Mission support and planning FAQ
 | This article was imported from the CAP Knowledgebase. (April 2024) |
Government Relations
What is CAP Legislative Day and when/where does it take place?
Legislative Day occurs in late February/early March when wings send representatives to Washington, D.C to advocate for CAP with federally elected officials. It provides CAP an opportunity to talk one-on-one with Congressional representatives and staff about operations and programs at the state and national levels as well as organizational funding.
Also known as “Lege (ledge) Day,” the event occurs in conjunction with the Winter Command Council meeting typically on the second Thursday after Presidents Day. Organization-wide training occurs the night before the meetings on Capitol Hill.
More than 200 CAP members including wing commanders, selected seniors and cadets join national headquarters staff in about 450 meetings (out of 541 possible meetings). High on the annual agenda is informing Congress about how CAP’s Federal appropriations are spent and what our future requirements are.
It is important that wings visit as many of their Congressional delegation as possible. Normally most wings start making appointments in early January. Initial Legislative Day details are emailed to key stakeholders in December or early January. Wings need to inform National Headquarters of scheduled meetings to ensure that briefing materials are prepared as a leave behind packet for each visit.
Many wings have decided to replicate the national Legislative Day with a similar, state legislative day that highlights wing operations and state funding requirements. This kind of similar event is highly encouraged.
Detailed Legislative Day information can be found on the GVR tab in CAP eServices. Expect Legislative Day updates and new documents to be posted starting in January every year. For specific questions contact CAP Government Relations at dcoffice@capnhq.gov.
Where would I find information about CAP Legislative Membership?
There are two categories of legislative membership in CAP; one for the national legislative unit (designated the Congressional Squadron) and the other for state legislative squadrons. Members in both categories may participate in CAP programs if they meet the same criteria and regulations as active members do.
Civil Air Patrol’s Congressional Squadron is open to Members of the U.S. Congress, their staff and federally appointed officials. Membership is honorary (and complimentary) and carries a number of benefits. There is no obligation on the part of Members of Congress or staff to participate in the CAP program but may do so if they so chose. Members of Congress are presented with a certificate of membership (suitable for framing) by the wing commander or his designee at a ceremony in Washington or in the Member’s home state/district.
CAP wings may also have legislative squadrons similar to the Congressional Squadron for their state legislatures. State legislative squadrons are open to all members of the state legislature, elected state officials and key staff members.
Information on both legislative member categories can be found in Chapter 5 of CAPR 39-2, CAP Membership. For further information on the Congressional Squadron and for assistance starting a state legislative squadron contact CAP Government Relations at dcoffice@capnhq.gov. For legislative member issues (requirements, membership process, etc.) please contact CAP Membership and Personnel.
Legal and Legal Officer Corps
Are all senior members required to complete equal opportunity training?
All active senior members (to include cadet sponsor, life and 50-year members) complete the EO training as part of their level 1 orientation training. Additionally, all units must hold an Equal Opportunity briefing at least once annually.
How can a squadron prove that CAP is a non-profit organization?
The IRS has ruled that CAP and its subordinate units are exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This makes donations to CAP eligible for deductions from income by donors as “charitable contributions” to the extent allowed by law.
Please see the following link for the IRS letter https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/members/cap-national-hq/general-counsel/501-c-3-federal-income-tax-exemption/
Please note that this doesn't mean that CAP units are exempt from paying state sales taxes. This is a different issue. Each state makes its own determination whether to afford CAP sales tax exempt status. Contact your wing legal officer to see if your state affords tax-exempt status for sales taxes.
Public Affairs
Where can I get some good photos of CAP aircraft in flight, or of members during activities?
See aircraft photos and many other CAP related photos at http://www.cap.news.
Where can I download CAP seals, logos and other graphics?
Go to the PAO Toolkit page at https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/members/cap-national-hq/public-affairs-about/resource-library/toolkit/seals-emblems-and-patches/
Where can I find guidance on planning a CAP Anniversary event?
The CAP Anniversary Planning Guide can be found at the following link: http://www.capmembers.com/media/cms/CAP_Anniversary_Planning_Guide_F65F89D993F90.pdf
Does CAP have guidelines on members using social media such as Twitter and You Tube?
Yes, please see CAPP 152, Social Media Guidelines for more information.
CAP Historical Program
What resources are available at National Headquarters for preparing and research into wing and squadron histories?
CAP National Headquarters does not have a historian on staff that maintains unit histories or provides research of unit or wing histories.
The CAP National Historian is the point of contact for wing and region histories which are required annually. The regulations encourage the preparation of periodic histories at the group and squadron level but do not mandate them. For details on the CAP historical program see below from CAPR 210-1.
