www.vcds-vcemd.forces.gc.ca/cres-cdts

Public Affairs BriefArmy Cadet League of Canada – British Columbia Branch

Pillars Conference 2011:

Public Affairs Support and Opportunities

Maj Dan Thomas, DGRC Senior PAO

Saturday, 30 April 2011

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Strategic Significance of Corps Activities

CPGI authorizes growth through retention and attraction

PA is an enabler to both requirements

Youth engagement is critical; families and stakeholders need to hear from the Cadets and others at first hand

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National PA Considerations

The challenge: how to promote the program locally, considering:

All national advertising funds go to Reg/Res CF recruiting

DGRC PA provides promotional items and literature to Regions, Corps/Squadrons

Public Relations “toolbox” will be issued to Regions and Corps

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Best Local PA Practices

Enable the Cadets to tell their story Establish contacts with local media Provide great content to local news

agencies (expeditions, competitions, CSTCs)

Foster face to face communication; engage parents and stakeholders

Consider the overall Cadet mission: “think nationally, act locally”

Consult Pacific Region PAO: Capt Amélie Leduc, (250) 363-7302, amelie.leduc@forces.gc.ca

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Promoting the Cadet Program

Whom do we need to “target”? Youth Parents Educators Stakeholders Community leaders Local media

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Promoting the Cadet Program

How to reach them: Face to face

Event Displays Public Speaking

Local Media “Hometowners” Success stories

Social Media Facebook Twitter

Websites Cadets.ca Xperience.gc.ca

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Xperience – The National On-Line Cadets and JCR Newsletter

Much more than Cadence replacement! Shares best practices Serves Cadets, JCRs, leaders, stakeholders No space limit (i.e. maximum pages) Needs imagery and text; CSTCs should plan and

draw from courses/Cadets/JCRs Submissions/editorial consultations:

xperience@forces.gc.ca Site: www.xperience.gc.ca Editor: Captain John Weingardt,

John.Weingardt@forces.gc.ca, 613-996-6135; request CSTCs contact, plan submissions

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Conclusion