Do things, and tell stories
It’s an honor to lead the National American Legion Press Association as president, and I am excited to work with this year’s dynamic new team.
The 2018-2019 year is distinctive because it is the centennial celebration of The American Legion, and we are an integral part of telling the story of the Legion Family. Not just the story of our history but that The American Legion is in position to support veterans for the next 100 years.
I’m happy with the direction NALPA has been going over the past few years, and I look forward to building on the success of the previous presidents. NALPA has helped to build back the relevance of The American Legion, but in some ways we still have an image problem. We can improve and clarify our image by telling more stories about the great things The American Legion is doing, and I want NALPA to lead the way in sharing information by engaging the community.
How are you engaging your community? It is now easier than ever to put information out to a massive audience like the membership of The American Legion, potential new members and the general public.
In The American Legion there are several communities to engage. Within our internal community it’s important to share information among ourselves about what is working well, what is coming up and what we should be doing. Examples include sharing the date and time for the next district meeting; how posts can prepare for department meetings and convention; and significant dates that should be celebrated or recognized. Keeping our members informed and interested is a big part of retention.
Another important community to engage is potential new members. Our image is best promoted by communicating the significant things The American Legion is doing at every level now and in the past to support veterans, as well as our future areas of growth. As a NALPA member, I encourage you to highlight things that are being done.
New members bring new ideas, a fresh perspective, and they want to be a part of something. I don’t want to break the hearts of any traditionalists, but no one is coming to a meeting just for the sake of the meeting. They want to do something.
The next group that may have been largely overlooked is the community surrounding your American Legion post. In the post commander’s handbook the question is asked, “If your post were to go away, would the community notice?” The answer to this should be yes. If it’s not, get to work encouraging and highlighting posts across your areas that have a story to tell.
Last but not least is the American Legion Family –Legionnaires, Sons of The American Legion, Auxiliary and Legion Riders. Inclusivity makes us stronger. All of us have a similar mission and we need to work together to accomplish it.
I want NALPA to lead the way in promoting the many stories The American Legion has to tell as a tool to engage the community and be effective communicators. I look forward to working with all of you toward a more productive, prosperous NALPA. Keep doing good things and tell stories.