Category Archives: Historian

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 – 

*******************

(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. 

*******************

(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!

———————————————

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

Aletta Butler Email 228-334-2783

I want to thank each of you that went out of your way to help make this past SOI/COA, Home Coming weekend AMAZING!

Madam President was humbled by all of the love gifts that were presented to her, the comments and all of the joking on First Dude Chris, made the evening most memorable. Madam President keeps things light in all she does and I believe that has trickled down to everyone that spends time around her.

We brought tears to Madam Presidents eyes when we presented her with a Proclamation from Governor Reeves making October 21, 2024 “Soaring Above and Beyond for Veteran Day”. 

Please share the pictures you took throughout the weekend and especially during the Home Coming celebration.  You can post pictures of Madam President on Facebook, share with me and/or email them directly to Madam Presidents’ photo frame .

You can send pictures of the Commander to Mattie Corker  or post them on the VFW Department Facebook page.  

We are making history for the future, let’s preserve our memories from today so that our sisters and brothers in the future will be in awe. (don’t forget to bring your 2023-2024 Auxiliary historian books to State Convention)

(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  😉

According to Article VIII, Sec. 822 of the National Bylaws, “The Historian shall collect all authentic material pertaining to the history of their Auxiliary, carefully compile the same, and submit a report at the end of the year.”

The Auxiliary and District Historian & Media Relations

Chairmen

Our job as Historians & Media Relations Chairmen is to capture the 2023-2024 Program Year. At the Auxiliary/District/Department, we are the ones who shares the word about our Auxiliary to our communities. As Chairmen we should promote the Auxiliary through media, VFW & Auxiliary newsletters, websites and any other media that is available to us.

MEDIA: there are several resources available behind your MALTA login to help guide you through contacting/submitting news articles to the media. (Please share your submission with me as well)

• How to Share your Local Auxiliary Story Ideas and Events with Local Media – How far in advance should I contact the News outlets?
• VFW Auxiliary Communications Award-Certificate of Recognition for Local Media – in grateful recognition of your role in providing outstanding news coverage for VFW Auxiliary # (recognition to your local media will go along way in having them advertise and attend future events.
• VFW Auxiliary Publicity Guide – this is a how to guide book. Each Auxiliary received a printed copy of this during the August School of Instruction. (If your auxiliary President was not able to attend the District President was given your Auxiliary copy)
• VFW-Auxiliary-Elevator Speech-What We Do – Through our National Programs, we assist the VFW pass or block legislation that impacts veterans and their families, provide nearly a million volunteer hours in the VA medical system, conduct patriotic programs with thousands of students and offer hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships for our nation’s youth.
• VFW-Auxiliary-Local-Talking-Points – There are more than 3,600 Auxiliaries nationwide and we are working here in (your city/town name) to improve the lives of our nation’s veterans. Learn how you can get involved at www.vfwauxiliary.org and visit our Facebook page. Search for (list your Auxiliary name here).
• and so much more….

This Program Year there are 2 projects for us. We are the tellers of the 2023-2024 story:

1. Make a digital or physical scrapbook for your President. – Capture the special memories and activities through photos and videos and inform the public about our valuable National Programs. As Historian we will need to keep a written report of the Program Year for the Auxiliary/District/Department and give it to your President after State Convention where your scrapbooks will be judged.
2. Connect with a legacy member and complete a three- to five-minute video interview
   • Ask why they joined.
   • Ask about their favorite memorable moment(s).
   • Place emphasis on bringing the past to life.
   • Your can also look to your District or Department for legacy stories.
   • Submit your video to me before by March 31, 2024 for judging. Videos will be judged and the 1st place video will be forwarded to National by April 30, 2024. Your winning video may be shown at National Convention!- wouldn’t that be amazing?

(send some pictures in for possible inclusion in the Mid-Winter book)

Don’t forget to grab a photo release consent form before taking pictures. Release forms can be downloaded here.

Aletta Butler 228-334-2783