Dear media and communication supporters,
First, I hope that each of you and your loved ones are well and staying safe amid the coronavirus crisis. While this pandemic is a challenge for everyone, it is also a time when The American Legion Family shows that it can and will rise to the occasion.
I have read reports of American Legion Family members serving their communities during this time. Some are performing Buddy Checks on veterans in their communities. Others are helping facilitate getting lunches to at-risk children after schools were forced to shut down their meal programs. And there are also members who are buying supplies for older veterans who are most vulnerable for contracting coronavirus.
What’s important to note here is that not only did I learn of these selfless actions, but Americans across the nation learned how The American Legion is working to better its communities in a time of crisis. That’s thanks to the efforts to get those stories into local media outlets.
As a member of The American Legion Media Alliance (TALMA), this is a perfect time for you to showcase how your post is active in its community. Feel free to share your success stories so that the national staff can highlight your successes to an even larger audience.
I’ve been pleased in how many have joined TALMA in the short time since we have started accepting members. All members of The American Legion Family are eligible to join TALMA. And those who sign up now, will receive up to six months free — and the opportunity to enter the contests for both this year and next year. A $15 membership fee will ensure your membership through Aug. 31, 2021. To join TALMA, please go to www.legion.org/talma/join.
I also wanted to let you know that we have extended the deadline for the first TALMA awards contest due to the coronavirus. The contest, which is open to all TALMA members, will take submissions that have a valid postmarked date of May 8 or earlier. (In future years, we will be moving the contest to a digital entry system. There was not time to put that in place this year in order to have a contest this year.)
For more information about the categories, please visit www.legion.org/talma/contest.
To enter the contest, please mail your entries to Media and Communications Division, The American Legion, 700 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, IN 46206
Since the Media and Communications Commission will not be at Spring Meetings, we are looking at an alternative way to judge this year’s contest. Winners will still be notified by June 1 and receive a free ticket to the annual banquet at National Convention as well as a beautiful and durable plaque.
I look forward to seeing all the great entries you have compiled this past entry period and am looking forward to your involvement in TALMA. Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.
Sincerely,
Walter Ivie
Chairman, Media & Communications Commission