Category: Historian

Lisa Thompson 662-586-8870 email report form

March 31st Historian and Media Relations Award – Judging Due 

As you ponder the entries for these events 

There are important deadlines coming up also

March 31 – Illustrating America

March 31 – Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest

March 31 – 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest

April 30 – The VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero” Scholarshipthere is another deadline approaching
The Historian and Media Relations AwardYes it is a real thing!! Who hit the markWho deserves the award
On March 31st your entries for the “Best Historian and Media Relations” Auxiliary are due for judgingthink about who hit all the platformsC of A presentationsFacebook and InstagramLocal NewspaperLocal TVBrochuresQR CodesHashtagsScrapbooksWhen submitting use the form attachedmust includeVFW Auxiliary NameVFW Auxiliary NumberDepartment NameDescribe the training or education promoting the VFW Auxiliary Programs to the community thruthe media resources listed above (flyers, brochures,social media posts, newsletterse-newsletters, photos and videos
Awards for Auxiliaries

Most outstanding promotion of the VFW Auxiliary Programs to the community through social media resources

Citations and $25 to one VFW Auxiliary in each of the 11 Program Divisions with the most

outstanding promotion of the VFW Auxiliary Programs to the community through all social media platforms

Citations will be mailed directly to the winning VFW Auxiliaries from National Headquarters and money will be

deposited into the winning VFW Auxiliary account after the 2025 VFW National Convention in Columbus Ohio

Lisa Thompson 662-586-8870 email

Your Auxiliary, District, or Department website should be informative for 

both members and those interested in becoming members of the VFW Auxiliary

Make sure to include

1) A “Join Us” or “Become a Member” Menu Item or Button on the Home Page 

it is important for potential members to know how they can join the VFW Auxiliary

2) Contact Information – State your Auxiliary District or Department 

their address phone number and email address so members and potential members can reach you easily 

3) the “About Us” tab – Sharing information about your Auxiliary District or Department 

a) When the Auxiliary District or Department was charted

b) A list of Officers 

c) Your Auxiliary District or Department involvement within the community

4) Information about VFW Auxiliary Programs 

a)Share information about the programs the VFW Auxiliary offers 

b) Provide examples of how your Auxiliary District or Department is involved in each program or link to the respective Program Page 

on the National Organizations website 

5) Calendar of Events 

a) you want your members to be active in your Auxiliary

b) Make sure members can easily find information about upcoming meetings and events 

6) Resources – Links to other sites

a) VFW Auxiliary National Organization

b) VFW National Organization

c) VFW Store

d) VFW National Home for Children

e) Military & Veteran Family Helpline

Be sure to include links to your Auxiliary,District or Department’s Facebook page or other social media 

To insure a proper website I prefer checking out these website web builders

A) Google Sites

B) Go Daddy – Go Daddy

C) WIX – WIX

It’s February y’all – let’s put a little LOVE into it too

Don’t forget the Who What When Where and Why

♥️

Lisa Thompson 662-586-8870 email

As in the past VFW and VFW Auxiliary members have honors the legacy of
Martin Luther King Jr
On January 15th 2024 this year encourage your members to volunteer in their communities
create a video and submit it to your local news channel
or even create a Youtube video of the days events
Picture taking is a must – which you will need after creating your Youtube channel for uploading purposes
post on Facebook or Instagram or if you get more enthralled a Youtube channel video may do the trick

You can participate in the VFW Day of Service by:
Telling the VFW if you or your post will be participating
Including other organizations participating in or benefiting from the event
Hosting a community service event
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Make sure you have a google account and a gmail email address before creating the Youtube channel
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Creating a personal channel
Sign in to YouTube on a computer.
Click your profile picture. Settings .
Click Add or manage your channel(s).
Click Create a channel .
You’ll be asked to create a channel.
Check the details (with your Google Account name and photo) and confirm to create your channel.

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Create a channel with a business or other name

Follow these instructions to create a channel that can have more than one manager or owner.
You can connect your channel to a Brand Account if you want to use a different name on YouTube than your Google Account. Learn more about Brand Accounts.
Sign in to YouTube on a computer or the mobile site.
Go to your channel list.
Choose to create a new channel or use an existing Brand Account:
Create a channel by clicking Create a new channel.
Create a YouTube channel for a Brand Account that you already manage by choosing the Brand Account from the list. If this Brand Account already has a channel, you can’t create a new one. When you select the Brand Account from the list, you’ll be switched over to that channel.
Fill out the details to name your new channel. Then, click Create. This will create a new Brand Account.
To add a channel manager, follow the instructions to change channel owners and managers.

