Sharing Your CAP Stories

Sharing Your CAP Sharing Your CAP StoriesStories

Steve CoxSteve Cox

Public Affairs ManagerPublic Affairs Manager

Civil Air Patrol National HeadquartersCivil Air Patrol National Headquarters

Maj. Steven SolomonMaj. Steven Solomon

National Volunteer PA Team LeaderNational Volunteer PA Team Leader


What is news?What is news?

American Heritage DictionaryAmerican Heritage Dictionary

Information about recent events or Information about recent events or happenings, especially as reported by happenings, especially as reported by newspapers, periodicals, radio or television.newspapers, periodicals, radio or television.

Other modern-day sources: Other modern-day sources:

InternetInternet, Facebook, Twitter , Facebook, Twitter


Famous “news” quotes:Famous “news” quotes: ““All the news that’s fit to print.” All the news that’s fit to print.” – – New York Times New York Times motto motto (printed in the upper (printed in the upper

left-hand left-hand corner of the front page)corner of the front page)

““News is the first rough draft of history.News is the first rough draft of history.” ”

– – Philip L. GrahamPhilip L. Graham, Washington Post , Washington Post publisherpublisher

““No news is good news.No news is good news.” ”

– – Ludovic Halevy, French authorLudovic Halevy, French author


Maj. Solomon’s favorite quote about news:Maj. Solomon’s favorite quote about news:““It’s amazing that the amount of news that happens in It’s amazing that the amount of news that happens in

the world every day just exactly fits in the the world every day just exactly fits in the newspaper.”newspaper.” – Jerry Seinfield– Jerry Seinfield

My personal favorite:My personal favorite:““There’s nothing like a good news day!”There’s nothing like a good news day!” – – Steve Cox Steve Cox

This certainly rings true for our purposes. No news is This certainly rings true for our purposes. No news is notnot good good news for Civil Air Patrol. We news for Civil Air Patrol. We wantwant to share our good news with to share our good news with others – with each other, with those in our communities. others – with each other, with those in our communities.

We want every day to be a good CAP news day.We want every day to be a good CAP news day.

Sharing Your CAP StoriesSharing Your CAP Stories

Some examples of Civil Air Patrol news that Some examples of Civil Air Patrol news that

is is attractive to the national media:attractive to the national media: Unprecedented missions (Deepwater Horizon Unprecedented missions (Deepwater Horizon

oil spill, tsunami warnings, Midwest flooding).oil spill, tsunami warnings, Midwest flooding). Wreaths Across America initiatives.Wreaths Across America initiatives. Longtime members, especially those from the Longtime members, especially those from the

World War II era (subchasers, Mary Feik, World War II era (subchasers, Mary Feik, George Boyd).George Boyd).

Our modern-day pioneers (Eric Boe, Nicole Our modern-day pioneers (Eric Boe, Nicole Malachowski, Guy Loughridge, Justin Ogden).Malachowski, Guy Loughridge, Justin Ogden).


News that appeals more to the local news News that appeals more to the local news media:media:

Cadet achievements, honors (the younger the Cadet achievements, honors (the younger the better; always in uniform).better; always in uniform).

Change of command ceremonies.Change of command ceremonies. Summer activities, field trips.Summer activities, field trips. Wreaths Across America (any efforts to honor Wreaths Across America (any efforts to honor

our nation’s military veterans).our nation’s military veterans). Search and rescue training, new technology.Search and rescue training, new technology. If all else fails, take them for a ride.If all else fails, take them for a ride.

Share Your CAP StoriesShare Your CAP Stories

Remember, you can’t go wrong with any kind of Remember, you can’t go wrong with any kind of human interest story. human interest story. That’s really what That’s really what works! works! And there are a lot of human interest And there are a lot of human interest stories in Civil Air Patrol – more than 61,000 stories in Civil Air Patrol – more than 61,000 of them. of them. Every member has a story to tell. Every member has a story to tell. And there are enough mediums now available And there are enough mediums now available to tell those stories – conventionally through to tell those stories – conventionally through TV broadcasts and newspaper articles, or TV broadcasts and newspaper articles, or through more non-traditional ways like today’s through more non-traditional ways like today’s .com sites in which you report your news, as .com sites in which you report your news, as well as Twitter and Facebook.well as Twitter and Facebook.


