We went to an awards banquet last night for CAP. The kids thought it was great as it was done in true “Dining In” style like the military (with the exception that families were invited).
For those of you out there unfamiliar with a Dining Out, it is something to experience. It has it origins in early European monasteries and universities, but at some point it was adopted by the British military and has since spread world wide in the military forces. In the Civil Air Patrol, the Dining Out is presided over by a President and Vice President (addressed as “Vice”). These two are typically the highest ranking cadets in the Civil Air Patrol.
While it is a “formal” dinner, the rules definitely put a twist on it. For one thing, there is a Grog Bowl. What is a Grog Bowl you ask? In this case it is a punch bowl filled with a combination of unlikely beverage combinations. Our Grog bowl contained grape soda, stewed tomatoes, canned green beans (with liquid), and daiquiri mix. Truly disgusting. Now, the purpose for the Grog Bowl is as a punishment for breaking the rules. Of course, one must know the rules in order to keep from breaking them, right? The following is an example of the rules of mess the cadets were given:
The following is a list of rules under which the Mess will be conducted. They are designed to conform to tradition and promote levity. Violators of these rules are subject to the wrath and mischievousness of Madam and/or Mister Vice. Any and all assigned penalties will be carried out before the membership.
1. The President is the final decision maker and is never wrong.
2. Thou shalt arrive within 10 minutes of the appointed hour.
3. Thou shalt not bring hats or caps into the Mess.
4. Thou shalt make every effort to meet all guests.
5. Thou shalt move to the mess when thou hearest the chimes and remain standing until seated by the President.
6. Thou shalt not bring cocktails or lighted smoking material into the mess.
7. Thou shalt not leave the mess whilst convened. Military protocol over rides all calls of nature.
8. Thou shalt participate in all toasts unless thyself or thy group is honored with a toast.
9. Thou shalt ensure that thy glass is always charged when toasting.
10. Thou shalt keep toasts and comments within the limits of good taste and mutual respect. Degrading or insulting remarks will be frowned upon by the membership. However, good natured needling is ENCOURAGED.
11. Thou shalt not murder the Queen's English.
12. Thou shalt always use the proper toasting procedures.
13. Thou shalt fall into disrepute with thy peers if the pleats of thy cummerbund are not properly faced.
14. Thou shalt also be painfully regarded if thy clip-on bow tie rides at an obvious list. Thou shalt be forgiven, however, if thee also ride at a comparable list.
15. Thou shalt consume thy meal in a manner becoming a gentle person.
16. Thou shalt not laugh at ridiculously funny comments unless the President first shows approval by laughing.
17. Thou shalt express thy approval by tapping thy spoon on the table. Clapping of hands will not be tolerated unless the President of the Mess does so first.
18. Thou shalt not use any portion of the decorations or food items as projectiles, unless of course, following the example of the President.
19. Thou shalt not question the decisions of the President, or Mister/Madam Vice.
20. When the mess adjourns, thou shalt rise and wait for the President and guests to leave.
21. Thou shalt not be sent to the grog before it is christened.
22. Thou shalt enjoy thyself to the fullest.
If a Cadet breaks any one of the rules, another Cadet must stand call to the Vice “Point of Order Mr. Vice!” and then name the cadet, which rule was broken and the manner in which it was broken. The accused cadet is then given the opportunity to defend him or herself. If the Vice decides that the rule was broken, the accused must go to the Grog Bowl, take a cupful of the nasty concoction and drink it without his or her lips leaving the glass until it is completely empty, then hold it upside down over his or her head to prove that every chunky drop was consumed. The Cadet is then allowed to go and finish dinner.
The kids LOVED it! #2 had two points of order called against him, and #3 got away without being called. There were one or two Cadets going out of their way to break any rule they could just to have the opportunity to go to the Grog Bowl. One youngster was finally given alternative punishments after his 4th visit to the bowl, which he had called a Point of Order on himself.
It was, without a doubt, a very successful banquet. I don’t think the kids will forget it for a long time, and the Cadets that didn’t make it will undoubtedly hear about all the fun they missed and make more of an effort to make it to the next one in September.