GFWC/Ohio Federation of
Women's Clubs
Communications and
Public Relations
Co -
Chairman:
Stephanie Furano Co - Chairman: Brenda Duffett
CORD
Chairman: Barbara Whitaker EORD
Chairman: Mary Lou Jones
LED
Chairman: Ann Bitner
NED
Chairman: Susan Rebhan
NWD
Chairman: Joan Gordon WCD
Chairman: Pat McElroy
WORD Chairman: Vera Craigo
The purpose of
the Public Relations Program is to strengthen members’ communication skills by
providing tools and project ideas that will assist in creating a positive and
contemporary image of the organization on the local, state and national levels.
Note: GFWC/OFWC is a non-partisan, non-denominational
organization. Please avoid partisan and
denominational comments in publicity.
1. All
clubs to publish a newsletter.
2. All
clubs to produce a publicity book.
3. All
clubs to build club web sites linking to GFWC web site.
4. All
clubs should incorporate the use of the new OFWC logo.
5. Encourage
members to wear Federation-oriented clothing, pins and items.
DEADLINE: February 1, 2009 and February 1, 2010 GFWC/OFWC Club Newsletter Contest*
DEADLINE: February 1, 2009 and February 1, 2010 GFWC/OFWC Publicity Book Contest*
DEADLINE: February 1, 2009 and February 1, 2010 GFWC/OFWC Web Design Contest*
*Note:
there are two Contests a GFWC Contest and an OFWC Contest
A Signed Release
Form Must Accompany All Entries in Contests
~See Form Section of OFWC
Directory for Release Forms~
PUBLIC RELATIONS
POINTERS
Be CREATIVE in finding ways to tell your
story. Be observant of how other clubs
and organizations publicize their events and adapt them for your club’s use, while
avoiding copyright infringements. Read GFWC and OFWC publications and visit
their websites at www.GFWC.org and www.GFWCOHIO.org to stay informed about the
latest public relations ideas.
•
Get your Club President on local television, cable news, and talk shows.
•
Send story suggestions to newspaper columnists.
•
Prepare public service spots for radio stations.
•
Develop or update existing club brochures and include information provided by
GFWC Headquarters.
•
You can use the GFWC brochure and include your club information on the insert
sheet designed for that
purpose.
•
Co-sponsor events with other community groups.
•
Observe Federation Day and obtain a proclamation from a local elected official
acknowledging the
occasion. Use the
GFWC Federation Day Celebration Guide.
•
Display the GFWC banner, flag, or emblem at clubhouse or meeting places and at
all club events and
on printed
materials. You can download the emblem in a variety of formats from the GFWC
website.
Visit www.GFWC.org/Emblems.
•
Order and use the GFWC PR Kit for Media from the GFWC Marketplace at www.GFWC.org
•
Create a business card with your name and your club name on it, and give it to
prospective members.
Attach the card to your club brochure.
(Printer-ready cards such as Avery 8371 are available at office
supply stores). Or
use the We are GFWC mini tri-fold,
available from the GFWC Marketplace and
suitable for
personalizing.
*** For all
the GFWC items visit www.GFWC.org/Marketplace
and review the GFWC Manual for ideas and assistance in these and other
programs, projects, and public relations and media ideas.
OFWC
SPECIAL CONTEST
A special award
will be given to one club that shows creativity in implementing an effective
Communications and Public Relations Program. The award is based on a narrative
report (can be the same narrative written for the club report) that is to be
sent along with supporting documentation to the State Public Relations
Chairman. Copies of newsprint, dates and times of TV and radio appearances,
pictures, etc should support this Public Relations creative campaign. These do
not have to be in book format but should be neatly attached for verification.
Each participating club will send a portfolio (minimum of three) of its
club newsletters from the reporting year directly to the State Public
Relations Chairman by February 1, 2009 and February 1, 2010. There will not
be district winners however there will be state winners in each of the
membership categories announced by the OFWC Communications and Public Relations
Chairman. The overall state winner will be sent to GFWC for additional judging.
A panel of judges appointed by the OFWC Communications and Public
Relations Chairman will choose the OFWC winner.
The state winner will be announced at the annual GFWC/OFWC Convention in
2009 and 2010 and will receive a certificate.
All district newsletters portfolios will be on display at the State
Convention. The decision of the judges
is final. Newsletters must be submitted
for the contest in print format, even if distributed electronically. (See GFWC
Club Newsletter Contest pages in GFWC Club Manual for contest rules. Note that the date of entry differs from the
GFWC pages.)
Judging Criteria:
·
Quality
of content, including timeliness, clarity, and member impact: 50 percent
·
Presentation,
design, and ease of use: 25 percent
·
Required
elements as outlined: 25 percent
AWARDS
OFWC
– First place entry will receive a GFWC/OFWC Certificate and be sent to GFWC.
GFWC
– 1st Place, $150; 2nd Place, $100; 3rd Place,
$75; Honorable Mention, GFWC certificate
JUDGING
CRITERIA
Point One: 50% for newspaper articles and/or
documentation of TV and radio coverage.
Point Two: 30% for other kinds of publicity
(brochures, signs, flyers, advertisements, public service
announcements, new member kits, membership cards,
creative web pages (please include samples).
Point Three: 20% for presentation.
OFWC & GFWC
PUBLICITY BOOK CONTEST
This contest is
open to all per capita clubs. The books will be judged and the first place
winner entered in the GFWC contest by the State Public Relations Chairman.