Let’s examine TV and newspapers. Both are Let’s examine TV and newspapers. Both are still viable options with big audiences. still viable options with big audiences.

Things to remember:Things to remember: TV stations chomp at the bit for great video TV stations chomp at the bit for great video

footage and fascinating stories to accompany footage and fascinating stories to accompany them. PAOs can easily market these stories.them. PAOs can easily market these stories.

Newspapers are still nifty, too. Like their Newspapers are still nifty, too. Like their broadcast counterparts, they are looking for broadcast counterparts, they are looking for your help. Good photos accompanied by short your help. Good photos accompanied by short stories are easy to sell.stories are easy to sell.


Don’t forget military broadcasts and Don’t forget military broadcasts and publications in your area. They are more publications in your area. They are more likely to pick up CAP news than those likely to pick up CAP news than those without a military tie. Take advantage of without a military tie. Take advantage of this.this.

And, remember, most TV stations and And, remember, most TV stations and newspapers in your area, even local newspapers in your area, even local magazines, have a .com component now, magazines, have a .com component now, which enhances your reach. Take which enhances your reach. Take advantage of today’s multimedia approach.advantage of today’s multimedia approach.


One final word of advice on this: One final word of advice on this: Get to know the members of your local Get to know the members of your local

media. It’s all about relationships. Get to media. It’s all about relationships. Get to know these folks. know these folks.

Check websites for contact info or do Check websites for contact info or do directly to stations and papers to set up directly to stations and papers to set up one-on-one meetings. one-on-one meetings.

Use these opportunities to tell them what Use these opportunities to tell them what CAP does, and do this prior to sending CAP does, and do this prior to sending them any video footage, photos or stories.them any video footage, photos or stories.


So what is the vital tool we use to So what is the vital tool we use to communicate with TV viewers or newspaper communicate with TV viewers or newspaper readers? News releases, of course. They are readers? News releases, of course. They are still our best way.still our best way.

Write your release and send it to the media one Write your release and send it to the media one week prior to an event. They need time to assign week prior to an event. They need time to assign reporters, videographers and photographers to reporters, videographers and photographers to cover the event.cover the event.

Call the media to ensure they received your release Call the media to ensure they received your release and ask how you can help facilitate their coverage and ask how you can help facilitate their coverage of your story. Most often, they will appreciate the of your story. Most often, they will appreciate the offer.offer.


Does everyone know how to write a news Does everyone know how to write a news release?release?

First, determine what is newsworthy about your First, determine what is newsworthy about your wing or squadron. Then get to work.wing or squadron. Then get to work.

On your letterhead, place the phrase ‘FOR On your letterhead, place the phrase ‘FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE’ in the upper left corner. IMMEDIATE RELEASE’ in the upper left corner. Capitalize every letter.Capitalize every letter.

Below that phrase, skip a couple of lines and Below that phrase, skip a couple of lines and place the contact person’s information. List your place the contact person’s information. List your name, grade, title, home, work and mobile name, grade, title, home, work and mobile telephone and email address.telephone and email address.


If for any reason you are not going to be If for any reason you are not going to be available, list some other spokesperson or the available, list some other spokesperson or the person with the most information. Reporters person with the most information. Reporters often work on a deadline and may not be often work on a deadline and may not be available until after hours.available until after hours.

Compose a short headline that clearly Compose a short headline that clearly describes the news release content and grabs describes the news release content and grabs the reader’s attention. The ideal headline is the reader’s attention. The ideal headline is less than 80 characters long. Center it in bold less than 80 characters long. Center it in bold type on the page. Place concise secondary type on the page. Place concise secondary subheads in italics below the main headline.subheads in italics below the main headline.


Use a datelineUse a dateline. This is the city your news . This is the city your news release is issued from and the date you are release is issued from and the date you are distributing your release. This is typically the distributing your release. This is typically the HQ from which your unit is based or the AFB HQ from which your unit is based or the AFB where the activity was held.where the activity was held.

