Your thoughts on cup and flower funds...

2014-04-18T01:34:40-04:00

I can't stand the premise of buying your own generic plaque. I'm not saying they aren't nice, but if you contribute, even if you are the worst leader on earth, you still get the same plaque that everyone else gets.<div><br></div><div>And we all know the commanders that violate the policy left and right of forcing people to contribute. I had one commander have it added to command and staff slides (who hadn't paid).</div><div><br></div><div>I got my plaque, it was decent, with a small guidon. </div><div><br></div><div>But what I really LOVED was the personalized gifts I got from my Soldiers on their own...no one forced them to contribute (I hope) to the 1SG's departing gift.</div><div><br></div><div>I do understand the nickel and dime effect but what is your take on these?</div><div><br></div><div>Here are some that I didn't buy for myself (that's what I hate the most, the concept that you basically got your own going away). For the black and white one you have to click the photo to see the whole thing.</div><div><br></div><div>PS - I always contribute to the cup and flower, because that's what we do as leaders, but there has to be a better way. Has anyone discovered it?</div>

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2014 2:22 AM

2014-04-18T02:22:42-04:00

I agree. I have asked how a person that is in a unit 4 years gets the same going away plaque a person that has been there for only 9 months gets.

I have asked why we give things like flowers, instead of say, a card or chipping in for airfare for the death of a family member, instead of the flowers. Some of the best going away gifts I have seen lately were cross-sections of trees, cut by chainsaw and laser engraved.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 10 at 2014 10:34 PM

2014-05-10T22:34:39-04:00

As soon as I arrived at 3rd ID, I was asked to provide $150 for the flower and cup fund. Not say how much else I paid for other going away gifts.

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made May 11 at 2014 9:36 PM

2014-05-11T21:36:13-04:00

When I got to my last command, I was told to pay $125 to join the wardroom, and that the $125 would be used to cover the cost of my plaque. I left that command 6 months ago, but never heard anything more about it...