What is a

UPAR?

State Public Affairs Office Staff

Unit Public Affairs Representative Course Introduction

WelcomeIntroductions

Agenda

GoalsDefine What a Unit Public Affairs Representative IsIdentify the Roles and Responsibilities of a UPARPrepare Attendees to Serve as Their UPARProvide all UPARS the Tools Needed to be Effective

StandardsSuccessfully Complete Two Prerequisite On-line Courses (for Army Guard); the Two-Day UPAR Course; and the Final Practical Exercise

Introduction

1. Tell your unit’s and fellow Soldiers’ stories through print, photographs and social media.

• Positively impact unit recruiting, retention and morale by highlighting unit’s training and talent

 

2. Serve as the Commander’s advisor/subject matter expert on media issues and operations.

• Be prepared to assist the Commander in preparing to meet/escort the media

 

3. Be the communications CONDUIT to the State PAO and other MACOM PA assets (e.g. 130th PAD, JFHQ Public Affairs, 103rd AW Public Affairs)

• Inform of issues, notify of upcoming training events/potential stories, research questions, coordinate support/schedule coverage

 

4. Help to develop and maintain your unit’s Command Information Program • Assist in the design and content of your unit’s Facebook page, Twitter account, website, Unit

newsletter, Command Information bulletin board, etc.

UPAR MISSION

STATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERSTATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

STATE PA NCOGUARDIAN EDITOR UPAR MANAGER

STATE PA NCOGUARDIAN EDITOR UPAR MANAGER

UPARUPAR

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERVIDEO PRODUCERSOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERVIDEO PRODUCER

PAO/UPAR Organization

MACOM/UNITCOMMANDERSMACOM/UNITCOMMANDERS

130TH PUBLIC AFFAIRS DETACHMENT130TH PUBLIC AFFAIRS DETACHMENT

AIR GUARDPUBLIC AFFAIRSAIR GUARDPUBLIC AFFAIRS143RD ASG

PUBLIC AFFAIRS143RD ASG PUBLIC AFFAIRS

JFHQPUBLIC AFFAIRSJFHQPUBLIC AFFAIRS

Goals

• Increased public awareness of the Connecticut National Guard• Increased public confidence of the Connecticut National Guard• Increased public support of the Connecticut National Guard• Increased Command Information to Guardsmen, Families, Retirees,

and Employers

• Positively impact unit recruiting, retention and morale by highlighting unit’s training and talent

• Inform of issues, notify of upcoming training events/potential stories, research questions, coordinate support/schedule coverage

* * DIRECTLY IMPACT THE SUCCESS OF THE CTNG STRENGTH, DIRECTLY IMPACT THE SUCCESS OF THE CTNG STRENGTH, IMPROVE UNIT READINESS & INCREASE INFORMATION FLOWIMPROVE UNIT READINESS & INCREASE INFORMATION FLOW

Being aUPAR

• Is about adding value to your unit• Is about recognizing your fellow Soldiers and Airmen• Is about preparing your unit and commander for

media contact

• Being a UPAR is an enhancement of the State Public Affairs Office, NOT a replacement for it

• Being a UPAR is a an appointed, additional duty – be efficient and do the best you can with available time and talent

• Being a UPAR is about telling OUR story

Duties

• Be the ‘Eyes & Ears’ of your unit for the PA Office• Inform the PA Office of upcoming events that could be

covered by internal and external media• Request coverage of events, training, ceremonies,

etc.• Provide Hometown News Release information to PA

Office• Cover events for the Connecticut Guardian and/or

Social Media• Assist in preparing Commander/unit members for

visits by internal and external media sources• Assist Commander and TAG in publicizing the

Connecticut National Guard, its mission and its people• Provide PA Office with information on Community

Involvement Missions• Prepare the Commander for Media Interactions• Tell the Stories of the Soldiers/Airmen in Your Unit

Responsibilities

• Maintain communications with PA Office, Commander and other key unit leaders

• Be a Self-Starter/Work Independently• PLAN future training, unit member

coverage • Meet deadlines• Know your unit and the people in it• Assist other unit special staff: recruiters,

retention NCO, FRG liaison, etc.• Equipment accountability• Hometown News Release Program

Expectations

• Make a commitment to being the best UPAR you can be

• Run your unit’s Hometown News Release Program

• Know your unit and the people in it

• Provide input to Connecticut Guardian/Social Media as often as possible

• Personality profiles on members of your unit

• Meet deadlines• Open Communications• Request Assistance when

needed

Review

• UPARs are NOT a replacement for Full-time Public Affairs staff, but an enhancement of Public Affairs

• UPARs add readiness value to their units by supporting recruiting and retention efforts, while preparing the unit for media interaction

• UPARs help tell the story of the Connecticut National Guard and its people

• UPARs are the ‘Eyes & Ears’ of their units/PA Office

• UPARs are important to the mission of the Connecticut National Guard

Q & A

Questions?