1. Purpose and Objectives of the CAP Historical Program. The CAP Historical Program is intended to systematically collect historical data and prepare accurate, objective, impartial and useful accounts of the organization, development, administration, operations and other features of the Civil Air Patrol and its antecedents. The program's principal objectives are to provide historical information for CAP planning, operational and educational purposes; to preserve and disseminate the history of Civil Air Patrol; and to prepare and publish scholarly books and studies that keep the public informed about Civil Air Patrol and its cadet program, aerospace education and emergency services missions.
CAPR 210-1 also requires region and wing commanders to appoint Historians to their staff, and it requires all regions and wings to submit an annual history to the CAP National Historian.
You should also refer to CAPP 5, CAP Written History Self-Study Guide, CAPP 6, CAP Oral Histroy Self-Study Guide, and CAPP 223, Historian Specialty Track.
How should units maintain and manage items of historical importance?
Units desiring to maintain their own historical collections are instructed to create and maintain unit historical repositories in accordance with CAPR 210-3. Units may also pass historical records and artifacts to the next highest echelon possessing an established historical repository--up to and including National Headquarters.
Where can I find historical information about CAP?
The official website of the Civil Air Patrol National History Program is https://history.cap.gov. The site is currently a work-in-progress, and new resources are added as they are created and/or digitized.
Does CAP have a national collection of historical materials?
The Civil Air Patrol National Archives and Historical Collections (NAHC) is the official historical repository of Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters located at the Col Louisa S. Morse Center for CAP History on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, DC. The CAP National Archives and Historical Collections is authorized to identify, collect, organize, preserve, and maintain the non-current records of the Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters possessing historical and administrative value and other records and artifacts relevant to the history of the Civil Air Patrol and its members. While the NAHC is not currently accessible for public research, a public facility for the storage of the collections is in development. Select materials from the NAHC are digitized and added to https://history.cap.gov as resources allow.
How can I donate personal items of historical significance to the CAP National Archives and Historical Collections?
Please email donations@history.cap.gov to discuss the potential donation of historical materials.
Where can I go to find information if I want to create or change a unit insignia?
The Civil Air Patrol Heraldry Guide provides information on how to create a unit insignia and the basic requirements for approval. You can download the guide here: http://history.cap.gov/files/original/69f796595f5ebe2c67634092021ad42e.pdf If you have additional questions, contact the CAP Heraldry Manager.
Where can I go to find information on creating a vintage CAP uniform?
CAP uniform regulations from World War II to the present can be found by visiting history.cap.gov. World War II-era CAP insignia can be purchased from Vanguard at https://www.vanguardmil.com/collections/cap-historical-insignia. If you have not been able to find what you need, please email contact@history.cap.gov and the National History Program Reenactment Liaison will be able to help find your answer.
Where can I get a number or other designation to identify an oral history I’m going to do?
You can contact the Oral History Program Manager or the National Historian for the assignment of your specific number. The format is given in CAPP 6, CAP Oral History Self-Study Guide, Attachment 9.
Where can I go to confirm someone to be eligible to receive a CAP Congressional Gold Medal?
Email us at cgm@capnhq.gov.
I think my aircraft flew for CAP during World War II. Where can I go to find more information?
Please email Major Susan Neal majorsueneal@aol.com and she will be able to check your aircraft tail number through our database.
What is the Morse Center?
The Colonel Louisa S. Morse Center for Civil Air Patrol History is a research and storage facility for the CAP National Archives and Historical Collections. Located on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, DC, the center is named after CAP's first national historian. The center's mission is to archive and curate the records and artifacts of the Civil Air Patrol and facilitate the research and study of the corporation's history. It is currently under construction and will be open for researchers beginning in late spring 2020.
I have written an article about CAP history. Where can I submit it for publication?
The Civil Air Patrol National Historical Journal (CAP NHJ) is a quarterly publication featuring articles, scholarly works, and stories of interest to the greater CAP community. The demand for quality publications reflects the mission of the CAP NHJ to raise the standard of academic and organizational excellence. You can find all copies of the journal and information for submissions by following this link: http://history.cap.gov/capnhj.
Information Technology
How do I gain access to restricted applications in eServices?
Access to restricted application is automatically granted based on your duty assignments. If you require additional access, you must gain permission from your unit commander who will, if s/he approves, direct your unit's web security administrator to authorize access.
Does NHQ provide anti-virus software for members?
Yes. To download free anti-virus software, log into eServices then go to the Downloads section at the bottom of the page and click on the GRISOFT Anti-Virus Software. On this page you can download anti-virus software for CAP computers or go to the AVG site to download the (free) personal version. This page will provide installation instructions and links to download software for official CAP use as well as personal use.
GRISOFT, Inc Anti-Virus Software License Update: The GRISOFT, Inc. Anti-Virus Software license update is now available in eServices. For more information, please go to eServices (www.capnhq.gov) --> Downloads section -->GRISOFT, Inc. Anti-Virus Software. (Contact: Joe Hall - jhall@capnhq.gov)