Winter/Spring 2018 1

The VoiceNew York American Legion Press Association

Volume 20, Issue 1 www.NYALPA.org & www.nylegion.org Winter/Spring 2018

JAMES BOJANOWSKIFirst Place winner for

county publication

PAUL STEWARDFirst Place winner for

post publication

DOROLYN PERRYFirst Place winner for

editorial writing

NYALPA HONORS EDITORS, OTHERS

NYALPA ELECTS OFFICERS FOR 2017-2018Dorothy Button Leads Press Association

Dorothy Button, adjutant of Ashford Memorial Post 1576 in West Valley, is the new president of the New York American Legion Press Associa-tion (NYALPA). She was elected at the NYALPA luncheon held in July at the De-partment Convention. She is past 8th District

The New York American Legion Press Association is holding its annual communications competition to

CALL FOR ENTRIES IN NYALPA CONTESTrecognize excellence or achievement in public relations and journalism. Legion Family members are encouraged to

submit their pub-lications, websites, social media, edi-torials, scrapbooks and visual art for the awards judg-

ing. They may also nominate someone for Public Relations Person of the Year. Deadline is April 15. Details on PAGE 5.

and past Cattaraugus County commander, and is a Depart-

ment Commander’s aide. She has been a NYALPA member for about four years.

ELECTED as vice presidents were:: Carl Griffiths of Munns-ville; Howard Heyel of Rye; Dave Lockhart of Corinth; Toba A. La-Crown of the Bronx; and Patrick R. Rourk of Norwood.

Re-elected as secre-tary was Kevin Har-rington of Castleton.

Re-elected as trea-surer was Executive Director Lynda Pixley of Ransomville.

Elected to three-year terms on the board of directors were Bill Baker of West Sand Lake and Susan Koch of Copenhagen.

DOROTHY BUTTON

NEW YORK’S LEADING CANDIDATENYALPA Member Gary Schacher is the leading candidate for department com-mander for 2018-209. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf and then with the Seabees in Iraq. Page 3.

NYALPASCHOLARTaylor Blake won the 2017 NYALPA youth scholar-ship. Page 3.

The New York American Legion Press Association (NYALPA) honored its award-winning news-letter editors, writers, and webmasters at its annual luncheon held in conjunction with the Department of New York Convention last July. PAGE 4

2 NYALPA Voice

NYALPA EXEC. DIR. LYNDA PIXLEY

Don’t miss out: Submit your workI would like to encourage everyone who publishes a

post, county, or district newsletter to consider submit-ting the publication for judging in our annual com-munications contest. We also have categories for social media and visual media. A friendly reminder, mem-bership dues are due. Applications are on both the NYALPA and Departmet of New York websites.

PRESIDENTDorothy Button jackbutton@hotmail.com 716-353-0588 PO Box 143 West Valley, NY 14171SECRETARY Kevin Harrington kevinmrsq1231@aim.com 518-423-3314 1467 Bame Rd Castleton, NY 12033-9654 EXEC. DIRECTOR & TREASURERLynda A. Pixley lyndapixley@gmail.com 716-478-5569 2966 Ridge Rd Ransomville, NY 14131-9724HISTORIAN Kevin Harrington (see above)

VICE PRESIDENTSCarl GriffithHoward HeyelToba A. LaCrown

Dave LockhartPatrick R. Rourk

APPOINTED OFFICESFINANCE CHAIRJoseph PorempskiCHAPLAINRobert ConwayMEMBERSHIPLynda PixleySERGEANT-AT-ARMSRichard CalboJUDGE ADVOCATECharles MillsPUBLIC RELATIONSRobert Stronach

NOMINATIONSAnne HarringtonSCHOLARSHIP Dorothy Button, Shirley Conley, Priscilla Imburgia,FACEBOOK Bill BakerWEBMASTERKevin Harrington

DIRECTORSAnne Harrington (2018)Dorolyn Perry (2018)Rich Calbo (2019)

Frank Peters (2019)Bill Baker (2020) Susan Koch (2020)

NYALPA OFFICERS

NYALPA PRESIDENT DOROTHY BUTTON

I would like to encourage NYALPA members to enter our annual communications contest -- or encourage their posts, units, squadrons, chapters to enter.

