NEW THIS YEAR: PROGRAMS HAVE UNIQUE QR CODES WITH A DIRECT LINK TO THE PROGRAM.
Media Relations: This year the emphasis will be on using REELS to share what we are doing as an Auxiliary. REEL’s are as short as 90 seconds. The use of hashtags will be explored as these make internet searching easier. We will learn more about hashtags and REELS in training. While the internet and social media are becoming increasingly accessible it is important to remember that not all our members have access to the internet. These members will need phone calls, printed newsletters, and visits to be kept up to date on Auxiliary activities. To be successful an Auxiliary should be using all forms of media to promote and educate our VFW Auxiliaries, our hospital volunteers, students about our scholarships, our youth and community about our support of Veterans and their Families.
A great way to identify this part of your role as Historian is to start with the VFW Auxiliary website: www.vfwauxiliary.org/resources. There you will find many helpful resources to enhance your Historian and Media program.
Who should you contact about Auxiliary news? It’s a good idea to read and watch the media in your local areas. Subscribe to newspapers and watch the newscasts. Make a list of media contacts. Send information directly to these contacts ratherthan the editor—news staff who specialize in relevant areas,like society andcalendar page editors. What’s newsworthy? Does it involve local people? Does it interest non-members? Is it timely? Does it help the community? Is it unique and new? If the answer is yes, this is a chance for you to pitch a story with an "angle” that will highlight your Auxiliary’s hard work and accomplishments.
National President Visit—The National Presidents visit will prove to be fun! I am asking for any photos that you take while she is on her official visit. I will be making a slide presentation to tell the story of her visit . When submitting photos please include names and titles of all persons in the photo, location, and date of event. Send me any pictures, or news items whether in print or social media along with any stories that you feel would be informational or humorous for the National President to have in her memories.
Historian Books – Please keep a record of this year in pictures, flyers, newsletters, programs, or any other items that tell the story of your Auxiliary. Scrapbooks will be brought to State Convention to be judged.
What’s newsworthy? Does it involve local people? Does it interest non-members? Is it timely? Does it help the community? Is it unique and new? If the answer is yes, this is a chance for you to pitch a story with an "angle” that will highlight your Auxiliary’s hard work and accomplishments.
