Happy Holidays, Navy Leaguers! The end of the year is a time for reflection. We have shared many Best Practices through the Council Alert and many of you have asked us to make them available on our website. Today we start the process of presenting them. If you have questions or comments about the information below, please contact the Member Service Center at service@navyleague.org or 800.356.5760. Thanks! Bill Waylett
Featured Sections:
I. Best Practices – 2003 “Oldies but Goodies”
II. Best Practice – Community Engagement for International Councils
III. Public Relations
IV. Membership
V. Legislative Affairs
VI. Development
VII. Announcements
I. Best Practices – 2003 “Oldies but Goodies”
We started the Council Alert eNewsletter program in 2003 with one of our objectives to share your best practices. The 2003 Best Practices are now posted on the Navy League website under Council Resources (see http://www.navyleague.org/councils/council-best-practices.pdf). Here’s the index of our first year of best practices:
1/15/03 “Waltzing Its Way to Growth”, Boca Delray Council
1/30/03 Aggressive Recruiting by the Lake Washington Council
2/13/03 Ten Tips for Councils on Getting Better News Coverage
3/13/03 Greater Central Texas Council’s Distinguished Speaker Program
3/28/03 Oak Harbor Council shows support – others follow
4/11/03 Puerto Vallarta: How to Grow a Council in a Foreign Country
4/24/03 Community Affiliate Recruiting
5/8/03 Good Ideas
• Council Credit Card
• Recruiting Parents of Adopted Units Personnel
• Young Navy Leaguer Agenda
6/5/03 Council Web Sites
6/19/03 Recruit Local Defense Contractors
7/17/03 TAP – Transition Assistance Program
7/31/03 Supporting Local Recruiters – The Delayed Entry Program
8/28/03 Adopting Ships, Stations and Units
9/11/03 Recognition Makes a Difference
9/25/03 Online Photo Album
10/9/03 Supporting Sea Service Recruiters
10/23/03 Community Affiliates – Council Allies
11/6/03 Recruiting Tips
II. Best Practice – Community Engagement for International Councils
If you review the Puerto Vallarta best practice, listed above, you will find the council’s success is tied to active community involvement. What do you do if you are an inland international council without ship visits or a US military base? According to Ton Denegre, Madrid Council President, use the resources available. The Madrid Council recently hosted an important conference for NATO, as described in the Press Release below.
“On November 28th, the Allied Land Component Command of NATO (CC-Land HQ) in Madrid, Retamares, hosted a symposium on the 25th anniversary of Spain’s membership in the Organization of the North Atlantic Treaty. The event was organized by the, Madrid Council, Navy League of the United States (NLUS), in cooperation with the Spanish Atlantic Association (AAE). The Ministry of Defense and the CC-Land HQ Madrid, commanded by Lieutenant General Cayetano Miró Valls, supported both organizations in the conception and execution of this important conference. Sponsorship and funding was also provided by Lockheed Martin España, a business member of the Madrid Council.”
The symposium, named “A NATO for the XXI Century" is featured in Council News on our website at http://www.navyleague.org/public_relations/november2007/112807-council-news-madrid-nato-anniversary-symposium.php.
Keys to the success of this event are 1) providing a community service, 2) partnering with local organizations to host the event, and 3) engaging the business community to support the effort. Congratulations to Tom Denegre for adopting and refining a best practice for international councils.
III. Public Relations
Navy League Video & Council Care Packets
The second Council Care Packet for this year will be mailed next week and will include a DVD copy of the new Navy League information video that was premiered at this year’s National Convention. Also included in the packet are Talking Points for the video, Navy Community Outreach (NAVCO) information on requesting speakers and aerial demonstration units, a 2008 Membership Challenge from the new Sr. Dir. of Membership, information on how to recruit new corporate members, a Navy League Charitable Donation fact sheet, a copy of the Council President’s Turnover Guide and a list of council workshops, the deadlines for Seapower and Navy Leaguer submissions and a promotion flyer for Sea-Air-Space 2008 coming up March 18-20.
Packets will be mailed to Steering Committee Members, and Region, Area and Council Presidents. Electronic copies of the packet will be posted on the Navy League website under Council Resources. Downloadable versions of the Navy League Video (in low, medium, high and iPod versions) are also posted on the website at www.navyleague.org.
For questions about the Council Care Packet or the Navy League Video, contact Tiffany Anzalone, Director of Public Relations, at 703-312-1581 or tanzalone@navyleague.org.
III. Membership
Senior Director of Membership announces first message
Please welcome Salvador Chairez, who has taken over as the new Senior Director of Membership. In his first letter to the Councils, he outlines the status of the Online Community, retention reports, and the new database. He also gives tips on retention, calculating your Council’s retention, and issues a challenge to the Councils.
IV. Legislative Affairs
A resounding BRAVO ZULU (Well Done) to all hands contributing to the forward movement of the Grassroots Legislative Initiative in 2007! We now have three Regions having made the presentation to over 60% of their members of Congress, followed by 5 other Regions that are now making significant progress toward reaching the 50% level over the next 6 months. The leaders of Councils and Areas not yet engaged are urged to contact the appropriate Region Vice President (Legislative Affairs) or Region President to learn how to participate in this important endeavor in 2008. No voice is more resonant with a member of Congress than that of a constituent. The tremendous dedication and support of so many Navy Leaguers is invaluable to this cause – thank you!!!
V. Development
Please check your mail in the coming days for your 2008 Navy League Calendar. Mike McGrath, Navy League President, is pleased to send this calendar to you as a “thank you” for all the many ways you recognize the Sea Services each and every day. Your continued support of the Navy League’s programs is so very much appreciated.
VI. Announcements
1. New Ship Store Catalog Announced
On October 1, 2006, Promo Marketing was given the contract to operate as the sole provider of all council support materials and NLUS signature products. The Navy League Ship’s Store was created to provide information on products and services available. Since then, the product line has been expanded with the feedback and support of the headquarters staff and national board of directors.
Promo Marketing has published their first catalog and sent a copy to each council president. The catalog offers a comprehensive selection of items for council use, including plaques and awards, promotional items, certificates and more. There are several new choices in Navy League attire, including the basic polo, button down shirts, jackets and sweaters. All are available with either the original or the new emblem.
Please contact the Ship’s Store for more information at 1.866.640.6587 (NLUS), or nlus@promollc.com.
2. Digital Edition of SeaPower
The digital edition of the December issue of SeaPower is now live. Check it out!
http://www.seapower-digital.com/seapower/sample/
3. Sea-Air-Space Exposition
The Navy League’s annual spring three-day event brings together key military decision makers, the major players in the defense industry and Navy Leaguers for a look at the latest maritime technology. Held March 18-20, 2008 in Washington, DC, members attend FREE. For additional information, visit http://www.sasexpo.org.
Member Servicese
service@navyleague.org
www.navyleague.org