NALPA NEWSLETTER
The official newsletter of the National American Legion Press Association Winter 2017 Issue
What’s Coming Four Chaplains Sunday
NALPA leadership from left to right: David Wallace, NALPA pesident; Priscilla Imburgia, past NALPA president; Michael Hjelmstad, Area 4 vice president; Connie Jo Popham, Area 4 director; Mark Sutton, Area 3 vice president; Jane McKnight, Area 2 vice president; Kevin Harrington, Area 1 vice president; Patrick Rourk, executive director; and Robert Stronach, Area 1 director. Photo by Clay Lomneth
No entry fees, digital newsletter and more! By David F. Wallace
T
his 2017 year is starting off with some fantastic news that I get to share in regards to our National American Legion Press Association (NALPA) awards program, as well as enhancements to the delivery of our quarterly NALPA newsletter. Also, it is important to mention what is being planned at the NALPA Winter Conference in Washington, D.C., at the end of February. Beginning this year, the $25 entry fee for NALPA awards submissions is eliminated! This is thanks to advertising staff in the Marketing, Media & Communications Division at National Headquarters who secured a title sponsorship with the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, the host city for the Legion’s 2017 National Convention, to cover NALPA entry fees and all award winners’ banquet tickets. Due to this sponsorship, it has allowed us to waive the entry fees in hope of increasing award submissions for all of the NALPA award categories. The contest rules and submission criteria are on page 4 of this newsletter. Best of luck to all of our future entrants! Many of our members have asked about ways of improving our NALPA newsletter. This actually started a little over a year ago when we began working hand-in-hand with the MM&C staff. As you know, the newsletter
was reformatted and our NALPA logo was redesigned. And now the NALPA newsletter will be accessible in a digital format. If you are interested in receiving your NALPA newsletter electronically, please send a courtesy email to NALPA Executive Director Patrick Rourk at prourk@twcny.rr.com. NALPA will have a membership table at the Washington Conference, and we could use some volunteers to help support this. In addition to this, Mark Sutton, Area 3 vice president, is scheduled to speak at the conference during the “Know before you go” session. I hope those in attendance will set aside some time to hear what he has to say. Finally, don’t forget about membership! Speak to your Legion Family members within your respective departments about becoming NALPA members. We made great strides in increasing our membership at National Convention last year in Cincinnati, and I was even able to get a few new members when I attended the 2016 National American Legion College a few months ago. NALPA is a great resource to help improve communications. Our social media platforms are great opportunities to promote all activities within your departments. Reach out to your respective vice presidents and directors within your regions. See how you can get more involved with NALPA!
Feb. 3 marks the 73rd anniversary of the loss of the USAT Dorchester where 672 men perished, including four Army chaplains of different faiths who removed their own lifejackets to save others. Legion Family members are encouraged to honor the chaplains on Feb. 5 for Four Chaplains Sunday and share their remembrances on their Facebook pages.
2017 Washington Conference
The American Legion’s 57th annual Washington Conference is Feb. 26 to March 1. Follow The American Legion on Facebook and Twitter for coverage of the conference.
American Legion’s 98th birthday
The American Legion will celebrate its 98th birthday on March 15. Legion posts that plan to host an event to commemorate this anniversary should promote it on their social media pages before and after the event.
