The Role of Today’s PAO Julie DeBardelaben, NHQ/PA Maj Steven Solomon National Public Affairs Officer Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

In today’s technologically driven world, the rules of engagement have changed. Where should PAOs spend their time to get the most bang for the buck? Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Attendees will come away from this seminar with a clear understanding of critical needs and how to achieve them in communicating and promoting CAP’s defense-related missions and accomplishments, i.e., how to be a successful PAO and still have time to smell the roses. Attendees will come away from this seminar with a clear understanding of critical needs and how to achieve them in communicating and promoting CAP’s defense-related missions and accomplishments, i.e., how to be a successful PAO and still have time to smell the roses. Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

First things first. Are you enrolled in the PA Specialty track? Have you read CAPR 190-1? Did you review the How-to Guide for CAP PA? Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

If yes, great. If not, or you’re putting it off, how come? Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Because the 1st step is doing your homework! Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Know CAPR forwards and backwards. And it’s revised nearly every year, so look for updates! Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Study the “How-to Guide for Civil Air Patrol Public Affairs.” A committee of expert PAOs reviews and recommends revisions on a regular basis to keep it current and useful! Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Also, have you taken all the relevant FEMA courses that are offered? Online: IS-29 – PIO Awareness Training IS-702.a -Public Information Systems In person, locally: IS289 - Public Information Awareness IS290 - Basic Public Information Officer IS291 - JIS/JIC for PIOs Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Have you looked for help from colleagues in other organizations, by joining like- minded professional associations? IABC National Information Officers Association Public Relations Society of America Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

But what if you’ve done all you can to prepare and you’ve hit the wall? Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Find a mentor! Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

“Mentors inspire, encourage, and support you, and contribute to your professional and personal development. You can expect to strengthen and build your network, and gain the skills and confidence necessary to excel.” -- Air Force Mentoring Program “Mentors inspire, encourage, and support you, and contribute to your professional and personal development. You can expect to strengthen and build your network, and gain the skills and confidence necessary to excel.” -- Air Force Mentoring Program Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Ask a CAP member you respect, has PAO/PIO experience, and you think can offer you guidance to be your mentor. Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

You’ll need at least a six-month commitment from your mentor, as well as accessibility by telephone, and in person. Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Mentee DON'Ts: Ask for advice on everything. Have a purpose in each request. Blame the mentor if his or her advice doesn't work out. Expect the mentor to know all the answers. Commit yourself to obligations you cannot keep. Cancel meetings/visits with your mentor at the last minute. -- Air Force Mentoring Program Mentee DON'Ts: Ask for advice on everything. Have a purpose in each request. Blame the mentor if his or her advice doesn't work out. Expect the mentor to know all the answers. Commit yourself to obligations you cannot keep. Cancel meetings/visits with your mentor at the last minute. -- Air Force Mentoring Program Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Mentee Dos: Take a proactive role in the relationship. Understand what you want from the mentoring relationship and communicate your goals and aspirations to your mentor. Set aside time for the mentoring process and keep all scheduled appointments. Put the time with the mentor to best use. Come to meetings prepared with topics. -- Air Force Mentoring Program Mentee Dos: Take a proactive role in the relationship. Understand what you want from the mentoring relationship and communicate your goals and aspirations to your mentor. Set aside time for the mentoring process and keep all scheduled appointments. Put the time with the mentor to best use. Come to meetings prepared with topics. -- Air Force Mentoring Program Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Using the knowledge from your homework (CAPR and the How-to Guide, FEMA courses, colleagues in professional organizations, and your mentor, it’s time to refer to your unit’s PA Plan. Using the knowledge from your homework (CAPR and the How-to Guide, FEMA courses, colleagues in professional organizations, and your mentor, it’s time to refer to your unit’s PA Plan. Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

If your unit doesn’t have a PA Plan (and a Crisis Plan too), it will be dinged during a SUI/CI. So produce one quickly! If your unit doesn’t have a PA Plan (and a Crisis Plan too), it will be dinged during a SUI/CI. So produce one quickly! Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

The Four Step Planning Process in Public Affairs Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Step 1 Determine PA needs and opportunities. Step 2 Establish goals. Step 3 Establish action strategies for each goal. Step 4 Determine effectiveness (evaluation). Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Step 1: Determine PA needs and opportunities. Simply provides background information about your wing/squadron. Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Step 2: Establish goals. Get these from CAPR and your commander! Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Step 3: Establish action strategies for each goal. CAPR requires implementation of goals that target public awareness and networking. Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

Step 4: Determine effectiveness (evaluation). Refer to the “ways to evaluate success” statement(s) for each goal. Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES

For an online tutorial, go to click on CAP National HQ, click on Public Affairs, and click on How to prepare a Public Affairs plan. Civil Air Patrol CITIZENS SERVING COMMUNITIES