CAF Mission, Code of Conduct & Global Ends
"A generation which ignores history has no past and no future" – Robert Heinlein
THE CAF MISSION
The mission of the Commemorative Air Force is to Educate, Inspire, Honor through flight and living history experiences.
CAF OBJECTIVES
To acquire, restore and preserve in flying condition a complete collection of combat aircraft which were flown by all military services of the United States and selected aircraft of other nations for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations of Americans. To provide museum buildings for the permanent protection and display of these aircraft as a tribute to the thousands of men and women who built, serviced and flew them.
To perpetuate in the memory and in the hearts of all Americans the spirit in which these great planes were flown in the defense of our nation. To establish an organization having the dedication, enthusiasm and esprit de corps necessary to operate, maintain and preserve these aircraft as symbols of our American military aviation heritage.
CAF GLOBAL ENDS##
Listed in priority order (Updated December 2014)
A. The CAF will devote its resources to, and exercise its corporate powers for, patriotic, educational, and historical purposes.
1. The citizens of the country will, because of the actions of the CAF, gain in education, inspiration, appreciation and recreation.
a. Students will gain knowledge of military aviation, be inspired by and appreciate the stories the airplanes and the members tell.
b. Teachers will gain a resource for accurate information about military aviation.
c. Communities will benefit from CAF activities as a source for recreation, education, and a positive economic impact.
2. The airplanes of the CAF will continue to fly in a safe, operational condition with priority of resources given to the aircraft of WWII.
a. Each airplane will “tell a story” such that a complete picture of military aviation is presented.
b. Each aircraft will represent its operational condition during the war, in all areas practical and consistent with safety.
c. Each airplane, when no longer able to fly, will be preserved for future generations in a suitable museum environment.
3. Non-Flying Artifacts
The CAF will continue to tell the story of American airpower through interpretative displays of artifacts not limited only to aircraft, but to all military equipment utilized by the United States during World War II.
4. The members of the CAF will gain an appreciation for U.S. military aviation by participation in the acquisition, restoration, and operation of the aircraft and equipment.
a. Members will recognize their responsibilities to “tell the story” of military aviation.
b. By their actions, members will help perpetuate the legacy of American military aviation.
THE CAF CODE OF CONDUCT
An individual is judged by the company he or she keeps. An organization is judged by its members. The Image of the Commemorative Air Force is affected to a greater degree by the individual member than most organizations because each member is easily identified by the uniform they wear. In any uniformed organization, the conduct and appearance of the individual member is especially important.
Misconduct by a member is immediately credited to that organization. CAF members are easily identified in any crowd, at any place. For this reason, your responsibility to the CAF is even greater than in most other organizations.
Most uniformed organizations have air police, shore patrol, or military police to help protect their image and reputation from those few who would discredit it. The CAF does not have this protection and must depend on the character, judgment, and discretion of the individual member.
Each CAF member is not only responsible for their own conduct and personal appearance, but is also asked to use all possible influence to assure the good conduct and appearance of the members of any CAF group of which they are a part.
There are several other rules, equally as important as those listed above which affect the image, well-being, and future success of the CAF.
A. ALL CAF MEMBERS WILL COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING:
1. CAF members will not represent themselves to be agents of the corporations, nor conduct business on behalf of the CAF without express written authority from CAF Headquarters.
2. All CAF designs, logos, and devices are copyrighted material. They may not be reproduced by members or the designs utilized without specific written approval from Headquarters.
3. The official CAF letterhead may not be used without specific written authorization from Headquarters. Unit letterhead may not be used without authorization from the Unit Leader.
4. All members must recognize that certain hazards exist in the operation of aircraft and support equipment, which require above-normal safety practices. Therefore, personal and public safety shall be a prime responsibility of every member.
5. CAF members will always strive to act in a manner, which will bring credit to the organization. CAF members will not knowingly subvert, ignore or undermine decisions of the Unit Staff.
6. CAF members, Unit Officers or Unit Leaders will not subvert or ignore CAF policies as directed in the CAF Unit Manual and other CAF Regulations and Manuals. While it is understood that CAF members have the right to disagree and to question decisions, it is not productive to publicly criticize any CAF policies in open forums such as websites, blogs or other forms of public media. If a member has complaints about CAF policy or written directives they should bring them to the attention of the Headquarters staff and/or the President of the CAF.