Have Fun Y’all 

Lisa Thompson 662-586-8870 email

Publicity – Know Your Methods

Hello,

I am writing to inform you about the various publicity methods that
our organization uses to engage with the media.

Introduce yourself and the organization to members of the media (TV Stations, Newspapers)

We regularly introduce ourselves and our organization to members of
the media, including TV stations and newspapers. This helps to build
relationships and ensure that they are aware of our work.

Submit news releases to the medias on a regular basis

We also submit news releases to the media on a regular basis. These
releases provide information about our latest activities and
achievements.

Contact the media when something unique or unexpected happens

In addition, we contact the media when something unique or unexpected
happens within our organization. This could include a major event, a
newsworthy development, or a significant achievement.

Designate a contact that the media can get the information from

We have designated a specific contact person who is responsible for
providing information to the media. This ensures that all media
inquiries are handled promptly and efficiently.

Let email be the contact tool to the TV stations, newspapers, and other publications

We primarily use email as our contact tool for TV stations,
newspapers, and other publications. This allows us to communicate
quickly and easily with the media.

Recognize all the media in your area

We recognize all the media outlets in our area and maintain
relationships with them. This helps to ensure that our news releases
and other communications are widely distributed.

Maintain all social media outlets (i.e., Facebook, Instagram)

We also maintain a presence on all major social media platforms, such
as Facebook and Instagram. This allows us to connect with the public
and share information about our organization.

Creating a Facebook Event
Example – “Holiday Scavenger Hunt”
Holiday scavenger – See Photo Attached

Instructions: This game works great for a team building exercise or a
company Christmas party activity. First, gather the group and hand out
the list of objects. Then, give players 10 to 15 minutes to find as
many items around the office as possible. You can play the game in
teams, or individually. When the timer runs out, count up the total
number of items and award the player or team with the most points as
the winner.

To create a Facebook event, you can follow these steps:

1. Click on the top right of Facebook.
2. Select your page.
3. Click Events.
4. Click Create.
5. Select Public Event for privacy.
6. Enter the event name.
7. Add the event details, such as the start date, start time, end
   time, location, and description.
   Also
   You can also create an online event by following these steps:
   Tap Menu in the bottom right of your feed
   Tap +Create, then tap Online
   Choose an online event type, such as Messenger Rooms or Facebook Live
   Add the event name, date, and time
   Tap Privacy and select an option
   Add an event description and tap Next

You can save a draft of your event or schedule it to go live at a
specific time. Private events can only be created from a personal
profile.

Seasons Greetings & Happy Holidays “Y’all

Lisa Thompson 662-586-8870 email

Digital Photo Albums and Digital Scrapbooks – How to Create

To create an album on Facebook, you can do the following:
Click your name in the top right of Facebook
Scroll down and click Photos
Click Create Album
Enter a title for the album
Choose the privacy settings for the album by clicking Share with
Click Create Album

You can also add photos to the album by selecting them after clicking Create Album.
You can add up to 1,000 photos to an album, but you can’t add live videos. You can only add photos or posts to albums you’ve created or to shared albums where you’re a contributor.
You can also add information to the album, such as a description, date, location, and co-contributors.

When you share an album with contributors on Facebook, they can add photos or videos to the album. They can also tag photos, edit the album and add other contributors.
Contributors can only edit or delete the photos they upload. You can delete the contributor’s photos in albums you own. If you remove a contributor, they may be able to delete photos they added to the shared album from their activity log.

Creating A Facebook Album Thru Your Mobile App
To create a shared album on Facebook mobile, you can use the Facebook app on an Android or iOS device:

Start with  by going to your Facebook profile
Under “Add Story” find Posts Photos Videos
Go to Photos then choose under Your Photos and Videos,click Albums
Tap Create Album, Name Your Album and hit “Save”
Also Choose who can see your album – your audience
your choices are: Public, Friends, Specific Friends or Only You
Once everything is saved you can start adding photos from your cell phone.laptop or computer
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Adding Contributors to your Facebook Album
Desktop Help

To share an album with contributors:

Click your profile picture in the top right of Facebook.
Click your profile name.
Click Photos, then click Albums.
Click  in the top right of the album you’d like to add a contributor to.
Click Edit album.
In the Add Contributors section, enter the names of contributors you want to add.
Click Save.