Oratorical Contest
The American Legion’s 2017 National High School Oratorical Contest finals will be held April 22-23 in Indianapolis. More than 50 of the nation’s top orators will deliver a speech on the U.S. Constitution and compete for a top-three finish and $48,000 in scholarships.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
NALPA in 2017 By Patrick R. Rourk
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas or Hanukkah and a safe and boisterous New Year’s celebration. Now, it’s time to jump into the new year. I’m sure you’ve recognized that NALPA is ready. We’ve continued to undergo a significant change over the past two years and this coming year will be no different. But, we cannot do it alone – we need all current and potential members to get out there and tell The American Legion story! We need to remember that we exist as communicators to get the good word out about what The American Legion is all about. Membership, membership, membership. Please take out your membership card and look at the expiration date. If it doesn’t say 2017 or Life Member, you are not current. We had quite a few members who had to scramble to get their membership up-to-date to enter NALPA’s Media Contest last year. This year the same rule applies — you will have to provide a copy of your membership card to enter the contest. If you need to renew your NALPA membership, visit www.legion.org/nalpa. So please renew if you haven’t already done so. If you don’t want to renew or join online, use the membership card found on page 3 of this newsletter. Media Contest. Speaking of this year’s Media Contest, we have a major change that you just read about from NALPA President David Wallace. During the NALPA Annual Meeting at the 2015 American Legion national convention in Baltimore, we had determined that the association should find a sponsor for the awards program to alleviate, or at least lower, the cost to enter
the contest. Well, we have found one. Therefore the 2017 Media Contest is FREE! You will find the contest rules and entry blank on page 4; please use this year’s blank as it denotes the free cost to enter. Logo. About a year ago we unveiled a new logo for NALPA. Member publications (if your post, county or state is a member) can request a copy of the logo for inclusion on print and/or digital publications. Simply send me an email at prourk@twcny.rr.com with the request. Pins. I will have NALPA pins with the new logo for sale at the Washington Conference in February. The price for a pin is $5 if delivered in person; $7.50 if sent via mail due to the rise in postage rates. So purchase your NALPA pin(s) at the Washington Conference or National Convention and save money. General information. We will have a table on the concourse at The American Legion’s Washington Conference so come visit us and see the new NALPA greeting and marketing sign. As a reminder, the National Headquarters Public Relations Division no longer exists; several divisions merged to become the Marketing, Media & Communications Division at The American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis. For those not in the know, NALPA now falls under National Headquarters. It may have a new image and icon, however, it’s the same great people, publication and services, just upgraded. 2017 National Convention: The American Legion’s national convention will be held in Reno, Nev., Aug. 18-24. If you are looking for outdoor entertainment, you will be just a short distance from Lake Tahoe – one of the premier recreation sites on the West Coast.
AMERICAN LEGION’S DIGITAL ARCHIVE UPDATED New historical documents have been added to The American Legion’s Digital Archive. Recently added is the full run of the National Legionnaire, a newspaper that ran from January 1935 through November 1948.
It was folded into The American Legion Magazine as its own section in February 1949. This year there will be even more additions to the Digital Archive, including 30 years of press releases
from the Legion’s news service; digests of National Executive Committee meetings and national conventions; and American Legion reports to Congress. Visit http://archive. legion.org/ to learn more.
The National American Legion Press Association (NALPA) is a nonprofit organization made up of members interested in furthering the aims of The American Legion. Copyright © 2017 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the Editor. You are encouraged to contact us if you wish to utilize materials contained herein for other non-profit organization publication. Opinions expressed by authors are their own and do not necessarily represent those of either the Publisher or Editor. Correspondence and letters to the editor: NALPA c/o Patrick R. Rourk 3 Morton St. Norwood, NY 13668-1100 Telephone: (315) 353-8892 (6:00 – 9:00 P.M. ET only) Email: prourk@twcny.rr.com Online: www.legion.org/nalpa Membership information and applications: NALPA c/o Debra Murrell P.O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 NALPA Newsletter is published quarterly by The National American Legion Press Association. Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN-Permit # 719. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: NALPA, c/o Debra Murrell, The American Legion, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis IN 46206 PRESIDENT David F. Wallace EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Patrick R. Rourk VICE PRESIDENTS Kevin Harrington, Area 1 Jane McKnight, Area 2 Mark Sutton, Area 3 Michael Hjelmstad, Area 4 DIRECTORS Robert G. Stronach, Area 1 James Chaney, Area 2 Diana L. Sirovina, Area 3 Connie Jo Popham, Area 4 JUDGE ADVOCATE Charles G. Mills
HISTORIAN Dolly Zitur CHAPLAIN Maudi L. Price FINANCE Joseph Porempski SERGEANT-AT-ARMS Roger S. Dong COUNCIL TO THE PRESIDENT Parvin R. Gibbs, John E. Thompson, James T. Higuera, Brett Reistad, Patrick Rourk
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LEGION.ORG
American Legion, Sudden Industries win mobile website award The American Legion and Sudden Industries were recently awarded the Best Military Mobile Website by the Web Marketing Association (WMA). “It’s an honor to receive this prestigious recognition,” said Media and Communications Chairman Walter Ivie. “Our friends at Sudden Industries provided instrumental assistance to us in terms of understanding mobile technology, innovative ideas and solutions to meet the needs of our growing digital audience. It was a pleasure to work with them on this project.” The website and mobile redesign was launched over the course of about six months, starting with Veterans Day 2015. Since the new design went live, key metrics such as page views, unique visitors, mobile usage and others have all recorded dramatic increases. For example, the percentage of mobile visitation on legion.org has grown from about 15 percent to nearly 50 percent. “We’re very pleased with how our audience has responded to the improvements,” Ivie said. “They know that The American Legion website is their go-to
NALPA MEMBERSHIP
Join NALPA Today! As a National American Legion Press Association member you will have access to National Headquarters communication resources and members-only content. You will be connected to a time-honored and respected communications team that values and rewards those who spread the word about The American Legion in communities around the world.