Refer to your AP StylebookRefer to your AP Stylebook, which lists the , which lists the U.S. cities that are so large and well known U.S. cities that are so large and well known that they don’t need the state to be listed, that they don’t need the state to be listed, too. (For example, it is LOUISVILLE, Ky., but too. (For example, it is LOUISVILLE, Ky., but only SAN DIEGO. States are not abbreviated only SAN DIEGO. States are not abbreviated like Zip Codes.)like Zip Codes.)

Share Your CAP StoriesShare Your CAP Stories LeadLead – The first paragraph is used to grab the – The first paragraph is used to grab the

reader’s attention.reader’s attention. 5 W’s and H 5 W’s and H (Who, What, When, Where, Why (Who, What, When, Where, Why

and How) – The most important of the and How) – The most important of the questions should be answered in the lead. questions should be answered in the lead. Others are answered later.Others are answered later.Who: Who: Who is announcing the news?Who is announcing the news?

What: What: What is being announced? A promotion, What is being announced? A promotion, change of command, SAREX, encampment.change of command, SAREX, encampment.

When: When: The time – include a.m. or p.m. – and date. The time – include a.m. or p.m. – and date. Make certain the day and date correspond. And don’t Make certain the day and date correspond. And don’t use military time.use military time.

Share Your CAP Stories Share Your CAP Stories

Where: Where: The location of the program or The location of the program or activity that was or will be held.activity that was or will be held.

Why: Why: This is your key message. It is This is your key message. It is ‘why’ you are making news.‘why’ you are making news.

Short paragraphs Short paragraphs – Paragraphs run one – Paragraphs run one to two sentences in length. Rarely do you to two sentences in length. Rarely do you see paragraphs of more than three see paragraphs of more than three sentences, especially with stories that sentences, especially with stories that are put online.are put online.


QuotationsQuotations – Use them. They bring ‘life’ – Use them. They bring ‘life’ to your story because they are the actual to your story because they are the actual words of someone in your story. Always words of someone in your story. Always have at least one. Try for two or more.have at least one. Try for two or more.

Inverted pyramid style Inverted pyramid style – You want to – You want to include the most important information include the most important information first, then follow in descending order by first, then follow in descending order by less-important information.less-important information.


Limit your opening (lead) sentence to no more Limit your opening (lead) sentence to no more than 25-28 words. Keep your lead paragraph than 25-28 words. Keep your lead paragraph below 50 words. It should be very short but below 50 words. It should be very short but can capture the essence of what you’re can capture the essence of what you’re writing about. Readers usually scan a page. writing about. Readers usually scan a page. If you can catch their attention, then your If you can catch their attention, then your press release is effective. It’s like Greg press release is effective. It’s like Greg Soule, PAO, TSA, says:Soule, PAO, TSA, says:

““The lead makes or breaks the press The lead makes or breaks the press release.”release.”


Simple sentence guidelines for the Simple sentence guidelines for the lead:lead:

WhoWho said or did something. said or did something.

What What was said or happened.was said or happened.

WhenWhen it was said or happened. it was said or happened.

WhereWhere it was said or happened. it was said or happened.

WhyWhy it was said or happened. it was said or happened.


Let’s apply those guidelines to our lead for Let’s apply those guidelines to our lead for the initial news release about this the initial news release about this conference.conference.

WhoWho – More than 600 Civil Air Patrol members – More than 600 Civil Air Patrol members

WhatWhat – are taking flight – are taking flight

WhereWhere – to Louisville, Ky., – to Louisville, Ky.,

WhenWhen – this month – this month

WhyWhy – as the all-volunteer U.S. Air Force – as the all-volunteer U.S. Air Force Auxiliary begins its observance of 70 years of Auxiliary begins its observance of 70 years of service to America. service to America.


Second paragraph: Second paragraph:

CAP officially celebrates its 70CAP officially celebrates its 70thth anniversary anniversary on Dec. 1 of this year, but will get started on Dec. 1 of this year, but will get started early at the 2011 Annual Conference and early at the 2011 Annual Conference and National Board meeting Aug. 17-20 at the National Board meeting Aug. 17-20 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown.Louisville Marriott Downtown.