Note: You can’t add contributors to some albums, like Mobile Uploads.

Mobile App Help
To share an album with contributors:

Tap  in the bottom right of Facebook, then tap your name.
Tap Photos.
Tap Albums.
Tap on the album you’ve created.
Tap  in the top right corner, then tap Edit Album.
Tap next to Add Contributors to turn it on, then tap Choose Friends.
Select the friends you want to add as contributors, then tap Done.
Tap the privacy to select a new audience.
Tap Save in the top right corner.
Note: You can’t add contributors to some albums, like Mobile Uploads.

To edit an album on Facebook, 

You can go to your photos, select the album, and then click Edit. From there, you can change who can see the album, add photos or videos, and more.

To edit the date of a post on Facebook, you can do the following:

Log into Facebook on a computer
Click your profile picture in the top right
Click See all profiles and select the page you want to switch to
Click your page’s name in the left menu
Go to the post and click in the top right
Select Edit date from the menu
Choose a new date and time for the post
Click Done

The Edit Date option may not appear if you’re not on your Facebook page, or if you’re on your page as an admin instead of switching to your page profile. The option is only available on the desktop version of Facebook.

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Other Ways
To create a digital scrapbook, you can:

Choose photos: Select a few of your favorite photos. If you’re using printed photos, you can scan them.
Select a design: You can choose a template or start from scratch. Some tools offer design tools to customize layouts and pages.
Add elements: You can add text, shapes, icons, and filters to personalize your scrapbook.
Edit images: You can edit your photos.
Preview and save: Preview your finished scrapbook and save it.

Here are some tools you can use to create a digital scrapbook:

Canva
A free online tool with a drag-and-drop feature that lets you add shapes, icons, and elements. You can search for “Scrapbook” to open a new design.
Scrapbook Maker
An app with design tools that let you edit photos, add text, apply filters, and rearrange elements.
Digital kits
These kits can include background papers to help you create pages more quickly.

Be The When of The Five “W’

When in dictionary terms is
adverb: when
at what time.
“When did you last see him?”
how soon.
“When can I see you?”
in what circumstances.
“when would such a rule be justifiable?”
adverb
adverb: when
at or on which (referring to a time or circumstance).
“Saturday is the day when I get my hair done”
conjunction
conjunction: when
1. at or during the time that.
“I loved math when I was in school”
“call me when you’re finished”
at any time that; whenever.
“can you spare five minutes when it’s convenient?” 

2. after which; and just then (implying suddenness).
“he had just drifted off to sleep when the phone rang”

3. in view of the fact that; considering that.

“why bother to paint it when you can photograph it with the same effect?”

4. although; whereas.

“I’m saying it now when I should have told you long ago”

All are correct but my when is when we work together as a community as one
both VFW and VFW Auxiliaries coming together as one
fun things,patriotic things outings,meetings, being together in times are bad and good

So be the “When” of the five W’s that we know we can be

Aletta Butler (228) 334-2783 EMAIL monthly report form

send pictures to email questions email

 Hey all our Historians. 

We are gearing up to the end of Madam President Barbara Franklins leadership year. Keep sending your photos to Barbara’s photo frame. Find the picture in your phone that you would like to send her, click on share and then email to Barbara (this email does not accept text) 

Thank you for all of those that have used the online reporting system this year. All of your information is being tabulated and will be sent to Madam President for her end of the year report. All of your hard work and reporting will help Mississippi shine at National Convention, where we hope that Barbara is able to accept Mississippi’s award and be welcomed into the Circle of Excellence.

Last call for your interview videos. 

Aletta Butler (228) 334-2783 EMAIL monthly report form

send pictures to email questions email

#   What is that all about?? 

Well, it is called a hash tag. It is used on social media platforms, so it is easier to find posts, pictures, etc. Our National Historian ambassador is asking that you #SNAP, Stop Now Ask Permission when you are snapping pictures of anyone. (permission slips are available for download behind MALTA log in)

During the March C of A we will be set up to take video interviews of Legacy (long-time members) that are in attendance. If you need help with ideas or video I am here to help. Entry forms are available in MALTA Member Resources. Entries are due to me by April 1, 2024 for judging and list submission to National by April 30, 2024. National will issue a citation to the Auxiliary for their participation directly.

