2025 is “Year of Growth” for SD Wing
2025 will be the “Year of Growth” for South Dakota Wing, Col. Kevin Pegelow, wing commander, has announced. “As 2025 begins, we will look inside and outside the organization to improve our members and our organization,” said Pegelow. “We are excited to take steps to better our team in a number of ways.”
Pegelow said the Year of Growth will focus on the following four areas:
The first area of focus will be to continue to expand our membership with great people. We have several local squadrons in which the number of cadets continues to grow. Still, we need additional adult members to support those programs and serve in operations, emergency services, and specialty areas. Besides looking for new members, we will be looking for less active members to re-engage with local units to assist. Even if members, parents, or sponsors are willing to participate in only one additional thing, it is incredibly valuable and will allow us to improve as a group.
The second focus will be on public awareness. We will look for a significant public affairs push to allow our stakeholders, as well as the public in general, to see the incredible impact our organization has on the state and communities. We will use social media and our contacts within news agencies to showcase our outstanding organization and its members. All members are encouraged to contact the Wing Public Affairs Officer, Captain Moira Conley, with content.
The third will be to look at improving our financial stability for the long-term success of our organization. We will be looking to create alternative revenue sources to supplement what we receive from the state to ensure that we will remain fully viable for ten or twenty years in the future. Civil Air Patrol is a fantastic opportunity and is recognized as one of the highest-rated charitable organizations by the Better Business Bureau. It is listed as platinum transparency for donations and is rated 100 out of 100 with Charity Navigator. Anyone looking to have an impact on our outstanding cadets or program can give with confidence that their donations are valued and important.
And finally, we will be looking for our members themselves to grow in their own Civil Air Patrol careers. As part of the cadet program, cadets are required to memorize and embody the cadet oath. Part of that oath is to “advance my education and training rapidly to prepare myself to serve my community, state, and nation.” All of our members need to embrace that thought as well. Seniors should be looking to complete their next professional level. Our senior members should be looking to advance in their specialty tracks or try a new area to specialize in. Our members should be looking to share their knowledge with the newer members. Teamwork and cooperation will allow each of us to learn and better contribute to our overall success.