Third paragraph:Third paragraph:

The theme of the conference is “Civil Air The theme of the conference is “Civil Air Patrol: Celebrating 70 Years of Service.”Patrol: Celebrating 70 Years of Service.”


In the fourth paragraph, insert a quote In the fourth paragraph, insert a quote from a leader, such as the national from a leader, such as the national commander, about the event or commander, about the event or program. Be sure to identify the source program. Be sure to identify the source of all quotes. Make sure that the quote of all quotes. Make sure that the quote content explains and enhances the story content explains and enhances the story and that there is a clear relationship and that there is a clear relationship between the person quoted and the between the person quoted and the story. Try to limit the number of quotes story. Try to limit the number of quotes to no more than two people.to no more than two people.


Fourth paragraph:Fourth paragraph:““This conference will celebrate our members’ This conference will celebrate our members’

dedicated service to America and their dedicated service to America and their extraordinary achievements above and extraordinary achievements above and beyond the call of duty,” said CAP National beyond the call of duty,” said CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter. “We Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter. “We will honor members with much-deserved will honor members with much-deserved awards for their service and will participate awards for their service and will participate with them in training seminars customized to with them in training seminars customized to fulfill their unique professional development fulfill their unique professional development needs in CAP.”needs in CAP.”


Fifth paragraph:Fifth paragraph:

Its citizen volunteers make CAP one of Its citizen volunteers make CAP one of America’s premier humanitarian service America’s premier humanitarian service organizations. With a versatile fleet of 550 organizations. With a versatile fleet of 550 aircraft, members save lives, find those who aircraft, members save lives, find those who are lost, help fellow citizens in times of are lost, help fellow citizens in times of disaster, work to keep their communities safe, disaster, work to keep their communities safe, honor the nation’s veterans and prepare its honor the nation’s veterans and prepare its future leaders. The organization also inspires future leaders. The organization also inspires youth to excel through aerospace education youth to excel through aerospace education and cyber defense competitions.and cyber defense competitions.


From there, release continues to build with From there, release continues to build with details of the conference (‘How’ they’re details of the conference (‘How’ they’re celebrating): celebrating):

Speakers – Ky. congressman and Jill Robb Speakers – Ky. congressman and Jill Robb Wilson.Wilson.

Main order of business – election of new national Main order of business – election of new national commander.commander.

Other highlights – training seminars, awards Other highlights – training seminars, awards ceremony and banquet.ceremony and banquet.

Information on this year’s host – the Kentucky Information on this year’s host – the Kentucky Wing.Wing.


And finally, the national CAP boilerplate – a And finally, the national CAP boilerplate – a final paragraph that covers basic final paragraph that covers basic organizational information like who we are, organizational information like who we are, what we do, our history, how to find out what we do, our history, how to find out more about us. more about us.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 61,000 is a nonprofit organization with more than 61,000 members nationwide. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, members nationwide. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 113 lives in fiscal year 2010. saving 113 lives in fiscal year 2010.


Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the more than 26,000 young people currently mentors to the more than 26,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for 70 years. It is a performing missions for America for 70 years. It is a major partner of Wreaths Across America, an initiative to major partner of Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans. Visit military veterans. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or or www.capvolunteernow.com for more information on CAP. for more information on CAP.

You can always find the latest version of the You can always find the latest version of the national CAP boilerplate at national CAP boilerplate at www.capmembers.com/boilerplate..


A good news release, the kind that gets results, A good news release, the kind that gets results, always:always:

Follows the inverted pyramid style with Follows the inverted pyramid style with the most the most important facts firstimportant facts first..

Keeps sentences shortKeeps sentences short.. Use short, well-known words. Use short, well-known words. Avoid jargonAvoid jargon.. Use active words Use active words to add immediacy to your writing. to add immediacy to your writing.

Make sure to use an active verb in your headline, your Make sure to use an active verb in your headline, your first sentence.first sentence.

Use specific, concrete – not abstract – words and terms.Use specific, concrete – not abstract – words and terms. Do not editorializeDo not editorialize, which means injecting your own , which means injecting your own

preferences or even preferences of the subject you are preferences or even preferences of the subject you are writing about without attributing. writing about without attributing. Stick to the facts.Stick to the facts.


