Media Relations Action Team

ARTICLE X.  ACTION TEAMS (Adopted December 19, 2004)

 Section 1.  Rather than utilize Standing Committees, RCCVFP will function principally through Action Teams. Each team will then organize, coordinate and direct specific functions and/or specific types of tasks upon approval of the general membership.

 Section 2.  Chapter members will determine what Action Teams are to be created and also can dissolve an Action Team at any time.

 Section 3.  The Action Team will be comprised of those who have an interest in a specific event or function or those who have a special talent/skill/connection to make an event or function successful. Each team will consist of three or more members and have a single leader who will report monthly at the general membership meeting.

Media Campaigns

Whatever action you choose to take, remember the media: it's crucial to getting the word out. ....... Sending "letters to the editor" of your local paper, contributing to a feature news story, or launching a promotional campaign can be highly effective.

Here is some advice on writing "letters to the editor" from media watchdog group Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR).

1. Make one point (or at most two) in your letter or fax. State the point clearly, ideally in the first sentence.

2. Make your letter timely. If you are not addressing a specific article, editorial or letter that recently appeared in the paper you are writing to, then try to tie the issue you want to write about to a recent event.

3. Familiarize yourself with the coverage and editorial position of the paper to which you are writing. Refute or support specific statements; address relevant facts that are ignored: but do avoid blanket attacks on the media in general or the newspaper in particular.

4. Check the letter specifications of the newspaper to which you are writing. Length and format requirements vary from paper to paper ( generally, roughly two short paragraphs are ideal). In the case of "The Olympian", the limit on length is about 225 words. You also must include your name, signature, address and phone number.

5. Look at the letters that appear in your paper. Is a certain type of letter usually printed?

6. Support your facts. If the topic you address is controversial, consider sending documentation along with you letter: but don't overload the editors with too much info. The Olympian has provision for submitting letters via its website, but that excludes sending additional documentation. For that, you would need to use regular mail.

7. Keep the letters brief. Stick to 250 words or less, typed when possible. For The Olympian, 200 words might be best.

8. Find others to write letters when possible. This will show that other individuals in the community are concerned about the issue. If your letter doesn't get published, perhaps someone else's on the same topic will. Consider other Chapter members, friends and relatives. The phrasing and wording of their letters should be different from yours while still making the same points.

Adapted from page 6, "In Harm's Way" brochure. www.vfsb.org . Col. James & Prof. Shirley Kennedy, Chapter 54.