Council Office
(912) 927--7272
"SCOUTING MEDIA"
It is time to get scouting in the news! This is a plea to nominate a member of your Troop, Pack, Post or Crew to write articles for local newspapers and other news outlets. This is strictly on a voluntary basis. Marketing is playing an increasingly important role in Scouting as our Council competes for the attention of parents with scout age sons. The key to success in gaining access to these parents, is our ability to build awareness of Scouting through comprehensive marketing efforts that go beyond mere newsletter communications.
If we are to energize every aspect of Scouting in our community and serve youth in the numbers we know that we can, we must change the way we communicate. We need to position ourselves in a way that distinguishes us. That’s where Unit Publicists come into play. When parents and Scouting supporters see and read about our efforts in the newspaper, or see us on the news, they're much more interested in getting involved and partnering with us to make things happen for the area’s youth. Given all the events that Coastal Empire unit leaders put together for the boys, we should have a steady stream of articles in every venue. This includes smaller news publications, such as local cable companies, community newspapers, and city council newsletters. These deserve special attention as they are effective in bringing news about packs, troops, and crews to their own communities.
I ask each of you to select a willing and capable volunteer to serve as your unit’s publicist and to join all other Council Units in placing more emphasis on local news coverage to bring our message to the community in 2009. I promise that the Council's steady distribution of press releases and media packets will continue. We will insure that Council Sponsored Scouting events are covered by local reporters and whenever national and community leaders get involved in Scouting we will profile them in newspaper feature stories. I plan to also provide a training session on how to write press releases and establish contacts within their local media.
Please help the Council in raising the profile of Scouting in the Coastal Empire by communicating Scouting's core message of values and leadership. We must educate the community so they'll better understand who we are and what we do. The end result will be more support and participation. Ultimately, we will be able to deliver the promise of Scouting to more and more youth. Together, we must build up the perception that Boy Scouts of all ages, are action-oriented leaders that are involved in outdoor and sports activities.
Tom Cardiff
Scout Executive
Contact Coastal Empire Council, Inc.
To better prepare you for the above tasks, the CEC Marketing and Public Relations Committee has provided guidelines, resource materials and examples for your use. A Publicist Application will need to be completed and forwarded to register you for the position. Follow the link below to acquire information on a Printable Email Application, Required Formatting, Release Protocol, Photo Release Agreement and Media Release Examples. Note: We are asking individuals to participate on a voluntary basis.<Click Here>
