Increase Your Chapter Membership by Getting the Word Out

CyberPatriot

Field Resources

Increase Your Chapter Membership by Getting the Word Out

Growing the membership of your chapter can be as easy as writing an op-ed of 500 words or less for your local newspaper or base newsletter. Individual members and chapter officials can significantly increase exposure of local, state, and national AFA activities by submitting such articles according to the guidelines of the intended publisher. For example, on July 12, Colonel Mike Richardson, USAF (Ret.) had an editorial note published in the Sarasota, Florida based Herald-Tribune in which he effectively and succinctly informs readers about the exciting opportunities offered by AFA’s Cyber Patriot competition. Not only does this serve to inform readers about an important issue, cybersecurity, but also effectively advertises an AFA program and gets the name out to otherwise untouched demographics.

Active duty members can also submit op-eds to the Air Force Public Web, though there are some specific guidelines which must be followed. AFI 35-113 lays a few rules out, specifically stating that “articles of local interest to base people produced outside official channels (e.g. stringers, local organizations) may be used provided permission has been obtained, the source is credited, and they do not otherwise violate this instruction. Articles for off-base, non-profit organizations, including non-profit military-affiliated organizations (e.g. Air Force Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, NCO Association, etc.) must be consistent in length and placement to avoid the appearance of favoritism or implied endorsement.”

As long as you stick to the guidelines, you have a pretty good chance of getting your article published, and successfully increasing awareness of AFA and its goals. For some examples, check out these links.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110712/LETTERS/110719923/-1/news?Title=Student-cyber-contest&tc=ar

http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123259236

http://www.holloman.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123088648

http://www.eielson.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123262879

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AFA is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage. To accomplish this, we: EDUCATE the public on the critical need for unmatched aerospace power and a technically superior workforce to ensure U.S. national security. ADVOCATE for aerospace power and STEM education. SUPPORT the total Air Force family, and promote aerospace education.