PA Matters

• The News Release in a Nutshell
• Media Contact Information
• PA Grab Bag – Useful PA tools and study material
• 5 Tips for Writing a Great Press Release – contributed by Lt. Col. Paul Cianciolo, National Capital Wing PAO

• Public Affairs Page, NHQ *
• CAP NHQ PAO Toolkit *
• Volunteer *
• CAP News Online *
• CAP Media Policy *
• CAP Audio & Video *

Public Affairs Officers at all levels are the custodians of the good name and image of the Civil Air Patrol, and are charged with presenting to the public the Civil Air Patrol under its most favorable light.

Public Affairs is one of the most important functions within Civil Air Patrol, since PAOs are entrusted with managing and leading the overall effort to get the CAP story out. The net effect of this activity is two-fold.

1. The unit’s members will see themselves portrayed fairly and favorably, that in turn will tend to raise morale and esprit-de-corps, and
2. The public at large will learn about all the good things that CAP does, increasing public awareness of CAP and the missions that CAP conducts on behalf of the community, the state and the nation.

CAP PA advises the team approach, as the position is demanding and can require many skills that are not always found in one person. The team might need a working manager (“working” because the best leaders lead by example), one or more photographers, one or more videographers, one or more social media assistants, and so on, depending on the size of the organization and how much support it needs to offer others. While one person might be all that a squadron needs, the team might require several members at the wing level or higher.

Please ensure that the following information is disseminated within your organization.

• CAP Regulation 190-1 *
• How-To Guide for Civil Air Patrol Public Affairs * (This companion document to CAPR 190-1 is found at https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/members/cap-national-hq/public-affairs-about/ * on the right-hand side panel.)
• AF Journalistic Guide for Public Releases *
• Air University Library *
• PAO Planning Awareness Plan *
• Crisis Communications Plan *
• Listening Effectively * by John A. Kline, Air University (takes a while to download)
• Speaking Effectively * by John A. Kline, Air University (takes a while to download)

NOTE: For CAP regulations, manuals, pamphlets and other documents, always check https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/members/publications/indexes-regulations-and-manuals-1700/ for the latest version of the document you want.