Other helpful hints:Other helpful hints: NEVER WRITE IN ALL UPPER CASE LETTERS! This NEVER WRITE IN ALL UPPER CASE LETTERS! This

is very bad form. Even if your news release makes it is very bad form. Even if your news release makes it past the editors (highly unlikely), it will definitely be past the editors (highly unlikely), it will definitely be ignored by journalists. Use mixed case. ignored by journalists. Use mixed case.

Use short, declarative sentences and paragraphs; Use short, declarative sentences and paragraphs; indent or double-spaced between graphs.indent or double-spaced between graphs.

If your release goes beyond one page, type “-more-” If your release goes beyond one page, type “-more-” at the bottom of the first page. Keep the release to a at the bottom of the first page. Keep the release to a maximum of two pages, but strive for one when maximum of two pages, but strive for one when possible.possible.

At the end of the release, type “###” or “-30-” to At the end of the release, type “###” or “-30-” to indicate the end of the copy.indicate the end of the copy.


Style, grammar and punctuation are important, Style, grammar and punctuation are important, too!too!

The most-used guide for the general public, and The most-used guide for the general public, and one we recommend for CAP PAOs, is “The one we recommend for CAP PAOs, is “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White.White.

““The Associated Press Stylebook” is The Associated Press Stylebook” is recommended as a must-have reference. This is recommended as a must-have reference. This is the guide used by NHQ/PA, the guide used by NHQ/PA, Civil Air Patrol Civil Air Patrol Volunteer Volunteer and VolunteerNow, as well as most and VolunteerNow, as well as most major TV stations and newspapers in the United major TV stations and newspapers in the United States.States.


Do NOT use “The Tongue and Quill.”Do NOT use “The Tongue and Quill.” Do NOT use CAPR 10-1 “Preparing and Do NOT use CAPR 10-1 “Preparing and

Processing Correspondence.”Processing Correspondence.” Do NOT use the “Air University Style Guide.” Do NOT use the “Air University Style Guide.”

These references are great for These references are great for communicating with each other, but NOT communicating with each other, but NOT with the news media. Use the AP Stylebook. with the news media. Use the AP Stylebook. It is your friend. Using it in your news It is your friend. Using it in your news releases gives you instant credibility with releases gives you instant credibility with the media.the media.


Most common style mistakes made:Most common style mistakes made: Pay careful attention to abbreviations. Pay careful attention to abbreviations.

CAP abbreviations used for internal CAP abbreviations used for internal memos are NOT the same for news memos are NOT the same for news releases.releases.

Example:Example:

22dd Lt Lt for CAP memosfor CAP memos

22ndnd Lt. Lt. for CAP news releasesfor CAP news releases *Steve’s #1 Rule: Look it up!*Steve’s #1 Rule: Look it up!


Pay close attention to capitalization; the AP Pay close attention to capitalization; the AP Stylebook directs that titles before a name are Stylebook directs that titles before a name are capitalized, but titles after a name are not. capitalized, but titles after a name are not. Also, titles standing alone are not capitalized.Also, titles standing alone are not capitalized.

Examples:Examples:

Wing Commander Wing Commander Col. John Doe said…Col. John Doe said…Col. John Doe, Col. John Doe, wing commanderwing commander, said…, said…

The The wing commanderwing commander, John Doe, said…, John Doe, said…

*Steve’s Rules, #2: When in doubt, don’t capitalize.*Steve’s Rules, #2: When in doubt, don’t capitalize.


Let’s take Let’s take

the AP Stylebook the AP Stylebook

Test!Test!


Final helpful hints on news releases:Final helpful hints on news releases: Read through your release as though it’s the first Read through your release as though it’s the first

time – like you are reading it for the first time in time – like you are reading it for the first time in the paper. the paper.

Look for typos and awkward sentences. If there Look for typos and awkward sentences. If there are a lot of names (we hope so), ask someone to are a lot of names (we hope so), ask someone to help you check the spellings by reading the letters help you check the spellings by reading the letters aloud while you hold the original document that aloud while you hold the original document that lists them.lists them.