Also, our newly revamped scholarship program now makes available a $1,000 scholarship to a college-bound youth and a $1,000 scholarship to a veteran. So please check it out.

Both the contest and schoilarship forms are in this newsletter.

The press association was very visible at the Mid-Winter Conference, participating in the PR sessions and staffing a membership booth. We were busy signing up new members and taking membership renewals.

We will have our annual awards liuncheon during the Department Convention in Rochester in July. Please think about attending. Join us as we honor outstanding communicators and elect officers for 2018-2019. The luncheon will be on Friday of the Convention. Hope to see you there!

Tim Van Patten II, a 24-year member of the Sons of the American Legion (SAL), is the new editor of the NYALPA Voice. NYALPA Executive Director Lynda Pixley introduced him during the press association meeting im-mediately following the Mid-Winter Conference in January. He assumes the editor’s mantle with the next issue.

Tim is a detachment vice com-mander, has served as an historian at the district and detachment levels, and expects to become national SAL historian with the election of SAL national commander candidate Greg “Doc” Gibbs (a past New York Detachment commander). He is involved in photojournalism, has an associate’s degree as a medical assistant, is an EMT, works as a stage hand and teaches high school theater. Tim hails from Swormville (Amherst), NY, and is member of Squadron 1472 (Erie County, 8th District). He is the son of Past Department Commander Tim Van Patten.

NYALPA WELCOMES NEW EDITOR

Winter/Spring 2018 3

SCHACHER IS CANDIDATE FOR DEPARTMENT COMMANDERNYALPA Member Served in Iraq with Seabees

NYALPA officers Kevin and Anne Harrington joined Gary Schacher (2nd from right) and his wife, Laurie (left). at the leading candidate’s hospitality suite during the Mid-Winter Conference at the Desmond Hotel.

NYALPA member Gary Schacher of Cobleskill (Schoharie County) is the leading candidate to be-come the next commander of the Department of New York.

A member of Timothy Murphy Post 248, Schacher enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1980 and served in the Persian Gulf region before being released from active duty and joining the Naval Reserves. As a reservist, he served with a Weapons Station Unit and a Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit before transferring to the Navy Seabees in 1990.

He was promoted to chief petty officer in 1996 and re-called to active duty in 2003 and 2004 for Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving with the Seabees in Fallujah. He retired from the Navy in 2006 with 26 years of

service. Schacher received a number of commenda-tion medals and Battle “E” ribbons.

Schacher begain working for New York State in 1984 in various state agencies. A graduate of SUNY Co-bleskill with an associate’s degree in computer sci-ence, Schacher was named student of the year in 1998. Since 1999 he has worked for NY State Police in the

Information Technology and Investigative Applica-tion Support units. He managed the State Police IT Support Center from 2002 to 2012 and was honored as the state IT Manager of the Year in 2012.

A Legion member for more than 26 years, Schacher has served in leadership capacities from the post to Department levels, and most recently

was Department Member-ship chairman. He is also involved in the Sons of the American Legion and the Legion Riders.

In 2017, he was inducted into the State Senate Veter-ans’ Hall of Fame.

Schacher, a native of Suf-fern, NY, lived in Rockland County until marrying his wife, Laurie. They live in Cobleskill where they raised their two daughters.

Several NYALPA members are officers in the National American Legion Press Association (NALPA).

Patrick Rourk is executive director.Kevin Harrington is Area 1 vice

president.Robert Stronach`is Area 1 director.Joseph Porempski is finance of-

ficer.Charles G. Mills is judge advo-

cate.

MEMBERS SERVE ON NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERNYALPA President Dorothy Button presents Taylor Blake with an oversized check repre-senting the $1,000 NY-ALPA Youth Scholarship. The presentation took place at St. Bonaventure University where Taylor is in her freshman year. Taylor was salutatorian of her 2017 graduating class at Cuba-Rushford High School. Photo by Lynda Pixley.

4 NYALPA Voice

The New York American Legion Press Association (NYALPA) honored its award-winning newsletter editors, writers, and webmasters at its annual luncheon held in conjunction with the Department of New York Conven-tion last July.

NYALPA Executive Director Lynda Pixley announced the winners in the 2017 Best Paper & Communication Contest. Here are the winners by category:

County/District PublicationsFirst Place: Erie County American Legion’s The Legion-

Air. The editor is James Bojanowski.

