Children & Youth Public Relations Workshop Children & Youth Public Relations Workshop Public Relations

How does public relations How does public relations impact youth programs of The American Legion Family?

Public Relations Make News in Your Communities

Public Relations VisibilityAdvocacyFrequency …and they will come. VisibilityAdvocacyFrequency

Public Relations Be unconventional! Use “force multipliers” to promote programs Be unconventional! Use “force multipliers” to promote programs

Public Relations Besides the media: School Publications School electronic media Church/Temple bulletins Chamber of Commerce Military Base newspapers / radio / tv Besides the media: School Publications School electronic media Church/Temple bulletins Chamber of Commerce Military Base newspapers / radio / tv

Public Relations Event Awareness  Post Newsletter  Website  blitz  School Superintendent  PTA meetings

Public Relations Four Pillars InformationCampaign

Public Relations Advocacy – Heroes to Hometowns – PERA/Veterans Memorials – Post Disaster Prep & Response – Troop Support (GWOT) – Veterans Legislation

Public Relations Invite School Officials Community Events:Community Events: – Heroes to Hometowns – Blue Star Salute – Veterans’ Service Days – Disaster Preparedness & Response – Child Identification Activities

Public Relations – Prominent Speakers, Celebrities – Fundraising Events – Legacy Fund Drives – Media Cosponsors

Public Relations Community Relations The art of creating and maintaining face time with force multipliers Community Relations The art of creating and maintaining face time with force multipliers

Community Relations Audiences “Movers & Shakers” Elected Officials Public Servants Business & Industry Chambers of Commerce The media The community at large Churches Schools Nonprofits Military Units

You are an Ambassador for your post, unit and their Children and Youth Programs Both external and internal audiences

PublicRelations Public Relations Goals of Community RelationsGoals of Community Relations –Educate non choir audiences about your purpose and services –Inside “sales” and support for programs –Ongoing partnerships for mutual support –Become a “Good Neighbor” in the community

Public Relations The Michael Peterson DVD Ideal Tool for Addressing GroupsIdeal Tool for Addressing Groups 50% of cost to Legacy Scholarship Fund50% of cost to Legacy Scholarship Fund “It’s Who We Are”“It’s Who We Are” Legacy Fund PSAs for TV/CableLegacy Fund PSAs for TV/Cable Pitch about Fund IncludedPitch about Fund Included

Public Relations DVD Available for $12 ($10 plus $2 postage and handling) Online by credit card: by credit card: Toll free: Toll free: By Mail (Check or Money Order):By Mail (Check or Money Order): Michael Peterson DVD The American Legion P.O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206

Public Relations – Use Media Tools News Release News Release Media Advisory Media Advisory Radio Copy Radio Copy Produced TV-Radio spots Produced TV-Radio spots Talk Radio/TV Morning News Shows Talk Radio/TV Morning News Shows Editorial Board Editorial Board Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor Build a media kit Build a media kit

Public Relations INVOLVE YOUTH “Hot” Legion Opportunities Heroes to Hometowns Legacy Scholarship Homeland Security Partnership

Public Relations How to Pitch Media News PegNews Peg WhenWhen Electronic or PrintElectronic or Print Attention StepAttention Step Getting Past the CrowdGetting Past the Crowd

Public Relations Stand out Build relationships with local working media Use accurate titles and names in written correspondence Follow-up with phone calls

Public Relations Story Ideas Child Identification NightChild Identification Night Town Hall on Youth Suicide PreventionTown Hall on Youth Suicide Prevention Personal Story on TFAPersonal Story on TFA Family Support Network in ActionFamily Support Network in Action Post Haunted House with Halloween SafetyPost Haunted House with Halloween Safety Youth Disaster Training at PostYouth Disaster Training at Post Be CreativeBe Creative

Public Relations Reach out to kids, their parents, their peers, their teachers and “their” media.

Public Relations Making a Difference

Children & Youth Workshop Children & Youth Workshop Public Relations