The coolest way to share the interviews is posting them to the Department Facebook page. (make sure you tag me and #BarbaraPFranklin) We will need to submit the video to National on a thumb drive and make sure the entry form is filled out.

Some great advice from the National historian, Diana Morris:

* Greet and introduce the Legacy member with some details about them.

* Ask how they joined and why they joined.

* Perhaps have them show pictures of themselves and/or their veteran. Have them tell of some of their favorite memories. And try to bring those memories to life.

* Watch for distractions or other people in the video.

Y’all are doing amazing making history for our future while “Banding Together” and Soar Above and Beyond with One Mission – Veterans!

Aletta Butler (228) 334-2783 EMAIL monthly report form

send pictures to email questions email

WOO HOO!!!!  Y’all rock at loving Veterans, Active duty and your communities!

About the challenge put to your Auxiliary (see below)….y’all still have time to publish what your Auxiliary and Post did during November & December. Make sure to bring it to me at Mid Winter.

Yes we want to know what y’all have been up to all year – however, the amazing things that were done during a time of the year that most are being selfish with “I have so much to do for me” your Auxiliary and Post stepped up and took care of your local Veterans, children in your community, families that just needed a hand up, 

• donated to food banks
• worked tirelessly for Toys for Tots
• packed care packages for our deployed service members
• held fundraisers so you could make care packages for our Veterans in the VA homes
• teamed up with your Post to give gift cards so many in your community could have Christmas dinner
• opened your Post and served a holiday meal, laid thousands of wreaths the whole state of Mississippi on our departed Veterans graves
• baked and cooked cookies
• pies and cakes for our Veterans
• adopted Veterans from the VA nursing home to make their Christmas wish list come true
• worked with community partners to help the homeless
• visited with patients in nursing homes
• stuffed backpacks for VA delivery
• held Christmas breakfast for the community complete with Santa pictures
• held Christmas party for customer appreciation
• donated to local Church pantry
• held a taco bar for Veterans from VA
• grocery shopping for the month for a Marine and 4 children
• donated blankets to the local human society
• gave blankets to Veterans at the nursing home
• adopted Veterans in the nursing homes
• donated personal care buckets to the homeless through the Sherriff department
• represented the VFW & Auxiliary in Christmas parades
• personally delivered Christmas stockings
• donated books about Veterans to local schools
• and to start the month of December off y’all took a moment to go to the VA and nursing homes to decorate Christmas tress.

All I can really say is how humbled I am to call you Sister and Brother! Your selfless during the holidays (and all year round) is part of who we are in being a member of the greatest Veterans organization on the face of the earth!

You are SPECTACULAR!!  May God Bless you each and everyday of the New Year that is ahead – 

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(Challenge for November & December- publish a public article of something your Auxiliary and Post has done over Thanksgiving,  Christmas, New Years. This can be a FB LIVE on your Post/Auxiliary/personal public Facebook, advertising on the radio station, be highlighted on the community section during the local news program, article in the newspaper, Tik Tok – instagram – you tube public station. – as always if you are interested in any of this and not sure where or how to start give me a call) Bring or send this to me at Mid-Winter each entry will receive a special gift. -don’t forget to report it  😉

                  We are making HISTORY for our future!

Aletta Butler (228) 334-2783 EMAIL monthly report form

send pictures to Madam President via email questions email

HEY MISSISSIPPI!!! Lets get something going on!!

The Historian & Media Relations Program encompasses memory keeping and collecting the five Ws: the who-what-where-when and-why of an Auxiliary. Members involved with this program compile and chronicle memories and events in written format, photographs, memorabilia and print news/video clips. They also spread the word about our valuable National Programs and share how we are making a positive impact in the lives of veterans, service members and their families in thousands of communities across the country. (off National website)

You are the one in your Auxiliary to reach out to all of the media sources in your area.  A list of media resources in Mississippi. If you have a contact that you would like to add to the list, or find data that needs to be updated, email it to me so we can keep this list updated for the future.

To help spread the word the National organization has given us a ton of resources to help us on the way… (a small part of Historian/Media Relations info found in MALTA cut up and ‘collaged’ together to make it easier for you to announce all the AWESOME work your Auxiliary is doing)

Who do you contact?

 At the weekly newspaper, ask for the Editor.

 At the daily newspaper, ask for the City or Metro Editor, or the Editor or columnist for the section or column where you want your article to run.

