In January 2009, the incoming President of the United States called upon “all Americans to participate in our nation’s recovery and renewal by serving in our communities”. For more information on the follow-up initiative visit http://www.serve.gov/.

In February 2010, the President’s budget for 2011 was released and included a $1.4bn request to “strengthen our nation’s volunteer sector, foster innovation and civic engagement, and mobilize more than six million Americans to solve critical problems through national service”. You can read the justification in the following document, http://www.nationalservice.gov/pdf/2011_budget_justification.pdf.

Volunteer Service is a core value of the Civil Air Patrol, the organization is equipped to meet this challenge. It seems logical that CAP should embrace the commander-in-chief’s initiative. This can be easily done by continuing the community service work that has been done to date and efforts made to adopt new projects. It is important that these projects receive the proper attention so that the community is better aware of local efforts. Not only will CAP benefit by having the work recognized, but the national initiative to have citizens become involved in the betterment of their home community is further strengthened. Make certain that your unit’s public affairs staff is included in project planning. You may even consider registering your project with serve.gov. http://www.serve.gov/toolkits/general/index-started.asp

This year, the country’s “first lady” has initiated efforts to improve the health of the nation’s youth. An additional $1bn has been proposed in the budget to help children make better health choices. This follows on the heels of a study released in November 2009 which stated that 75% of the nation's youth were unfit for military service. http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/military_unfityouths_recruiting_110309w/

Once again, this is another area where CAP has great experience and can play an influential role. It is important to make the community aware of the efforts your unit is making to achieve what has become a national mandate. Not only will this bring greater recognition of CAP’s program, it will help serve as an example for others working to make change. CAP members, including cadets, can get involved with other organizations to assist them with their projects.

In short, the nation is calling for action in areas that CAP is well versed. We must answer this call to action. The more that CAP is recognized as a valuable resource, the more likely the organization will be able to benefit from the additional funding that is being funneled to achieve these presidential initiatives. CAP can not afford the opportunity cost associated with missing out on the community recognition and potential funding sources created by a nation asking for what we do best.