Como. Ted Neale, Jr. DC-A - - - - - VOL IV, No. 11 - - - - - Otis W. Littleton, BC-ANN

214 Beaver Dr., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-2501 Tel: 717-761-7858; FAX: 717-76i-2428;
email: mariemcnbg@juno.com

PUBLIC AFFAIRS IS HARD WORK

Who told you there was nothing to being a Flotilla Staff Officer for Public Affairs? The Flotilla is the smallest Coast Guard Auxiliary unit and it is the one unit whose members are engaged in teaching, vessel examination and safety patrols. Each of these programs bring the Auxiliary and its members into direct contact with the public. The public may not always perceive the Auxiliary in a manner that the Auxiliary may desire. An aggressive, informative, friendly public affairs effort can change the perception to one that is positive.

Like any other program, Public Affairs requires some planning and the active support of the entire unit. The Flotilla is the unit where the action is. What do you plan? How do you plan?

First, remember the successful Public Affairs staff officer develops a close mutual relationship with the media within their market area. No public affairs program will work without such a relationship. To develop such a relationship requires the following steps be taken:

1. Identification of newspapers, magazine, radio and TV. broadcast stations and cable TV companies within the area;
2. Identification of key personnel within each media type who can decide or influence decisions to publish your material. This can be accomplished with a few simple phone calls or obtained from your local reference library;
3. Contact key personnel in each of the media and arrange for an appointment with them. Wear your uniform. Have a release or informational piece with you to hand them. Explain to them the role and function of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary as provided for by an Act of Congress. Inform them just how popular boating is in the area and that our job is to help them keep the public informed about safe boating practices. Keep a log of the meetings with each media representative. This log is for your convenience, not to report to the Division or District.
4. Try to reschedule follow-up meetings at not more than three month intervals. During the interim, send releases to the media as frequently as possible. Don't send 'canned' releases all the time. Provide real information about new Public Education Courses, Vessel Safety Checks and Safety Patrols. Give some background on the members and, if you have a local marina or boat dealer who is providing space for your PE course or the use of a ramp or dock for courtesy vessel safety checks, acknowledge their contribution. Incidentally, the local boat dealer or marina is probably an advertiser with the various media. If you are having problems getting the media to publish your material, ask a cooperating dealer it they could be of assistance. Keep track of what is and is not published in your media log.
5. Periodically arrange visits with the media representatives. Thank them for the support. Let them know how much it has helped. Share some success stories with them and tell them they must share in your success with you.
6. Things you can write about include: Public Education Classes, Vessel Safety Check programs, and Safety Patrols. Maybe a feature article on winterizing boats, another in the spring on getting your boat ready to launch and a periodic article highlighting individual member accomplishments and cooperative activities with local fire and rescue units. If your flotilla has an air facility, feature an an article on the pilot and observer and the kinds of roles they play in our effort. Work with your members to develop these stories. If you work hard and the media sees it, your chances of success are improved. i next month we will have more on how to succeed.)

WHERE'S THE PICTURE?

Sometimes, a newspaper or magazine just doesn't have the 'room' for an article or it may not touch the editor in a way that he is motivated to share it with his readers.

There may be many legitimate reasons for not doing your story this week. However, there is almost always room for a good photograph that tells a story and identifies the participants. People like to look at photos.

A staged photo with everyone looking into the camera saying, 'cheese' just won't cut it unless the paper is really hard up to fill space. If you are not a camera buff, designate someone in your flotilla to fill that role. Make sure they or someone is at all meetings and other flotilla activities as often as possible taking candid shots. Ask your local media representative what format and sizes they prefer. Read Herb Bisulk's photography handbook to help make the job easier and more enjoyable.

Send the photos in on a regular basis also. They may see print more often than your written releases. Imagine how some photo's can enhance and be a companion for any article you write.

Photographs should take care of your printed media needs. What about the video media? If possible, review the handbook on videos. Video camera action shots can and do find their way on the local broadcast and cable stations. You can't send them a shot if you didn't have a camera where the action is.

Radio broadcasters may seem to have been left out. Not so! A good quality audio tape can easily be made and duplicated. Forward the tape to your radio broadcast media and they will use it if it is newsworthy or it makes a good public service announcement.

Often, if you have done an excellent job, the radio station, just as likely as not, is going to ask you come in for an interview or taping. Get the picture?

CIRCULARS

The Department of Education publishes 'Advisory Circulars' on an irregular basis to be used as supplements to our P. E. Courses to provide the student and members with more information than the text provides.

