1. Mission. The CPAC serves as an informal board providing public relations counsel and assistance to the Superintendent of West Point, the U.S. Military Academy.

a.       The CPAC exists at the discretion of the Superintendent who will appoint 10 to 15 civilian public relations or government affairs executives who are actively engaged in the practice of. This is an unpaid position.

b.       In order to provide the best advice possible, members will represent the diversity of the public relations profession and the country.

c.        The West Point Director of Communications—the Superintendent’s representative—leads the CPAC with the assistance of a chairman/woman selected by the Director of Communications from current CPAC members. The Chair will assist in all administration of the CPAC and provide a written summary of the annual meeting to the Superintendent.

3. Expectations

a.       The Director of Communications will several times a year seek the counsel of the CPAC, usually via email, reference public affairs issues concerning the Academy. Those issues may include branding, marketing, crisis communications, media relations, alumni affairs, community relations, government relations, and admissions

b.       The Director of Communications will send via email a weekday roundup of media coverage of West Point.

c.        CPAC members will respond to the Director of Communications requests for counsel, and will occasionally communicate their own independent observations on what they see, hear, and read concerning the Academy.

d.       CPAC members will attend the annual fall meeting at West Point.

e.        CPAC members are not expected to participate in any fund raising activities.

4. Annual Meetings

a.       The CPAC will meet each fall for a full day at the West Point to provide public relations counsel to the Superintendent and the Director of Communications. That visit will also provide CPAC members an opportunity to meet cadets, tour the post and participate in Academy events. CPAC members must pay their own travel and lodging expenses.

b.       All members should attend at least 50% of the annual CPAC meetings. In the event that a member misses two meetings in a row, that member may be removed by the Superintendent.

c.        Academy leadership may also invite CPAC members to other events during the year at West Point and during trips of the Superintendent to home cities of the members.

d.       On occasion, the Superintendent, Director of Communications or CPAC Chair may request a conference call or a special meeting of the CPAC or designated members to address timely issues.

5. Term of Office

a.       The term of office of CPAC members is 5 years.

b.       An incumbent CPAC member is afforded the full responsibilities and privileges until he or she, or the Superintendent, takes formal, written reappointment or separation action.

c.        Reappointment to successive terms.

(1)     The West Point Superintendent may on occasion reappoint a CPAC member to successive terms, although in general, members will not be appointed to more than one term.

(2)     No later than 90 days before the second term ends, the CPAC member will resign his or her position on the CPAC.

6. Civilian Public Affairs Council Emeritus

a.       To provide continuity and recognition for distinguished service, the Superintendent may designate a distinguished CPAC member who has served in the program for 2 terms, 10 years, as a CPAC emeritus. Emeriti members are encouraged—

(1)     To provide mentorship and guidance to fellow civilian aides without regard to geographic region.

(2)     To participate in CPAC meetings.

b.       The appointment as emeritus is for 6 years, unless otherwise officially separated. After serving 6 years, this designation is honorary only.

7. Criteria for selection of Civilian Public Affairs Council members

a.       Will be a United States citizen of outstanding character, integrity, and patriotism.

b.       Will be a leader in public relations.

c.        Will be able to interpret and affect public attitude toward the Army.

d.       Will be able and willing to devote a reasonable amount of time to the activities of the CPAC.

e.        Will not have held a previous appointment as CPAC member.

f.        Will not be an employee of the Federal Government as defined in 5 USC 2105.

g.        Will not be a Federal elected or appointed official.

h.       Will not be an active member of the National Guard or a member of the Ready Reserve (Selected), Individual Ready Reserve, or Standby Reserve.

i.         Will not be a Federal, State, or locally elected official.

j.         Will not be a paid employee of any political party.

k.       Will not hold financial interests that conflict with the performance of their duties as a CPAC member. For the purposes of analyzing whether a nominee holds an interest, the interest of the nominee’s spouse and dependent children are imputed to the nominee.