December TALMA training session Dec. 9

Dear TALMA members,

It’s hard to believe that we are nearing the end of 2020. It’s been an exciting first eight months or so for our new media alliance and we are continuing to make improvements for you, our dedicated members.

I am so pleased that the virtual training sessions are so popular. This month, we will welcome American Legion members Jeff Daly and Dave Wallace as panelists for the December training session about how to start your own podcast. This is a great opportunity to learn from two Legionnaires who started their own podcasts. Additionally, Jeff is one of the co-hosts of The American Legion’s Tango Alpha Lima podcast.

Mark Sutton will serve as the host for the session that will be held at 7 p.m. Eastern Dec. 9. Sign up for the Zoom webinar here.

If you have questions you would like to submit beforehand or suggested topics to be addressed, feel free to email them in advance. During the session, participants will be able to type questions into the chat window.

Replays of all previous training sessions are available in TALMA’s private Faceook group.

I also wanted to let you know that we are expanding the 2021 annual contest for TALMA members, due to the popularity of the first edition. Among the changes:

• We are working with our IT Department so that all entries will be submitted electronically. This will streamline the process to judge the nominees, select the winners and dole out the awards.
   
• We are adding categories to the editorial section so that different types of writing and engagement will be judged and awarded.
   
• Saving the best for last, we are adding two special categories — Chairman’s Award and the Innovation Award. Nominees will not specifically submit for the Chairman’s Award; instead judges will select a “Best in Show” from all the award winners. The Innovation Award demonstrates true innovation in media by the recipient. Nominees can submit specifically for this, and judges will also consider winners from the other categories. In each case, recipients will receive a plaque, $50 Emblem Sales credit and a seat on the TALMA task force for the coming year.

Remember that the contest timeline runs through the calendar year so there is still roughly a month to produce outstanding work to be considered for the upcoming contest.

I am so pleased with the improvements we are making to the awards program. This is a great benefit of TALMA membership. Please reach out to others you know who handle communications and public relations for their American Legion Family and encourage them to join by visiting this page.

Thank you for all that you do on behalf of The American Legion Family, our veterans, their families and communities throughout this great nation.