7. CAF members serving as aircrew in any capacity will operate their aircraft and perform their duties in a manner consistent with safety and professionalism.
8. CAF uniforms or items of recognition may not be used for personal or business gain.
9. All members will be conscious of their personal appearance and conform to the CAF uniform appearance guidelines.
10. Members will not knowingly disseminate false or incomplete information, which might discredit the CAF or a fellow CAF member.
11. All members, while visiting a military base, will conduct themselves in a manner in keeping with the military code of conduct, whether on the flight-line or in the Officers’ Club and at all times keep in mind that they are a civilian guest of that base, and will follow the rules governing civilian visitors.
12. CAF members will not enter or interfere with any aircraft, vehicle, museum exhibit, or any other property of the CAF for which he or she is not qualified and authorized to handle.
13. CAF members must not attempt to acquire or disseminate information, which is known to be subject to military, industrial, or CAF security.
14. Members of the CAF traveling abroad will not violate the laws of the country through which they are traveling.
15. CAF members will not use Museum/Unit facilities or equipment, either air or ground, on behalf of, or for the profit or personal benefit of themselves or any other member or non-member without authorization from the President/CEO of the CAF.
16. CAF members will not interfere with the pilot or crew of CAF aircraft who are acting within the scope of their authority, nor will a member tamper with or cause a condition to exist on a CAF aircraft, which could create a hazard.
17. All members will, when meeting the public on behalf of the CAF, act in a friendly and cooperative manner and answer any questions concerning the CAF or the CAF mission in a manner which will reflect credit upon the CAF. Any member who is confronted with a question or situation, which he or she is not, qualified or authorized to handle, will refer it to the proper CAF authority.
18. All members will bear in mind that the title “CAF Colonel” is assumed and applies only within the CAF. It carries no authority outside the CAF.
19. It is the goal of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) to provide an environment for all of its events and operations that are free from discrimination and unlawful harassment. Actions, words, jokes, or comments based on an individual’s sex, race, ethnicity, age, religion, or any other legally protected characteristic are inappropriate. Anyone (member or employee) engaging in sexual or other unlawful harassment will be subject to appropriate actions as indicated in the applicable CAF governing directives.
20. CAF members will be treated with respect and courtesy by all CAF and Museum staff members. CAF Headquarters and Museum staff members will follow established CAF policies. Any current dues paid member of the CAF who feels he/she has been unfairly treated by a member of the CAF Headquarters or Museum staff, an elected Unit Staff Officer or another member may complain to CAF Headquarters. Final authority for complaint/protests rests with the President. Issues relating directly to the conduct of the President should be taken to the Chief of Staff of the CAF General Staff.
J. Other Service by General Staff Members
In June 1995, the CAF General Staff voted unanimously to allow General Staff members to simultaneously hold a Unit office while serving on the General Staff. This motion was approved with the provision that the General Staff member abstains from any General Staff vote that would affect his Unit/Airbase.
K. Unit Meetings
1. Regular Meetings of the Unit Staff
Regular meetings of the Unit Staff will be held monthly at a time and place selected by the Staff at the previous meeting and on special occasions as called by the Unit Leader. Time and place for regular Unit meetings shall be set during the first meeting of the year and remain unchanged if possible. The Unit Leader or Executive Officer should immediately report unavoidable changes to Headquarters and all Unit Staff Officers.
2. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Unit Staff may be called by the Unit Leader or by three (3) or more members of the Unit Staff. All Unit Staff members shall be notified of the stated reason for calling the meeting, date, and time and place of such meeting with at least seventy-two (72) hours’ notice.
Special Electronic communications meetings of the Unit Staff may be held either in person or by other electronic medium where the equipment used will enable each member to hear the entire proceeding simultaneously and allows each member the opportunity to speak to each of the other members and be heard. Any decisions, affirmations, or negations must be confirmed by letter from the Unit Leader or Adjutant to each Unit Staff Officer. Such letter is to be made a part of the minutes of the next regularly scheduled Unit Staff meeting.
