2009 Civil Air Patrol Annual Conference

Major Al PabonNCR/PA

What we will discussWhat we will discuss

Why do you need a PAO?Why do you need a PAO? How Do I Get a Squadron PAO?How Do I Get a Squadron PAO? Training The PAOTraining The PAO Helping the PAO SucceedHelping the PAO Succeed ResourcesResources Retaining the PAORetaining the PAO QuestionsQuestions

Why do you need a PAO?Why do you need a PAO? Increase public awareness of CAP,

its local, state and national missions and its contributions to the nation.

Develop and conduct a comprehensive internal and external public awareness plan to support the unit

Promote cooperation between CAP and other aviation organizations, the military, business, industry and civic groups.

From CAPR 190-1

In other wordsIn other words

A good PAO A good PAO can help your can help your squadron or squadron or

wing succeed!wing succeed!

What can a PAO do for What can a PAO do for me?me?

NewslettersNewsletters Press/Media Press/Media

ReleasesReleases Web ContentWeb Content Feature StoriesFeature Stories Media RelationsMedia Relations Fund RaisingFund Raising Community RelationsCommunity Relations Mission IO FunctionMission IO Function RecruitingRecruiting

A Good PAOA Good PAO

Is enthusiastic about CAPIs enthusiastic about CAP Knows CAP (the business, 3 Knows CAP (the business, 3

Missions)Missions) Knows the marketKnows the market Understands the PA/PR functionUnderstands the PA/PR function Is Technically SavvyIs Technically Savvy Can write and communicate verballyCan write and communicate verbally Is creativeIs creative

A Good PAOA Good PAO

Is outgoing and talkativeIs outgoing and talkative Is discreetIs discreet Understands his/her roleUnderstands his/her role Is willing to ask for helpIs willing to ask for help Is a team playerIs a team player

Sources of PAOsSources of PAOs

Existing members (can be Existing members (can be trained)trained)

Phase 4 cadets can be assistantsPhase 4 cadets can be assistants The military (Guard and Reserve)The military (Guard and Reserve) Universities and collegesUniversities and colleges PR professional associationsPR professional associations InternsInterns

The ProblemThe ProblemIs that we tend to Is that we tend to

recruit the nearest recruit the nearest warm body to a duty warm body to a duty assignment without assignment without giving thought to giving thought to the warm body’s the warm body’s

ability to do the jobability to do the job

The solution isThe solution is

To carefully To carefully recruit, train and recruit, train and retain good PAOs retain good PAOs for your squadronfor your squadron

Getting StartedGetting Started

Need is identifiedNeed is identified Identify where the word needs to Identify where the word needs to

get toget to Engage your wing PAOEngage your wing PAO Get the word out that you need Get the word out that you need

helphelp

InternsInterns

Can help without becoming Can help without becoming membersmembers

Journalism or mass Journalism or mass communication studentscommunication students

Lay out very specific objectives Lay out very specific objectives and time frames (The unit’s PA and time frames (The unit’s PA plan is the guide)plan is the guide)

Have your wing PAO work with the Have your wing PAO work with the college or universitycollege or university

CadetsCadets

Are smartAre smart Are technically savvyAre technically savvy May be willingMay be willing Lay out specific parameters and Lay out specific parameters and

expectationsexpectations Don’t forget the encampment Don’t forget the encampment

cadet PAO opportunitycadet PAO opportunity

TrainingTraining

The New PAO’s orientationThe New PAO’s orientation PAO’s ChecklistPAO’s Checklist PAO Basic CoursePAO Basic Course National & regional PAO National & regional PAO

academiesacademies New materials on the way from New materials on the way from

NHQNHQ FEMA training materialsFEMA training materials

Help the New PAO Help the New PAO Succeed bySucceed by

Having a good PAO planHaving a good PAO plan Having a good Crisis comm planHaving a good Crisis comm plan Allowing the PAO access to Allowing the PAO access to

material resourcesmaterial resources EncouragementEncouragement Public supportPublic support A great wing and region PAOA great wing and region PAO

Retaining the PAORetaining the PAO

Keep them engagedKeep them engaged Get them trainedGet them trained Make them part of the team Make them part of the team

(family)(family) Appropriate recognitionAppropriate recognition Properly resourcedProperly resourced

ResourcesResources

National HQ Public Affairs National HQ Public Affairs WebsiteWebsitehttp://www.capmembers.com/cap_nahttp://www.capmembers.com/cap_national_hq/public_affairs/tional_hq/public_affairs/

www.ncrpao.orgwww.ncrpao.org

Getting and Maintaining a Getting and Maintaining a PAOPAO

Is hard work for the CCIs hard work for the CC Is worthwhileIs worthwhile Helps the unit and CAP succeedHelps the unit and CAP succeed

Contact Info:Contact Info: