PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Who needs public affairs? Isn't public affairs a waste of time and our scarce funding? What does public affairs have to do with me? We have a lot more important things to think about in CAP, right?

Our members already are busy keeping our corporate aircraft aloft, flying "O" flights for our cadets, counter-drug flights for the DEA and Customs, plus disaster relief flights to help other emergency services organizations do their jobs.

These are valid reasons for putting public affairs on the "back burner", but they overlook the not too obvious response: Where does the money come from to fund these flights? Further, how can we augment our current funding so that CAP can do more good work?

The answer is public affairs. Teamed with a focused marketing program, public affairs has a goal to make CAP a household name throughout the nation. According to the "Welcome to CAP Public Affairs Program" found in the National PAO starter kit, the PAO's job is to "help inform and educate people about CAP through an active and effective public affairs program."

How do we go about doing this? Just by wearing the uniform is one way. While in uniform, you are a representative of the United States Air Force Auxiliary and should conduct yourself accordingly. Maintain a military bearing, both in your carriage and manner of speech.

At the national and wing level, we must develop a marketing plan for CAP. This plan must be able to be used at the wing and squadron level to help units increase awareness of CAP at the local, state, and national level. To attain this result, we must identify deficiencies related to marketing, recruitment, and promotions and awards. We must review our networking processes and update them continually to provide more access to resources related to these areas. Also, national and wing staff should visit their subordinate units on a regular, rotational schedule to enhance relations, communication, and leadership at all levels.

At national and wing level, we must establish a procedure for fund raising which can be used at all echelons. This will permit all units to expand activities and training in pursuit of CAP mission goals.

Does your squadron take part in community activities by parking cars at a fair or fly-in, running a food concession at a community event, or speaking to community service organizations? All these present the CAP to the public in a favorable light. They show the public how community minded CAP is. Better still, it gives every CAP member involved an opportunity to talk one on one with their neighbors, friends, and citizens in their community about CAP missions and goals. This is an excellent opportunity to recruit new members and build a positive image for CAP!

How do the state legislators and county board members find out about the good work of CAP? How do they learn which organizations merit state or local funding? One way is through press releases that squadron and wing PAOs can distribute to local and state media. Whether it be a release about a cadet's promotion, or an accounting of a squadron's efforts in finding an overdue aircraft, each release lets our representatives know that we exist, and we do good work. Every news release reinforces this message.

Some wings are starting legislative squadrons to induct assemblymen and state senators into CAP as honorary members. This is the Congressional Squadron reduced to state level. No dues are paid, and the Legislative Squadron member receives a polo shirt with their name on it so they will be in uniform when they use corporate aircraft to assess damage after a tornado, flood, or devastating fire in their district.

Will they be impressed with our capabilities and professionalism? Probably. Will they realize how many wing members are of voting age? Perhaps. Will they realize that CAP can do the same job as their state and National Guard units for half the cost? Only if we inform them of the comparative costs. Will they be more receptive to increasing funding levels for "their" wing? We certainly hope so!

With the budget crunch of recent years, and the attempt to place CAP under the Department of Transportation, now more than ever CAP must use every tool at its disposal to maintain our present funding levels. Better still, through a strategic plan utilizing tools like the Legislative and Congressional Squadrons can expand our funding base dramatically.

It is every member's duty to make sure that they contribute to a positive image of CAP. It is every member's obligation to see that CAP's future is secure and that we will continue to grow and prosper through an unceasing effort to improve themselves and their personal image, the image of their squadron and wing and the image of CAP itself. Only with a broad based and dynamic effort can CAP hope to return to World War 11 membership levels and establish the financial security that will allow us to do all the thing we only wish for now. The evidence is indisputable: public affairs is a concern for every CAP member, senior or cadet.

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