Jump Start your Public Affairs Program Maj. Brenda A. Reed, CAP Public Affairs Officer Civil Air Patrol Maryland Wing

What guides our path… CAP Regulation 190-1

CAP Public Affairs Officers Report directly to the commander Report directly to the commander Train to be the best Train to be the best Juggle internal vs. external Juggle internal vs. external Keep news current and relevant Keep news current and relevant Seek out new media and resources Seek out new media and resources Inform the Wing PAO of activities using quarterly PAO report Inform the Wing PAO of activities using quarterly PAO report

Where do you fit in? Report to your commander Report to your commander Plan with your commander Plan with your commander Advise your commander Advise your commander Assist your commander Assist your commander You and the commander are the official spokespersons for your unit You and the commander are the official spokespersons for your unit

Training You are here! You are here! Specialty Track Program – CAP 201 Specialty Track Program – CAP 201 AFIADL PAO Course – currently unavailable due to revisions AFIADL PAO Course – currently unavailable due to revisions CAP training programs CAP training programs MIO training MIO training MEMA/FEMA training courses MEMA/FEMA training courses

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Internal vs. External Internal Internal External External

Internal Emphasize importance of CAP missions Emphasize importance of CAP missions Member recognition Member recognition Member retention Member retention Encourage participation in events Encourage participation in events

External Target audiences Target audiences Government relations Government relations Media contacts Media contacts External promotion of events/organization External promotion of events/organization Leave behind materials Leave behind materials Websites Websites

A word about newsletters… Public Affairs Officers should create and distribute by whatever means available, a regular newsletter on behalf of the unit, preferably on a monthly basis, but no less than a quarterly basis.

Maryland Wing’s newsletter

Multimedia & Emerging Technology Photography Photography Videography Videography Audio Audio – list serves - Websites – list serves - Websites Social Media (Facebook, Twitter) Social Media (Facebook, Twitter) YouTube YouTube Blogs Blogs

Photos

Download full resolution images! You control who has access to which photos Create albums for each event

Links to Articles Photos from Events Notes from members Members join

Blogs

Awards Maryland Wing PAO of the Year Maryland Wing PAO of the Year Middle East Region PAO of the Year Middle East Region PAO of the Year National PAO of the Year National PAO of the Year Balsam Awards Balsam Awards

Planning Meet with your commander Meet with your commander Plan at least one year ahead Plan at least one year ahead Write your plan down Write your plan down Send your plan to Wing PAO Send your plan to Wing PAO Work your plan Work your plan Report your success Report your success

Newsletters Newsletters Open houses Open houses Fundraising events Fundraising events Community events Community events Aerospace Education events Aerospace Education events Government liaison events Government liaison events Promotion/Special ceremonies Promotion/Special ceremonies Bulletin Boards Bulletin Boards Training – ES or other Training – ES or other

Quarterly PAO Report Required by Wing Operating Instruction Required by Wing Operating Instruction Due by 10 th of Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct Due by 10 th of Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct Allows Wing PAO to keep track of unit activities, newsletters, websites, etc. Allows Wing PAO to keep track of unit activities, newsletters, websites, etc. Send newsletters and other items more frequently for higher visibility Send newsletters and other items more frequently for higher visibility

Crisis Communication Plan Required by CAPR Required by CAPR Wing level plan will be used by all units – located on Wing level plan will be used by all units – located on

Get started… …access your strengths …start slowly – work in your comfort zone …spread your wings …dare to take chances …seek help – ask questions