1. North Central Region Public Affairs
The Director’s Flight Plan
Approved by NCR/CC on 9 June 2011
Vision Statement
A team composed of motivated and trained senior member and cadet Public Affairs Officers
who are dedicated to supporting the North Central Region and Civil Air Patrol by telling our
CAP stories to our members, supporters and the general public and by ensuring that the team
always keeps the NCR Vision of “Seven Wings, Three Missions, One Goal” in the forefront.
In nearly 11 years of service as a senior CAP Public Affairs Officer at the wing, region and national levels, the most
important thing I have learned is that senior PA leaders need to focus on supporting the Squadron PAOs.
This is where most of the action happens in CAP. Most of the stories are told by our members as they meet each week,
go out on the missions, and participate in activities. These are stories that must be told locally. So what can the region
do?
In cooperation with the Wing PAOs, I intend to start building a team of PAOs – both senior members and cadets – who
will have the tools, resources, support and encouragement to effectively tell our stories.
As a start, I’ve written my “Flight Plan.” This is a 6-step strategy that I will use in managing the CAP Public Affairs program
in North Central Region.
The Region Director of Public Affairs will:
• Plan for success
• Provide leadership, guidance and mentoring for all PAOs and CAP Leaders in NCR
• Submit releases/stories to local and internal CAP media
• Leverage Internet based technology to tell the CAP story
• Publish a region newsletter
• Support the National Public Affairs Volunteer Leadership in accomplishing national PA goals
The Director’s Flight Plan as outlined below is based on PA program objectives contained in CAP Regulation 190-1 and
guidance from NCR Leadership.
PA Program Objectives from CAPR 190-1
• 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 relations plan.
• Promote cooperation between CAP and other aviation organizations, the military, business,
industry, and civic groups.
Al Pabon, Major, CAP
Director of Public Affairs
North Central Region June 2011

2. The Region Public Affairs Director’s Flight Plan
Planning for success
The director will submit an annual Public Affairs Plan written in the 4-step planning process outlined in CAPR 190-1. The
director will review the plan monthly, and submit a monthly report on progress to the commander. The plan will be revised
and reviewed annually. All projects will use the basic principles of project management.
Provide leadership, guidance and mentoring
The most important role of the Director is to “Train, Advise and Counsel” PAOs and commanders throughout the region.
This involves creating and conducting training programs, opening and maintaining avenues of communication, mentoring
the wing (and indirectly group and squadron) PAOs, managing recognition programs, providing objective analysis of
program effectiveness and leadership by example.
A key vehicle for these efforts will be the NCR Public Affairs Resources website www.ncrpao.org
Send press releases and stories to local and CAP media
The Director will issue periodic press releases about events of significance in the region and distribute to appropriate
external and internal media. Technology will be leveraged to tell the CAP Story.
Leverage Internet-based technology
The region will maintain an informative and updated website and leverage social media to tell the region’s CAP stories.
The director will support and guide efforts from the wings and units in this direction.
Publish a region newsletter
The region will publish a monthly electronic newsletter, “NCR News.” It will tell the stories of each wing in NCR, feature
each CAP mission in the region, tell our success stories, and recognize excellence in the region and among its members.
This signature publication is one of the region commander’s highest PA priorities.
Support the National Public Affairs Volunteer Leadership & NHQ Staff
The Director supports national PA policy and programs, and will work towards their implementation. He serves as a field
representative of National Headquarters/Public Affairs, works collaboratively with the regional PA directors, and serves on
committees/teams as desired by the National Public Affairs Team Leader and CAP Volunteer Leadership.
Take off!
Civil Air Patrol really has a great story to tell. Take a look at the CAP Volunteer Magazine, Volunteer Now, NCR News, or
some of our wing and unit websites. You will see our members serving in their communities, helping develop tomorrow’s
leaders, and saving lives.
The best part is, we get to tell the CAP story!
North Central Region June 2011