# Presentation: 487682

## SQUADRON LEADERSHIP SCHOOL  Seminar 2.1Officership & The Public Trust

## Introduction

- “When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property.”   - Jefferson

## Objectives

- Define the concepts of “accountability,” “public trust,” & “officership.”
- Explain why public organizations are held to high ethical standards.
- Describe basic responsibilities of staff officers.
- Describe moral concepts embedded in each Core Value; apply your understanding to a case study
- Describe how to develop positive attitudes toward accountability.

## Key Concepts

**What do these concepts mean to you?**
- Officership
- Accountability
- Public Trust

## Key Concepts

**Officership:**   A blend of leadership, management, and professionalism  (Gen. Bennie Davis)
**Accountability:**  Everyone is expected to be able to justify their actions
**Public Trust:**   The duty to respect the true source of democratic power, the people and the overall community

## Public organizations

**Why are public organizations held to high standards of ethics?**

## Public organizations

**Why are public organizations held to high standards of ethics?**
- Owned by America
- Taxpayer-funded
- Humanitarian missions have life and death implications
- Special trust in working with youth
- Affiliation with USAF
- Claim to be benevolent

## Basic responsibilities of staff officers

**What are some basic responsibilities all staff officers hold in common?**

## Basic responsibilities of staff officers

**What are some basic responsibilities all staff officers hold in common?**
- Follow the Core Values
- Stay safe & promote safety
- Follow CAP policies in fact and spirit
- Be a good steward of CAP money and property
- Model a positive attitude
- Mentor, coach, & correct new members

## Core Values Project

**Premise:**  Each Core Value is really a form of shorthand for many other values.
**Tasks:**
**1.**  Provide a well-rounded, multi-faceted definition for your assigned Core Value by identifying at least 4 moral concepts embedded in the Value.
**2.**  Identify 4 practical ways a squadron staff officer can demonstrate your assigned Core Value.

## Core Values: Integrity First

**Honesty**:  the habit of telling the truth
**Moral Courage:** the willingness to do what is right, even if it’s not easy
**Responsibility**:  acknowledge your duty and take responsibility for success or failure
**Openness:**  being transparent in your motives and actions
**Honor**:  Showing integrity in and out of uniform; integrity is not something that can be turned “on” or “off.”
- Analysis of the Core Values is based on USAF Doctrine Document 1-1

## Core Values: Volunteer Service

**Altruism:**  when your actions stem from a desire to help others; the difference between “giving” and “taking”
**Selflessness:**  seeing “service” as the act of putting someone else’s needs ahead of your own
**Good Citizenship:**  making a contribution to the general welfare of the community
**Fun:**  volunteerism takes effort, but it is not supposed to be a dreaded chore

## Core Values: Excellence in All We Do

**Professional Development:**  participating in training programs and learning how to contribute more
**Teamwork:** working together and recognizing that teams accomplish more than individuals
**Efficiency:** recognizing that budgets and equipment are not limitless; making do with what we have
**Big Picture Vision:** knowing how your role affects the team and CAP as a whole;  acting in a way that supports the overall mission

## Core Values: Respect

**Loyalty:**  Supporting the leader; not trying to undercut their authority
**Politeness & Tact:**  Treating others as you would want to be treated
**Good Faith**:  Giving the other person the benefit of the doubt
**Humility:** Recognizing you are human; not boasting about rank or position
**Tolerance:**  Recognizing individual rights and differences

## Case Study

*How do the Core Values relate to this case?*

## Promoting Accountability

**How can squadron-level leaders promote accountability among squadron members?**

## Promoting Accountability

**How can squadron-level leaders promote accountability among squadron members?**
- Lead by example
- Say thanks
- Avoid favoritism
- Integrate the Core Values
- Promote professional development
- Show you support your leaders’ efforts
- Don’t make ours a “one mistake” CAP
- Correct members’ mistakes

## Final Thoughts

**“****Nobody can acquire honor by doing what is wrong.”** - Jefferson
*Accountability makes us stronger.*