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Communications and Public Relations 

State Chairman

Mary Lou Jones

Junior Chairman

Chrissy Bloom​

District Chairmen

Lake Erie District: Mary Boone
Northeast District: Robin Bardo
Southeast District: Mary Lou Jones
Southwest District: Barb Seppelt

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“Hello! How are you?” That’s the usual way people greet each other. And, if it’s someone you’ve just met, you might add, “And what do you do?” or “Where do you work?” If someone poses those questions to you, don’t forget to add, “Oh, and I volunteer! Let me tell you about my club!”

RADIO AND TELEVISION

• Visit the station’s web site and check the “Contact Us” or “Community” page for an email address. Generally, there will be a Public Service or Community contact name. Send your info to that person.
• Radio: Check for email addresses for the Public Service Director, Promotions Director, News Director, Morning Show Host(s), and Webmaster.
• TV: Check for email addresses for the Community Calendar Editor, Public Affairs Host, News Director, and Webmaster.
• You can also fax your info to the station (you can’t reach too many people!).
• Check to see if there is a link where you can fill out a form to submit.
• Explore your local cable system, too, for public affairs programming; they may offer an interview opportunity for you.

NEWSPAPER

• Visit the newspaper’s web site and check the “Contact Us” or “Community” page for an email address (or call them and ask). Send your info to that address, and also to the Local News Editor, Business Editor, and Community/Lifestyles Editor.
• You can also fax your info to the paper, and check to see if there is a link where you can fill out a form to submit.
• Don’t forget smaller, more localized, papers, too, like a Diocesan newspaper or a county edition.

AND DON’T FORGET. . .

• Local church bulletins.
• Bulletin boards in schools and colleges—if you’re a graduate, contact the alumni office and ask to have your event included in the alumni newsletter or email blasts.
• If your club has a website, include it in and on every piece of correspondence you send out. And make sure you have a “Contact Us” link so people can request information.
• If your event will benefit a school, ask that your info be announced at the local football or basketball games during a break in the action, and ask to have your info included in the parents’ bulletins or newsletters.

• Reserve a table at local craft shows and display your club’s information, pictures, brochures, etc. Be sure to have membership applications on hand!

AND THAT ALL-IMPORTANT SOCIAL MEDIA. . .

If your club has a Facebook page or X (Twitter) account, post your info there. Be sure to include pictures. Ask your club members with accounts to post and share club info. Try to stagger your club postings, so that someone is spreading the word about your event every day.


BASICALLY, think about the people you want to reach and where they are, and act accordingly—and remember to send notices to your fellow clubwomen!!

ONE FINAL THOUGHT. . .

Be early! Try to get your word out at least two weeks before your event, for lots of coverage.

 

Now, let’s talk about some ways we can keep in touch with each other.

 

Of course, you’ll make sure you have all of your members’ names, addresses and phone numbers. Don’t forget email addresses, too. A group email can be the easiest way to contact everyone. For those members who don’t have email, why not try an old-fashioned phone tree where each member calls one member, who calls another, and so forth? Or maybe create a new position in your club where one member will volunteer to call those members without email. And here’s another idea: many years ago, my club had a Sunshine Committee, who sent out birthday and anniversary cards to all our members. Even the smallest thought can bring the biggest smile to someone’s day.

 

During the winter months, perhaps your club can hold Zoom meetings. Zoom’s main selling point is that it offers free, 40-minute conference calls with up to 100 attendees. O.K., 40-minutes is not a long time, but it can be enough time to hear a guest speaker (on a time limit) and hear basic committee reports. If you have members who are not tech savvy (or don’t have access to a computer), perhaps ask another member to call and place their phone near the computer so that the first member can listen.

 

And don’t forget Facebook Live! You can feature a speaker or lead a project, and (of course!) talk up your club and maybe gain a new member or two. Facebook will send a link that says, “(name of club) is live now,” and anyone who follows your club can watch. And, most of the time, you can search for and watch the live event later.

 

Finally, it’s very important for our members to “stick together.” Some of your members may be older, immunocompromised, or limited by driving ability, and not able to get out much. These members have great ideas and knowledge about the history of your club. Be sure to check in with these members, and notify them about your club and then spend a few moments catching up. You may be the highlight of that member’s day. Truly, when it comes to communication, nothing beats the human voice.

 

Be sure to refer to the GFWC Public Relations and Communications page in the GFWC Manual for more info and ideas!

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