I graduated 5 years ago. I don't remember getting anything from the CCA besides a set of ugly PT gear that we never wore and my cheap plastic bottle during FOW.
Et tu, CCA?
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Last: 10 yr ago by Ryan the Temp
The CCA provides a significant portion of our recruiting budget and they provide funding for dozens of other programs, events, and dinners that we have in the Corps. You might be surprised at how little direct support we get from the state and how much we have to depend on the CCA and other outside sources. His staff also coordinates and runs many Corps events so they do much more than just raise money for the Corps. They hydration systems started last year and are extremely popular with the cadets; they are also not as inexpensive as some of you might think. In my 9 years with Army ROTC and the Corps it is my experience that Don Crawford has found a way to support any request the Commandant has made of him and the CCA. I've donated at the "Colonel" level for several years and I personally feel this is the best way the average former cadet can support the Corps. Colonel (Ret) Sam Hawes '81
Return this back to the OP's point. I agree and was disappointed to see the same type of what will apparently be a monthly card for the foreseeable future on 'soliciting' me to 'confirm' my CCA contact data pursuant to some boiler room Joe wanting to sell me a directory I don't need. Ain't gonna happen.
For many years the AFS sent out FREE a Former Students Directory every 5 years. I still have many of both mine and my late father's old directories. They quit doing this about 18 years or so and figured they could raise more $ by charging for what used to be a free deal. All things considered I would think they 'sell' relatively few of these private 'directories' anymore. Sad sign of the times.
I have been giving $ to the CCA for years and will continue. I would request that the solicitation monthly card deal be given the heave ho.
I am working FOW next month and will ask a few questions while there.
For many years the AFS sent out FREE a Former Students Directory every 5 years. I still have many of both mine and my late father's old directories. They quit doing this about 18 years or so and figured they could raise more $ by charging for what used to be a free deal. All things considered I would think they 'sell' relatively few of these private 'directories' anymore. Sad sign of the times.
I have been giving $ to the CCA for years and will continue. I would request that the solicitation monthly card deal be given the heave ho.
I am working FOW next month and will ask a few questions while there.
Anyone who wants to help the Corps without going through the CCA this year can contribute $50 to help send a cadet to the Arkansas game. Its a Corps Trip and the cadets are required to attend the game and are personally responsible for $$35 of the $85 ticket price. As in past years the Commandant is asking for donations to cover the remaining costs.
quote:If I recall correctly, my uniform costs (reimbursed by ROTC) as a fish/head were in the range of 700-800. I just double checked and confirmed, my uniform costs as a white belt were around 450.
So for non combat vet or contract cadets annual out of pocket uniform expenses are $850-$950!?!
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Also when/why did boot dance become a corps function? IIRC it was open to non-regs & at least a few showed up. Has that changed?
I think it happened around 2008 or 2009. The only non-regs that came were either dates, or class officers. They tried advancing the date to before final review so that non-regs could come, but cadets didn't like that because that mean't they couldn't wear spurs and they wouldn't officially be zips. So after a little petition, they moved it back to the night after final review, and that was the last year it was a university run event.
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I graduated 5 years ago. I don't remember getting anything from the CCA besides a set of ugly PT gear that we never wore and my cheap plastic bottle during FOW.
They also did the fish fry after FOW, I think they tried something sophomore year (depending on what year you wear), and then they tried the combat bash for butts, and of course the senior dining in. If you were in a special unit, I think they probably helped with travel expenses/end of year awards type things. They've definitely expanded their support since you or I were in, at least in more visual ways.
The comment posted by 935spur concerning the uniforms and the Class A coat is not entirely accurate. DOD provides commutation, or reimbursement for all fully qualified cadets enrolled in ROTC. That includes all fish and sophomores enrolled in ROTC, as well as all white belts who are enrolled in ROTC and working toward a commission. If a cadet is NOT enrolled in ROTC, or is not fully eligible while enrolled in ROTC (can't meet Ht/Wt standards or can't pass the service PT test, for example), then DOD does NOT pay them commutation. Every cadet - and their parents - gets briefed on that when they join the Corps. For what its worth, Texas A&M has the cheapest uniform bag of all of the Senior Military Colleges (VMI, Va Tech, Norwich, Citadel, North Georgia, and A&M) - by a good margin.
As for the Class A coat, when I arrived in 2010 the cadets had NO Class A coats. They wore midnights (all classes) in lieu of a Class A coat as their "dress uniform." When I went to reissue the Class A coats back to the cadets that spring, I found that many were unserviceable. I issued Class A coats to all white belts that spring (that was about all the serviceable coats I had), and eventually contracted with Fecheimer to develop a new Class A coat for the Corps, with the same unique WWII look. To pay for those coats, I took out a loan with the Vice President of Student Affairs, with a 5 year pay back plan (we just completed year 3 of that plan). The cost to the cadets was minimal. The coat was added back into the uniform bag for the cadets, and as you've seen the past few years, cadets now wear the Class A coat as their dress uniform. Midnights are once again a white belt privilege to wear.
