Anita Loando-Acohido
2019-2020 National Historian & Media Relations Ambassador
Share Auxiliary News and Events with Local Media
As Auxiliary members, we are interested in what our Auxiliaries do and who we help. However, members often wonder if their Auxiliary’s events and/or programs are interesting to those outside the organization. Before you reach out to local media, ask yourself these four questions:
- Is it timely?
- Is it local?
- Is it new or unique?
- Would it interest you if you weren’t a member?
If you answered yes to at least two of the above questions, contact your local media with Auxiliary news! Not sure how to contact them or what to include? Visit the Program & Publicity Resources page of the website and review the following documents under the Historian/Media Relations section:
How to Share Your Local Auxiliary Story Ideas and Events with Local Media
This provides information about:
- What is and is not newsworthy
- How to get your event covered
- Who to contact
- How far in advance to make contact
- Press release tips
VFW Auxiliary Publicity Guide
This includes the following:
- Sample fact sheet
- Sample news release
- Sample radio and television public service announcements (PSAs)
- Sample media interview questions and answers
When sending story ideas, be sure to include the National fact sheet, photos of the event and/or program, and who to contact if they have questions.
Don’t forget to thank the media when they cover your Auxiliary’s event and/or program. A thank you note, certificate of recognition for local media or other acknowledgement of appreciation is a nice (and often unexpected) gesture. You can invite the media to a Department awards ceremony, or even ask if you can go to their workplace to do a special presentation. That would certainly be a surprise for the person who did the reporting!
If your story doesn’t get covered by your local media – but especially if it does get covered! – share the information with your District and Department. Most Departments have a newsletter, e-newsletter and/or Facebook page, all of which are great ways to communicate the wonderful ways Auxiliaries participate in our Programs and how members help veterans and their families.
Mahalo for Serving Our Veterans with ALOHA!
