PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE CPAC Charter

2 November 2001

  Mission: The CPAC serves as an informal board to the Superintendent and Public Affairs Officer of the US Military Academy to provide counsel and assistance on a wide range of public relations issues affecting the Academy. Those issues include, but are not limited to, Academy recruiting and admissions, media relations, communications, alumni affairs, community relations, and government relations.

  Composition: The CPAC exists at the discretion of the Superintendent, who will appoint 12 to 15 civilian executives actively engaged in the practice of public relations or government affairs, each for a term of 5 years. The Superintendent will appoint a chair for a term of 5 years and may extend the term of any member upon his own discretion. A member that serves in good standing upon the board may be asked by the Superintendent to serve under an emeritus status upon the completion of his or her term. The emeritus status will be a continued affiliation with the CPAC with no requirement for attendance or active membership within the CPAC. Members holding an emeritus status will continue to be updated along with the active council members on a monthly basis from the Public Affairs Officer.   

  Meetings: The CPAC will meet each fall for a full day at the Academy, at which time, CPAC member will be briefed by USMA senior leadership on the key public affairs issues affecting the Academy. That visit will also provide CPAC members an opportunity to meet cadets, participate in Academy events and observe a football game. CPAC members may also be invited to other events during the year at West Point and during trips of the Superintendent to home cities of the members. On occasion, the Superintendent, USMA Public Affairs Officer or CPAC Chair may call a special meeting, and or conference call of the CPAC or designated members to address timely issues. All members are required to hold a 50% attendance for CPAC meetings. In the event that two meetings are missed, the member may be removed at the discretion of the Superintendent.  

  Expectations: The USMA Public Affairs Officer is expected to keep the CPAC, both active and non-active members, informed on a regular basis of all public affairs issues and media coverage. This will be done through a monthly update letter from the Public Affairs Officer to the CPAC. CPAC members are expected to attend the fall meeting at USMA. CPAC members are not paid, nor are they expected to participate in any fund raising activities.

  Acknowledgment: Upon the completion of the term of the CPAC member, the Superintendent will formally express the gratitude of the Academy to the member and to the member’s organization.

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