place for news and information for veterans and military supporters. We’re glad to see that our mobile site is helping them access this information easily from their cell phones and tablets, as well as from their laptops and desktops.” WMA was founded in 1997 to help set a high standard for Internet marketing and development of the best websites on the Web. For 20 years, WMA has produced the annual WebAward Competition, the premier annual competition that names the best websites in 96 industries while setting the standard of excellence for all website development. The WebAward judges have chosen to split out the mobile sites into a separate competition to recognize the explosive growth and creativity in this space. Sharing in the award are New York City-based Sudden Chief Executive Officer Bob Holmes, Chief Operating Officer Lan Wong, Head of Technology Joel Mellin, and American Legion Media and Communications Director Jeff Stoffer, Visual Arts Manager Holly Soria and Webmaster Chris Bayliss.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Full Name
First
MI
Last
Home Address
City
State
ZIP
Email Legion/Auxiliary/SAL Membership # Department/Post/Detachment I AM A MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING: The American Legion
American Legion Auxiliary
Sons of The American Legion
THIS IS FOR: New Membership: $15
Renew Membership: $15
NALPA Pin $5.00 in person $7.50 by mail
TOTAL:________________ Make Check Payable To: NALPA MAIL TO: The NALPA membership year is from September 1 through August 31
NALPA The American Legion C/O Debra Murrell, National Media & Communications PO Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN 46206 PLEASE ENTER Membership Year: 20________
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AWARDS
National American Legion Press Association Annual Awards Program Rules for Basis of Judging: 1. Newspapers will be judged on: Content (Legion, Auxiliary, SAL) local, county, district, state and national news, as appropriate; clear, concise and balanced writing; make-up; design and appearance; use of photos and illustrations. 2. Editorials will be judged on: Headline and lead arousal of interest; clear, concise and imaginative writing; research and grasp of subject; timely and appropriate objectives suitable to public. 3. Websites will be judged on: Department or Local information, site design, links, appropriateness of information and attractiveness. 4. Social Media Sites will be judged on: Appearance and presentation; content, readability and engagement; purposes and goals. 5. Visual Media: entries will be evaluated based on originality, clarity, be in perspective, quality, purpose, veterans connection, interest and skill.
Entry Instructions: 1. Must be current member of the National American Legion Press Association. 2. Comlpete the facing page entry form. A photocopy of the page is acceptable to preserve the wholeness of your NALPA newsletter. 3. For categories I., II., III. and IV., submit three (3) papers, one each of three separate issues. 4. For category V. and VII., submit the electronic address (URL) for your website or social media site. If you submit more than one URL, you must do a separate entry for each submission. 5. For category VI., submit only one (1) editorial. Send entire paper or tear-sheet containing the editorial and date of issue. 6. For category VIII, submit up to three (3) photos that have been published on same subject or event; or CD/ DVD or link to access video; or 3 copies of printed, digital art (do not send original paintings/drawings, etc.) in their published vehicle.
Entries must be postmarked no later than May 31, of the current year, and mailed to: Send entry form/cover sheet and entry for all entries to: Patrick R. Rourk 3 Morton St. Norwood, NY 13668-1100 You must mark the lower left corner of your mailing envelope: “NALPA CONTEST” and indicate the entry category for judging. (e. g., Printed Media - III. - B, or Web Media - V. - A, or Social Media – VII - C, etc.)
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NALPA NEWSLETTER Entry Criteria
Category and level
TAL
ALA
SAL
Other*
I. Department George W. Hooten Award For Department-wide publications A. 40,000+ members.
A
B
C
D
B. Under 40,000 members.
A
B
C
D
II. District, County, Regional Emerson O. Mann Award For District-wide, County-wide or Region-wide Publications. - District, county or regional publications
A
B
C
D
III. Larger Posts Al Weinburg Award For all publications produced at the post level. A. Posts over 750 members.
A
B
C
B. Posts with 250 - 749 members.
A
B
C
Entry Criteria TAL
ALA
SAL
Other*
A. Original effort of publication editor.
A
B
C
D
B. Guest editorial (bylined or author identified).
A
B
C
D
C. External Editorial nominated by NALPA Member
A
B
C
A. Department-level social networking sites
A
B
C
D
B. All other social network sites
A
B
C
D
VI. Editorials William E. Rominger Award A & B: Must have appeared originally in an American Legion Family publication within the Award year. C. Any medium outside The American Legion Family Media
VII. Social Media Robert Morrill Award (Encompasses Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, etc.)
IV. Smaller Posts, Units, Squadrons R. C. Cann Award For all publications produced at the post, unit, squadron level. - Posts up to 250 members.
