It’s still an opportunity to discuss the organisation and our aims…
Of course, as you’d seem to prefer, we could all just not bother. Apparently we have nothing to offer anyway according to your previous posts.
There are people asking about our organisation still. So we can either put them off for a while, or at least show willing with some kind of first contact.
I’d rather have a discussion and initial chat, and even get the ball rolling on 3822’s etc, rather than just sit there like a pudding then bleat and moan later when the cadet numbers are down.
It’s about doing what you can in the circumstances.
I’d question why you are so willing to do nothing.
I know a squadron in my wing has been recruiting throughout all the lockdowns although the lessons learnt haven’t been communicated to the rest of the wing at all.
If there are concerns of Safeguarding, setup a free Zoom meeting for the staff and potential recruits to jump onto for (pre-booked) 40min sessions. Then post the forms out to the parents/guardians with an envelope and a stamp.
I really feel for you lot in the ATC on this. We’ve been able to do our annual recruitment and they started to weeks ago. All on teams, but we’ve been using it to get MOI/Presentation Skills for the seniors.
Being a school the school safeguarding rules apply and we can have 6th formers running the breakout rooms with staff moving between them all.
I do worry about some of the local squadrons and how they will survive after this is over.
The last intake we had was at the end of 2019. The vast majority of the SNCO’s and older cadets have banged out, so we only have this core of 15/16 year olds cadets who are First class/Leading.
It’ll be difficult getting back to normal, having lost the MOI and SME cadets.
I didn’t ask permission, in fact I wish I’d kept my mouth shut completely and just did it but I only mentioned it in our fortnightly Sector OC Catch-up on how the Senior Cadets had worked really hard on a Virtual Open Night presentation in response to the constant enquiries about joining and finding out more information on the Sqn and the panic button was pressed!