 At radio stations, ask for the News Director, if it is newsworthy; Program Director, for a talk show or the calendar.

 At TV stations, ask for the News Director or Assignment Editor if you want the station to cover an event.

 For a TV talk show, ask for the Program Director or the Producer of the show.

 If you don’t know whom to contact, ask the person answering the phone.

 Keep a list of contacts at local newspapers, radio stations and TV stations

Before you contact anyone to cover an event your Auxiliary is hosting or participating in, answer the following questions:

 Are local people involved? (yes or no)

 Is the event happening in the near future – within the next month? (yes or no)  Will non-members be interested in attending or hearing about the event? (yes or no)

 Will the event help the local community? (yes or no) If yes, how? (describe)

 Is the activity or event unique? (yes or no)

 Does the activity or event promote a new idea or concept? (yes or no)

What is Newsworthy?

 Events hosted by an Auxiliary at a VA facility

 Decorating graves for Veterans Day and Memorial Day; participating in Wreaths Across America.

 Assisting families of deployed troops (Hosting holiday events, i.e. Christmas parties, Easter Egg hunts, Trick-or-Treat events, offering financial assistance)

 Adopting a Unit through the VFW’s Veteran and Military Support Program.

 Collecting supplies for deployed troops.

 Meeting troops at the airport as they return from deployment and helping them complete their journey home.

 Members and youth who are participating in a “Buddy” ® Poppy Drive or POW/MIA remembrance ceremony.

 Scholarship winners such as the winner of the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest.

 Flag presentations to community groups.

 Publicizing what your Auxiliary has done to help natural disaster victims.

 National President’s Visit.

 Repairs on a Veteran’s Home/Building a Wheelchair Ramp/etc.

 Walks/Runs/Events to raise awareness/funds for Veteran Issues/PTSD.

Press Releases:

(You want to start by telling the media source who ya’ll are, how to contact you for more information and what is going on:)

VFW Post & Auxiliary [insert Name/Post Number] are excited to announce the kick-off of the VFW Auxiliary’s annual scholarships & contests for kindergarten through high school students who may compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prize earnings.

Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest – Students submit an original two-dimensional piece of artwork. Entry must have completed during the current school year. Student entries must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary [insert Name/Post Number] by March 31, 2024. Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. The first-place winner from each Auxiliary advances to the Department (state) competition. Department first-place winners compete for their share of $34,500 in national awards, and the national first-place winner is awarded a $15,000 scholarship. To download an entry form, visit www.vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships.

3-Dimensional Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest – Students submit an original three-dimensional piece of artwork. Entry must have completed during the current school year.Students begin by competing at the local VFW Auxiliary level. Student entries must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary [insert Name/Post Number] by March 31, 2024. The first-place winner from each Auxiliary advances to the Department (state) competition. Department first-place winners compete for their share of $5,500 in national awards, and the national first-place winner is awarded a $2,500 scholarship. To download an entry form, visit https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships.

Illustrating America – Students in grades K-8 can participate in this patriotic art contest that encourages students’ artistic abilities as they express how they see America through drawings and paintings. The contest consists of three grade divisions: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Winners in each division receive VISA gift cards ranging in value from $25-$100. Entrants are due to [insert Name/Post Number] by March 31, 2024. Find more information at www.vfwauxiliary.org/what-we-do/youth-activities.

(don’t forget to add the wording below on everything that you send out to the media)

About the VFW Auxiliary: The VFW Auxiliary is one of the nation’s oldest veterans’ service organizations. Our members are the relatives of those who served in a location of foreign conflict. We have nearly 470,000 members representing all 50 states, Panama, Guam and the Philippines who volunteer millions of hours and give millions of dollars to support veterans, military service personnel, their families and communities. Learn more at www.vfwauxiliary.org. 

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(Challenge for December- publish a public article of something your Auxiliary and Post has done over Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. This can be a FB LIVE on your Post/Auxiliary/personal public Facebook, advertising on the radio station, be highlighted on the community section during the local news program, article in the newspaper, Tik Tok – instagram – you tube public station. – as always if you are interested in any of this and not sure where or how to start give me a call) Bring or send this to me at Mid-Winter each entry will receive a special gift. -don’t forget to report it  😉

                  We are making HISTORY for our future!

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Be safe and I pray you and your family a very Merry Christmas and an amazing New Year.