Does the CMPA need to change?

18/6/2016

By Tim Utton, Dir of Communications

Earlier today, a post on another Facebook page was brought to my attention. No names, no pack drill, but a retired member wrote an open letter to the CMPA executive committee in which he cited a laundry list of all the reasons why people aren't interested in joining the CMPA. The member claimed that the CMPA didn't respect the service of retired members, claimed it wasn't responsive to the needs of retired members, yet he didn't offer any concrete solutions for positive change, just an ultimatum to "do better" or else see membership plummet.

My initial reaction was one of anger: I spend untold hours every week updating and maintaining the website, creating fresh content, updating the Facebook page, YouTube channel, and Twitter feed. I do this on top of working an 10-hr a day staff job while still trying to find time for my family. I'm not looking for applause...I do this because I love this Branch and have nothing but the utmost respect for every member of the MP family...serving AND retired. Everyone on our executive committee is composed of serving and retired members, as well as spouses of serving members, and they all feel the same way I do. But the anger was a personal reaction...and honestly, maybe the person making the complaint had a point.

My my second reaction was one of frustration: you may recall several blog posts I put up earlier this year, advertising numerous vacancies in the CMPA. We are desperately seeking new blood and fresh ideas to re-energize the CMPA. To date, we have received only one query, despite the blog entries and corresponding Facebook posts having been viewed thousands of times. I can't speak for other members of the executive, but I'm not a member of the closed Facebook page where the post was made. If someone hadn't shown it to me this morning, I would never have known there was some dissatisfaction out there.

So, here's the sales pitch. If what we're doing isn't working, you need to tell us directly...preferably with some suggestions on how we can improve. Nobody on the committee is here to dictate to you what the CMPA will provide; after all, this is YOUR association. I guarantee that I will listen and if your suggestion or complaint makes sense, it will be considered, and may even be implemented. Even better...get involved!

When I was a Pte many years ago, my first Shift IC gave me a piece of advice I've never forgotten: "instead of just bitching, come up with a solution". It was good advice then, and it still is. So so my challenge to you is this: tell us what you want the CMPA to be. Tell us what works. Tells us what doesn't work. Let's work together towards a common goal rather than just complaining without offering solutions.

I hope you'll take up my challenge, and that you'll share this post to as many people as possible. Let's open up a positive dialogue for the sole purpose of making the CMPA the best possible association we can for serving and retired MPs. We are the only official MP association in Canada...we owe it to ourselves to make it the best one we can.

Mike MULVIHILL ( 1741 )

18/6/2016 14:34:50

An interesting dissertation. I commiserate with the author. BUT..........I just guess that I'm one of the CAMPVets who has given up on ever seeing a viable MP association. I retired from active service in 1991. To date, the only outreach by any part of the branch or association to me as a ‘MP Vet’ that I have experienced was by the current commandant of the MP Academy. My experience with the ‘Association’, in its various ‘Phoenix – like incarnations’ has been that it exists and doesn’t exist, at the whim of whoever the SERVING MEMBER is at the top of the food chain is.

From the Association’s inception, I paid dues to it while a serving member of the forces. The only things I ever got, was one year a membership card, and another year a lapel badge (that I had to pay $1.50 for). It almost resembled a ‘Ponzi Scheme’. Back then, we were supposed to be getting our badges in an acrylic block on retirement from the ‘Association’. Quelle Belle Surprise! I’m still waiting.

After release, I attempted, during one of the ‘Phoenix Risings’ to ‘Pay Up’ some dues (that they were requesting) but my cheque was never cashed. C’est la vive.

I wish the current serving member in the trenches trying to kick the Phoenix’s Ass once again all the good will and luck in this endeavor he/she needs and can use. BUT….. My experience is that History repeats itself.

Steve Moir (3633)

6/7/2016 10:09:58

Its often easy to not understand why retired MP's are disgruntled. While still serving you are muzzled at many levels including commenting on CMPA for fear that your PER would somehow feel the effect of any negative comments on anything within the Trade. When most leave the service, they either are still loyal or they are disgruntled enough hat they either dont want to see or talk about the Trade ever again or they spout their dissatisfaction. I think the CMPA needs to have more retired MP's within the ranks to help attract and retain Veteran MP's. I know recently reading some comment son the Retired MP site, many were dissatisfied with the descision by the CMPA not to allow any retired member to have the retired ID card and badge in the wallet. Considering that all other Police in Canada provide that to all retired members, it just seemed a little unfair for those retired MP's to juts get their badge in a sealed box. Members want to be proud of their service and being able to show people their retied badges is a sign of that. This is only one example, but I am sure many others can pipe in.

Admin

7/7/2016 18:54:36

Steve, everyone on the executive committee would love to have more retired folks get involved...but the problem is still the same: nobody wants to volunteer or get involved.

For what it's worth, the current executive committee, which numbers only 7 people right now due to vacancies, has only 3 serving members (Vice President, Dir Communications, and Treasurer). All other positions are held by retired members, and in one case, the spouse of a serving member.

With regard to the Retired Credentials, there has NOT been a decision to prevent retired members from receiving these. However, I acknowledge that the current policy governing them is controversial in some quarters. This will be addressed at our next executive meeting, which is scheduled for next week.

Tim

Comments are closed.

Does the CMPA need to change?

Archives

Categories