Facebook Best Practices: Ladies Auxiliary

FACEBOOK BEST PRACTICES

 

Social media can be a powerful tool to help connect your Auxiliary’s message with members and the community at large in a new way.  Facebook is an easy place for people to go for updates, events, encouragement, answers to questions, and more. Maybe you have been considering creating a Facebook Page for your Auxiliary (there is a wonderful step-by-step tutorial here). We’ve created some tips to help it be successful.

1.       Profile Picture & Cover Photo

 Think of these pictures as the “face” of your Auxiliary – they are generally the first thing someone sees when they visit your Page. A photo of an American flag works great as a profile picture – but you can put whatever picture you like, as long as it is topical and relevant to your Auxiliary. Use your cover photo to tell a story about the work you do. Try a picture of your members in action – make visitors to your Page want to learn more about your Auxiliary!

2.       Don’t ignore the details!

Imagine someone viewing your Facebook Page who has never heard of the Ladies Auxiliary. Would they have a complete picture of what your Auxiliary does? Don’t be intimidated – Facebook gives you ample opportunity to let the world know how great this organization is for the community.

·         Be sure that your contact information is displayed and correct. This builds trust and lets people know you’re available in person, too!

 

·         Complete the “About” section. Give a good description about what your Auxiliary does. Be sure to include a link to your website, if you have one.

 

3.       What To Post: The 80/20 Rule

If you decide to create a Facebook Page, plan to post at least twice a week (consistency is key). It’s also important to make sure to vary your content – don’t post the same information over and over.

If you want to get technical about it, most organizations have a 80/20 Rule when it comes to Facebook posts: 80% of posts are educational, informational, and entertaining and 20% are specific to the organization. This rule keeps you from solely broadcasting the same information over and over again – nothing makes people leave your Page faster than the same reminder of your weekly Auxiliary meeting.

 

See? It’s easy to keep your Page interesting!

4.       Respond.

It’s very important to respond promptly when someone asks a question or gives you a private message on your Facebook Page. Social media is all about having a conversation! A good rule is to have some sort of response within 24 hours – even it’s just a “We’re working on figuring this out”. Waiting any longer than a day is an eternity in Internet-land. Keep in mind that your Facebook Page might be the only thing some people know about Ladies Auxiliary, so let them know that you appreciate their opinions.

 

We hope this helps get your Auxiliary’s Facebook Page off the ground. To discover more do’s and don’ts of Facebook, there are some useful links at the bottom of the post - and don’t forget to visit our Facebook Page!

 

More Resources:

Non-Profit Best Practices Guide [Facebook]

Posting Best Practices [Facebook]

How To Reach More People [Facebook]

 

Watch for your BLUE FORM

If you have been a Ladies Auxiliary member for 2 years or more, keep an eye out for a special envelope next week!

On April 22nd, we will be mailing your BLUE FORM in our group insurance program - the Loyalty Years Accident Insurance Plan. This form will provide you with the once-a-year opportunity to accept the increased insurance benefit amounts available through this program.

For more information on this mailing, please visit http://myloyaltyyears.com/ - and as always, thank you for being such loyal Ladies Auxiliary members.

Blogs, Bulletins, and Going Green

Bonnie Drake

Youth Activities National Director

The Youth we deal with today are so tech-savvy they seem to flourish in this electronic age that we've been in for some time now. Personally I hit the “help” button a billion times and when that doesn't help, the escape or delete button is a quick second choice….I hope you are smiling or lol (laughing out loud). This year we have shared an amazing experience with the many changes as we go green, including blogs, electronic bulletins, etc. We even have a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Many of you embraced the changes, but some had difficulty, maybe not so much accepting the changes, but understanding everything. Possibly you were afraid to let others know you needed help, after all we live in an age of electronics.  I’ll raise my hand first, I don’t know much, but I’m not afraid to ask for help, and you shouldn't be either.  

So as our year slowly ends, I ask you to PLEASE teach others what you have learned, and pass on the knowledge and understanding you have gained from being a part of this first step forward.  We can’t look back now; we have to look toward the future!

As you get ready to finalize your year end that you are to send to your Department President, ask yourself…Did you meet the goals sent by our National President Leanne Lemley or surpass those goals? If I’m not there yet, what can I do to get to the top?

Deadlines

“Youth Group Supporting Our Military" Citation - April 10, 2013.

Junior Girls Digital Badge Application - April 15, 2013.

Department Chairmen to have your National Year End Report to your Department President - May 1, 2013.

Continue to go to ladiesauxvfw.org to get details the National Convention in July! Have a school of instruction on making your way in the electronic world. I hope you will always continue “Serving from the Heart for Our Veterans” and remember “A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which ever person leaves a mark”.  See you all at National Convention in July.