Post Publications (15 to 150 members)First Place: American Legion Marne Post 270 Newsletter,

Shirley Connolly, editor.Second Place: The Bugle, Merrick Post 1280, Richard M.

Ambrosino, editor

AWARDS HIGHLIGHT 2017 NYALPA LUNCHEONPost Publications (151 to 300 members)

First Place: Greenlawn Bugle, Greenlawn American Le-gion Post 1244, Robert Santo, editor

Post Publications: (over 300 members)First Place: Reveille, Hamburg Post 527, Paul Steward, editor.2nd Place: The Bugle, B. Parish Post 457, Barb Kesel, editor.

Websites (Am. Legion: Post/County/District/Department)First Place: merrickpost1282.org, Richard M. Ambrosino,

webmaster.

Editorial First Place: Home at Last - Editorial in Post 1645 News -

Dorolyn Perry, Editor.

Miscellaneous First Place: Sons of The American Legion Radio, Squad-

ron 135, Kenneth G. Kraetzer, director.

by Kevin HarringtonNYALPA secretary and NALPA vice president

Current NALPA Ex-ecutive Director Pat Rourk (NY) and Finance Officer Joseph Porempski (NY) will be leaving their positions effective at National Con-vention in August.

“We would like to thank Pat and Joe for their dedica-tion during their leadership representing our organiza-tion,” noted NYALPA Execu-tive Director Lynda Pixley.

Association members interested in applying for the Executive Director, Assistant or Fiscal Officer position, please refer to the information from the NA-LPA ByLaws (below).

To apply, send a cover let-ter and resume by April 30 to: NALPA President Mark

Sutton, 5377 Durfee Road, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. Or email mark@michiganlegion.org, or call (248) 390-5481.

Please copy Lynda Pixley, NYALPA Executive Direc-tor, PO Box 483 Sanborn, NY 14132, lyndapixley@gmail.com

Executive Director The NALPA executive

director must be fluent and comfortable in both oral and written presentations, knowl-edgeable with current digital communication tools, and have the ability to adapt to changes in technology to keep current with more efficient ways of communication and management of the associa-tion. General duties include:

■ Serves as the liaison between NALPA and staff of The American Legion Na-tional Headquarters Media

& Communication Division and Convention Division.

■ Manages the member-ship database and cards.

■ Implements sound fis-cal policy.

■ Supervises the annual Media Contest (receiving entries, arranging judging, and delivering awards to national convention site.

■ Coordinates with Legion Convention Division staff and convention catering for the annual awards luncheon, as well as space for the Executive Committee and annual general meetings.

■ Operates an office at the national convention.

■ Attends other national meetings as requested to represent NALPA.

Other duties may be as-signed as needed.

Fiscal Officer General duties of the NA-

LPA fiscal officer include: ■ Uses bank statements and

debit/credit logs to provide oversight of budget, profit and loss statements for an-nual general meeting and Executive Committee.

■ Completes an analysis of expenditures in comparison to approved budget (report); evaluates past fiscal year for fiscal health of the associa-tion (report); and provides a proposed budget. Experience in bookkeeping, accounting or finance is preferred.

Executive Director, As-sistant and Fiscal Officer positions are non-competi-tive, non-compensated 100 percent volunteer. Applicants must be current member in good standing in NALPA and American Legion Family.

LEADERSHIP OPENINGS AT NATIONAL LEVEL

Winter/Spring 2018 5

A. County/District PublicationsPast Department Commanders Award1. American Legion 300 or more members2. American Legion under 300 members3. Auxiliary/SAL/40&8 any size (May include in Legion

publication)

B. Post PublicationsPast Department Presidents Award1. American Legion Posts 15-150 members2. American Legion Posts 151-300 members3. American Legion Posts over 300 members4. Auxiliary/SAL/40&8 any size (May include in Legion

publication)

C. WebsitePast Detachment Commanders Award1. American Legion (Post/County/District/Department)2. Am. Legion Auxiliary (Unit/County/District/Department)3. SAL (Squadron/County/District/Detachment)

D. EditorialMichael J. Kogutek PNC Award1. Written by a member in organization publication2. Written by a member in a community publication3. Written by non-member in organization or community

publication.

