CAP's 2016 National Conference in Nashville

I was honored to be able to attend Civil Air Patrol's annual National Conference, held this year in Nashville. CAP officially turns 75 on Dec. 1, 2016, and is celebrating its anniversary throughout the year. The theme for the 75th-anniversary celebration was “Civil Air Patrol: Always Vigilant for America, 1941-2016.” Special guests for the National Conference included two former NASA astronauts - retired U.S. Navy Capt. Robert L. Gibson and Dr. Rhea Seddon.

I flew in on Monday and the next day was co-instructor of the FEMA G291 JIS/JIC pre-conference workshop that teaches PIOs how to function in a Joint Information Center. I presented one of the units and assisted with the others, There were about 25 in the class.

Eager participants at my round table during PAO Academy VII.

The next two days we held the National PAO Academy, the seventh since we created it. Sessions focused on the effective use of social media, branding, how to create and post compelling videos, mission public affairs best practices and CAP's 75th anniversary.

I gave one of the round tables, on the PA Specialty Track rating, and also gave a presentation on how to qualify as a PIO. I also served as emcee and presented the Balsem Awards, which went well until I placed the best-in-show trophy on the table in front of the recipient, maybe a little bit too forcefully, and it broke in half. Everyone said they wished they had a video of that!

Lunch with my PAO peeps.

Some 60 learning labs were led by CAP national staff and other experts, focusing on such topics as finance, communications, safety, logistics, aircraft operations, professional development and leadership, fundraising, recruitment and retention, the chaplaincy, government relations, CAP history, information technology, cadet programs, aerospace education and public affairs. So, I spent the next two days attending presentations about "What's New in Operations," "CAP's National Operations Center," "the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center," and "International Air Cadet Exchange." I gave PAO Academy VII coins to the presenters of those last two topics.

Astronaut Dr. Rhea Seddon signs her book for me.

In between, I was thrilled to be able to get a signed copy of astronaut Dr. Rhea Seddon's book, "Go for Orbit," now in its fourth printing, which she inscribed "Miracles do happen" at my request. She was one of the first six women to enter NASA's Astronaut Program.

The banquet on Saturday featured a keynote speech by Daniel R. Sitterly, principal deputy assistant Air Force secretary for manpower and reserve affairs at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Sitterly helped secure Air Force funding for CAP's Cadet Encampment Assistance Program, which enabled 3,600 underprivileged cadets to attend CAP wing encampments the last two years.

MG Vasquez presents the Exceptional Service Award to me.

Maj. Gen. Vasquez presented me with the Exceptional Service award at a ceremony with other award recipients, for my service to CAP the last two years. He is the third National Commander I have served for and will be the last in my current position as National PA Manager. When I complete the projects still on my desk I will pass the baton to a protegee, someone who is younger and has new ideas! I expect to wrap things up before the end of the year and then start my next CAP adventure, wherever that takes me.