If you are using a lot of names, be sure to include If you are using a lot of names, be sure to include their hometowns, perhaps their ages if pertinent their hometowns, perhaps their ages if pertinent to the story.to the story.

Sharing Your CAP StoriesSharing Your CAP Stories If the release is about one person, as in a story If the release is about one person, as in a story

about a promotion, also list his/her CAP specialties, about a promotion, also list his/her CAP specialties, qualifications, encampments and activities. qualifications, encampments and activities.

This information is readily available through This information is readily available through eServices.eServices.

Double-check your facts.Double-check your facts.

Google the names of the universities your subjects Google the names of the universities your subjects say they attended, the businesses they say they say they attended, the businesses they say they work for, the aircraft they say they fly…to ensure work for, the aircraft they say they fly…to ensure you are spelling everything correctly and to verify you are spelling everything correctly and to verify the context is right. Getting it right adds to your the context is right. Getting it right adds to your credibility.credibility.

Sharing Your CAP StoriesSharing Your CAP Stories After re-checking that your facts are correct and After re-checking that your facts are correct and

performing spellcheck, send it out for approval.performing spellcheck, send it out for approval.

At this point, your release is actually only a draft. At this point, your release is actually only a draft. Always ask yourself, did everyone quoted or Always ask yourself, did everyone quoted or referenced in your story have a chance to review referenced in your story have a chance to review it for accuracy?it for accuracy?

Who should review your news release?Who should review your news release? – – Your commander – Activity or mission directorYour commander – Activity or mission director

– – Next level higher PAO – PAOs from cooperating Next level higher PAO – PAOs from cooperating agenciesagencies

– – Trusted colleague or family memberTrusted colleague or family member

– – EVERY person quotedEVERY person quoted


Steve’s Rules, #3: Steve’s Rules, #3:

DON’T let anyone who reviews your news DON’T let anyone who reviews your news release force you to capitalize or abbreviate or release force you to capitalize or abbreviate or make any change contrary to the AP Stylebook! make any change contrary to the AP Stylebook! Gently remind superiors that the style used for Gently remind superiors that the style used for producing a news release for the public is NOT producing a news release for the public is NOT the same as writing a CAP memo for internal the same as writing a CAP memo for internal purposes. (If you need help, call your wing PAO.)purposes. (If you need help, call your wing PAO.)

DO send everyone who has reviewed your news DO send everyone who has reviewed your news release a final copy for their files along with a release a final copy for their files along with a list of media you’ve sent it to. list of media you’ve sent it to.


Remember, the whole idea is to earn credibility with Remember, the whole idea is to earn credibility with the news media, so they will broadcast/publish your the news media, so they will broadcast/publish your story. story.

Consider the words of Bob Stone, chief of public affairs Consider the words of Bob Stone, chief of public affairs with the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, who with the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, who says,says,

““Every organization has a code of ethics. Every organization has a code of ethics. Some even write them down, and a few Some even write them down, and a few actually live up to those ethics… When we actually live up to those ethics… When we stick to those ethics, even in troubling times, stick to those ethics, even in troubling times, we flourish and we are believed.”we flourish and we are believed.”

Sharing Your CAP StoriesSharing Your CAP Stories Distribute your news release by email Distribute your news release by email – NOT fax or – NOT fax or

mail – to only the most likely TV station/paper that will use mail – to only the most likely TV station/paper that will use them. them.

(Most likely the one you have a relationship with.) (Most likely the one you have a relationship with.) Send the release to ONLY one member of the media Send the release to ONLY one member of the media

at a time. at a time. Paste the release as plain text in your email in Paste the release as plain text in your email in case the recipient can’t read your attached documentcase the recipient can’t read your attached document ..

Send photos Send photos (one or two, maybe three – not of the same (one or two, maybe three – not of the same thing). thing). If there are more good photos (or video footage), If there are more good photos (or video footage), make note of it in your email. If they are interested, they will make note of it in your email. If they are interested, they will let you know. Always send each photo as an attachment. Be let you know. Always send each photo as an attachment. Be sure to include a full-sentence caption and give photo credit sure to include a full-sentence caption and give photo credit for each photo.for each photo.