3. Unit Staff Officers Meeting
a. The Unit Staff meeting will be held monthly at a time and place selected by the Staff at the previous meeting.
b. The purpose of the meeting shall be to conduct the business of the Unit Staff and Unit participation in general CAF activities. (airshows, fundraising events etc.).
c. The meeting agenda will be prepared by the Unit Leader and distributed to the Staff officers prior to the meeting. Any Staff officer may submit agenda items for discussion.
d. The Unit Leader will serve as meeting chairman. The Executive Officer will preside in the Unit Leader's absence.
e. The meeting will be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order (Revised Edition). The meeting will be open to all Unit members, except when the Unit Staff declares or needs an “executive session.”
4. Unit Membership Meetings
a. Membership meetings will be held monthly at a time and place selected by the Staff. Units may substitute the December meeting with a special event (holiday gathering). If all required Unit business issues have not been completed in November a short Unit Staff meeting may be required in December. A regular time and place will be established and members notified. All Unit members will be notified of any change of time and place of a meeting by telephone or mail at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.
b. The meeting agenda will be prepared by the Staff (or one or more Staff officers as designated by the Staff) and distributed to the Unit members before the meeting begins. Unit Finance reports should be included in all meeting agendas. An attendance record of participants will be kept.
c. The Unit Leader will serve as meeting chairman. The Executive Officer will preside in the Unit Leader's absence. Note: If the Executive Officer was appointed by the Unit Leader (not elected), the Unit Leader sacrifices his regular voting privilege and can vote only in the case of a tie.
d. The meeting will be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order (Revised Edition).
e. Unit meetings will be open to the general public and non-members will be encouraged to attend.
f. The purpose of the meeting shall be:
1) To conduct the business of the Unit
2) To motivate and inspire the Unit members to participate in Unit projects and general CAF activities.
3) To indoctrinate non-member visitors in the objectives of the CAF, the Unit projects, and how they may participate in CAF activities and generally encourage them to become members and sponsors.
4) To provide a time and place to promote friendship among the members, to become better acquainted with non-members, and build the Unit into a more efficient team.
g. To accomplish the objectives outlined above, the meeting will be handled as follows:
1) The meeting will be conducted with dignity and in a business-like manner.
2) Business activities will be completed before social activities begin.
3) Following the business meeting a program of 15 to 20 minutes should, when possible, be prepared with a speaker or film, with a subject within the scope of the American airpower heritage theme. These programs may also be on general CAF activities and projects, aircraft restoration, aircraft operation, safety or other subjects pertinent to CAF or Unit operation. This program will serve to inspire and motivate members and non-members alike and will lend dignity and purpose to the Unit and convey the serious and patriotic objectives of the CAF to the local community.
Quorum
A simple majority of the nine member (or more if authorized by the CAF President for an Airbase) elected Unit Staff shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Unit Staff.Excessive Absences
Excessive absences (defined as three (3) consecutive unexcused) of a Unit Staff Officer from regular meetings of the Unit Staff shall constitute grounds for immediate removal from office. The Unit Leader or the Executive Officer may excuse absences for cause, if the later is acting as presiding officer in the Unit Leader's absence.
The Unit Staff will appoint a replacement for the removed officer for the unexpired term of office remaining for that particular position.Annual Unit General Membership Meeting and Election of Unit Staff Officers
Annual Unit general membership meeting and election of Unit Staff Officers shall be held during the final quarter of each calendar year. Written notice of the annual meeting shall be mailed to Unit members no later than thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting and election.
Absentee voting is authorized for all Unit Staff Elections. In all Unit elections the Election Committee must be prepared to respond to any and all requests, from members in good standing, for an Absentee Ballot. Please see Paragraph E. CAF Unit Staff Elections, on page 2-13 for the procedures that must be followed by the Election Committee.
All questions of parliamentary procedure shall be settled in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order (Newly Revised). The Unit Leader or presiding chairman shall have authority to appoint a Judge Advocate. The Judge Advocate shall advise the Chair on questions of parliamentary procedure. His decision shall be final at the meeting where rendered, but is subject to later review and change by the Unit Staff.
Flight Evaluation Board (FEB):
The FEB is a Unit/Sponsor Group body established to consider pilot applicants and pilot qualifications. They recommend pilots for flying status in the CAF and they evaluate pilot “Fit to Fly” issues. Specific duties are outlined in CAFR 60-1.8.
