NALPA NEWSLETTER
The official newsletter of the National American Legion Press Association Fall 2016 Issue
What’s Coming Salute veterans
November is an important month for The American Legion Family as many posts are actively involved with Veterans Day events in their communities. Posts, units and squadrons should coordinate plans to promote Veterans Day activities on their social media pages. For example, a post can create an event on its Facebook page and invite followers to attend.
American Education Week NALPA President David Wallace is sworn in during the 98th National Convention in Cincinnati on Aug. 28, 2016. Photo by Clay Lomneth
Communicating with NALPA members By David F. Wallace
T
he American Legion’s 98th National Convention in Cincinnati last August provided a lot of great memories for me with one in particular that really stood out: I was nominated by Past National American Legion Press Association (NALPA) President Brett Reistad to be the next NALPA president. It is such a great honor to be serving in this position, and I look forward to working alongside NALPA and Legion National Headquarters staff members. There were a lot of great ideas that came out of NALPA’s Executive Committee meeting with discussions ranging from increasing our membership, revitalizing stagnant associations and starting new associations within the departments. And most importantly, improving the overall communication within NALPA and its membership. I want to thank staff from the Legion’s Marketing, Media & Communications Division who held down the fort at our NALPA table during convention. Through their outstanding support, we signed up more than 50 new members to NALPA! That is teamwork going
above and beyond any expectations. And while even thinking about it today, I still get inspired. I am excited to see we added a new social media administrator to our team. Sylvia Chess is a member of Auxiliary Unit 838 in Fort Worth, Texas, and she is taking the bull by its horns and creating our NALPA Twitter page. We now have the top three social media sites (Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter) covered, and our strong social media presence continues to grow on a daily basis within each of those platforms. NALPA has been around since 1922, and for the past 94 years our purpose has been to exchange ideas and promote the development of local newsletters and public relations activities. We strive to communicate the corporate goals of The American Legion Family and recognize achievements through an annual news and media awards program. In this newsletter, we provide the names of the 2016 award winners; hopefully this helps to inspire new participants in next year’s program. As our new board of directors are learning the best ways to communicate with one another, I want to continue moving forward with the See Communicating with NALPA members on Page 2
The American Legion and the National Education Association have dedicated Nov. 14-18 to draw attention to the importance of education while recognizing teachers and students who perform above the norm. Posts are encouraged to write a letter to the editor of the local paper about what members are doing for American Education Week and why it matters.
Pearl Harbor Day
Dec. 7 marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Legion Family members are encouraged to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice that day by participating in or hosting remembrance ceremonies.
Holiday blood drive
The American Legion’s annual event kicks off Nov. 24 and runs through Dec. 31. Learn how to give blood or host a blood drive at www. legion.org/security/blood.