Category and level
VIII. Visual Media - All levels and parts of the Legion Family Photos, Videos, Movies & Graphic Illustrations (includes paintings, drawings and designs that have been published)
A
B
C
A. Photographs
A
B
C
D
A. Department websites.
A
B
C
D
B. Videos/Movies
A
B
C
D
B. All other websites.
A
B
C
D
C. Graphic Designs - all types
A
B
C
D
V. Websites Mary B. Howard Award Award For all websites created to support The American Legion Family.
Your notes if any (Judges will not see this form!):
* Item for other American Legion related publications - such as NALPA Newsletter, etc.
Instructions - Under Entry Criteria above circle the family type then below circle the medium within which you wish this entry to be judged.
PRINTED
SOCIAL MEDIA
WEBSITE
PHOTO/VIDEO/GRAPHIC
Please fill out the form below by typing or printing legibly 1. Number and name of post, district, unit, squadron, organization, etc.
2. Full address of this organization in item #1.
3. Frequency, circulation number and name of publication or Web address for websites. 4. Name, address, email and telephone number of publication editor; or of entrant if other than editor.
5. Place photocopy of current NALPA membership card here
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SOCIAL MEDIA
#
Hashtags help promote your activities Oftentimes social media users search for hashtags of a particular topic of interest. Hashtags are always one word and begin with the pound or number sign. In upcoming months, there are events that social media managers may want to use when posting information about what their post is doing. Here are some that will be used and/or monitored by the National Headquarters team: #FourChaplainsSunday #PresidentsDay #ValentinesDay #WashConf2017 #LegionBirthday #ChildrenYouthMonth #Passover #Easter #Oratorical2017
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SOCIAL MEDIA
Communication tools: LinkedIn and IFTTT By Mark A. Sutton, Area 3 NALPA vice president
Who do you think you are? It is an important question to ponder. Are you the person in charge of your post’s monthly newsletter? Or maybe you are the lucky volunteer who keeps the post’s Facebook page updated. If you are either, I would I say you are the communications director of your American Legion post; you are charged to communicate to the members and to the community what is happening in your local post. This is an important job and who you associate with and how you communicate to others matters. To help you, LinkedIn and IFTTT (If This Then That) are two tools to place in your “communication toolbox.” What is LinkedIn? Think of LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) as the business version of Facebook. You won’t find family photos or silly quotes as you do on Facebook – the content on LinkedIn is geared toward people’s professions. How to use LinkedIn Create an account by filling out a profile – your profile is your advertisement of why people should connect with you. With LinkedIn you make connections; you don’t add friends. This social media platform allows you to connect with like-minded people, whether it’s media professionals, veterans groups or people in your daily profession. Start making connections by searching for people you may know or for groups that interest you, like NALPA. Then begin searching for reporters and media professionals in your area to connect with. Lastly, like Facebook, write status updates, make comments, and provide content that is relevant to you, your profession, your Legion post or veterans. This will help educate your
connections and eventually people will want to connect with you because of your knowledge. To learn more about LinkedIn, do a Google search for “Begin to use LinkedIn” and several links will appear for further assistance. If you start using LinkedIn, or you already have an account, connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/markalansutton. What is IFTTT? IFTTT means if x happens then do y. If you are like me you handle several social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, Blogger and maybe a WordPress account. Keeping all of them updated with current content can be a difficult task to manage. At www.IFTTT.com, you can create “applets” that automate many functions for different tasks. For example, an applet can be created so that if you tweet a status on your Legion post’s Twitter account, that tweet can then be posted to your Facebook page automatically. Or if you post a Facebook message, it can be tweeted out at the same time. Do you have a WordPress account? If you do, then the content added to your WordPress blog can then be copied to your other social media outlets. I have found this website to save a lot of time in keeping content updated, and it eliminates me from having to constantly copy content manually to each of my social media platforms. Check it out; once you begin using it you will find other uses for it. And did I mention it was free? Overall, technology can make our lives better or worse depending on how we use it. Using LinkedIn and IFTTT has enhanced the work that I do for The American Legion, and I believe you will find this to be true, as well, as, as you become more efficient at using these communication tools.
