It's easy and comfortable to work with other veterans service organizations or veteran-owned businesses. But it’s also important to look for allies outside those arenas, too.
As humans, we are creatures of habit, so it’s easy and comfortable to work with other veterans service organizations or veteran-owned businesses. But it’s also important to look for allies outside those arenas, too.
Jack Henry Post 1 joined the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and had a few of our executive committee members get involved with the Young Professionals Group. This brought a ton of new members for all three American Legion Family organizations and revitalized our efforts.
Don’t just ask a business for general donations to help the post. When we seek funds, we come with specific requests and let that company assume ownership. It’s important to connect the post with another business’ community priorities because it can work both ways.
Example: We partnered with a local credit union for our Memorial Day and Veterans Day events. As we planned the events, we involved the credit union rep with every decision and let them take credit, especially because they offered to pay the caterer and band. Then, when the credit union came to us and asked if we could do a gravestone-cleaning event with them for veterans’ graves, we said, “Absolutely!” We wrapped it all into our Memorial Day festivities, and it’s become a huge success.
For other businesses, it’s important to look at their websites to understand their community endeavors or focus areas. Try to link your needs with one of those and show how them supporting the post can help their business. If it’s not obvious, ask them out for coffee or lunch. See if you can solve one of their needs before asking them to help you.
- Laura Dean, adjutant and public relations chairperson at Jack Henry Post 1 in Anchorage, Alaska, which has more than doubled its membership, to over 800, in the last four years.
- Dispatch