Finally, remember NHQ/PA. We WANT Finally, remember NHQ/PA. We WANT your news releases, too. So much so your news releases, too. So much so that we have put together a template that we have put together a template on eServices to make it easy.on eServices to make it easy.

Let’s take a look!Let’s take a look!


Please, Please, USEUSE this template. Let it be your prompt this template. Let it be your prompt to do all those things we have talked about to do all those things we have talked about today. Share your CAP stories with us, so we today. Share your CAP stories with us, so we can, in turn, share them with other members, as can, in turn, share them with other members, as well as the general public. well as the general public.

Remember, we talked earlier about news releases Remember, we talked earlier about news releases and how they are still the best way to and how they are still the best way to communicate with the news media. They are communicate with the news media. They are still still the best way the best way to communicate with to communicate with NHQ/PA, too. They are the tool we use to select NHQ/PA, too. They are the tool we use to select CAP news for CAP news for VolunteerVolunteer magazine, as well as magazine, as well as VolunteerNow.VolunteerNow.

The The VolunteerVolunteer is CAP’s premier publication, is CAP’s premier publication, tailored to educate not only our members, tailored to educate not only our members, but our external constituencies. It reaches but our external constituencies. It reaches 100,000 readers each quarter. Copies are 100,000 readers each quarter. Copies are often distributed to members of Congress, often distributed to members of Congress, aviation interests and related organizations aviation interests and related organizations across the country and at local events in across the country and at local events in which CAP participates – air shows, which CAP participates – air shows, volunteer expos, aviation museums, etc. The volunteer expos, aviation museums, etc. The magazine is also available online, as an e-magazine is also available online, as an e-zine, and this new format is already drawing zine, and this new format is already drawing impressive numbers.impressive numbers.



VolunteerNow, CAP’s national news website, is catching on, VolunteerNow, CAP’s national news website, is catching on, too. It provides another option. It reaches an additional too. It provides another option. It reaches an additional 55,000-plus readers each month, who regularly click on at 55,000-plus readers each month, who regularly click on at least four stories each time they visit the site. That is an least four stories each time they visit the site. That is an impressive number. It means more than 200,000 CAP impressive number. It means more than 200,000 CAP stories are being looked at monthly, or nearly 2.5 million stories are being looked at monthly, or nearly 2.5 million annually. annually.


How do we decide what CAP news goes where? How do we decide what CAP news goes where?

That’s easy, really. I would look at it this way, at That’s easy, really. I would look at it this way, at least as a general rule: least as a general rule:

Your news that you consider national would go in Your news that you consider national would go in the the VolunteerVolunteer while your regional or local news while your regional or local news would go on VolunteerNowwould go on VolunteerNow. .

Examples:Examples: VolunteerVolunteer – Unprecedented missions – Unprecedented missions

(Deepwater Horizon oil spill, tsunami warnings, (Deepwater Horizon oil spill, tsunami warnings, Midwest flooding, Midwest flooding,

Sharing Your CAP StoriesSharing Your CAP Stories Wreaths Across America, longtime members, like Wreaths Across America, longtime members, like

those from the World War II era (subchasers, Mary those from the World War II era (subchasers, Mary Feik, George Boyd); and modern-day pioneers (Eric Feik, George Boyd); and modern-day pioneers (Eric Boe, Nicole Malachowski, Guy Loughridge, Justin Boe, Nicole Malachowski, Guy Loughridge, Justin Ogden)Ogden)

VolunteerNow – Cadet achievements, Spaatz-level VolunteerNow – Cadet achievements, Spaatz-level honors (the younger the better; always in uniform), honors (the younger the better; always in uniform), wing or region change of command ceremonies, wing or region change of command ceremonies, summer activities, field trips, Wreaths Across summer activities, field trips, Wreaths Across America fundraising/ceremonies (any efforts to America fundraising/ceremonies (any efforts to honor military veterans), search and rescue training, honor military veterans), search and rescue training, new technology.new technology.


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Sharing Your CAP Stories

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