HONOR & REMEMBRANCE
Be a part of the Legion’s memorial project The American Legion's Veterans Memorial Identification Project has attracted 180 submissions from 36 departments since its creation last November. The project encourages American Legion Family members to locate, document, photograph and upload information about veterans
memorials and monuments in their local areas to the dedicated web page, www.legion. org/memorials. One goal of the database, which will be maintained by National Headquarters, is to help defend against challenges to memorials that have religious language or symbolism.
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SPOTLIGHT: JANE MCKNIGHT
NALPA members are ‘spreading the word’
Jane McKnight, a member of Auxiliary Unit 233 in Oak Grove, Ky., currently serves as NALPA’s Area 2 vice president and Facebook administrator. She has been a member of NALPA for 15 years, and she’s currently serving a second term as president of the Kentucky American Legion Press Association. McKnight is a 23-year Auxiliary member, however, her affiliation to the organization dates back even further to the 1970s in the small town of Phillips, Wis., where she participated in poppy fundraisers at the local American Legion post that her late father, a World War II veteran, belonged to. Dave Wallace: What positions have you held within your department,
district and post? McKnight: I was on The American Legion Auxiliary National Executive Committee (NEC) from 2013-2014, and I served as Department of Kentucky’s Auxiliary president from 2012-2013. During the upward adventure through the chairs to become department president, I served as an assistant sergeant-at-arms, public relations chairman, historian, chaplain, second vice president, Americanism chairman, first vice president and legislative chairman. I also served as the alternate NEC/ past presidents parley chairman, leadership and was a member of the department membership team. Currently, at the department level, I am the Pennyroyal Veterans Center (in Hopkinsville, Ky.) liaison and the Americanism chairman for our southern division. On the district level, I am currently the vice president and parliamentarian, and I have served as secretary and treasurer. At the unit level, I have served every office except chaplain. I have worked every program of the Auxiliary, and
I have served many years at the unit level as a secretary, treasurer and chairman for membership, Americanism, Constitution and Bylaws, education, Girls State, public relations, poppy and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation committees. Wallace: What do you like most about being part of NALPA? McKnight: I’m excited about the direction it is going. Prime example would be the increase in membership we enrolled at the 2016 (American Legion) National Convention while (having a booth) in the exhibit hall. I was amazed that many of our American Legion Family members did not know who we were. Also, I love being a part of the Facebook team; our page has been getting more members almost on a daily basis. Our members are certainly spreading the word of what we do and what their posts and units are doing in their respective communities. Wallace: What advice do you have for our NALPA membership? McKnight: Everything
your post, unit or squadron does in the building or in the community should be newsworthy. Toot your own horn to spread awareness of what The American Legion Family is and what we represent. If there isn’t an American Legion, NALPA would not exist. Wallace: What is your favorite part about being a Legion Family member? McKnight: The camaraderie, love of country and respect for our veterans that we all share in our hearts. Wallace: What is your favorite memory with The American Legion? McKnight: From 19982002, I was the canteen manager for Fort Campbell Post 233. I organized and catered several military events during that time. My favorite event was a dinner to honor (retired U.S. Army Lt. Col.) Alfred Rascon, who received the Medal of Honor in 2000. Mr. Rascon was the most humble gentleman. The following morning I cooked breakfast for him and a group of his buddies, and I was invited to eat with them. The menu included SOS.
SEE YOU IN
RENO TAHOE
Reno Tahoe USA combines the beauty of the great outdoors with world-class hotels, spas and museums, nightly entertainment, a burgeoning food and brewery scene and exciting special events. Reno Tahoe is a proud sponsor of the 2017 NALPA Media Awards and host to the 2017 American Legion National Convention August 18-24. VisitRenoTahoe.com allows you to explore all of the exciting options you can enjoy during your time at the 99th American Legion Convention. Entry forms and 2017 submission information is available at legion.org/NALPA.
The American Legion
NEWSLETTER
PUBLICATIONS
New brochures The American Legion National Headquarters website has several updated brochures that are available for download or purchase at www.legion.org/ publications. They include: The 2017 American Legion Baseball Rule Book Let’s Be Right on Flag Etiquette American Legion’s Legislative Agenda for the 115th Congress
P.O. BOX 1055 • INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46206
Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID THE AMERICAN LEGION