Hi Everyone,
It has come to my
attention that although some of us have been involved in Elks Public
Relations for sometime and others are new to our 'family', not
everyone understands what can be counted when we put together out
monthly report. So I have put together a list of what catagories
count and what counts in each catagory. And remember that
attempts or submissions count seperate from the actual published
item. You might submit to a radio station, a public service
annoucement (that is one submission) but they may play it 20 times -
so that is 20 published points.
Also, when it comes to
the Elk members and non members we are counting, these would be
people that actually helped you to plan, organize and put on any
event - not those that just attend it. So if you do a Veterans
Luncheon, you might have 10 people helping you to set up the room,
an additional 6 people working in the kitchen and 4 more helping you
to clean everything up. So you would have 20 people totally helping
with the activity - and don't forget to keep track of their time
they spent and miles it took for them to get there and back home
again. And also remember that you time counts too! Whatever amount
of time you spend working on PR things throughout the month for your
Lodge should also be counted. Such as time it takes to write the PSA
or prepare a poster.
As to the money column,
this is actual money spent on advertising, PR, etc. Did you have a
banner made or a poster? Did you print a bunch of flyers? Or buy an
ad in the local newspaper? Those are the things that count.
Most important - you
can't make a mistake! If you doubt if you can count it or not, just
ask! Send me an email and I'll try and have the answer or find out
the answer as quick as possible. And remember, although reporting
can be a pain in the butt - it is one of the biggest ways we can ALL
make certain we maintain our charitable status with the IRS (and it
makes us look pretty good to the other states that don't report too!
(lol)).
Remember, your report
is due to Susan by the 5th of each month and we hope to have it
available on our website by next month - we will keep you updated.
Thanks for all you do
for your Lodge and the UEA.
PR REPORTS -- HOW, WHY and
WHEN:
PR Reports are due by the 5th of
each month
Every mention of Elks and Elkdom promotes
new membership, membership retention, fund-raising, community image and the
Elk values. What would your community by like without your Elks Lodge?
Reporting Guidelines
and Suggestions:
News –
count all newspaper articles, magazine articles, periodical mentions, media
references. Obituaries and wedding announcements count, but are the least
important.
TV -
count all television messages highlighting Elk activities including
community message boards. Each time played or aired counts as 1 published
point.
Radio –
count all radio messages highlighting Elk activities including any or all of
the five (5) pre-recorded messages on the Drug Awareness audio cassette. Any
activity or event you have, pre-advertise it as a public service
announcement. Then follow up the event with ‘a thank you’ PSA and let
everyone know what your event did or how much money you raised and what you
did it for. Ask the radio station for their ‘flight schedule’ of your PSA –
it will show how many times they played your announcement.
Signs –
count ALL your Lodge signs (think about it – you probably have quite a few),
any road signs, directionals, billboards, electronic signs, community
service message boards (yes – you get one point in TV AND one point
in signs!), any signs saying Elks Care ~ Elks Share, Lodge activity
signs, posters for upcoming events.
Email/Web
site – This is where using the email and website can really count! For
every email you send out or receive – COUNT IT! (not every follow-up message
to the original email though – just new ones.) Count every ‘hit’ to your
Lodges’ website (now – that doesn’t mean you get every member of your Lodge
to ‘hit’ your website everyday of the week!) Be honest with your counting –
and realistic.
Other –
entry in a parade; speak at an event, activity or graduation where you talk
about Elkdom; fairs or tradeshows; thank you notes you send; flyers;
clothing such as hats, shirts and jackets; bumper stickers; license plate
holders; lapel pins
The most important
thing is get the name and word out there. Don’t be afraid and if in doubt,
ask your Lodge ER – email me – or ask your State Officers or District
Deputy. The more we let our communities know what GOOD we do ~ the more GOOD
we CAN continue to do!
Patrick W. Whitt, Government Relations
Committee
To View
Area 7 PR Activities please review the PR
Reports.
NOTE: These reports will be updated as they become
available
Public Relations Reports -
January 2008
Public Relations Reports - March
2008
Public Relations Reports -
October 2008
Do you
have something that you would like to see on this website?
Do you have news about Lodge events
you want published on your Lodge Web Site?
We will publish all
Elk's fraternal related news. Please submit your Lodge and UEA articles and pictures for all to see! We want to hear from you. This Web site is about promoting Elkdom and to
share information with all active Elk members! Please join me in promoting
all Utah Elk's Lodge events by using this access web service. These web pages are designed to support all
Utah Elk's members.
If you have submissions, comments or suggestions
please e-mail Linda at lginutah@aol.com.
Links to Grand Lodge Public Relations & Media Information
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