonelJack]

How do youget the TV stations to post CAP info?

For our local unit, all they have to do is call me -- as a retired member, I'm ready to give them all the TV air time I can!  (For those who don't know, I am the evening news anchorman at our local station.)

Other stations ... just contact either the news director or (if the place is big enough) the public service director.  They LOVE stuff like this, especially if there's some video with it.

If you can't get anything with moving pictures, try your local radio stations.  The news director would be your contact there as well.

Jack