Many of these advisory circulars are quite well done and may be worthy of consideration by the PA officer as the basis of a featured news article. While some of these can be rather technical in their make up, they can be most useful.

For example Number 3-97 of October 1997 by L. Daniel Maxim, DC-E is about off season boating hazards of cold shock and hypothermia. With the advent of cold weather approaching this bulletin could be a great basis for a feature story to reach cold weather boaters such as fishermen and hunters. Many people do not understand the hazards of hypothermia and such an article at this time would be most appreciated by the print media.

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

The word is out! Sexual Harassment training is mandatory and the Commodore would like to get it completed before the year ends.

Capt. Alan Summy, CHIDIRAUX, recenfly pointed out that at the present time there is no penalty associated with failure to receive the needed awareness training. He then pointed out that if members fail to take the course and we should be faced with a lawsuit, that we should not be surprised that in such an instance '- - - -the pendulum overshift and the training becomes mandatory as a qualificaflon for membership and ob- taining orders, etc.'.

Every Auxiliary member is reminded of the importance of taking this training to give the Coast Guard and The Au)(iliary an advantage over the other military branches in terms of public perception.

Don't forget, when you complete the course, make certain that your name is in fact entered into AUXMIS for the official record.

Operations Activities

As the Public Affairs Officer you may have to someday face the media for real live interviews regarding some incident or event in which the Auxiliary in your area is involved.. We have discussed them before, but think they are worthy of repeating:

• a. talk to the media only about what you personally did, saw or about which you have direct knowledge.
• b. if you do not know the answer to a question asked, tell them you don't know, but will check and get back to them ASAP with a factually correct re- sponse.
• c. don't guess about what happened. Provide only factual, truthful information. Under no circumstances should you attempt explain or justify the mo- tives or actions of others.
• d. Make certain that you are properly attired for the circumstances. Do not consent to interviews while smoking, chewing or otherwise behaving in a manner that may be misconstrued or which portrays the Auxiliary in an inappropriate manner;
• e. Do not invite exclusive interviews to favored news media. We do not play favorites.
• f. under no circumstances should you identify victims or the names of suspected responsible parties.
• g. do not initiate a press conference without proper authorization. If you are required to participate in a press conference, get the facts and all the support you can muster from the Auxiliary or Coast Guard incident commander.
• h. avoid the use of 'no Comment' and similar conduct that may contribute to a perception that you are being evasive, uncaring, or unprofes- sional.

The Auxiliary Web Site

Material appearing on the official Auxiliary Web Site must be maintained in accordance with sections 5.i and 5.j of the Auxiliary Manual and also comply with policies and procedures described in the Auxiliary Publication Guide, (COMDTINST P5600.7)

The Department of Public Affairs has been formally authorized to maintain a section of the national web site. To maintain a section of the web site means that we have a responsibility to furnish the Auxiliary webmaster with timely, accurate information pertaining to boating safety, official newsletters, Auxiliary History and public affairs activities that we believe would be useful to the members or the boating public.

Flotilla, Division and District Public Affairs and Publications Officers are urged to submit to The Editor, The Public Affairs Update copies of publications, articles or information that they believe is worthy of publication and of interest to the members. In addition to hard copy, those submitting material are also requested to furnish us with electronic versions of the publication to facilitate its publication on the web site. Full credit will be given to the originating author or publisher of the material submitted if it is published.

COAST GUARD COASTAL PICKET FORCE

C. Kay Larson, Auxiliarist wrote a most interesting article about a very special group of Auxiliarists who were members of the Coast Guard's Coastal Picket Force during World War II. The group will also be featured in an up coming segment of a television show, 'Sea Tales' on the Arts and Entertainment Network.

The Coastal Pickets were formed in 1942 as a defense against German submarines that had been attacking merchant ships along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Dubbed the 'Corsair Fleet' and 'Hooligan's Navy', they patrolled the 50 fathom curve of the Atlantic coast using mostly schooners, yawls, ketches and sloops. Although motorboats were also used, the sailing vessels were considered to be well suited for the work because they could withstand heavy weather and had comparatively long cruising ranges. By using underwater loop directional finders, the Corsairs could hear the German U-boats, but the Germans had trouble hearing the sailing vessels.

The show producer, Jim Lilio, said the Coastal Picket Force was chosen for the series because it was 'one of the untold stories of World War II. These men were going out, risking their lives to protect the Eastern seaboard from U-boat attacks.'

The A & E Network show is scheduled for airing in November and December of 1997. Keep an eye on your TV listings, this is sure to be a winner.