Publicity Books should be postmarked by
and sent to the State Chairmen on or before February 1, 2009 or February 1,
2010. The remaining books will be brought to the OFWC Convention in 2009
and 2010. Each club is responsible for
picking up its' book by the close of convention. (See GFWC Communications and
Public Relations pages in GFWC Club Manual for contest rules. Note that the date of entry differs from the
GFWC pages.)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
·
Publicity
books are a documentation of a club’s outreach for the year, NOT a memento scrapbook.
·
Be
sure the name of the publication and date the article appears on each clipping
or documentation.
·
Include
all electronic media coverage; video and audiocassettes can be submitted with
your entry.
·
Include
samples of brochures, signage, and flyers, as well as paid Public Service
Announcements.
·
Although
publicity books are judged mainly on content, it is important to present the
material in an
organized fashion, with article securely fastened
to pages and key information highlighted. It is most important that clubs be
identified with GFWC in all press releases.
·
On the
book’s front page, include a completed copy of the Publicity Book Entry Form.
·
Entries
should be in a lightweight binder or cover with pages no larger than 8.5 x 11
inches. Print
the club name and
year on the outside cover of the book.
·
Judges
find it helpful if you provide one or two sentences (max) explaining a project
or program.
·
Clubs
must submit entries directly to the OFWC Public Relations Chair, post-marked by
Feb. 1, 2009 and 2010.
·
Enclose
a copy of the Publicity Book Entry Form (in addition to the one on the book’s
front page).
OFWC
& GFWC WEB SITE CONTEST
This contest is
open to all per capita clubs. The web sites’ will be judged and the State
Public Relations Chairman will enter the first place winner in the GFWC
contest. Web sites’ link should be
e-mailed to the State Public Relations Chairman at mermaid157@aol.com on or before February
1, 2009 or February 1, 2010 and time-stamped no later than 11:59p.m.
Note: Simple, well-organized, and frequently-updated websites
convey credibility, enthusiasm, and effectiveness, and can be a key component
in your club's public relations outreach; membership recruiting and retention;
program development and reporting; and operational planning.
WEB SITE POINTERS
·
Link
to www.GFWC.org to show that your club is a part of GFWC.
·
Add
your club's website address to all of your printed materials, including press
releases, business cards, brochures, fliers, and posters.
·
Gather
content from a variety of sources.
·
Compile
all of your existing resource and collateral materials and add them to the
website.
·
Add
the names of your officers along with their contact information.
·
Begin
a history of your club and keep detailed information going forward. You can
even begin to fill in information from the past to create a full history of
your club.
·
Announce
meetings, events, and project-related activities on your website.
·
Create
a mailing list feature so that members and interested community members can
receive e-mails about your activities.
·
Publicize
your website to your members and community.
JUDGING CRITERIA
·
Quality
of content, timeliness, clarity, and writing style: 50 percent
·
Presentation,
design, and ease of use: 25 percent
·
Required
elements as outlined: 25 percent
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
·
The
homepage for each website must contain a link to www.GFWC.org.
·
All
websites must include contact information for at least one member of the club,
defined as e-mail address, telephone number, fax number, or mailing address.
·
New
websites must include 'GFWC' in their URL.
·
Web
sites may continue to be updated after they are submitted for the contest.
ENTRY FORM: PUBLICITY BOOK CONTEST 2009 AND 2010
(LINK TO FORM SOON)
The BUCKEYE Magazine
CIRCULATION MANAGER EDITOR
Mary A. Davis Joan Gordon
Nelsonville OH 45764
740/753-2660 419/354-6638
m.davis001@att.net 419/354-5435 fax
jhgordon@dacor.net
PROOFREADERS
Linda Hamilton and Marilyn Pahl
The Buckeye is issued quarterly at the
direction of the GFWC/Ohio Federation of Women’s Clubs Board of Directors. It
is mailed to each per-capita-dues-paying member of the Federation. It also is
mailed to each Direct Member, and a copy is provided to the Presidents of each
club in each Federation and also to Associate Organizations. The Buckeye
mailing list is compiled from the names and addresses supplied to the OFWC
Treasurer by club treasurers.
Members should report name and/or
address changes immediately to their club treasurer, the OFWC Treasurer, and
the Buckeye Circulation Manager. Please include the name of your club and
district. If you know you’re going to
move, be sure to let OFWC know before you move so you won’t miss any issues of
The Buckeye and so that OFWC does not have to pay the postage due fee.
Articles and photographs in The Buckeye
focus on OFWC programs and projects as well as club news submitted by
individual clubs. In addition, pertinent GFWC information is included for club
and member use.
Material submitted to the Editor for
publication should be timely and of general interest. The date of publication
may be four weeks after the deadline date printed below. Quarterly issues are usually
distributed in the spring (Call to Convention issue), summer, fall, and winter.
Articles and photographs may be
e-mailed to the Editor at any time. Articles also may be faxed.
Deadlines for 2008-2009:
• 2008 Fall
Issue: August 1, 2008
• 2008-09 Winter
Issue: November 17, 2008
• 2009 Spring
Issue: January 16, 2009
• 2009 Summer
Issue: May 11, 2009
The
editor is glad to work with publicity or public relations chairmen or club
reporters to prepare material for the Buckeye. If you have questions, please
e-mail or call Joan Gordon, Editor.
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