Happy New Year to all social media influencers!

Now that the holiday season has passed, we are preparing for the centennial celebration of The American Legion. As National American Legion Press Association (NALPA) representatives, I encourage you to have a current NALPA press/membership card and to wear your credentials everywhere you go to seize a newsworthy story, article or special event to pass along to our diversified social media audience.

Like any great organization, membership is the lifeblood that keeps NALPA going. As a reminder to those who are interested in becoming an active member of NALPA or need to renew, membership expires on Aug. 31 each year. You can easily join or renew by visiting www.legion.org/nalpa/join. New members will receive a welcome packet and press membership badge.

As a courtesy reminder, please alert NALPA leadership of any changes to your name, address, phone number and email so we can continue to communicate with you. Members who did not provide an email and telephone number were recently sent a post card requesting this information. This contact information makes it easier for us to communicate with you so please provide it when you join, renew or when requested. Recently there were over 180 email membership renewal reminders sent, which resulted in renewals.

When the spring NALPA newsletter is released, The American Legion’s centennial birthday (March 15) will have past and we will be building upon our next century of service. NALPA will be there for support, capturing news about our posts, counties, districts, areas and departments.  

If you have questions about NALPA, contact your area vice president or director. Their contact information is provided on the NALPA website at www.legion.org/nalpa. We encourage every state to create an American Legion Press Association. If interested, please contact me and I will provide information and suggestive ideas on how to proceed. My email is nalpaed18@gmail.com.

A current list of states that have an American Legion Press Association are on the NALPA website.  If a state has a press association but a point of contact is not listed, I encourage members of those states interested in being the point of contact to notify me so your contact information can be added.

This is going to be a newsworthy year with The American Legion’s centennial. We want the American Legion Family to be part of this great undertaking and encourage you to join NALPA.

See you in the news!