Public Relations-- Learning from Other Non Profits?

[RADIOMAN015]

Interestingly, NBC national news had a segment this morning on the aftermath of tornadoes in KS & OK.   Prominent in the coverage was a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, that was wearing a windbreaker with an American Red Cross logo that was easily recognized on the video segment.   It seems that the ARC has a PR "play book" that they run at every disaster that gets them very significant media coverage.

I think our aircraft with the new paint scheme does readily identify us in air operations, but when you go to ground operations that paint scheme on the vehicles doesn't seem striking enough.  I know when I was in CAP as a cadet we utilized the decals with the large CAP civil defense type logo on our vehicle and this seem to better display we are the Civil Air Patrol.

Perhaps we can learn from the ARC, or maybe get a copy of their "play book"
RM         

[manfredvonrichthofen]

I wholeheartedly agree with you RM. as a cadet we had a real missing person search and we found the gentleman alive and hypothermic, and we got a lot of recognition for it, but the read cross who, we're a big help, only provided water and food for us, but again was a big help, had massive media coverage. Even one of our members who was in uniform helping mission base was in a photograph with a paper cup with the red cross logo, holding it like the photo was an ad, he was also an active volunteer for the RC. I don't know if it was intentional or not, but man was it noticeable. We do need to figure out what in the world they do to get such massive recognition. We (CAP) have been around for quite a Lon time, just a little over 20 years from now we will hit our 100 year mark, and I can wait to see that. Yet we don't have anywhere near the recognizability that the RC does.

[arajca]

It doesn't help when our exercise planners do not invite press or local officials. Most of the time they will not let the PIO invite them either.

[Major Carrales]

It doesn't help when our exercise planners do not invite press or local officials. Most of the time they will not let the PIO invite them either.

Relations with the press are strictly monitored in that sensitive information about family and the search or any number other things.  I served as PIO in the late 1990s, I maintained a specific area for relating to the press.

Despite that, some started to "run the blockade" and started asking individual members questions that had to be answered with "I cannot comment on that, please see our Information Officer."

It is a fine balance between putting out a solid public relations image and securing the integrity of the mission at hand.

[arajca]

It doesn't help when our exercise planners do not invite press or local officials. Most of the time they will not let the PIO invite them either.

Relations with the press are strictly monitored in that sensitive information about family and the search or any number other things.  I served as PIO in the late 1990s, I maintained a specific area for relating to the press.

Despite that, some started to "run the blockade" and started asking individual members questions that had to be answered with "I cannot comment on that, please see our Information Officer."

It is a fine balance between putting out a solid public relations image and securing the integrity of the mission at hand.

It is one thing to have a designated press area. That's appropriate. It's another thing to prohibit the press for coming at all. How are PIOs supposed to exercise their skills if they do not have any press to interact with at exercises? I realize that the press may not come if invited, but I have seen a few local interest reporters come to exercises when invited. It does provides some filler material, especially if you can show cadets doing good things like marshalling aircraft, updating status boards, running a DF unit, etc.

[wuzafuzz]

Interestingly, NBC national news had a segment this morning on the aftermath of tornadoes in KS & OK.   Prominent in the coverage was a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, that was wearing a windbreaker with an American Red Cross logo that was easily recognized on the video segment.   It seems that the ARC has a PR "play book" that they run at every disaster that gets them very significant media coverage.

I think our aircraft with the new paint scheme does readily identify us in air operations, but when you go to ground operations that paint scheme on the vehicles doesn't seem striking enough.  I know when I was in CAP as a cadet we utilized the decals with the large CAP civil defense type logo on our vehicle and this seem to better display we are the Civil Air Patrol.

Perhaps we can learn from the ARC, or maybe get a copy of their "play book"
RM         

You are absolutely correct.  Red Cross is my favorite example of an organization with awesome branding and public relations for their emergency relief efforts.  Granted, they have stumbled mightily public perception of their fund raising tactics.  In spite of that fact, their "boots on the ground" exposure is stellar.  We could definitely learn from them. 

We need effective branding, not the load of fertilizer we keep seeing out of NHQ.  Additionally we should do our best to staff talented PIO's at "mission base" and out in the field whenever CAP goes out to serve in newsworthy events.  IC's should be strongly encouraged to consider PIO's an essential part of their mission kit.  (CUL's too for that matter...plug for effective comm.)

CAP could create an excellent public image if we could get out of our own way.

[manfredvonrichthofen]

I have a sneaking suspicion that is killing our public image, in that we can't have one when we are operating on missions. No wonder we aren't very well known in the same light as RC.