We opted not to put patches on the Class A coats mainly to increase the life of the coat - just as the services have done. Taking patches on and off adds wear and tear to the coats, and like the military, we opted not to put any patches on the Class A coats and help increase the life of the coat overall.
Hope this helps clear things up. Thanks for your support of our Corps! Gig 'em!
As for the Class A coat, when I arrived in 2010 the cadets had NO Class A coats. They wore midnights (all classes) in lieu of a Class A coat as their "dress uniform." When I went to reissue the Class A coats back to the cadets that spring, I found that many were unserviceable. I issued Class A coats to all white belts that spring (that was about all the serviceable coats I had), and eventually contracted with Fecheimer to develop a new Class A coat for the Corps, with the same unique WWII look. To pay for those coats, I took out a loan with the Vice President of Student Affairs, with a 5 year pay back plan (we just completed year 3 of that plan). The cost to the cadets was minimal. The coat was added back into the uniform bag for the cadets, and as you've seen the past few years, cadets now wear the Class A coat as their dress uniform. Midnights are once again a white belt privilege to wear.
We opted not to put patches on the Class A coats mainly to increase the life of the coat - just as the services have done. Taking patches on and off adds wear and tear to the coats, and like the military, we opted not to put any patches on the Class A coats and help increase the life of the coat overall.
Hope this helps clear things up. Thanks for your support of our Corps! Gig 'em!
quote:This is true. Some of my buddies worked for the CCA in part time or full time positions doing clerical work or manning their merchandise trailer on game days, but I doubt they're listed on the 990.quote:We discussed the CCA in depth on this board about 4-5 years ago, and after seeing this thread I pulled their 990 to see if anything had changed.quote:I don't donate because they spend about $400,000 a year on salaries and benefits for three employees, which is about 30% of their revenue. It appears only 10%-15% of revenue actually goes to the Corps.
And this is why I am not a member. Also why I don't donate. You give something and they assume you're a sucker and keep begging you for more.
Nope. In 2013 they had $1,170,643 total contributions and grants, and paid salaries and benefits of $394,281. They actually took in less money in 2013 than in 2012, yet their reported salaries/benefits increased. And to be fair, there are likely more than three employees - they just claim three as officers and key employees - $133k of the $394k was paid to other employees, who CCA determined were not required to be listed as officers on the 990 filing.
That said, maybe that is acceptable if the salary is justified by the output of whatever those employees are doing. However, I haven't seen enough come out of the CCA to make it something I feel is worth donating to.
Here is their most recent 990 filing: http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/752/482/2013-752482454-0a8e1040-9.pdf
quote:
I am working FOW next month and will ask a few questions while there.
If you are referencing FOW Check-in on Aug 19, my wife volunteered to work that also. I'm also going to be there for part of the sign in.
After seeing the way this thread veered off a tree and into the ditch, it's probably not the best time to address this, but the CCA is seeking donations for the camel backs for the incoming fish. Here is a snippet from their donation webpage.
Please NOTE, my wife and I are not in any way affiliated with the CCA, but are parents of a current Zip (prior service vet) and my wife simply told me that she and I were "volunteering" for FOW signup. Here is a piece from the CCA fundraising page.
quote:The Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and your gift is tax deductible.
Howdy Ags! Help support the Corps of Cadets incoming freshman Class of 2019 by sponsoring the Hydration Devices provided by the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets Association! Each donation of $20 will provide one cadet with a hydration device that will be used for FOW training, outfit training for their 4 years in the Corps, March To The Brazos, and much more! Please help us reach our goal of 900 units.
Thanks and Gig 'em!
[url]https://secure.corpsofcadets.org/newforms/hydradonate.aspx[/url]
Don't forget that before CCA, there was not an organized or centralized way that the Corps received support. Former Students (I assume) would take your money if you earmarked it for the Corps, but I never knew if my donations really went to the Corps or if they went into more fundraising by the FS or into the 'meal plan' at Cain Hall. I suspect that the latter applied.
I heard rumors - from a pretty reliable source - that when CCA was starting up, the organizers went to the FS, asked for an address list of Former Students who were in the Corps, and were denied. FS didn't want to lose that financial support. I wasn't there, but it could happen.
There's all sorts of stories out there about charitable organizations (be it CCA, Wounded Warrior Program, United Way, The Give Money to Me Cause I Need Money, whatever), and I'm sure that you could find a lot of their tax returns and get the real story, or whatever has been submitted to the IRS.
I do know for a fact, that when I found out that I was able to donate to the CCA, and had some reasonable confidence that it was going to the Corps, I was more apt to give money there than other A&M organizations. I still maintain that position.
I heard rumors - from a pretty reliable source - that when CCA was starting up, the organizers went to the FS, asked for an address list of Former Students who were in the Corps, and were denied. FS didn't want to lose that financial support. I wasn't there, but it could happen.