E. Scrap BookPhyllis Bachman PNP Award1. Best presentation of organization publication and commu-

nity news clippings in scrap book form.

F. MiscellaneousChristopher R. Cerullo PNC Award1. Any publication from any affiliated organization not cov-

ered in other categories.

G. Public Relations Person of the YearFang Womg PNC Award1. A member who exemplifies good public relations by promoting

the organization in any variety of ways. An essay of accomplish-ments not to exceed 500 words must accompany the nomination.

H. Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Insta-gram, YouTube, etc.)

1. American Legion (Post/County/District/Department)2. Am. Legion Auxiliary (Unit/County/District/Department)3. SAL (Squadron/County/District/Detachment)

I. Visual Media (Photos, videos, and graphic illustration (e.g., published paintings, drawings or designs)

1. American Legion (Post/County/District/Department)2. Am. Legion Auxiliary (Unit/County/District/Department)3. SAL (Squadron/County/District/Detachment)

2018 ‘Best Paper’ & Communications ContestCATEGORIES

CONTEST RULESPlease read and follow all contest rules carefully.1. To enter, the editor, webmaster or organization must be a

member in good standing of NYALPA.2. Submit at least two different editions of the publication.3. Cover letter listing the following must accompany each entry:

A. Category you are entering.B. For publications, name of pub and full name, address,

phone number of editor (or submitter if not editor). Include average circulation of publication.

C. For visual media, full name, address and phone number of photographer/videographer/creator/producer.

D. For web and social media, full name, address, phone number of webmaster/administrator and website/social media address. Include statistics; i.e., hits/unique visitors, likes, followers, etc.

E. Full name, address and phone number of editorial writer and publication name for category “D”

F. Size of the organization your entry represents.G. Frequency of publication or updates to web/social media.H. Full name and number of the organization.

4. All entries must be produced in the contest year, which is between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018. Deadline for all entries is April 15, 2018.

5. A fee of $15.00 must accompany each entry.6. No submissions will be returned. However, scrap book

entries will be available for pickup at the awards luncheon. 7. Submitting Entries:

Mail entries to the following;Lynda Pixley

2966 Ridge RoadRansomville, NY 14131-9724

8. Awards will be presented at NYALPA’s annual meeting and luncheon during the Department Convention in Rochester.

8

6 NYALPA Voice

YOUTH, VETERANS MAY APPLY FOR $1,000 SCHOLARSHIPSThe New York American Legion Press Association offers two annual scholarships in the memory of Albert M.

Becker, Past NYALPA President (1984-85) and Past Department Commander (1988-89).

THE VOICEOutgoing Editor: Robert G. StronachIncoming Editor: Tim Van Patten II

The New York American Legion Press Association (NY-ALPA) is a nonprofit organization aimed at fostering excel-lence in public relations and journalism in the American Legion Family in New York State.

Submit queries, articles and photos to the editor at tsvp2@aol.com. Correspondence relating to circulation should be sent to the publisher, Lynda Pixley, at the ad-dress at right.

Copyright © 2018 by NYALPA. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the editor. However, the publisher of the The VOICE encourages you to contact us if you wish to use content for other non-profit organization publications. Opinions expressed by authors are their own and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher, editor or NYALPA. Subscription (via membership) is $10.00. Periodicals postage paid at East Aurora, NY - Per-mit # 3899. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: New York American Legion Press Association, c/o Lynda Pixley, NYALPA, PO Box 424, Sanborn, NY 14132.

Scholarship GuidelinesCategory 1: Youth Scholarship: Offered to a student

23 years of age or under, pursuing an undergraduate de-gree. MUST be a child or grandchild of a member of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of The American Legion, or him/her self a member. A child of a 50% or more disabled Vet, a child of a currently serv-ing National Guard or Reserve service person or the child of a deceased veteran (Copy of membership card, Service ID, VA Disability, or proof of deceased veteran, and High School Transcript MUST be provided).

Category 2: Military Scholarship: Offered to a military veteran with an honorable discharge, or a cur-rently serving National Guard or Reserve service person pursuing an undergraduate degree. (Copy of form 214 discharge, or current military ID MUST be provided) NOTE: It is not necessary for a person applying in this category to be a member of the American Legion family; however, extra credit will be given for membership.

< Amount of each scholarship: $1,000.00. Only one scholarship offered per category each year.

