1. www.vcds-vcemd.forces.gc.ca/cres-cdts Public Affairs Brief Army Cadet League of Canada – British Columbia Branch Pillars Conference 2011: Public Affairs Support and Opportunities Maj Dan Thomas, DGRC Senior PAO Saturday, 30 April 2011

2. 2 Strategic Significance of Corps Activities  CPGI authorizes growth through retention and attraction  PA is an enabler to both requirements  Youth engagement is critical; families and stakeholders need to hear from the Cadets and others at first hand

3. 3 National PA Considerations  The challenge: how to promote the program locally, considering:  All national advertising funds go to Reg/Res CF recruiting  DGRC PA provides promotional items and literature to Regions, Corps/Squadrons  Public Relations “toolbox” will be issued to Regions and Corps

4. 4 Best Local PA Practices  Enable the Cadets to tell their story  Establish contacts with local media  Provide great content to local news agencies (expeditions, competitions, CSTCs)  Foster face to face communication; engage parents and stakeholders  Consider the overall Cadet mission: “think nationally, act locally”  Consult Pacific Region PAO: Capt Amélie Leduc, (250) 363-7302, amelie.leduc@forces.gc.ca

5. 5 Promoting the Cadet Program  Whom do we need to “target”?  Youth  Parents  Educators  Stakeholders  Community leaders  Local media

6. 6 Promoting the Cadet Program  How to reach them:  Face to face  Event Displays  Public Speaking  Local Media  “Hometowners”  Success stories  Social Media  Facebook  Twitter  Websites  Cadets.ca  Xperience.gc.ca

7. 7 Xperience – The National On-Line Cadets and JCR Newsletter  Much more than Cadence replacement!  Shares best practices  Serves Cadets, JCRs, leaders, stakeholders  No space limit (i.e. maximum pages)  Needs imagery and text; CSTCs should plan and draw from courses/Cadets/JCRs  Submissions/editorial consultations: xperience@forces.gc.ca xperience@forces.gc.ca  Site: www.xperience.gc.cawww.xperience.gc.ca  Editor: Captain John Weingardt, John.Weingardt@forces.gc.caJohn.Weingardt@forces.gc.ca, 613-996-6135; request CSTCs contact, plan submissions

8. 8 Conclusion