There's all sorts of stories out there about charitable organizations (be it CCA, Wounded Warrior Program, United Way, The Give Money to Me Cause I Need Money, whatever), and I'm sure that you could find a lot of their tax returns and get the real story, or whatever has been submitted to the IRS.
I do know for a fact, that when I found out that I was able to donate to the CCA, and had some reasonable confidence that it was going to the Corps, I was more apt to give money there than other A&M organizations. I still maintain that position.
Got another 'call' this afternoon from the AFS folks wanting to 'check' my data. Told the poor young man that I highly resented being hounded monthly like this, just to purchase a directory I did not want. That used to be free.
They will call/mail me again. They always do.
They will call/mail me again. They always do.
quote:Funny - we started an alumni organization to support my outfit in the Corps and asked for a list of all the past members of the outfit and were denied because they thought we were going to compete with CCA. So ... it can and does happen to protect the financial interests of those organizations.
I heard rumors - from a pretty reliable source - that when CCA was starting up, the organizers went to the FS, asked for an address list of Former Students who were in the Corps, and were denied. FS didn't want to lose that financial support. I wasn't there, but it could happen.
quote:Yes, you can. And the CCA's tax return does not look good. I would love to see some explanation that made sense, In the meanwhile, I will continue to be a member/contributor, if for no other reason than it's the best we have.
There's all sorts of stories out there about charitable organizations (be it CCA, Wounded Warrior Program, United Way, The Give Money to Me Cause I Need Money, whatever), and I'm sure that you could find a lot of their tax returns and get the real story, or whatever has been submitted to the IRS.
I think we all agree that we want to support the Corps. We all want the money to be spent wisely and accounted for well.
I'm always confused when simple calls for openness and accountability are seen as an attack on the CCA.
Ryan the Temp
We initiated an attempt to support my outfit a few years ago; have had success and received complete support from CCA. Have good open lines of communication w/Trigon too. I'd be interested in hearing what other obstacles you had in your effort; may be of help in you're still interested.
We initiated an attempt to support my outfit a few years ago; have had success and received complete support from CCA. Have good open lines of communication w/Trigon too. I'd be interested in hearing what other obstacles you had in your effort; may be of help in you're still interested.
quote:That was pretty much it - Once they refused to provide a list, there wasn't much else to engage them on.
Ryan the Temp
We initiated an attempt to support my outfit a few years ago; have had success and received complete support from CCA. Have good open lines of communication w/Trigon too. I'd be interested in hearing what other obstacles you had in your effort; may be of help in you're still interested.
We tried to donate directly to my husband's old outfit, and we're told we had to go through CCA. Is this correct? In the past we were able to donate directly, but the cadets seemed adamant that they couldn't accept donations directly to their outfit.
quote:Each outfit should have a student organization finance account where they can deposit donations.
We tried to donate directly to my husband's old outfit, and we're told we had to go through CCA. Is this correct? In the past we were able to donate directly, but the cadets seemed adamant that they couldn't accept donations directly to their outfit.
Thanks! Will try to figure it out at their outfit reunion this year
I appreciate that there is a CCA, but do lament the appearance of how some things seem to get done, my perception of the lack of transparency, and my perception of the lack of responsiveness.
I have not seen any opportunity for members of the CCA to vote on its directors. Directors responsive to the members would be obligated to review the financials and undertakings of the CCA. The CCA would be more responsive in providing details of its income and expenditures to its members.
It appears to me that those who might be considered members of the CCA are more akin to donors - donors who, by virtue of the donation, receive the gift of a magazine and other benefits, but have no control over governance of the CCA.
The name Corps of Cadets Association infers, to me, that this is an association of former cadets. I have not personally seen actions which support this connotation.
Perhaps I have missed something.
I have not seen any opportunity for members of the CCA to vote on its directors. Directors responsive to the members would be obligated to review the financials and undertakings of the CCA. The CCA would be more responsive in providing details of its income and expenditures to its members.
It appears to me that those who might be considered members of the CCA are more akin to donors - donors who, by virtue of the donation, receive the gift of a magazine and other benefits, but have no control over governance of the CCA.
The name Corps of Cadets Association infers, to me, that this is an association of former cadets. I have not personally seen actions which support this connotation.
Perhaps I have missed something.
And good luck getting a copy of the Bylaws. I asked years ago and they have still never provided them.
quote:
https://shop.corpsofcadets.org/pages/about-us
quote:The 990s they filed with the IRS directly conflict with these numbers. Salaries alone are in excess of 30% of the total budget according to the 990 they filed in 2013.
DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS
48% Corps Programs: Corps Athletic Programs, Marksmanship Unit, etc.
10% Member Programs: Rally to the Guidons, Senior Dining Out, Guidon Magazine, etc.
8% Divisions Support: Aggie Band, RV, FDT, PMC Troopers and outfit Associations
20% Overhead: Operating expenses, salaries, printing, mailings, etc.
14% Reserve Account
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