<Students MUST be entering or attending an accred-ited College, University or Trade School.

< Student may apply for this scholarship a maximum of two (2) academic years.

< Student MUST be a legal US citizen residing in New York State, but may pursue learning outside of New York.

< Student MUST be matriculated in at least twelve

(12) credit hours per semester for two (2) semesters and pursuing a degree in any of the following fields of communications: public relations, journalism, repro-graphic, newspaper design or management, web page design, video design, social media communications, photo journalism, American history, political science, public communications. Other fields of study may be considered by the scholarship committee if it feels the area of study falls within the goals of the New York American Legion Press Association, and that of The American Legion Family. (Proof of acceptance in an accredited school and course of study MUST be provided).

All documents proving eligibility will remain confiden-tial and not shared by anyone except the judges. Applica-tions and supporting documents will not be returned.

Academic Achievement, Financial Need, Community Involvement, and other notable characteristics will be considered, but will not be a sole deciding factor in deter-mining a winner.

Scholarship winners will be notified by mail, no later than June 1. Scholarships are awarded at NYALPA annual meeting, at New York State American Legion Conven-tion. Recipient and two guests will be invited. Should recipient not be able to attend, an appropriate time and place in the winners home area will be selected to present the award.

Winter/Spring 2018 7

NEW YORK AMERICAN LEGION PRESS ASSOCIATION ALBERT M. BECKER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

(PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY)

Name: ____________________________________ Phone: _________________ Birth Date: ______________

Mailing Address: _________________________________________ State: _______ Zip: __________________

Email Address: __________________________________________Pursuing Major: ______________________

School Currently Attending: ___________________________ Graduation Year: ________ N/A Veteran: ____

School Planning to Attend: _________________________________________ Phone: ___________________

School Address: ___________________________________________ State: _________ Zip: _______________

Scholarship Applying For: Category #1 Youth __________ Category #2 Military __________

Name of Person Applying Under: __________________________ Membership #: _______________________

Parent ______ Grand Parent ______ Self ______ Legion _____ Auxiliary ______ SAL ______ Veteran ______

Current Service Member ______ A Compensable Disabled Veteran ______ Deceased Veteran ______

Veteran Branch of Service ______________ Date of Discharge _______________ Years of Service _________

Extra-curricular activities, such as sports teams, clubs, volunteer activities, military and civilian awards, or honors

may be listed. ________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

EXTRA 5 POINTS CREDIT: I have participated in, or am a member of one or more of the following. Proof MUST be provided. Only 5 points maximum will be given. Check all that apply.Boys’ State ___ Girls’ State ___ Oratorical Program ___ Jr. Shooter Sports ___ Legion Baseball ___Boy Scouts ___ Girl Scouts ___ American Legion ___ Legion Auxiliary ___ SAL ___ Volunteer Firefighter ___ Active, Accredited EMT ___ Police ___ JR ROTC ___ Retired Veteran, 20+ Years of Service ___

A 500 word essay expressing your field of study, the reasons for choosing your field of study, and your goals upon completion of study, MUST be attached to this application.

Return application with all necessary documentation by April 15 to:Scholarship Chairperson, NYALPA

P.O. Box 424,Sanborn, NY 14132

I attest that all of the information provided is true and accurate;

Print Name ____________________________________________________________

Signature _____________________________________________________________

Date _____________________________________

8 NYALPA Voice

NYALPA Applicationc/o Lynda Pixley, NYALPA

PO Box 424, Sanborn, NY 14132

PLEASE PRINT

Name ____________________________________

Address __________________________________

_________________________________________

E-mail ____________________________________

Phone ____________________________________

I wish to join: The American Legion’s

National Press Association: $15 ____

New York Press Association: $10 ____

New Member ____ NYALPA Pin $ 6 ____

Renewal ____ NALPA Pin $ 6 ____

I am a member of:

The American Legion ____

The American Legion Auxiliary ____

Sons of The American Legion ____

Post / Unit / Squad # ______________

Membership Card # _______________

County ____________________ District ______

Make checks payable to NYALPA and send with completed application to the above address.

www.NYALPA.org

New York American Legion Press AssociationPO Box 424Sanborn, NY 14132

Non-Proft OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #3899Buffalo, NY