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Parents As Volunteers

HELP YOUR CADET THRIVE!  

Parents, grandparents, and guardians; we welcome any level of assistance you are willing to offer!  If you are willing to serve occasionally as a cadet chaperone or driver, consider joining as a Cadet Sponsor Member (CSM) or you can still assist by helping as a Parent Committee Volunteer.  Once you have volunteered with us, if you are interested in serving in other areas of CAP we welcome you to join as a CAP Senior Member.  As a very large national volunteer organization, CAP supports a variety of missions that require adults from all walks of life. If you have a passion, interest, or skill we welcome you to share it with us.

Parent Committee Volunteer

Parents can support cadets in their local squadron without officially joining CAP by serving on a parents' committee. Some ways parents can help include:

  • planning an awards night or pot luck dinner
  • organizing a carpool
  • serving as a guest speaker
  • helping the squadron connect with local civic groups
  • asking area businesses to make financial or in-kind donations
  • spreading the news about CAP and helping recruit new members

Cadet Sponsor Member

A Cadet Sponsor Member (CSM) is a membership subcategory established to allow parents, grandparents and guardians of current CAP cadets to assist their unit’s cadet program.  CSMs may provide supervision, transportation, overnight chaperons or any other CADET related tasks deemed necessary and proper by the unit commander.

CSMs pay a reduced rate of national dues and are exempt from local dues (e.g.2019 dues - $30).  (Cadet Sponsor dues are specifically listed on this Link)  CSMs do not have regular training requirements.  Before a CSM can assist cadets they must complete our Level I Orientation Course, and for cadet safety must be screened and trained per our cadet protection standards.  CSM's do not have a uniform requirement, they may wear a distinctive CAP uniform such as a special CAP polo shirt, or opt to remain in appropriate civilian attire.  (The specific regulation detailing CSMs is located at the bottom of this web page.)

Senior Member

CAP's varied missions require volunteers in dozens of specialties.  Some of these include:

  • flying operations (pilots, search and rescue scanners, photographers)
  • emergency services (medical professionals, communications, ground search and rescue, safety)
  • administrative (clerical staff, financial, logistics, supply, lawyers, paralegals, accountants, computer/web support, public affairs)
  • teaching cadets (leadership, aerospace education, physical fitness, and moral and ethical decision making)

HOW TO VOLUNTEER:

1) Notify Martinsburg Leadership of your desire volunteer.  You can serve as a Parent Committee Volunteer immediately.

2) To Join as a Cadet Sponsor Member (CSM):

Complete the Martinsburg CAPF12 Application (Here)

Click Here for Cadet Sponsor Member dues and CAPF12 mailing instructions

Once you receive your CAP ID, setup your CAP login at www.capnhq.gov and complete Level 1 Orientation.

3) To Join as a CAP Senior Member, speak with our unit leadership.

 

****The specific details for Cadet Sponsor Members is listed below****

CAPR 39-2 REGULATION

3.5. Cadet Sponsor Members. Cadet sponsor member (CSM) is a membership subcategory established to allow parents, grandparents and guardians of current CAP cadets to assist their unit’s cadet program by providing supervision, transportation, overnight chaperons and any other CADET related tasks deemed necessary and proper by the unit commander.

3.5.1. A cadet sponsor member is a financial supporter who maintains current membership through payment of annual dues, but does not participate in any capacity except as outlined below.

3.5.1.1. CSMs will pay reduced national membership dues (see attachment 1 for actual amount required). They are exempt from paying region, wing or squadron dues.

3.5.1.2. They receive a specially annotated membership card. 

3.5.1.3. They must be assigned to the same unit as their cadet child, grandchild or ward.

3.5.1.4. They must complete Level I and Cadet Protection Program training prior to associating in any way with CAP cadets.

3.5.1.5. They may ride in or drive a corporate vehicle after receiving a CAP motor vehicle operator identification card in accordance with CAPR 77-1 and in support of their approved tasks.

3.5.1.6. They may ride (as a passenger only) on CAP air transportation if available.

3.5.1.7. CSMs may not act as crew members of CAP or privately owned aircraft in support of CAP events or missions.

3.5.1.8. They may wear any of the CAP distinctive uniforms if desired (and approved by unit commander). However, CSMs may not wear the Air Force-style uniform. If they do not wear a uniform, they will wear clothing appropriate for the circumstances.

3.5.1.9. CSMs will not earn CAP rank, awards or decorations.

3.5.1.10. Their membership stays in effect until their cadet leaves the CAP program for any reason.

3.5.2. Membership Eligibility. CSMs must be a parent, grandparent or legal guardian of an active CAP cadet and meet all the regular active member eligibility criteria outlined in paragraph 3.2. All prospective members must meet the Unit Membership Board as outlined in paragraph 1.5.

3.5.3. Application Procedures. Individuals applying for CSM must complete a CAPF 12, annotated in red across the top “CADET SPONSOR.” They must also indicate the full name and CAP ID of the cadet member he or she is supporting on the CAPF 12. The unit commander must submit a FD Form 258, FBI Applicant Fingerprint Card, and a check for membership dues to National Headquarters with the application after approval. Commanders must also validate the individual’s proof of identity and annotate the membership application accordingly. Acceptable documents for proof of identity are the same documents required on the Form I-9 for employment eligibility verification. See attachment 2 for a list of these documents. Applicants for cadet sponsor membership must also agree to adhere to the Oath of Membership contained on the CAPF 12. Once the application is processed by National Headquarters, the sponsor member will receive a specially annotated membership card.

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