Loyally,

Bonnie S. Drake

National Youth Activities Director

Thank You for Improving the Lives of Veterans

Kathy Birch
National Veterans & Family Support Program Director

We, the Ladies Auxiliary VFW, gave Unwavering Support of Uncommon Heroes(TM) throughout this 2012-2013 year.  Thank you for your Veteran’s programs, promotions, activities and events you have done. At the Mid-Year meeting in Clearwater, FL, we celebrated the accomplishments of every Department Program Chairmen.  Congratulations!

Every day, you help one of your veterans; you provide assistance to your local military base; and you support their families.  We joined this organization to honor our own eligible veteran – and we stay to honor all of them!

By supporting the VFWNational Military Services Program, we show our commitment to provide funding for the Operation Uplink(TM), Unmet Needs and Military Assistance Programs.  

The Buddy Poppy.  This symbol of sacrifices made by our military service members has been promoted by every Department.  Through your distribution events, you have raised funds for your Relief Fund to be used for veterans’ welfare and the well-being of their dependents.  Promotions, distribution and special events featuring the Buddy Poppy should be on-going.

The VFW National Homefor Children, through your donations and support, continues to provide special programs for our veterans, military personnel and their families.  Every Ladies Auxiliary, through the “Health & Happiness Fund”, sponsors several buildings and programs on the National Home campus. 

Other Activities include the Ladies Auxiliary Commemorative Coin, homeless veterans programs, education on entitlements, Fisher House and so many other projects that you do every day as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW.

Thank you again for all you have done this year to improve the lives of your veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families. 

How To Get Membership Leads from your VFW Post

Lora Dailey

National Membership Director

Well my time for writing a blog is fast approaching an end, and what a wonderful learning experience it has been! I hope that everyone who has read this blog has enjoyed it.

My last recruiting tip to share with everyone is an idea from one of our departments, and again it is another one of those things that is right there and we never think of.

Speak with your Post or District Commander and ask if you could address the comrades before they start their meeting regarding membership in the Ladies Auxiliary. Once you have received permission from the commander, get prepared by having your Facts Leaflets and JoinUs brochures ready to go.  Don’t be nervous -  remember these men and women are part of the reason you joined the organization.

Pass out a Facts Leaflet and a Join Us brochure to each comrade.  Start off by asking each of the comrades if they have a family member eligible for the Ladies Auxiliary to please raise their hand (you might have to remind them who is eligible). Now ask those who raised their hands how many actually had female family members who were members of the Ladies Auxiliary. 

Speak to those who have a family member that is eligible for the organization but is not a member, remind them of the work we do not just at a Post home but by writing letters, gathering items for those in the hospital the list can go on and on. 

Finish by asking them wouldn't it be wonderful to make it a family affair by having their female relatives become part of the organization, and remind them that a membership makes for a great gift.

I wish each of you much success during the remainder of the year and know that you will continue to work for our veterans!

2013 Priority Goals

Hazel Radcliff

National Legislation Director

Sisters, 

The Washington Conference is in March and I hope you plan on

going. This is a very important way for us to communicate with our Legislators. Take a 2013 Priority Goals Pamphlet with you. Show the Legislators what we are concerned about. Also if your Department has some issues, talk about them. We cannot stop talking about all of the issues regarding our veterans.

You can review and print the 2013 Priority Goals Pamphlet by clicking the image above.

Final Ingredient for Hospital Work

A final greeting from your National Hospital Director

Reva Swanson

 

At the National Mid Year Conference in Clearwater, Fla.,  the Directors presented their program's final ingredient in a Recipe for Success. Following is my presentation.

A Recipe For Success

 

In 1928 the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars began their second program, our wonderful Hospital Program.  Through these 80 plus years we, the members have dedicated and committed ourselves to take care of our hospitalized veterans.  Just imagine the thousands of volunteers who have helped during this time.  That’s dedication.

There have been many ingredients that went into the Recipe for Success.- Visiting the sick; purchasing and passing out personal care items, sewing blankets, hats, scarf’s, mittens, laundry bags, games nights and the list goes on and on.  We provided respite care for the caregivers.  This is dedication and commitment.  We can all be proud of our accomplishments for what we have done and continue to do.  Monetary donations over these many years have been outstanding.

I want to congratulate each and every one of you for your contributions to the Hospital Program.

My final ingredient for the Recipe is an ACE Bandage!! I can see you are wondering why I chose that.  Well, an ace bandage is also known as a WRAP.  I want all of our Department Hospital Chairmen to WRAP up their program by being 100% in participation and reporting.

Thank you for all you do and will continue to do for our Heroes.  I know they appreciate all we do for them.  We bring a little sunshine into their lives.   This completes my Recipe for Success.

Thanks to all who visited my Blog.  I really enjoyed writing it and hope you have learned about our Hospital Program.

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Easter!